Category Archives: Alberta Health Care

Laurie Blakeman Takes a Symbolic Step…in the Wrong Direction

Posted on March 15, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Crikey! On Friday Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman announced that she’ll be running as a candidate for the Liberals, the Alberta Party and the Greens in the upcoming election… …and on Sunday Ms Soapbox announced to her dad that she’d joined … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Energy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Mr Prentice: Premier or CEO?

Posted on February 15, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“We have to do more with less. That will apply across the board. It will have to apply to the very good work [of the child advocate], it will have to apply to my office, it will have to apply … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

The Sonic Boom: How Alberta Became an “Offshore Business” in the Pathology Market

Posted on November 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Why does Stephen Mandel, the newly minted Minister of Health, think it’s a good idea for Alberta taxpayers to support the lifestyles of wealthy Australian businessmen who earn more than $13 million a year, their executive teams who get ridiculous … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

194 ABCs and Why They Matter

Posted on October 5, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

The other day on the campaign trail I met a Bearded Dragon. He was curled up in the arms of a little girl, blinking sleepily in the afternoon sun. He practically purred when I stroked his chin. (Yes I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Jim Prentice’s First Week in Office–Straight out of the Corporate Playbook

Posted on September 21, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“As of this moment, Alberta is under new management.” — Jim Prentice, 16th Premier of Alberta* Transition. There’s nothing more unsettling; no, strike that, nerve-wracking, for an organization than a change-out of senior leadership, particularly when the old leader is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

How a “Fiscally Conservative” Government Facing a $20 Billion Debt Delivers on its Promises

Posted on September 7, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Tonight, we begin the work of advancing and protecting sound, conservative fiscal principles.” —Future Premier Jim Prentice, victory speech, Sept 6, 2014 It hasn’t escaped Ms Soapbox’s notice that the party that bills itself as fiscally conservative has us on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Who Deserves A Severance Package: Ms Neala Barton or the AHS Executives?

Posted on July 6, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

 “de-mur: to make objection; especially on the grounds of scruples”—Dictionary.com Neala Barton has the uncanny ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and emerge unscathed. She was a communications staffer for Ontario health minister David Caplan—until … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Carpay Decision and a Canary

Posted on April 6, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

One can’t help but feel Dr Allen’s pain. In fact many of us have felt Dr Allen’s pain, although not to such a debilitating degree. Dr Allen is a 36 year old dentist from Okotoks. In Dec 2007 he injured … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

The Buck Stops Here — Privacy 101 for Minister Horne — A guest blog by lawyer Brian Thiessen

Posted on January 25, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Susan on the Soapbox welcomes her first guest blogger.  Employment and privacy lawyer Brian Thiessen has a few words to say about a privacy breach that impacts 620,000 Albertans.  The title says it all.  The Buck Stops Here–Privacy 101 for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, General Health Care, Guest Bloggers, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Wolves and Rabbits: The $3 billion RFP for Lab Services

Posted on December 22, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

I was slogging through Alberta Health Service’s Request For Proposals (RFP) for a 15 year $3 billion contract to provide lab services in the Edmonton area when the words of a former boss popped to mind…The world is divided into … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments