Category Archives: Economics

How Truth Dies

Posted on September 3, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

The UCP leadership race just began and already we’re being asked to choose between two conflicting versions of the truth. Jason Kenney says Brian Jean is a poor financial manager because Jean created a $337,000 deficit in the UCP caucus … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 53 Comments

Sandra Jansen is right, there are Progressive Conservatives in Alberta

Posted on October 16, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Sandra Jansen just confirmed she’s running for the leadership of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party.  This is good news because her campaign will test Jason Kenney’s assertion that there’s no such thing as a progressive conservative. Kenney is peddling the line … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Four Things We Learned From Brexit

Posted on June 26, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

What was he thinking?  The UK, with or without Scotland and Northern Ireland, is leaving the EU, but first it has to slog through two harrowing years extricating itself from its most important market (44% of all of the UK’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

Notley’s Budget: Myths and Facts

Posted on April 17, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

The NDP government unveiled its budget on Thursday.  The conservatives reacted as if the government dropped a neutron bomb on the people. Wildrose leader Brian Jean worried that parents driving their kids to hockey practice would end up in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Value of Money

Posted on December 13, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Dr David Dick is fascinated by money. Ms Soapbox isn’t…or wasn’t until she tried to understand why Albertans kept telling pollsters they’re okay with the NDP’s plans for greening the environment, funding education and healthcare and protecting paid farm workers … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Economy, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

Fearmongering or Hopemongering? It’s Your Call Alberta

Posted on May 3, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“I think it has deteriorated into groundless name-calling, and it’s certainly not the strategy that I would take.”—Rachel Notley reflecting on comments made by Jim Prentice and Brian Jean To hear Jim Prentice and Brian Jean tell it, Rachel Notley’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Jim Prentice’s Budget: The Not-So-Subtle Language of Money

Posted on April 5, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“There is no fortress so strong that money cannot take it.” — Cicero On Mar 24, 2015 Jim Prentice sent Albertans a message of such heartless cynicism that only the most naïve amongst us would fail to understand. Money talks. … Continue reading →

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

Prentice Takes a Pay Cut and You Should Too. Um, What???

Posted on February 1, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” – Anatole France “Burden-sharing” When Mr Prentice announced the 5% cut in MLA … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 45 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

Redford’s Performance Appraisal: The Building Alberta Plan

Posted on December 15, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford’s performance appraisal document landed on my doorstep a week ago.  It’s called “The Building Alberta Plan 2013 Edition”. In the real world a CEO undergoes an annual performance appraisal with the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 16 Comments