Category Archives: Economy

The Notwithstanding Clause: A Gift from Doug Ford to Jason Kenney

Posted on September 16, 2018 by

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. Last week Doug Ford went straight to the nuclear option when a judge told him no Doug, you can’t downsize Toronto city council in the middle of a municipal election just because you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

What Albertans Can Learn From Barack Obama

Posted on September 9, 2018 by

To paraphrase that old E.F. Hutton commercial, when Barack Obama talks, people listen. Last week Obama spoke at the University of Illinois.  He broke with the tradition of ex-presidents stepping away from the podium to give the new guy a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education, Lectures, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Court Decision

Posted on September 4, 2018 by

Ms Soapbox spent the long weekend poring over the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying the Order-in-Council that approved the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX).  Mr Bumble’s comment in Oliver Twist comes to mind.  Mr Bumble said if the court … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

Fifteen Bucks an Hour

Posted on August 19, 2018 by

The government is gradually increasing Alberta’s minimum wage from $10.20 in Oct 2015 and to a cap of $15/hour in Oct 2018.  Fifteen bucks an hour.  This increase is not going to land anyone in the lap of luxury–$15/hour is … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Ontario Elects Doug Ford; Alberta Unleashes the Valkyries

Posted on June 10, 2018 by

Valkyrie: from Norse mythology, meaning “chooser of the slain”;  female figures who choose who will die in battle and who will live.    Ms Soapbox has a message for all the politicians who “know” what their female constituents need but … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Feminism, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

The UCP Runs Away from the Bubble Zone

Posted on April 15, 2018 by

Last week the NDP government introduced Bill 9 which will create a 50-metre bubble zone of safety and privacy for women accessing healthcare, including abortions and other reproductive health services,* in Calgary and Edmonton. Jason Kenney and the UCP caucus … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, General Health Care, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

Huffing and Puffing “Leadership”

Posted on February 5, 2018 by

Last week BC Premier John Horgan said BC would ban any increase in shipments of diluted bitumen (dilbit) to BC until a scientific advisory panel determined whether shippers can adequately prevent and clean up dilbit spills.  If the panel decides … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 93 Comments