Category Archives: Economy

Albertans Aren’t Feeling the Love

Posted on November 25, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Ms Soapbox wrote an article for CBC in which she called out the hypocrisy of the energy industry and various conservatives who want the Alberta government to impose temporary industry-wide production cuts to prop up oil prices. Isn’t … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on September 16, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

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 susanonthesoapbox

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 , , , , | 39 Comments

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Court Decision

Posted on September 4, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

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 susanonthesoapbox

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 susanonthesoapbox

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 susanonthesoapbox

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 susanonthesoapbox

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

Thank You Alberta Party!

Posted on January 14, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

When Greg Clark stepped down as the leader of the Alberta Party Ms Soapbox wondered whether the party had lost its mind. When Rick Fraser and Stephen Mandel, two former Progressive Conservatives, entered the AP leadership race, Ms Soapbox wondered … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

When They Go Low: the Kenney by-election debate

Posted on December 11, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

On Sunday afternoon Mr and Ms Soapbox were jammed into an overheated community hall listening to five politicians explain why they were the best choice to represent the good citizens of Calgary-Lougheed in the by-election triggered when Dave Rodney stepped … Continue reading →

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