Category Archives: Employment

Premier Smith Closes the Door on Asylum Claimants

Posted on September 15, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

On Sept 12, the day after The Trump/Harris debate, Premier Smith told the federal government that Alberta has closed its doors to any more asylum seekers.   Here’s what she said:     “Alberta’s government is opposed to the federal government’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Danielle Smith, Education, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 52 Comments

Happy Labour Day

Posted on September 2, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

Yesterday Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement celebrating Alberta Day—a non-stat holiday created by her predecessor Jason Kenney to commemorate the day Alberta became a province—without once mentioning Confederation. Today the UCP government went one better. It issued a Happy … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Danielle Smith, Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 47 Comments

A Word of Advice…

Posted on June 4, 2023 by susanonthesoapbox

We’re still trying to make sense of this election.   There’s no question Rachel Notley’s NDP made phenomenal gains against the UCP.   They pulled in 776,000 votes (157,000 more than they received in 2019) and gained 39 seats (15 … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Climate Change, Danielle Smith, Economy, Education, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Minister Toews and the AUPE: A Shift in the Balance of Power

Posted on October 17, 2021 by susanonthesoapbox

“Strikes are only one measure of unrest.” Todd Vachon, an assistant professor and director of labor education at Rutgers University. Did you catch it, that shift in the balance of power? Last Wednesday Finance Minister Travis Toews issued a statement … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments

Easter in Alberta

Posted on April 4, 2021 by susanonthesoapbox

Whether you observe Easter, Passover, or the rising of the first full moon after the spring equinox, this is the time of year when we emerge from the gloom of winter with renewed hope for the spring. Sadly, some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Celebrations, Economy, Education, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 64 Comments

Leadership in the Post-Pandemic World

Posted on May 3, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s been two and a half months since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic; infections and deaths will continue until a vaccine is found. Economists and global thinkers may disagree on what the new world will look like, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Climate Change, Economy, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

The Magical Ms M and the Blue Ribbon Panel on Finances

Posted on September 8, 2019 by susanonthesoapbox

When Jason Kenney asked former finance minister Janice MacKinnon “to conduct a deep dive into Alberta’s fiscal situation” he told her to deliver recommendations to balance the budget by 2023 and develop a plan to retire the province’s debt without … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Education, Employment, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Cowboys and Politicians

Posted on July 14, 2019 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s the last day of the Calgary Stampede.  It’s also the last day for politicians to dress up as cowboys for one last photo-op before getting back to business of politics.    The issue we have with this photo isn’t … Continue reading →

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

About Those Ear Plugs…

Posted on June 24, 2019 by susanonthesoapbox

Sigh.  I expected to spend the next four years writing letters to my MLA, Doug Schweitzer, but I didn’t think the first one would be about ear plugs. But we play the cards we’re dealt so here goes.  Dear Hon. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Crime and Justice, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 82 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