Category Archives: Employment

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

Who will fight a bear for you?

Posted on November 5, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

The forces at play in the upcoming 2019 provincial election are reflected in how you react to this banner. The banner is a part of Calgary’s bid for Amazon’s second headquarters.  Some people loved its edgy, self-deprecating message, others didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Unsolicited Advice from A Conservative Pundit

Posted on June 18, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

This week Preston Manning, former leader of the Reform Party, offered some advice to the yet to be formed United Conservative Party (or whatever it’s going to call itself after the Wildrose and the Progressive Conservatives merge). A vision of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Bill 17: A Unicorn or a Chimera?

Posted on May 28, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week the NDP government introduced the Fair and Family-Friendly Workplaces Act (Bill 17).  It’s intended to update workplace legislation that became increasingly outdated under Progressive Conservative rule. Premier Notley describes Bill 17 as a balanced middle of the road … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments