Category Archives: Energy & Natural Resources

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

Politics and the Debate Club

Posted on November 26, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

I know, I know, you’d rather watch the Grey Cup game, so I’ll make this quick. Yesterday, Ms Soapbox and a friend judged the final round in the Sir Winston Churchill High School Debate Competition.  The competition was hosted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Question Period? Really?

Posted on November 12, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

How much longer do we have to put up with this nonsense? The Alberta Legislature has been in session for eight days and the UCP is using Question Period to test-drive political slogans. Ms Soapbox’s personal favourite is the UCP’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 57 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

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

Trudeau forgets Alberta; Alberta flips out

Posted on July 2, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Canada is a special place; but Alberta is a little prickly. The Soapbox family celebrated Canada Day at Olympic Plaza trying to dislodge a Big Red Ball wedged between some girders, admiring children’s art work (our favourite was a mask … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 40 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

What Would the Romans Do?

Posted on May 7, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s a pity Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt hadn’t read Jane Jacobs’ Dark Age Ahead before he launched into his description of how the ancient Romans dealt with governments that were, in his words, “beyond redemption”.   Fildebrandt said the NDP’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

“Phasing Out” the Oilsands

Posted on January 15, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

At a recent town hall meeting Mr Trudeau reiterated his position on climate change.  He said: “You can’t make a choice between what’s good for the environment and what’s good for the economy.  We can’t shut down the oilsands tomorrow.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Lessons From Rex Tillerson*

Posted on December 18, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

If Rex Tillerson, the former head of ExxonMobil and Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, taught a class on pipeline strategy Brian Jean would be stuck at the front of the room wearing a dunce cap and Rachel Notley … Continue reading →

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