Category Archives: Energy & Natural Resources

Two Pipelines Approved: The Opposition Reacts (badly)

Posted on December 4, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Do you have a headache? Are you an Alberta conservative wondering how to react to Trudeau approving the Trans Mountain and Line 3 pipelines and, horrors, singling out Notley’s Climate Leadership Plan as being vital to getting to yes? If … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Jason Kenney Takes a Page from the Donald Trump Playbook

Posted on November 6, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Last night the Progressive Conservatives kicked off their leadership race in earnest. As expected Jason Kenney urged party members to “unite Alberta” (ie destroy the PCs by merging them with the rebranded Wildrose party) while the other five candidates reassured … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Sandra Jansen is right, there are Progressive Conservatives in Alberta

Posted on October 16, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Sandra Jansen just confirmed she’s running for the leadership of Alberta’s Progressive Conservative party.  This is good news because her campaign will test Jason Kenney’s assertion that there’s no such thing as a progressive conservative. Kenney is peddling the line … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

“Post-truth” Politics in Alberta

Posted on October 2, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Albertans can learn a lot about the importance of truth in politics from the Trump/Clinton presidential race. Political lies have moved beyond “misstatements” for which politicians “take full responsibility” and (sort of) apologize, to “truthiness”, a term coined by Stephen … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Another Fine Mess: Thanks Stevie

Posted on September 19, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

It turns out the famous Laurel and Hardy phrase “here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into” is a misquote.  What Oliver Hardy really said to the hapless Stan Laurel was “here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten us into”. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Who should govern in times of significant disruption?

Posted on September 11, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Chris Kutarna says this is the best time in history to be alive.  We’re healthier, wealthier and better educated than at any other time in history…so why are we so miserable? Kutarna is a Fellow at the Oxford Martin School … Continue reading →

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

PPAs and the Master Narrative in Alberta

Posted on August 14, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

The American Press Institute (API) describes pack journalism,” now known as “the master narrative,” as a story line the press corps en masse is telling or repeating. The API warns that master narratives can become a “trap or rut” and … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

The NDP’s Power Play: Myths and Facts

Posted on August 7, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Alberta’s NDP government wants to save Albertans $2 billion and the Wildrose, the Progressive Conservatives and the media are churning up a dust storm of misinformation trying to stop them. Let’s take it from the top, shall we? Klein deregulates … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 63 Comments

Notley’s Budget: Myths and Facts

Posted on April 17, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

The NDP government unveiled its budget on Thursday.  The conservatives reacted as if the government dropped a neutron bomb on the people. Wildrose leader Brian Jean worried that parents driving their kids to hockey practice would end up in the … Continue reading →

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

“Kudatah”: It’s not a joke

Posted on March 13, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Ms Soapbox is deeply troubled by last week’s failed Kudatah. The Kudatah (or “coup d’etat” for those who know how to spell) was George Clark’s attempt to overthrow the NDP government. George blames the NDP for the economic downturn. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments