Category Archives: Energy & Natural Resources

The Alberta Energy Board: What the PC Government learned and failed to learn from Machiavelli

Posted on June 23, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

On the same day that the Health Minister unceremoniously fired the Alberta Health Services board for refusing to revoke $3.2 million in bonuses, the Energy Minister announced the appointment of the Alberta Energy Board. Hmmm.  I wonder whether in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Will Platts Pop Alberta’s “Bitumen Bubble”?

Posted on May 26, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Platts, a global company with a remarkably flaccid name, finds itself smack in the middle of an international price fixing scandal and I really hope the Alberta government is paying attention!  Last week the European Commission storm troopers, sorry, inspectors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Redford’s Keystone Ad in the New York Times: The St Patrick’s Day Blunder

Posted on March 17, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

So it’s come to this has it?  Premier Redford has officially abdicated responsibility for the Canadian natural resource strategy to her communications director, Stefan Baranski, who persuaded Ms Redford to place an ad in today’s New York Times.   The … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

A $6 Billion “Bitumen Bubble”…Really?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s the “bubble’s” fault.  According to Alison Redford a “bitumen bubble” triggered a nose dive in oilsands crude prices resulting in a $6 billion shortfall in Alberta’s resource revenues and leaving Albertans $6 billion short for the upcoming budget.*  Ouch! … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Alberta: Poised on the Fiscal Cliff. Again!

Posted on December 30, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The Alberta Progressive Conservatives are in deep trouble when the only PC making any sense is Ron Liepert (yes, that Ron Liepert, Alberta’s former finance minister and one man wrecking crew).  Mr Liepert says it’s time for the government to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Through the Looking Glass

Posted on November 25, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

On Apr 23, 2012, the day that Alison Redford’s PC government was re-elected, Albertans fell down a rabbit hole.   On Nov 24, 2012, they crashed through the Looking Glass and their rate of descent is rapidly approaching terminal velocity. What’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

How The Tories Took Away Our Voice: The Responsible Energy Development Act (Bill 2)

Posted on November 4, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

While we’ve been frothing about the government’s refusal to admit that there’s something fundamentally wrong with a political party accepting a $430,000 campaign donation from a single benefactor, Redford`s government is quietly going about its business—eliminating our right to stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Philosophy of Will Mac: Its Application to CNOOC’s Takeover of Nexen

Posted on October 14, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

William McElcheran is a Canadian artist best known for a series of bronze sculptures called “The Businessmen”.  Calgarians will be familiar with “The Conversation”—two life-sized chubby businessmen complete with hats, overcoats and brief cases, deep in conversation outside the Hudson’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The CNOOC Takeover of Nexen: Net Benefit to the 1%

Posted on September 30, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Many Canadian opposed to CNOOC taking over Nexen are reluctant to say so lest they be labelled economically naive or xenophobic.   I’m neither so let me tell you why my spidey senses are tingling: #1 CNOOC is a state owned … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Alison Redford’s Fall From Grace

Posted on August 24, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford’s political career started with such promise.  She differentiated herself from her running mates in the PC leadership race with a clarion call for authentic leadership (openness, accountability and transparency).  However today she hit a (yet another) sour note … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments