Category Archives: Energy & Natural Resources

Political Discourse in Alberta: Seen through Orwell’s Lens

Posted on October 14, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”—George Orwell It was fascinating to consider Jason Kenney’s comments on two issues that arose this week in the … Continue reading →

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

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Court Decision

Posted on September 4, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Ms Soapbox spent the long weekend poring over the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying the Order-in-Council that approved the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX).  Mr Bumble’s comment in Oliver Twist comes to mind.  Mr Bumble said if the court … Continue reading →

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

What do Jason Kenney, John Horgan and Elizabeth May have in Common?

Posted on June 3, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

This just in from the “strange-bedfellows” department:     When it comes to the Trans Mountain pipeline, Jason Kenney, BC premier John Horgan and Green Party leader Elizabeth May are singing from the same song sheet. They all agree that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments

The Country is Broken!

Posted on April 22, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Just when Albertans thought things couldn’t get any worse, Jason Kenney declared the country was broken. What? Did Trumpism seep across the border while we were sleeping? Canada survived the FLQ Crisis and the War Measures Act, the bitter negotiations … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 52 Comments

Jason Kenney Debates a Motion

Posted on March 20, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

An update from the Kenney-channelling-Trump department. After weeks of flooding the airwaves with demands for an emergency debate on a motion condemning BC’s interference with the Trans Mountain pipeline Jason Kenney finally got a chance to demonstrate what he meant … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The Role of the Political Journalist

Posted on March 4, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“The journalistic mission remains at its simplest: know your patch and use your knowledge to try to tell readers what’s actually going on.”– Katharine Murphy, Journalism Professor & Guardian Australia’s deputy political editor. Is it right for a political journalist … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 37 Comments

The Magical Thinkers: Horgan and Kenney

Posted on February 25, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

I’m not sure what’s more bizarre, BC Premier John Horgan’s rationale for asking the BC Supreme Court to rule on whether BC can limit the amount of diluted bitumen flowing on Trans Mountain or Jason Kenney’s reaction to Horgan’s decision … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Jason Kenney’s Non-Partisan Request

Posted on February 18, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

This just in from “the train-has-left-the-station” department. Let’s see, how should Alberta respond to BC’s announcement that it will limit bitumen shipments from Alberta until it completes consultation on more spill response studies? Well, the Notley government could impose a … Continue reading →

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

Huffing and Puffing “Leadership”

Posted on February 5, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week BC Premier John Horgan said BC would ban any increase in shipments of diluted bitumen (dilbit) to BC until a scientific advisory panel determined whether shippers can adequately prevent and clean up dilbit spills.  If the panel decides … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 93 Comments

Thank You Alberta Party!

Posted on January 14, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

When Greg Clark stepped down as the leader of the Alberta Party Ms Soapbox wondered whether the party had lost its mind. When Rick Fraser and Stephen Mandel, two former Progressive Conservatives, entered the AP leadership race, Ms Soapbox wondered … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments