Category Archives: Environment

“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

“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

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

What We Learned from the Fort McMurray Wildfire

Posted on May 8, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

The government calls it MWF-009. Darby Allen, the regional fire chief of Wood Buffalo, calls it The Beast. Regardless of what it’s called the Fort McMurray wildfire is erratic, unpredictable and extremely dangerous. It was spotted on Sunday May 1; … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

B.C. “attacks” Alberta. Really?

Posted on February 14, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Thirty-six little words. That’s all it took for the media to whip Albertans up into a “how dare you” frenzy. It started with the BC government’s Throne Speech in which Premier Christy Clark took her new election slogan—Say YES—for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Notley’s Royalty Review

Posted on February 1, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Rachel Notley is driving Brian Jean and Ric McIver crazy. Every time they think they’ve backed her into a corner on the energy file she comes out with a creative and pragmatic solution which has the industry’s backing. What’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment | Tagged , , , | 39 Comments

Notley’s Approach to Trans Mountain (boys, get with the program)

Posted on January 24, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

“Projects like pipelines shouldn’t pit one province against another—they should stimulate conversations that recognize the economic needs and positions of all provinces.”—Alberta premier, Rachel Notley   It doesn’t matter what Rachel Notley does to support interprovincial pipelines it’s never enough—at … Continue reading →

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

The Fly Report: Why TCPL Sued Obama and the US Government

Posted on January 10, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

TransCanada Pipelines (TCPL) just announced it is going to sue the US government for $15 billion under NAFTA and while they’re at it sue President Obama for exceeding his power under the US Constitution. Some lawyers say TCPL has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments