Category Archives: Environment

Notley Reads the Tea Leaves: The Climate Leadership Plan

Posted on November 29, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Last Sunday hell froze over, or so it seemed to many Albertans. Alberta’s NDP premier, Rachel Notley, unveiled her government’s Climate Leadership Plan. She was surrounded by representatives from NGOs and aboriginal groups as well as the CEOs of Suncor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government, Science | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

POTUS Kills Keystone XL

Posted on November 8, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

On Friday Barack Obama refused to issue a presidential permit allowing TCPL’s Keystone XL pipeline to cross the border between Canada and the United States. Obama rejected KXL because it wouldn’t meaningfully contribute to the economy, reduce gas prices or … Continue reading →

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

The Cowboy Code and the Abuse of Grazing Leases

Posted on July 12, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Alberta ranchers could teach Wall Street moguls a thing or two about leveraging other peoples’ money for personal gain. The Auditor General just released a report showing that Alberta ranchers short changed Albertans about $25 million last year. Furthermore, they’ll … Continue reading →

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

Premier Prentice Fast Tracks Flood Mitigation

Posted on September 28, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

It started with another “feel good” press release. On Wed Sept 24, 2014, Premier Prentice announced that he was proceeding with two flood mitigation projects. He’ll divert the Highwood River to protect High River and create a dry reservoir in … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Alberta’s Climate Change Strategy Goes Up in Smoke

Posted on July 13, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Alberta’s Auditor General blew a gasket. He called the government’s performance on climate change strategy “troubling” and “disturbing”. Hey, he’s a mild mannered accountant; this is as in-your-face as he gets. Mr Saher kicked off the July 2014 audit report … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

A Gift from Chief Justice McLachlin: The Tsilhqot’in Decision on Aboriginal Rights*

Posted on June 29, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

On June 26, 2014, in a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin gave the First Nations (and the rest of Canada) a treasure map. It wasn’t a crumpled piece of paper covered with a … Continue reading →

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

Desmond Tutu and the “Animals in War” Memorial

Posted on June 15, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Everywhere you turn in London there’s a statue or monument commemorating an epic battle or a long dead sovereign. While interesting, none is as compelling as the Animals in War memorial.  It reduced me to tears. The Animals in War … Continue reading →

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

Obama Punts Keystone XL (Again) — Harper Learns a Lesson in Humility (Maybe)

Posted on April 27, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“If you were a betting man (or woman) what odds would you place on President Obama approving the Keystone XL pipeline before the end of his term and why?” Ms Soapbox posed the question to a panel* discussing the future … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Breakfast with Hillary Clinton

Posted on March 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Calgary last week to give the keynote address at a breakfast meeting of 2500 Calgarians who paid about $500 to hear her speak.  Luckily my friend, the Zen Banker, invited me to attend as her … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics, Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Trouble with Ezra Levant…

Posted on January 26, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Ezra Levant is a Canadian media personality, an ultra-conservative political activist, author and lawyer who has made a brilliant career out of being half right.  In a recent episode of The Source, Mr Levant outlined the flaws in Neil Young’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments