Category Archives: Politics and Government

Jason Kenney and the KXL Deal

Posted on April 5, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Mr Kenney threw away (yet again) his belief in the sanctity of the free market by announcing his government (ie. us) would invest $1.5 billion in TC Energy (formerly TCPL) to complete Keystone XL and provide a $6 … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

The Leader and His Team

Posted on March 29, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s been a tough week for everyone; especially that “young, energetic and diverse team with deep experience” that Jason Kenney (his words by the way) appointed to Cabinet. Health Minister Shandro took it upon himself to turn up at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

The Impact of COVID-19 on Democracy

Posted on March 22, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

James Madison said tyranny arises “on some favourable emergency”. The COVID-19 pandemic is today’s “favourable emergency.” It’s being used by unscrupulous politicians as a smokescreen for undemocratic behavior in Alberta’s Legislature and an excuse for Jason Kenney to enlist the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

COVID-19: A Study in Leadership

Posted on March 15, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

 “The first role of government is to help people in crisis or need. That’s why we have government.”– John McCain Crisis separates the leaders from wannabes. We will be watching our leaders and wannabes very carefully over the next few … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 59 Comments

Budget 2020 and the Snake

Posted on March 8, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

On Feb 27, 2020 the Kenney government released Budget 2020. The day it was tabled it was under water, less than two weeks later it drowned. It sank beneath the surface once and for all because of a snake (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Bill 1 and Freedom of Assembly

Posted on March 1, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

What do the Wet’suwet’en First Nations blockades have to do with Alberta’s Budget 2020? Everything. The blockades are the rationale (flimsy as it is) for Bill 1, Critical Infrastructure Defence Act which the Kenney government will use to quell protests … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Economy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Teck Withdraws the Frontier Application

Posted on February 24, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

Let’s try to have a sensible conversation about Teck, shall we? On Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 Teck Resources Ltd pulled its application for the Frontier oil sands project.  The federal government was supposed to give Frontier the green light, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

The Teck Decision Provides a Lesson on Handouts

Posted on February 9, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

For a long time Ms Soapbox has been trying figure out what Mr Kenney and the UCP mean when they talk about a “hand up” and a “handout”. She knew from the context that a “hand up” was good and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 73 Comments

Why Is It Always Someone Else’s Fault?

Posted on February 2, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

When Jason Kenney convinced Albertans that our economy is solely dependent on fossil fuels (diversification is a luxury, remember) and government policy, not the global marketplace, drives our economy; he needed a scapegoat when our economy failed to grow. Cue … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

In Search of Efficiencies in Higher Education…or something…

Posted on January 26, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

“The greatest waste now confronting us is not one of money but of human possibilities.” – John Maynard Keynes   Ms Soapbox is concerned that the recent announcement by Mr Nicolaides, the minister of Advanced Education, has brought Alberta another … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 44 Comments