Category Archives: Politics and Government

Taking it to the Streets: the Enough is Enough Rally

Posted on May 27, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

“Nothing is real that does not end on the streets. If tyrants feel no consequences for their actions in the three-dimensional world, nothing will change.” – Timothy Snyder, historian. On Saturday Mr and Ms Soapbox joined hundreds of Calgarians at … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Climate Change, Danielle Smith, Economy, Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments

The ‘stay-out-of-my-backyard’ (‘no-funds-for-you!’) bill

Posted on April 14, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

Ric McIver, the Minister for Municipal Affairs, is the point man on Bill 18, the Provincial Priorities Act or as Danielle Smith like to call it, the ‘stay-out-of-my-backyard’ bill (images of cranky old men shaking their fists at kids cutting … Continue reading →

Posted in Danielle Smith, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 113 Comments

NDP Leadership Candidates’ Slogans: A brief discussion

Posted on April 7, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

According to those who know about these things, political slogans, those short pithy statements plastered across websites, banners, and lawn signs, are an important part of a candidate’s brand.   The experts say that in addition to being short, slogans … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Happy Easter…

Posted on March 31, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s Easter Sunday and the world is a mess. (Cue brief political interlude) Here in Alberta we’ll have an opportunity to improve things…if we don’t get derailed in the run up to the NDP leadership race. We have a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Politics and Government | Tagged , | 57 Comments

Some Thoughts on the NDP Leadership Race

Posted on March 17, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

Rachel Notley was elected as an NDP MLA in 2008. She became the leader of the NDP in 2014 and will be stepping down as leader in 2024. She led the party through three elections and served as premier from … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 85 Comments

Budget 2024: Gotcha!

Posted on March 3, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

In case you didn’t catch Danielle Smith’s bizzarro Address to the Province last week, the one where she signalled what we could expect in the 2024 Budget, here’s a brief synopsis. (Smith’s comments are edited for tone and appear in … Continue reading →

Posted in Danielle Smith, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 99 Comments

Danielle Smith’s Parental Rights Agenda

Posted on February 4, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week in pursuit of her “parental rights” agenda, Premier Smith announced a set of policies that limited medical treatment for transgender youth and did a whole lot more. I tried to imagine what it would be like to explain … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Danielle Smith, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 148 Comments

Rachel Notley Steps Down

Posted on January 21, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

“We didn’t get everything right, but we governed with integrity, an ambitious agenda and an earnest desire to make life better for Albertans.”—Rachel Notley The first time I met Rachel Notley was after she’d won the NDP leadership race. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , | 67 Comments

Squid Game

Posted on January 7, 2024 by susanonthesoapbox

The UCP’s “bread and circuses”* approach to government is no longer working. The “bread” (low taxes and high employment) is no compensation for our crumbling healthcare, education, and social services. The “circus” of blaming the federal government for everything is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Climate Change, Culture, Danielle Smith, Economy, Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

Guest Blog: An Open Letter from WCPH

Posted on December 10, 2023 by susanonthesoapbox

I know I said we were taking a break during the month of December but last week I received a copy of a letter written by Lloyd and Linda Lovett on behalf of the Whitemud Citizens for Public Healthcare that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Danielle Smith, General Health Care, Guest Bloggers, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments