Category Archives: Politics and Government

Round One! Thomas Lukaszuk!

Posted on June 1, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Diamond” Jim Prentice (don’t you just love the “Brian Masonism”) adopted a “nobody moves, nobody gets hurt” strategy for his leadership campaign…and it works for the 99% of his election platform. There will be no change to the energy policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

The Alberta Federation of Labour’s Litmus Test for Alberta’s Opposition Parties

Posted on May 25, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Sometimes telling the truth hurts…and it will hurt here.”—Rob Anderson, Wildrose MLA at the Alberta Federation of Labour Conference in response to a question about the legal right to strike* The Alberta Federation of Labour held a two day conference … Continue reading →

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

Jim Prentice: A Risk-averse Banker Meets the Black Swan

Posted on May 18, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Two energy company executives made a wager. The one who bet that Jim Prentice would never give up $3 million a year in exchange for power lost. True story. On May 16, 2014, Mr Prentice entered the Progressive Conservative leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Honour and Dishonour on the National Day of Honour

Posted on May 11, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

On May 9, 2014, amidst the pomp and circumstance of marching bands, dignitaries and aircraft buzzing overhead, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the crowds gathered on Parliament Hill that the names of the 158 soldiers killed in Afghanistan would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Mr Hancock’s Cockamamie Apology

Posted on May 4, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“I’m truly sorry that we allowed government to become a distraction from the vital work we’re doing on issues that matter to Albertans.”— Premier Dave Hancock to PC party supporters, May 1, 2014 Bill Clinton apologised for slavery, Tony Blair … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 21 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

It’s Time to Drag Redneck Alberta Out of the Closet

Posted on April 20, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

If a government wants to trample the rights of its citizens it can do so in two ways. It can violate our fundamental rights by passing legislation that invokes the “notwithstanding clause”—this allows the government to pass laws that expressly … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Motion 503: Calling all Hypocrites and Homophobes

Posted on April 13, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

In the same week that the Alberta government debated and rejected Motion 503, Rob Anderson, Wildrose House Leader, made an emotional plea to put an end to name-calling—specifically “Lake of Fire Party” and “homophobe”. It was a bizarre week. Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The Premier’s Penthouse

Posted on March 30, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“We run a $40 billion corporation that matters an awful lot to the people of Alberta and the economy of this country”—former Premier Redford in the Legislature, March 4, 2014 Excuse me??? The “government” is not a “corporation”, its premier … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Thank You Alison Redford

Posted on March 23, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford did two things right during her short stint as Alberta’s 14th premier.  She jumped before she was pushed and she implemented an expense disclosure policy that, like ball bearings underfoot, created chaos by exposing the PC government’s culture … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments