Category Archives: Politics and Government

The Buck Stops Here — Privacy 101 for Minister Horne — A guest blog by lawyer Brian Thiessen

Posted on January 25, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Susan on the Soapbox welcomes her first guest blogger.  Employment and privacy lawyer Brian Thiessen has a few words to say about a privacy breach that impacts 620,000 Albertans.  The title says it all.  The Buck Stops Here–Privacy 101 for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, General Health Care, Guest Bloggers, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Does Fort Mac Look Like Hiroshima?

Posted on January 22, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Neil Young said many provocative things about the oilsands, but the one that became a lightning rod for criticism was this: “The fact is, Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima”.*  He later explained that the reference to Fort McMurray was meant … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

Neil Young is Right

Posted on January 19, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Take a second to really look at what you hear.” – Neil Young, singer/songwriter Neil Young knows how to rile up a crowd.  In a 15 minute press conference* to kick off his Honour the Treaties Tour with Diana Krall … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

Minister Bhullar’s Revelation: 741 Children Die in Government Care

Posted on January 12, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar made a shocking announcement—741 children died in government foster homes or other forms of government care since 1999.  This is 13 times higher than the 56 reported by the government in its annual … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

The Progressive Conservatives Prepare for War–Really!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Our organization cannot lose the grassroots donation battle to our opposition if we hope to win the war in 2016.”—Ron Renaud, PC Chief Financial Officer Win the war in 2016???  The “war” metaphor Before we get sucked into the “war” … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

CNRL’s Primrose Problem: A Slow Motion Blow Out

Posted on December 29, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson it was scandalous.  When the Alberta government abdicated the regulation of Alberta’s natural resources to an industry-led agency nobody raised an eyebrow. The new Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is … Continue reading →

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

Redford’s Performance Appraisal: The Building Alberta Plan

Posted on December 15, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford’s performance appraisal document landed on my doorstep a week ago.  It’s called “The Building Alberta Plan 2013 Edition”. In the real world a CEO undergoes an annual performance appraisal with the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.  … Continue reading →

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

Redford and Mandela: Hypocrisy and Hope (Part 2)

Posted on December 11, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“He would continually bring people back to the table.  That was his greatest strength”—Ms Redford on Nelson Mandela* Sadly, Ms Redford never learned how to bring “people back to the table” here in Alberta.  So she resorted to the meat … Continue reading →

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

Redford and Mandela: Hypocrisy and Hope

Posted on December 8, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The Redford government’s capacity for hypocrisy knows no bounds.  In the same week that Redford’s PC government passed two corrosive pieces of anti-labour legislation, Ms Redford reflected on what she’d learned as a young lawyer working with Nelson Mandela to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

145 Children Die in Government Care; but 89 Don’t Count

Posted on December 1, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

               “WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes that children and youth are our greatest resource…blah blah blah”—Child and Youth Advocate Act  One hundred and forty five children died in government care since 1999.  The government reported 56 deaths.  The rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments