Category Archives: Politics and Government

Campus Alberta: Converting Universities into Trade Schools

Posted on October 13, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

I like engineers but this is ridiculous (and I’m not talking about Supercow, the U of C engineering mascot). The PC government just invested $142.5 million to expand the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary while at … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Redford backtracks on public participation–but only at the federal level

Posted on October 11, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Premier Redford was asked to comment on the actions of environmental activists protesting a National Energy Board (NEB) review of the proposal to reverse Enbridge’s Line 9 oil pipeline.  The environmentalists say the NEB’s review process is too narrow and … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

McQueen’s Damage Control Strategy: The Erosion of Natural Justice Continues

Posted on October 9, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“It is incredibly irresponsible and I think they’re trapped in an extremely ineffective strategy of damage control.”  — Rachel Notley NDP MLA* Environment Minister McQueen is back from her European junket.  She’s had a few days to consider Justice Marceau’s … Continue reading →

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

Does Redford’s “Prerogative” Trump the Law?

Posted on October 6, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

When a Queen’s Bench justice compares Redford’s government to the corrupt regime of former Quebec premier Maurice Duplessis you know you’ve hit rock bottom. Justice Marceau made the damning comment in his ruling that the Redford government violated the principles … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

A Dead Cat Bounce: Redford’s Approval Rating Up to 32%

Posted on September 22, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s called a “dead cat bounce”.  It’s based on the premise that even a dead cat bounces when it slips off a 12th floor balcony and lands on the sidewalk (contrary to popular belief most sky-diving cats aren’t lucky enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

A “Two Minute Tory” Spends an Evening with Ted Morton

Posted on September 15, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Ted Morton, the former Finance Minister and unsuccessful PC leadership candidate, was holding court at the Manning Foundation.  He was going to give a speech on how a bunch of lefty carpet baggers (aka the “Two Minute Tories”) hijacked the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Janet Davidson is appointed Deputy Minister of Health

Posted on September 11, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The Redford government just passed an Order in Council appointing Janet Davidson Deputy Minister of Health.  This decision has many implications, not the least of which is this:  Will Ms Davidson continue in her role as Official Administrator of Alberta … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Capturing the Youth Vote: Got (Black) Milk?

Posted on August 11, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Politicians have been fussing about the youth vote for decades, primarily because it’s virtually nonexistent.  But if they could replicate Black Milk’s social media strategy they’d deliver the youth vote all wrapped up in a pair of Galaxy tights (and … Continue reading →

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

Advice from the “Old White Guys”: Alberta Progressives Listen Up!

Posted on July 28, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The Republicans may hold the secret to the progressives’ return to power…yes, seriously! Let’s start at the beginning… Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson in their glib little book The Big Shift argue that Western Canada, particularly Alberta, is responsible for … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The Home Care Consolidation Debacle: Fred Horne’s Mission Impossible

Posted on July 21, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Like Tom Cruise in Ghost Protocol, Health Minister Horne is tearing through the building trying to stay ahead of the explosives he’s set to detonate.  The big question is will he make it out in time. So far Fred has … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments