Category Archives: Politics and Government

Bill 24 — A Public Inquiry?

Posted on November 27, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Question:  when is a public inquiry not a public inquiry?  Answer:  when the controversial testimony must be given behind closed doors.  Welcome to Bill 24—the Health Quality Council of Alberta Act. We all remember Premier Redford’s breakout moment in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged | 7 Comments

Square Peg/Round Hole — Redford’s Proposal to Beef Up the Health Quality Council Review

Posted on November 20, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

UPDATE — Premier Redford promised changes to the HQC which would allow it to conduct a public inquiry.  She delivered Bill 24 which allows the  HQC  to take the “public inquiry” behind closed doors under a number of circumstances.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

What’s Free Enterprise Got To Do With It?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Occupy Wallstreet…I’ve refrained from wading into this debate (partly because the Canadian experience has not been as devastating as the US experience) however a goofball comment has been tormenting me for weeks and I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged | 12 Comments

The Game of Clue

Posted on November 6, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

I love a good mystery, everything from the bucolic Midsomer Murders BBC series to a “whodunnit” board game like Clue.  I wrestle my daughter for the privilege of being Miss Scarlett and pout if I can’t have the miniature candlestick … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Paging Ms Redford

Posted on October 30, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Paging Ms Redford…Ms Redford…?  I’ve been looking for Ms Redford since the day she was elected as Premier of Alberta.  My Ms Redford said “The strongest leaders are the ones that can be authentic…so that you’re truly saying to people … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The House of Mirrors

Posted on October 23, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Recent statements by Finance Minister, Ron Liepert, confirm my suspicion that politics is like a House of Mirrors.  Not a transparent glass house (no stone throwing allowed), but the maze-like puzzle boxes you find at amusement parks and the midway.  … Continue reading →

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

Alison’s Cabinet

Posted on October 16, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison what were you thinking?!!!  Oops sorry, that was my inside voice, let me try that again.  *Ahem*.  Premier Redford I have a question (quite a few actually) about your recently announced Cabinet appointments. Let’s start with your promise that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

With All Due Respect

Posted on October 9, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

“With all due respect” is a phrase used by courtroom lawyers to signal to opposing counsel that he’s just said something that is utterly daft.  It is used sparingly because it invariably gets everyone’s back up and will backfire unless … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

A Leap of Faith

Posted on October 2, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

The “old boys” just got their pants pulled down–by a cracker jack plain speaking female politician. How did she do it?  By embarking on a risky political strategy–speaking the truth about the tired old self serving PC political process and … Continue reading →

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

Release the Kraken!

Posted on September 25, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

“Release the Kraken!”  That has to be the greatest line in the cheesiest movie ever made.  Zeus (Liam Neeson in a tin foil suit) has had it up to here with mortal man and orders the release of the beast … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged | 6 Comments