Tag Archives: Budget

Jim Prentice’s Budget: The Not-So-Subtle Language of Money

Posted on April 5, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“There is no fortress so strong that money cannot take it.” — Cicero On Mar 24, 2015 Jim Prentice sent Albertans a message of such heartless cynicism that only the most naïve amongst us would fail to understand. Money talks. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economics, Education, Energy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

“Campus Alberta”: Soviet Style Research and Development Comes to Alberta

Posted on May 19, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Sigh…where to start?  The barrage of bad news spewing out of the Premier’s office has been so intense that the government’s Machiavellian takeover of post secondary institutions and research and development slipped by with relatively little public outcry. Sure, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Alberta Health Services Executive Bonuses: The joy of friends in high places

Posted on March 31, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

To paraphrase Ogden Nash (actually Mr Nash did not utter this famous phrase, but for some reason we all think he did), “Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where my bonus is?” It is indeed bonus time.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Budget 2013 (If you want to play with the Big Boys, you play by Big Boy Rules)

Posted on March 10, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

 “Opening new markets across Canada and around the world has become job one for this government.”—Finance Minister Horner on the 2013 Budget priorities, Alberta Hansard p1440. That simple sentence tells you all you need to know about Budget 2013 and … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

And Now…A Message from your Premier-In-Waiting: Mr Lukaszuk

Posted on February 24, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

We interrupt our regular programming—the PC spin on the cause of the $4 billion budget shortfall—to bring you an important public service announcement from the Premier-In-Waiting, Mr Lukaszuk. Mr Lukaszuk steps up to the microphone and says:    Listen up you … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economics, Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A $6 Billion “Bitumen Bubble”…Really?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s the “bubble’s” fault.  According to Alison Redford a “bitumen bubble” triggered a nose dive in oilsands crude prices resulting in a $6 billion shortfall in Alberta’s resource revenues and leaving Albertans $6 billion short for the upcoming budget.*  Ouch! … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Alberta: Poised on the Fiscal Cliff. Again!

Posted on December 30, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The Alberta Progressive Conservatives are in deep trouble when the only PC making any sense is Ron Liepert (yes, that Ron Liepert, Alberta’s former finance minister and one man wrecking crew).  Mr Liepert says it’s time for the government to … Continue reading →

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

The Redford Government’s Descent into 1984

Posted on December 16, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

On Nov 21, 2012* the Redford government took Albertans to the threshold that divides the world of reason and accountability from Orwell’s 1984.  We’re teetering on the brink, trying to hack our way through the double-think, newspeak and historic revisionism … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Transparency…it’s all in the eyes of the beholder

Posted on September 9, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Transparency—it’s a wonderful concept.  But in order to be meaningful it must be applied across the board. Sorry, I got ahead of myself.  I’m talking about Premier Redford’s decision to implement the “toughest and most transparent”* expenditure rules in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Budget 2012 – The “Hockey Stick” Budget

Posted on February 12, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Don’t you just love accountants?  I’m serious.  Every year accountants are given the thankless task of preparing “The Budget” and every year, bless their little number crunching hearts, they deliver—only to see their hard work go off the rails and … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , | 2 Comments