Tag Archives: Stephen Harper

Harper’s Handshake  

Posted on July 9, 2023 by susanonthesoapbox

Recently former prime minister Stephen Harper tweeted about the “importance of centre-right parties strengthening their collaboration”  The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Harper shaking hands with the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, The “centre-right” party Harper was referring … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 121 Comments

Kenney’s New Modus Operandi: Goodbye Peter Lougheed; Hello Donald Trump

Posted on January 2, 2022 by susanonthesoapbox

There was a time when Jason Kenney pretended to be the modern-day manifestation of Peter Lougheed, notwithstanding his conviction that Lougheed’s programs were akin to “neo-Stalinist make-work projects.” He’s since dropped the charade. He no longer pretends to be anything … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Climate Change, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Kenney’s (Bombastic) Response to Biden Cancelling KXL’s Permit

Posted on January 25, 2021 by susanonthesoapbox

On January 20 when the rest of the world was congratulating President Biden on his inauguration, Jason Kenney was attacking Biden’s character and threatening trade wars because Biden revoked Trump’s executive order approving KXL. Not satisfied that he’d made his … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 70 Comments

The Impact of COVID-19 on Democracy

Posted on March 22, 2020 by susanonthesoapbox

James Madison said tyranny arises “on some favourable emergency”. The COVID-19 pandemic is today’s “favourable emergency.” It’s being used by unscrupulous politicians as a smokescreen for undemocratic behavior in Alberta’s Legislature and an excuse for Jason Kenney to enlist the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

An Interview with Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada

Posted on October 6, 2019 by susanonthesoapbox

I was delighted when Shelley Youngblut, CEO & Creative Ringleader of Wordfest, asked if I would like to interview Beverley McLachlin, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, on stage before a live audience about her new book … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Feminism, Law, Rich and/or Famous | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

The Rule of Law in An Age of Fear

Posted on January 8, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“He who puts security before liberty deserves neither.” –Dennis Edney Q.C. quoting Benjamin Franklin Last week Dennis Edney Q.C. delivered the 2018 Milvain Lecture at the University of Calgary.  His topic was The Rule of Law in an Age of … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Lectures, Politics and Government, Terrorism | Tagged , , , | 34 Comments

How to Get Rid of an Autocrat

Posted on February 12, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Donald Trump isn’t the first Western politician to attack the judiciary, muzzle scientists, erode evidence-based decision making by making up alternate facts, disenfranchise voters, create two-tiered citizenship, push a corporate agenda, insult the very government leaders he needs to help … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

Another Fine Mess: Thanks Stevie

Posted on September 19, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

It turns out the famous Laurel and Hardy phrase “here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into” is a misquote.  What Oliver Hardy really said to the hapless Stan Laurel was “here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten us into”. At … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

The Wildrose Sips Leninade. Really?

Posted on May 1, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Just when you thought you’d seen it all the Wildrose Official Opposition upped the ante on red-baiting. They’re using Members’ Statements, a part of the Legislature’s Daily Order of Business, to push their “NDP-are-commies” narrative. Members’ Statements  Members’ Statements give … Continue reading →

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

Civil Disobedience the Wildrose Way

Posted on June 28, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

For a brief and shining moment we had détente. The NDP government and the Opposition met in the Legislature, engaged in healthy debate and came together to pass a landmark piece of legislation, Bill 1, which bans union and corporate … Continue reading →

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