On Thursday I answered the phone and it was you Mr Harper (well, your robot pollster lady) wondering whether I’d answer a 30 second political survey. While I can’t be certain she was calling on your behalf, the nature of her questions led me to the inevitable conclusion that I
Continue readingAuthor: susanonthesoapbox
Susan on the Soapbox: While Brad Wall is “Showboating” Rachel Notley Moves On
“Premier Wall says that if standing up for your industry and your province is showboating, take me to the bridge.”—Brad Wall’s response to Rachel Notley’s comment that Wall was “showboating” on the eve of the premiers’ meeting. Brad Wall is the second provincial premier (Jim Prentice was the first)
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Cowboy Code and the Abuse of Grazing Leases
Alberta ranchers could teach Wall Street moguls a thing or two about leveraging other peoples’ money for personal gain. The Auditor General just released a report showing that Alberta ranchers short changed Albertans about $25 million last year. Furthermore, they’ll keep doing it unless the new government does something about
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Using the Leap Second to Rate Harper’s Government
Stephen Harper was late for Canada Day this year. He missed the kick-off by a full second; or he would have but for the leap second. None of us noticed because the scientists responsible for time (coolest job description ever) slowed down Coordinated Universal Time by adding a leap second
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Civil Disobedience the Wildrose Way
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 donations to political parties. Then Wildrose Opposition Leader Brian Jean
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The NDP in Power: Week One
The best thing about booting the PCs out of office is the refreshing change the NDP have brought to the Legislature. And if the first week of the 29th Legislative session is any indication, we can expect the next four years to be thought provoking, entertaining and bizarre. Democratic reform
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Road Trip!!!
There is so much we could talk about: the G7 “support” for a fossil fuel free world by 2100, Mr Harper’s visit with the Pope, the Senate’s secret arbitration process, but today we’re going to talk about road trips. Ms Soapbox and her daughter (let’s call her Missy) are going
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Boycott Tim Hortons? Seriously??
The recent media frenzy generated by Tim Hortons’ decision to pull the Enbridge ads off their in-store Tims TV monitors almost drove Ms Soapbox to drink (G&Ts not Tims double double). Then she paused. The #BoycottTims brouhaha created a learning opportunity—for businessmen and conservative politicians alike. The business lesson Here
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: CNRL Enters the Political Debate
“This is not about sending a message or a shot across the bow.”—Murray Edwards, billionaire oil tycoon Are you kidding me? Murray Edwards’ message couldn’t have been clearer if he’d fired a cannonball with neener neener written on it into Premier Notley’s office. Mr Edwards ponders “uncertainty” Murray Edwards is
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: An Open Letter to Stephen Harper about the Debates
Dear Mr Harper: I understand that you’ve decided not to participate in the traditional election debates hosted by the three major TV networks, Global, CTV and CBC. Incidentally, isn’t it convenient they’re known as The Consortium? Conjures up all sorts of sinister images of The Firm and The Company and
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: 5-5-15: Small “c” Conservatives Exposed
On May 5, 2015, NDP leader Rachel Notley brought the Progressive Conservative dynasty to its knees. Many Albertans, including Ms Soapbox, are over the moon. Others who voted for one of the two conservative parties are wandering around like Li’l Abner’s Joe Btfsplk. The small “c” conservative brain trust, with
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Everything will be A-OK
“Well, I think we made a little history tonight!”— Rachel Notley’s victory speech Indeed we did! The 99% were jubilant. The 1% hit the panic button. And those who deflected political fearmongering with a healthy dose of hope and optimism found themselves facing a more insidious attack—fearmongering dressed up in
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Fearmongering or Hopemongering? It’s Your Call Alberta
“I think it has deteriorated into groundless name-calling, and it’s certainly not the strategy that I would take.”—Rachel Notley reflecting on comments made by Jim Prentice and Brian Jean To hear Jim Prentice and Brian Jean tell it, Rachel Notley’s plan to create a royalty commission and increase corporate taxes
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Leaders Debate: Math is Hard, English is Harder
“I know the math is difficult…” Jim Prentice to Rachel Notley during the Leaders Debate Apr 23, 2015 Ms Soapbox doesn’t like math. As a child she thought numbers had personalities. Eights, sixes and nines were nice numbers; fours, fives and twos were sharp and nasty. Math was “difficult” because
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Prentice Campaign: How NOT to Frame the Debate
Frank Luntz, famed political consultant to the Republican Party, said when it comes to political hot buttons “those who define the debate will determine the outcome.* Given the mess Mr Prentice has made of the “Team Prentice” campaign he may want to give Mr Luntz a call. Mr Prentice defined
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Prentice Drops the “E” Word on Day One
Extremist: /ɛkˈstriːmɪst/ noun, chiefly derogatory: A person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent or other extreme action—Oxford dictionary Hysterical rhetoric Of all the bonehead things Premier Prentice could have said in his campaign kick-off speech, warning Albertans to beware of “extreme ideas or
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Jim Prentice’s Budget: The Not-So-Subtle Language of Money
“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. Here’s what Jim Prentice’s Budget 2015* told Albertans. Corporations matter,
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Interview We Wish We Had With Premier Prentice on Budget 2015
“I believe we show who we are, and how much we care, by what we do.”—Stephen Harper, Canada’s prime minister In his March 24 “State of the Province Address” Mr Prentice urged Albertans to receive his new budget in a spirit of openness. He said if we all act responsibly
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: How to Stay Under the Radar When Bill C-51 Becomes Law
Bill C-51 is an omnibus anti-terrorism bill that grants CSIS new information sharing powers and converts CSIS from a covert intelligence gathering organization to a covert enforcement agency. No wonder Canadians don’t know what the heck is going on! Ms Soapbox is here to offer four simple suggestions to
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Laurie Blakeman Takes a Symbolic Step…in the Wrong Direction
Crikey! On Friday Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman announced that she’ll be running as a candidate for the Liberals, the Alberta Party and the Greens in the upcoming election… …and on Sunday Ms Soapbox announced to her dad that she’d joined the NDP. He swears he’ll never speak to her again.
Continue reading