“MLA Grant Hunter, the province’s associate minister of red tape reduction, wrote, “Wernher von Braun said, ‘To conquer the universe you’d have to solve two problems: gravity and red tape.’ We’ve made it clear that we are committed to reducing red tape in Alberta. Lots more to come…” The quote
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Views from the Beltline: The surreallity of life in Alberta
Living in Alberta, I sometimes get the feeling I live in a place shifted a few degrees off centre from reality. For example, in the real world we are faced with the overarching threat of global warming, a crisis we have brought down upon ourselves. But, despite near unanimous agreement
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Open letter from an Albertan to his government
14 June 2019 The Honourable Sonya Savage, Minister of Energy Government of Alberta 324 Legislature Building 10800 – 97 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB Dear Minister: Recently I read in the news that you are establishing a “war room” to defend the oil and gas industry from criticism. I urge you
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Yesterday marked a century of public sector trade unionism in Alberta
There will be no update on the Alberta election campaign today; your blogger was at church last night. Let me explain: 100 years ago last night, a small gathering of people met in the basement of Edmonton’s First Presbyterian Church to do something pretty brave. To wit, they founded a
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: On Alberta’s Budget 2018
The Alberta Government released its 2018/19 Fiscal Year Budget this past week, and many people are talking about what it does, or does not address. Yesterday, noted Alberta economist Trevor Tombe released his thoughts on the budget in the form of an editorial piece on CBC. Normally, Dr. Tombe
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: On Government Finances and Debt
In Alberta Views this month, we have a debate column pair about government debt written by economist Trevor Tombe, and former PC finance minister Ted Morton. There are a number of respects in which I find Morton's arguments are profoundly flawed, and I would like to take some time to
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Church in fight over Alberta LGBTQ policy espouses far-right ideology, has close tie to advocacy group
PHOTOS: The New Testament Baptist Church near Spruce Grove, just west of Edmonton. Below: The vandalized sign, with some of the scrubbed pink spray paint still visible; additional signs on the site promoting the church and school; and administrator Rev. Brian Coldwell and private school advocate Donna Trimble, the latter two shots from the CBC. […]
The post Church in fight over Alberta LGBTQ policy espouses far-right ideology, has close tie to advocacy group appeared first on Alberta Politics.
Continue readingBishop Henry pontificates on LGBTQ rights
The Alberta government has established LGBTQ guidelines for the province’s schools. This story would not be complete without comments from Calgary’s Bishop Fred Henry. The good bishop has excoriated the guidelines as "anti-Catholic" and "totalitarian."
He claims that Catholic schools, which will be subject to the guidelines, already require that all students be equally respected. Considering
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Hopes and Dreams Realized
Rachel Notley being sworn into office. Filed under: Politics Tagged: Alberta, Alberta Government, Canadian Politics, Politics
Continue readingcenterandleft: Alberta and Polls: Never Again
The Calgary Flames are preparing to host their first playoff game since 2009 in a matter of days. While the Flames are working hard to even up their series, the politicians are working the doors. The province of Alberta may be preparing to elect a new party to power for
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Government communications staff learn only this week of huge shakeup set for Monday at Public Affairs Bureau
Worried Public Affairs Bureau staffers wait for more information on the shakeup affecting their jobs, which takes place Monday. Actual government of Alberta communications specialists may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: PAB Deputy Chief Martin Kennedy and top agent of change Richard Dicerni. The Alberta government’s long-controversial Public Affairs
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: The unholy trinity of the Alberta tarsands industry,…
The unholy trinity of the Alberta tarsands industry, the Conservative Party and the right-wing media has gone all-out in its attacks on Neil Young for his stance against their destructive policies and actions. One thing that these corporate wolves and subservient sheep overlook is that, of course, Neil Young
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Alberta Government Failing to Enforce Environmental Legislation: Study
A new study has found that environmental violations in Alberta’s tar sands operations are frequent, enforcement is rare, and there is a chronic failure to disclose important environmental incident information to the public. The post Alberta Government Failing to Enforce Environmental Legislation: Study appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Ironies abound in Alberta’s agitated politics as Alison Redford cranks up the postage meter
How Albertans should see Progressive Conservative and Wildrose policies and procedures. Below: The clever Wildrose Facebook attack on PC Premier Alison Redford’s faintly unsavoury taxpayer-funded mail out, which makes it look a little worse than it really is. Am I the only one who sees irony in the leader of
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Alberta Tar Sands: The Royalty Rip Off [VIDEO]
We recommend:FAA imposed no-fly zone over Exxon’s Pegasus tar sands oil spill siteState Department’s Keystone XL Project Review Upsets EnvironmentalistsTar Sands: Exxon’s New “Energy Everywhere” Program (Satirical Video) Exxon pipeline breaks, spills 84,000 gallons of Canadian tar sands oil in Arkansas (VIDEO)Line 9: The Tar Sands Come to Ontario (VIDEO)
Continue readingAlberta Diary: One single Alberta government bargaining agency is likely to end badly for Redford PCs
Premier Alison Redford, in lab coat, centre, and her Progressive Conservative cabinet get ready to bring Consolidated Bargaining to life. Actual Alberta politicians may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Albert Einstein, the well-known genius, and Charles Darwin, who gave us the idea for the Political Darwin Awards. Chances are
Continue readingThe Ranting Canadian: Harper hates me, Harper hates you, Harper hates all of…
Harper hates me, Harper hates you, Harper hates all of us Stephen Harper hates Albertans. That statement may shock and confuse many of you, but the longer that Harper has been prime minister of Canada, the more obvious it becomes. I’m not sure if I’m the first to suggest that,
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Alberta Politics – Danielle Smith the Meta-Populist
Lesson one in Alberta politics – Don’t fuck with private oil revenue. Lesson two in Alberta politics – There is no lesson two, please refer to lesson one for all concerns about governance. Full marks to Ed Stelmach for attempting to get the public’s meagre spoon into firehouse of wealth that is flowing out of […]
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: In Alberta, A Public Oil Pipeline Spill Tip Line Is Launched
“Hundreds of spills happen every year and still this government does nothing. We had three major spills last month alone. How many more have to happen before the government finally acts?” 9 July, 2012 (Edmonton ) – The Alberta Surface Rights Group, Greenpeace Canada, The Council of Canadians and the Sierra
Continue readingcenterandleft: Wildrose Modernization of Democracy
The majority of Albertans are finding themselves dissatisfied with a Redford government they see as wasteful and bulky, and are savouring the opportunity for change. The last time citizens were upset to this degree with the Progressive Conservatives, they seriously considered a Liberal government in 1993, boosting the Grit seat
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