Seemingly in defiance of Alberta’s reputation as a very conservative province, voters in Calgary and Edmonton both elected young, progressive mayors yesterday. Calgary elected the 41-year old Naheed Nenshi for a second term and Edmonton chose the 34-year old former city councillor Don Iveson. Nenshi supports a more compact city
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Terahertz: Albertans choose progressive mayors
After a surprise victory in the 2010 purple wave, Naheed Nenshi became one of Canada’s most popular mayors during his handling of severe floods in Calgary earlier this year. Few predicted any chance of him losing his position in yesterday’s election and perhaps the only shock was the size of
Continue readingTerahertz: Sex Workers to MLA: Buy local
Some stories you can’t make up. Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, Alberta MLA Mike Allen was charged in the summer with prostitution while on a trip to St. Paul, Minnesota. He left the governing Progressive Conservative caucus and currently sits as an independent. He has been consulting with his constituents on whether
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that to end your weekend. – Daniel Goleman writes about the role of wealth in undermining empathy: (I)n general, we focus the most on those we value most. While the wealthy can hire help, those with few material assets are more likely to value their social assets: like
Continue readingJudge likens Alberta government to Duplessis regime
The tar sands gang does more than muzzle scientists. It also muzzles environmentalists. This came out loud and clear in a recent case before Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench. Last year, the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition (OSEC), a group consisting of the Pembina Institute, the Alberta Wilderness Association and the
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: "Unequivocal"
Leaving no doubt; clear; unambiguous. The latest IPCC report concludes that mankind’s influence in driving climate change is beyond doubt, clear and unambiguous. Anthropogenic global warming is here, it’s here to stay and, unless we want a better future enough to change our ways, it’s going to get a hell
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Alberta’s Sales Tax Phobia
Ever since I was a child growing up, Alberta has made a big deal about how we don’t have a sales tax. Back in the day, when resource revenues were perhaps more predictable because the markets didn’t move as fast as they do now, perhaps that was a good thing.
Continue readingLeft Over: The Emperor Prorogues, Then comes to BC with his Rogues….
Harper cabinet readies major B.C. pipelines push B.C. First Nations leaders to meet with key federal officials Sept. 23 in Vancouver By Chris Hall, national affairs editor, CBC News Posted: Sep 12, 2013 6:03 PM PT Last Updated: Sep 13, 2013 7:21 AM PT We are ready for whatever BS
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Memo to Obama: Canada’s carbon problem IS the tar sands
Canada’s Harper-ment is getting increasingly desperate. The quest to double production out of the Alberta tar sands needs new pipelines (or rail). In recent months, we have seen new proposals for pipelines to the west and to the east, amid further delays of the KeystoneXL pipeline to the south. The
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Energy policy think tank sues Alberta over right to speak at tar sands hearings
The Pembina Institute is suing the Government of Alberta over its decision to bar the energy policy think tank from participating in the regulatory review of a proposed in situ oilsands project. The post Energy policy think tank sues Alberta over right to speak at tar sands hearings appeared first
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Mariana Mazzucato points out that important inventions tend to come from public financing aimed at the greater good – while noting that we should also look to ensure greater public returns on our collective investments: Images of tech entrepreneurs such as Mark
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Alberta and the Climate Change Deniers
Well now we know what climate change could do to Alberta. At a minimum, temperatures in Alberta are expected to increase by 2 C over the next hundred years; all available global climate models predict this outcome. In response, Alberta's ecosystems are projected to shift northward: for example, the parkland landscape around Edmonton
Continue readingTar sands ain’t funny, says Travel Alberta
Travel Alberta was begging for it. Its latest ads, featuring the many attractions of the province, are really quite nice. But then they end with the extraordinary phrase, “Remember to breathe.” Remember to breathe. How could any satirist resist a phrase like that coming from tar sands Alberta, the country’s
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Lana Payne writes that it’s long past time for Newfoundland and Labrador to boost its minimum wage: Last year, a statutory review of minimum wage, conducted by a government-appointed panel, called for action to be taken on the minimum wage. The panel recommended
Continue readingIs flood amnesia setting in?
Immediately after the big water in June, two truisms were out and about in Calgary. One stated the flood had been so catastrophic that finally Albertans would take significant measures to mitigate damage from future floods. The other said that it wouldn’t be long before the disaster was put out
Continue readingLeDaro: Premier David Alward’s ad. promoting Alberta oil pipeline
That should make Alberta happy. New Brunswickers? I don’t know. I saw the ad last night and I was taken aback. I knew he supported the pipeline but to give a lengthy commercial on t.v, at the cost of $90,000.00, he has taken it on another level. He is sold
Continue readingLeDaro: Bears Dancing
They are quite entertaining. 🙂 CBC News.
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Funding Cuts to Alberta’s PSE Sector: There Are Alternatives
It has recently been reported that the University of Alberta wants to “reopen two-year collective agreements” with faculty and staff “to help the university balance its budget…” This appears to be in direct response to Alberta’s provincial government announcing in its March budget that there would be a “7% cut
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: ‘Nobody Understands’ Spills at Alberta’s Cold Lake Tar Sands Operation
Richard Hub Hughes-Political Blogger The pollution in Northern Alberta attributable to ‘Fracking’ and Tar Sands’ Operations is out of control. The latest seemingly unstoppable spill of significance is devastating wildlife and the environment. They cannot stop it. Nothing is being done and it seems obvious that the politicians first concern is
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Duncan Cameron discusses how the G20 is dancing around the problem of corporate tax evasion. The Economist issues a call to action against offshoring. And David Atkins points out what’s more likely needed to deal with a global problem which can be
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