Assorted content to end your week. – Bruce Arthur writes that Doug Ford’s already-pitiful response to COVID-19 is getting worse as Ontario opens up businesses in the midst of a deadly wave. And Adam Hunter reports that Saskatchewan businesses are worried about Scott Moe’s refusal to require masks anywhere other
Continue readingTag: Justin Trudeau
Alberta Politics: Overwhelmed by new cases, Alberta outsources contact tracing to people testing positive for COVID-19
Overwhelmed by a rising tide of new daily COVID-19 cases – “about 800” were reported yesterday by Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw – Alberta Health Services has announced it will no longer notify most close contacts of Albertans who test positive for the disease. Starting today, if you
Continue readingAlberta Politics: It’s the UCP Government that’s been blocking Albertans’ access to Ottawa’s COVID Alert app, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says
We now know with reasonable certainty it’s the United Conservative Party Government that’s been responsible for blocking Albertans from having access to the federal COVID Alert smartphone app. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear in a radio interview in Edmonton yesterday morning that Ottawa views Alberta’s UCP Government as
Continue readingAlberta Politics: How propaganda became memory: Pierre Trudeau, Alberta and the National Energy Program
On this day 40 years ago, prime minister Pierre Trudeau’s finance minister and deputy PM, Allan MacEachen, rose in Parliament to introduce a new national budget. Warning that Canada could become increasingly dependent on foreign supplies of oil and subject to the vagaries of the world oil market, Mr. MacEachen
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Alberta must learn to walk and chew gum at the same time, premier muses on the topic of energy and the environment
Jason Kenney may have missed it, but Lyndon Johnson’s famous comment about how certain people weren’t up to walking and chewing gum at the same time was an observation about their lack of intelligence, not their ability to get away with saying contradictory things at the same time. Alberta’s premier
Continue readingNorthern Currents: The Conservatives are hostile towards those we need the most
Share this: While the coronavirus pandemic started spreading across the globe, many governments were caught off guard and had to act quickly. Those countries that elected to put their top scientists in charge and listen to their expertise were more successful in flattening the curve than those that didn’t. Photo:
Continue readingNorthern Currents: The Conservatives are hostile towards those we need the most
Share this: While the coronavirus pandemic started spreading across the globe, many governments were caught off guard and had to act quickly. Those countries that elected to put their top scientists in charge and listen to their expertise were more successful in flattening the curve than those that didn’t. Photo:
Continue readingAlberta Politics: What did Finance Minister Travis Toews actually say about AISH in Grande Prairie last week?
So, what did Travis Toews actually say about Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped when he said whatever he said to a Grande Prairie local news website one week ago today? According to the first report on MyGrandePrairieNow.com, the finance minister, who is also MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, said that
Continue readingAlberta Politics: One cheer for the UCP politician who made Alberta Cheezies a household word!
Take it from an old newshound old enough to remember when newshounds were an actual thing: When someone accuses a reporter of taking their words out of context, what they usually mean is, “I wish I hadn’t said that.” Or, at least, I wish I hadn’t got caught saying it.
Continue readingThe Maple Monarchists - Blog: The Ongoing Problem of Governor General Julie Payette and How it Could Have Been Prevented
Gov. Gen. Julie Payette The tenure of current governor general Julie Payette could be described as a wee bit turbulent. Early missteps were largely forgiven as the actions of someone new to the role. But as the one year anniversary of Her Excellency’s appointment rolled around there were new questions. Her presence at various events was being scaled back.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Visionless
Shorter Trudeau Liberals last month, trying to justify shutting down Parliament and setting up a game of Parliamentary chicken over a throne speech: It’s absolutely vital that we talk about VISION! And LONG-TERM PLANNING! And a FRESH MANDATE FOR CHANGE!!! Shorter Trudeau Liberals now: On second thought, this is no
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Don Pittis discusses how the spread of modern monetary theory is challenging some stale assumptions about government budgeting. And Sarath Peiris highlights how the Saskatchewan Party’s plans for severe austerity are utterly unworkable without the federal government riding to the rescue of
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Evening Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Jim Stanford discusses the need to ensure corporations pay their fair share for the social infrastructure which allows them to thrive. – Jennifer Garrison writes about the gender imbalance in Alberta’s back-to-school plan. And Heather Scoffield highlights how Justin Trudeau’s prorogation of
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On policy bubbles
While Justin Trudeau is putting any economic planning in the hands of somebody with a vested interest in privatizing profits, it’s also worth noting how his government is deliberately avoiding any of the type of consultation needed to make a minority Parliament work at a time when cooperation should be
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On conflicts of interest
Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a flurry of speculation – and disapprobation – about the possibility that Mark Carney might pursue a political career after having been governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England. And that criticism seemed somewhat overblown. While central bank independence
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Sheila Block writes that Chrystia Freeland and the Libs have a golden opportunity to build a more equitable society in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic – though the onus is on them to demonstrate (and on the rest of us to ensure)
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Justin Trudeau and the Ratty Con Media
As I'm sure you know, I have long complained about the growing influence of our ratty Con media, and the way it has helped turn our politics into a sewer, ever more grubby, ever more American. It hasn't been easy trying to convince people that the way our shabby media
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On temporary measures
It should never be a surprise to see the Libs talking about big progressive plans – particularly in the context of a mooted election – while making no effort to follow through on them. But it’s worth noting how it’s the Libs who have chosen to avoid making any plans
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – Ed Yong examines how the coronavirus has been allowed to run rampant in the U.S. And the Globe and Mail’s editorial board warns that we can’t have much confidence that Canada is prepared to deal with pandemics either. – Paul Krugman discusses how
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Vaughn Palmer discusses how British Columbia’s Site C megaproject had gone awry long before the coronavirus pandemic hit. And CBC News reports on new research showing that thousands of earthquakes can be traced to the province’s push toward fracking with no regard
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