“If it were in my power I would try the sunny way…Do you not believe that there is more to be gained by appealing to the heart and soul of men rather than to compel them to do a thing?”—Sir Wilfrid Laurier “Sunny ways my friends, sunny ways.” When Justin
Continue readingTag: Politics and Government
Susan on the Soapbox: The Globe and Mail Jumps the Shark
We’ve reached that point in the election cycle where the mainstream media peppers us with political endorsements telling us who, in their learned opinion, we should vote for on Oct 19. Once again the mainstream media does not disappoint. The Globe and Mail, the Edmonton Journal and the
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: If Not Harper, Then Who?
“I’ve seen issues come up before that get a lot of press attention, and sometimes a photograph or sometimes a side issue can move votes, but I always believe that the big votes are moved on the big issues. I don’t believe that most people are attracted by the rabbit
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Bill C-24: An Exercise in Cognitive Dissonance
“We know Stephen Harper is a dictator in the making, but he’s convinced some people that they’re going to be financially better off under him, which is untrue.”—Margaret Atwood on cognitive dissonance. Bill C – 24 is the epitome of cognitive dissonance. It purports to strengthen Canadian citizenship by stripping
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: A Pop Quiz for Canadian Citizens
Lost in the hoopla over whether Ms Ishaq can take the Oath of Citizenship while wearing a niqab is the fact that she actually passed the citizenship test. Which made Ms Soapbox wonder: how many Canadians, veiled or unveiled, could pass the citizenship test if they were asked to take
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Santa Gets Citizenship, Zunera Ishaq Does Not
Citizenship is a serious matter, right? That’s why Santa Claus is a Canadian citizen but Zunera Ishaq is not. Or to put it more accurately—that’s why a man covering his face with a fake beard and dressed in a Santa suit was officially declared a Canadian citizen by Jason Kenny
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Can Lynton Crosby Save Stephen Harper?
Big news this week for the Harper campaign watchers—uber political strategist Lynton Crosby joined the Harper campaign team. Why this is news now and not when Crosby started working with the Harper team in March is a mystery, but never mind. Mr Crosby has a stellar record. He brought John
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: A Poll Assesses Harper’s Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Nelilfu Demir’s photograph of the body of three year old Alan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach has taken its place among other iconic photographs that, in the words of Ryerson prof Paul Roth, have the power to concentrate the mind. Canadians are concentrating their minds on one question:
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Excuse me, your ideology is showing
When conservative politicians run out of meaningful things to say about Alberta’s NDP government they whip out the “ideology” card and last week’s debate featuring candidates vying for the seat left vacant by Jim “all-or-nothing” Prentice was no exception. The Wildrose candidate, Prasad Panda, accused the NDP of carrying out
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Nigel Wright Trips Over Duffygate
“When I refer to the government as an elected dictatorship it’s not personal in any way to the Prime Minister nor to his party, it’s a reference to what’s happened, a creeping growth, an unhealthy growth of power in the Prime Minister’s Office—Elizabeth May, Leaders Debate Less than one
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Leaders Debate: No One Won And Why It Doesn’t Matter
Tempting though it may be for those of us in the peanut gallery to rattle on about who won and who flopped in the Leaders Debate, the really important question is this: did we learn anything new about the men who would be king, er, prime minister? A healthy economy?
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The One Question to Ask a Conservative Candidate in This Election
He did it. Stephen Harper dropped the writ and we’re heading into a 78 day election campaign. Oh joy! I’m serious. I intend to have a real conversation with my Conservative MP, the ditzy Joan Crockatt. I expect our conversation to go something like this: Ding dong. (Dog erupts into
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Dear Mr Harper: About that Poll…
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 readingSusan 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: 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
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