Campaign Diary Vol. 1: The actual dark secret of democratic politics
The front page of Saturday’s St. Albert Gazette. A good first week of campaigning. ST. ALBERT, Alberta Well, I reckon the first week of my campaign for city council here…
David Climenhaga
And now for something completely different: Why I’m running for city council in St. Albert
The campaign splash page, appearing at DavidClimenhaga.ca very soon. To be followed by more information. Below: Your blogger in full campaign mode, at the library, of course. Yesterday I sent…
Redford Government, Alberta Health Services Division, drops two political hot potatoes
Health Minister Fred Horne, at the wheel of Alberta Health Services, reverses course on some unpopular policies faster than you can say “take action to improve care.” The actual AHS…
Warning to Tories: It’s not just Trudeau any more … it’s open season on public speakers!
Dave Rodney, the only Conservative MLA for Calgary Lougheed ever to have climbed Mt. Everest twice, or once, for that matter. He is an inspirational speaker. Really. Below: The young…
Is massive Alberta Health Services entity about to be re-reorganized, re-regionalized?
Paralytic chaos as it affects Alberta Health Services. Actual gargantuan provincial health care agencies may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: AHS “Official Administrator” Janet Davidson, Alberta Health Minister Fred…
The way the cookie crumbled: Fred Horne fires Stephen Lockwood, entire AHS board
The former Alberta Health Services Board, fired yesterday by Health Minister Fred Horne, as seen by the 99 top executives of the provincial health care agency. Actual AHS board members…
AHS Chair Stephen Lockwood to Health Minister Horne on executive bonuses: ‘Drop dead, Fred!’
Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne: it’s hard to imagine how he can come out of this fight with Alberta Health Services Chair Stephen Lockwood not looking foolish or weak. Below:…
Journalists found guilty of ethical breaches really shouldn’t lecture on journalistic ethics
People who live in glass houses next door to used car lots shouldn’t … Below: Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente, the Globe’s disclaimer. S’cuse me! We ex-journalists are permitted…
Stephen’s even: Brent Rathgeber’s out; Peter Goldring’s back, all’s right with the world
Independent MP Brent Rathgeber takes aim at Tory opacity. Now that he’s incurred the PM’s wrath, though, it’s not so likely they’ll let him dress up as a sailor in…
Did he jump or was he pushed? Outspoken Alberta Conservative MP goes over the side
Your blogger with Edmonton-St. Albert MP Brent Rathgeber, who is a Tory no more, back in the day when he still was. TORONTO From Rob Ford to Brent Rathgeber in…
Alberta Tories respond to protests by disabled citizens with instinctive diversionary attack
An Albertan protests the Redford Government’s cuts to “persons with developmental disabilities” at the Legislature in Edmonton on Friday. Below: Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities Frank Oberle.…
The Doctor of Panama: a strange tale of Harperite politics and national security
Positive vetting? Where’s George Smiley when you really need him? Not in Canada, by the sound of it. Below: Dr. Arthur Porter with his former pal Prime Minister Stephen Harper…
Tories try new union-bashing gambit to divert attention from their daily scandals, fiascos
Federal Treasury Board President Tony Clement, left, makes Duffygate disappear, while two reporters and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, at right, look on. Actual Canadian politicians and media personalities may not…
Expect Joe Anglin – potential problem for Danielle Smith – to be in for a talking to
Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman, explains some of the harsh realities of life to the Dude and other characters from The Big Lebowski. In Alberta, when we crave this…
Evil twins: Alberta Progressive Conservatives assail Wildrosers, and vice versa
This is not a photograph of Alberta Premier Alison Redford and Alberta Opposition Leader Danielle Smith. For one thing, these two are far too friendly with one another. But you…
Wildrose deftly defuses robo-call crisis while federal Cons suffer Scotch verdict
Members of the Wildrose Party try out their new robo-calling technology, which should avoid future problems with the CRTC. Right-wing Alberta politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Wildrose…
Viva Con! Hasta la Victoria Siempre con Conrad – putting the ‘cross’ back in Crossharbour!
Lady Black and Lord Black of Crossharbour contemplate the future of our fair Dominion, or something. Below: The real Conrad Black, in happier times, lectures a gangrenous limb as his…
Pack the Senate with cheats, then call for reform, then take off for Peru? Good plan!
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, not pictured because he’s pretty well disappeared, has heeded the touristic lure South America, illustrated above. Below: Canadian Parliamentarian Joan Crockatt and U.S. Representative Davy Crockett.…