Same-sex marriage – just not the wedge it used to be
For a couple of reasons, same-sex marriage just isn’t the wedge issue it used to be.First of all, in Canada the prevailing attitude – even among large numbers people who…
David J. Climenhaga
Alison Redford’s ‘high-risk as it gets’ Tory campaign: two outta three ain’t bad!
Alison Redford at the Legislature earlier this year. Does this look like a risk-taker? (Photo by Dave Cournoyer. Used with permission.)In the past few days, Alberta Conservative leadership candidate Alison…
St. Albert downtown redevelopment needs a second look
Looking north on Perron, St. Albert’s uninspiring but maybe serviceable main downtown street.This column appeared in yesterday's edition of the Saint City News.When it comes to redeveloping downtown St. Albert,…
Morinville public education update: Deal unlikely to please anyone, but buys time for Tories
Morinville: Historically Catholic, but not so Catholic any more. Below: Dave Hancock before he bought new spectacles.The great minds who run education in Alberta have reached a compromise they hope…
Former Alberta health CEO’s ‘expedited care’ accusations ignite firestorm that won’t go out
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky get ready to fight the latest outbreak of political prairie fire. Actual Alberta politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below:…
Carry on Up the Privy Council: Lord Black’s saga continues
Lord Black is greeted by fellow inmates at the Coleman Federal Correctional Centre. Note: Officers of the Order of Canada and members of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada may…
Zwozdesky parries Duckett: Does anyone seriously believe this is ‘just another’ allegation?
Alberta Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky parries a thrust by former Alberta Health Services CEO Stephen Duckett. Alberta politicians and other public figures may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr.…
Stephen Duckett: Too many Tories can be bad for your health (care system)
Stephen Duckett, back in the day as President and CEO of Alberta Health Services.It’s just as you thought – having all Conservatives all of the time is bad for Alberta.…
Long-shot candidacy by Employment Minister ‘Landslide Lukaszuk’ reappears on Alberta’s radar screen
Tougher than you thought: Premier Lukaszuk convenes his first Conservative cabinet meeting. … Alberta politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Lukaszuk, Greystoke.Alberta Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk…
Perfesser Dave explains Alberta’s new minimum wage law
Alberta wait staff: Americans will flock here when they learn they need tip only 35 cents per hour! Actual Alberta waiters may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Perfesser Dave,…
Governor General must act decisively to protect the cherished Order of Canada
Conrad Black, back in the day, lectures a Calgary Herald employee for having the temerity to engage in a legal strike. Mr. Black’s effort to have his subsequent U.S. criminal…
Build schools and lay off teachers? Hey, it’s the Alberta way!
New school. Lots of students. No teachers. What’s your problem? Below: Ed Stelmach, Dave Hancock.Does it seem odd to you that Alberta’s Conservative government would be spending more than half…
Alberta Liberals’ open nomination scheme will not fix the party’s existential crisis
Alberta Liberals follow party leader Dr. David Swann down a street in Calgary. Alberta political party supporters may not be exactly as illustrated. (Photo grabbed from sveinnbirkir.tumblr.com/.) Below: the real…
New Alberta Party leader’s challenge is to turn a New Age blip into lasting political phenomenon
Your blogger discusses the state of Alberta (pun intended) with Alberta Party Leader Glenn Taylor. Below: Randy Royer.In the end, the Alberta Party’s leadership vote yesterday came down to a…
This just in: New Alberta Party leader gives speech; old leader sings Over the Rainbow (really!)
Outgoing Acting Alberta Party Leader Sue Huff sings Somewhere, Over the Rainbow, I’m not making this up! Below: First ballot leadership vote victor Glenn Taylor.I went to the Alberta Party…
PC leadership tipsheet: Mar to win, Morton to place, surprises possible
Punters at the track: These guys all know that in a horserace, anything can happen, and, plus, you ought to dress well just in case it does!This column appeared in…
Well-financed Rick Orman candidacy a grave setback to Ted Morton’s hopes
Beulah, peel me a grape! Alberta Conservative candidate Rick Orman aloft, with grapes on a silver tray and friends. This photo appeared in my in-box, source unknown. Below: Ted Morton.Question:…
Air force generals’ pathetic lies: We’re waist deep in the Big Muddy
Col. Muammar al-Gaddafi with one of his Western friends. The Libyan dictator is stubbornly hanging on in the face of Western escalation and the promises of air power advocates.So, how…
Don’t you get it? ‘Apparently not’ is the only safe conclusion as Alberta launches tardy STD campaign
Don’t you get it? Screen shot from provincial syphilis warning website. Below: Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky, former health minister Ron Liepert.At the risk of belabouring the point, while it is…
The Church of the NDP is closed, and good riddance!
Typical NDP meeting in days of yore. Below: Jack Layton.In the last hours of the 2011 federal election campaign, as word of Jack Layton’s Orange Wave spread to a wondering…