Yes or no? The referendum and the queen of confusion
If I were to rank democratic instruments, I would put referendums at the bottom of... The post Yes or no? The referendum and the queen of confusion first appeared on…
Alberta
The Clarity Act and Alberta’s Tricksy Question
This October, Albertans will vote on a referendum question that arguably rivals the word salad that René Levesque imposed on Quebeckers in 1980 for obfuscation and confusing wording: “Should Alberta…
An Exhausting Week In Alberta Politics
This week has been a whirlwind in politics, especially in Alberta. On Thursday, the Premier of Alberta announced what I can only call a farce of a referendum on separating…
So I am to support separatists?
Last week Alberta Court of King’s Bench Justice Shaina Leonard quashed the approval of a... The post So I am to support separatists? first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
Does Hungary hold a lesson for the Alberta NDP?
Thirty-four years ago an ex-mayor of Calgary ran for the leadership of a provincial political... The post Does Hungary hold a lesson for the Alberta NDP? first appeared on Views…
Monday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- Ian Bremmer highlights how countries around the globe are hedging their bets rather than risking being taken down as the U.S. collapses. And Karen…
No, The SCC Won’t Rule Along The Lines Alberta Wants
I've seen a few people arguing that the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) is obliged to rule in favour of the Provinces like Alberta (the ones that want to use…
Novel Arguments For Challenging Anti-Transgender Laws In Canada
Since Alberta has decided to make itself the beachhead in bringing an "American-Style" attack on transgender people through legislation that is largely unconstitutional in Canada unless the province invokes The…
What Exactly Does The Alberta UCP Mean By "Neutrality" In Schools?
When the Alberta government tabled Bill 25 last week, they made much ado about "bias" in the classroom - complaining that teachers were "telling students what to think", and engaging…
Smith Attempting To Rule By Decree
Under Danielle Smith, Alberta is rapidly being transformed into a place where there are no guardrails on the exercise of power. In this sitting of the legislature, the government has…
On the matter of an independent Alberta
I have avoided the issue of Alberta separatism so as not to inflame the delicate sensibilities of the Alberta independence crowd. But I feel the time has come to make…
Now She Wants To Amend The Constitution
So, having had her public temper tantrum over appointing judges, Smith now wants to amend the Constitution so that the decision about who gets to sit as a judge is…
Premier Smith does her MAGA thing
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith never misses an opportunity to trash Ottawa. Last Thursday, as part... The post Premier Smith does her MAGA thing first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading.- John Ripton writes about the connection between the egregious concentration of wealth and the rise of fascist politics. And Virginia Heffernan points out…
Unjust Laws and Restricting Rights Unnecessarily
Alberta has already begun restricting transgender rights, and in the wake of the shooting in Tumbler Ridge this week, I fully expect that the UCP government will move to further…
Monday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading.- Francine Prose offers a reminder that everything else happening in the U.S. is secondary to the imminent threat of an authoritarian takeover. Ed Burmila…
Plague Update: Emergency (Department) Over
If society organized and chose even a month to focus on preventing sick people from wandering around and flying everywhere, we’d wipe out more influenza like we did 6 years…
Trump’s plan to seize Venezuela and run it from Washington may be half baked, but it bodes ill for Alberta just the same
When the dust settles on U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to take over Venezuela and its massive heavy oil reserves, the outcome is unlikely to be good for Alberta. This…
Implications For Alberta Separatists From Trump’s Invasion of Venezuela
Yesterday, the US attacked Venezuela and captured its president and his wife. This move has significant implications not only for Venezuela and its people, but it also stands to have…
Did anyone tell Premier Smith that the world is awash in oil today; and maybe for the next five years?
Sadiq S. Adatia CFA, FSA, FCIA is a bright man. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for BMO Global Asset Management , and he’s responsible for overall investment…