january kick-off: big changes or status-quo in 2012?
Fresh back into the new year, it would be easy to assume that January would be a slow month for most of Alberta’s elected officials as they ease back into…
Gene Zwozdesky
Premier Alison Redford enforces generational change in Alberta government
Alberta Speaker Ken Kowalski and other former PC ministers line up to wait for their transition allowances. Tory politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr. Kowalski, former Premier…
In case you were wondering: a primer on how things still work in Alberta
Choice in seniors’ accommodation that suits your income, lifestyle and family structure. Below: Brian Mason, Fred Horne.Former Alberta energy minister Ron Liepert, who is now Premier Alison Redford’s minister of…
Flippity flop flip… has Alison Redford’s government ‘jumped the shark’ already?
Alberta Premier Alison Redford, immediately after ‘jumping the shark.’ Alberta politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Whaaaaaaaaat?! Below: The quotable LBJ.Is this the worst start ever, or what?Barely sworn…
Redford’s Rocky Mountain Cabinet Horror Show: We’re doing the time warp again!
Premier Alison Redford and members of her new cabinet in a Transylvanian Tory Time Warp. Ron Liepert is at right. Alberta premiers and their cabinets may not be exactly as…
alison redford appoints gary mar’s cabinet.
Do you think Gary Mar left a draft cabinet list in the Premier’s Office when he was measuring the drapes? Because Premier Alison Redford found it. We were told to…
cabinet building and the game of politics in alberta.
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones With the coming of a new Premier, the…
If Stephen Duckett wasn’t fired, why was he paid out in full?
Well, it wasn’t like he didn’t offer to share! Maybe that’s why Stephen Duckett wasn’t fired for the Notorious Cookie Incident ™? Below: Dr. Duckett, AHS Chair Ken Hughes.How do…
No new candidates join Tory leadership race; Calgary not destroyed by earthquake again today!
The Alberta Tory leadership candidates, from left to right: Doug Horner, Gary Mar, Doug Griffiths, Ted Morton and Rick Orman. Alison Redford can be glimpsed crossing the street in the…
The Tory leadership race: Lindsay Blackett gives up his ambition to be premier
Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett at the Legislature after the February 2010 Budget Speech. Photo by Dave Cournoyer.In case you missed it, as almost everybody did, Calgary-North West MLA Lindsay…
The Tory leadership race: Lukaszuk’s out, Horner’s still in, Redford is channeling Nenshi
Loneliness of the long-distance runners: Alberta Tory leadership candidates, who may not appear exactly as illustrated, head for the finish line, 11 weeks away. Below: Tom Lukaszuk, Doug Horner, Kevin…
Fired former health CEO ensures line-jumping allegations won’t fade away
Pugnacious former Alberta health minister Ron Liepert, left, takes it on the chin from the man he hired, equally pugnacious former Alberta Health Services CEO Stephen Duckett, as a young…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
Metro column: Focusing on the individual, not the party
I’m not a big fan of party politics. I could care less which party is in charge. I care more about who the people in government are and what kinds…