Rob Merrifield – Progressive Bloggers // Blogues progressistes

2015 was a great year for Progressive Politics in Alberta

It was an exciting year to be a progressive in Alberta. May 5, 2015 marked the first time since the 1930s that a conservative party did not win a provincial…

What about Bob? Hawkesworth swoops into top political job.

Dave Cournoyer November 9, 2015

Former Calgary alderman Bob Hawkesworth has been appointed Executive Director of Premier Rachel Notley’s southern Alberta office at the McDougall Centre in Calgary. A press release sent out on Nov.…

Keystone XL is dead. New government means climate change back on the agenda.

Dave Cournoyer November 7, 2015

Having enjoyed the last week in the sunny Berkeley, California, it felt odd to turn on the car radio to hear the local disc jockeys discussing the tarsands and the…

One day after his graceless departure, former Alberta ‘envoy’ to Washington lands lobbying gig

David Climenhaga October 2, 2015

PHOTOS: Sour grapes! Actual former Alberta trade representatives may not appear exactly as illustrated. (Photo from Barkpost.com.) Below: Alberta Conservative-connected lobbyists Rob Merrifield, Hal Danchilla, Brian Storseth and Rick Orman.…

Fate of Canadian Wheat Board a disturbing harbinger for Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg farmers

David Climenhaga October 1, 2015

PHOTOS: Tractors in the streets of Ottawa on Tuesday, their drivers protesting the Harper Conservatives’ barely concealed plans to destroy the supply-management agricultural sector. (Grabbed from @amkfoote on Twitter.) Below:…

Rachel Notley to Alberta’s trade ‘envoy’ to Washington: Nice seeing you ’round! Here’s your hat!

David Climenhaga September 14, 2015

PHOTOS: Departing Alberta trade ‘envoy’ to Washington, D.C., Rob Merrifield, back in the day when he was a federal cabinet minister. Below: Former Alberta premier Jim Prentice, who hired Mr.…

Keystone XL, Alberta Oil Sands and International Travel in 2014

daveberta January 9, 2015

TweetAs the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline dominates political debate in Washington D.C., Alberta Premier Jim Prentice announced that he will soon travel to the American capital to lobby in favour…

Sleepy Yellowhead by-election set for November 17

daveberta November 7, 2014

TweetA big Conservative win is inevitable in this rural Alberta riding When recently resigned Conservative Member of Parliament Rob Merrifield was appointed by Premier Jim Prentice as Alberta’s Representative in…

Yellowhead federal by-election called for November 17

daveberta October 12, 2014

TweetProviding a distraction from the four provincial by-elections currently being held in Alberta, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that federal by-elections will be held in Ontario’s Whitby-Oshawa riding and…

New column day

Greg Fingas September 25, 2014

Here, on how the politics and economics of energy production are changing around the world – and how Canada is being left behind due to governments focused solely on pushing…

Nomination update: Yellowhead by-election, Bow River Tories vote, and Anybody but Xiao

daveberta September 20, 2014

TweetPremier Jim Prentice announced this week that five-term Conservative Member of Parliament Rob Merrifield would be appointed as Alberta’s representative in Washington D.C. Mr. Merrifield’s resignation from the House of…

Alberta tar sands claim the soul of Conservative MP Rob Merrifield

Obert Madondo September 19, 2014

Conservative MP Rob Merrifield resigned his elected seat this week to work as Alberta Premier Jim Prentice’s leading tar sands lobbyist in Washington. The post Alberta tar sands claim the…

Tories impose a strict policy of de-Redfordization

daveberta September 19, 2014

TweetThe strength of any long-ruling political party is the ability to reinvent itself under new leaders and changing circumstances. After 43-years in power, Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Association has successfully rebranded…

Parks Canada carnage sideswipes Jasper with nary a peep from local Tory MP

David J. Climenhaga May 4, 2012

Will the last person to leave Jasper please turn out the lights? A view of Beauvert Lake, near the Jasper townsite, as the sun sets. Below: Anchors Aweigh! There’ll be…