Posted inAlberta Politics

One big problem for Alberta’s ‘unite-the-centre’ effort: the NDP already occupies that space

PHOTO: Stephen Mandel, would-be uniter of Alberta’s “centre,” when he was a Tory minister. The effort by a group of politicians previously associated with the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and Alberta parties to “unite the centre” suggests divisive social conservative doctrines that increasingly dominate the Wildrose and PC parties are starting to seriously worry economic conservatives. […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Silence on the right and in the media about NDP role as Alberta adds an impressive 20,000 full-time jobs in March

PHOTOS: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who is not getting any credit for her economic successes from the Opposition or the media. Below: Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci; Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall; and University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe (CBC photo). Alberta added an impressive 20,000 full-time jobs in March, according to Statistics Canada, suggesting the […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

No redemption for the Wildrose, outed in a Lake of Fire five years ago today, and it’s Eastertime too

PHOTOS: Rev. Allan Hunsperger, whose beliefs about the eternal fate of people who live a gay lifestyle contributed mightily to the downfall of the Wildrose Party. (Wildrose Party photo, circa 2012.) Below: Then Wildrose leader Danielle Smith; Jason Kenney, leader of the Progressive Conservatives today; and former PC premier Alison Redford. Five years ago today, […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

The Week in Review: We know where the Wildrosers are, but where’s Jason?

ILLUSTRATIONS: Where’s Jason? If anyone spots PC Leader Jason Kenney, who doesn’t have to show up in the Legislature because he’s not an MLA, please let a responsible grownup know. Below: Education Minister David Eggen and Opposition Leader Brian Jean. There’s no doubt about where Mr. Jean will be found, although there’s some question about […]

Posted inBestsellers

This Accident of Being Lost and two others by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson on Audreys bestseller lists for last week

Here is the list of the top 10 fiction and non-fiction titles sold in Edmonton for the week ended April 9, 2017, compiled on April 11, 2017, by Audreys Books and provided by the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. EDMONTON FICTION BESTSELLERS 1. This Accident of Being Lost – Leanne Betasamosake Simpson 2. Encountering Riel […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

NDP plan to change funding model for agricultural commissions is unlikely to much help farmers or the government

PHOTOS: Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier with some of the members, staff and leaders of the province’s agricultural commissions at a sparsely attended news conference in Edmonton yesterday to announce the Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act 2017. Below: Mr. Carlier, at left, chats with Alberta Beef Producers Chair Bob Lowe, far right, in a […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Cell phone video of Nazi comparison in Red Deer Catholic high school class on abortion should raise political questions

PHOTOS: A screen shot of the video at the moment it makes its controversial comparison. Below: Alberta Education Minister David Eggen, Progressive Conservative Leader Jason Kenney as a young man giving his views on women’s reproductive rights, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Board Chair Guy Pelletier, and U of A Gender Studies Professor Cristina Stasia. […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Big changes coming to academic faculty, graduate student and postdoctoral bargaining rights in Alberta

PHOTOS: Could we someday see scenes like this one at Boston University in 1979 at an Alberta University? The late Howard Zinn, author of the People’s History of the United States (banned in Arkansas), is visible, quite naturally, I suppose, near the front on the left. (Photo from the Boston Public Library.) Below: Alberta Advanced […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Here’s your hat … Jason Kenney’s reconstituted PCs bid farewell to former party president Katherine O’Neill

PHOTOS: Departed Progressive Conservative Party president Katherine O’Neill (CBC photo). Below: PC Leader Jason Kenney and former leadership candidates from the party’s progressive wing, Sandra Jansen and Steve Khan. Katherine O’Neill has departed, smiles and warm sentiments all ’round. Ms. O’Neill was president of the Progressive Conservative Party, the one that newly elected PC Leader […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Alberta’s first woman premier calls for more than talk about the deplorable treatment of women in politics

PHOTOS: Former Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford smiles sadly as she leaves Government House in Edmonton on March 13, 2015, the day her Progressive Conservative caucus made the first steps toward firing her. Below: NDP Premier Rachel Notley, CBC morning show host Mark Connelly and NDP Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean. Alison Redford was […]