Posted inAlberta Politics

Con gong show at the Legislature had plenty to make Albertans wonder about their opposition parties

PHOTOS: Anybody recognize the clowns with the yellow signs? Inquiring minds want to know … and they say they’re prepared to pay good money to find out! (Duncan Kinney photo, grabbed from Twitter.) Below: Ezra Levant, whose Rebel Media organized Saturday’s demonstration at the Alberta Legislature, which failed to leave a positive impression of the […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Now for something completely different: The Climenhaga podcast, as transmitted by the sensational, sinister Minister Faust

PHOTOS: David Climenhaga yaks … and yaks and yaks and yaks … about Turmoil in the Tories! Art work by Malcolm Azania. Below, Mr. Azania, also known by his nom de plume, Minister Faust (from Twitter). I am the first to admit I am not a podcasting kind of guy – don’t make ’em, don’t […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Wildrose defence of Christian home schooling group unravels on news of operators’ big salaries

PHOTOS: The Trinity Christian private school in Cold Lake. Court documents indicate its principal was paid $322,813 over three years. One news report says it currently has 13 students. Below: Ken Noster, board chair and administrator of Wisdom Home Schooling Society, his wife Marlane Noster, and Trinity School principal Richard Schienbein. All photos come from […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

The Pipeline File: NDP’s ‘social license’ approach worked where Conservative shouting failed, it’s that simple

PHOTOS: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Kananaskis, Alberta, in April 2016 (photo by Chris Schwarz, Government of Alberta). Below: Anti-pipeline demonstrators in British Columbia (Rabble photo by Alyse Kotyk). They may not find it reassuring that Alberta conservatives are praying for their success. Without the Alberta NDP’s climate strategy, […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Backstory to purloined party list whodunit hints Wildrose civil war may be brewing

PHOTOS: Veterans of the Wildrose Caucus civil wars get together in 2046 to compare their experiences. Actual aged Wildrose MLAs are unlikely to appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Wildrose Leader Brian Jean (CBC photo), his party’s finance critic, Derek Fildebrandt, and former Wildrose House leader Rob Anderson reading his confession … oh, wait, that was […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Watergate anyone? Wildrose Edmonton office burgled, computers stolen, membership data being misused: Brian Jean

PHOTOS: Brian Jean, leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Opposition Party, says he has no idea how representatives of another party gained possession of Wildrose membership lists and misused them (Wildrose.ca photo). Below: Progressive Conservative front-runner Jason Kenney, and Richard M. Nixon, who was president of the United States from 1969 to 1974. UPDATED In an email […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

I come to bury Castro, not to praise him: unpacking conservative fury at PM Justin Trudeau’s condolences

PHOTOS: Fidel Castrol in his heyday. Mr. Castro died Friday at 90. Below: An affectionate Havana scene … “Viva Fidel por siempre;” Margaret Trudeau, Mr. Castro and Pierre Trudeau in 1976; King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who died at 90 last year; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Before I start, let’s just make one thing perfectly […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Robo-gaffe: What do you do when caller-ID says it’s a PC on the line and you get the NDP?

PHOTOS: The offending caller ID message (photo found on Twitter). Below: Edmonton-Castle Downs NDP MLA Nicole Goehring, former Edmonton-Castle Downs Progressive Conservative MLA Thomas Lukaszuk and NDP Caucus Outreach Director Garret Spelliscy. Memo to politicians: Make sure – really, really sure – that when you send out a robo-call alerting your constituents to something you’d […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Bygone bleats: Ray Speaker speaks again, while your blogger still awaits his letter

PHOTOS: Past and present at the Alberta Legislature. Progressive Conservative campaign vehicles may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Former MLAs Ray Speaker, a Social Crediter and Progressive Conservative, Tory Steve West, New Democrat Ed Ewasiuk, and Conservative Ted Morton, the worst premier Alberta never had. Below them, Calgary MLA Sandra Jansen and assassinated Labour […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Smoke-Free Alberta asks: Why hasn’t all of the Smoking Reduction Act been enacted?

PHOTOS: Water pipes and flavoured tobacco … Why has Alberta legislation outlawing them not been enacted? There are no secret political messages in this picture, by the way. Below: Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, NDP MLA Sandra Jansen, and Edmonton Journal Editor Mark Iype. A letter Monday from the Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta to […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Jason Kenney’s sleazy campaign tactics explained: He’s rolling the dice on a first-ballot win

PHOTOS: Baby needs new shoes! Jason Kenney prepares to roll the dice on winning the Alberta PC leadership race on the first ballot. Actual Alberta conservative politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: The real Mr. Kenney, plus candidates Steve Khan and Richard Starke. If you’re surprised by reports Jason Kenney’s Progressive Conservative leadership […]

Posted inAlberta Politics

Trading press barons for social media behemoths: not an improvement for people who want news

PHOTOS: The Calgary Herald newsroom, back in the day. (Photo grabbed from Facebook, of course.) It’s quieter, nowadays. Below: Brodie Fenlon, managing editor of CBCNews.ca, and Gillian Steward, former managing editor of the Herald. I have bad news for you, people: mainstream media in Alberta is a trainwreck! Of course, if you were paying attention, […]