PHOTOS: A detail from Liela Chan’s just unveiled portrait of Alison Redford: Below: Ms. Chan’s full portrait, as it now hangs in the Legislature; what we could have had if Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) had been around to paint Ms. Redford; what the still unrevealed portrait of Dave Hancock really ought to look like, with apologies […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Where exactly is the ‘compromise’ Jason Kenney thinks the NDP should make on sexual minority rights?
PHOTOS: Progressive Conservative leadership candidate Jason Kenney back in the day … welcoming refugees? Well, not if they wanted health care. Unintended ironic juxtaposition, I suppose. (Photo from abbotsfordtoday.blogspot.ca.) Below: Alberta Education Minister David Eggen; New Testament Baptist Church, just west of Edmonton. Where exactly is this “sensible Alberta compromise” Jason Kenney advises the province’s […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Must’ve been the welcome! U.S. Senator Wildrosers once claimed was spurned by Alberta NDP would ‘like to move to Canada’
PHOTOS: Hello Canada! South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines in October 2015, not long after his return from Alberta. (Photo by Gage Skidmore.) Below: Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips and Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Wildrose MLA Tony Yao (Wildrose.ca). OK, people, it’s official. Environment Minister Shannon Phillips must’ve hit […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Donna Kennedy-Glans, former cabinet minister and oilpatch executive, joins race to lead Alberta’s Progressive Conservatives
PHOTOS: Donna Kennedy-Glans on the day of former premier Jim Prentice’s first and last budget in March 2015. Below: Former premier Alison Redford, against whom DKG had publicly rebelled before being welcomed back into the PCs by Mr. Prentice, and Jason Kenney, the first and so far the only other announced candidate in the race […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
China’s concerns about Canadian canola are legitimate, and we’re going to have to deal with them sooner or later
PHOTOS: A field of canola at its most colourful, photographed in early August near Morinville, Alberta. Below: Farmer Ken Larsen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and Harper-era agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. According to the Globe and Mail, or at least one of the five apparently like-minded individuals interviewed recently by the […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Jason Kenney quits his job on federal electoral reform committee – so why are we paying him, again?
PHOTOS: Ride, Jason, Ride! Moving day in Ottawa. Jason Kenney’s arrangements to pack up his office and return to Alberta may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr. Kenney in Calgary; commentator Corey Hogan on TV. Softly, softly, Jason Kenney has quit his job on the Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform, presumably to give […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Was pastor encouraged by right-wing allies to say intemperate things that could cost his private schools?
PHOTOS: The Supreme Court of Canada building in Ottawa, where Alberta’s gay-straight alliance law seems destined to be held in the balance. Below: The judgment of Solomon – don’t take the supposedly wise king’s child-care advice if you don’t want a visit from the police and a social worker. Below that: Alberta Education Minister David […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Rain’s forecast, but today promises to be a sunny Labour Day celebration just the same
PHOTOS: A Canadian Labour Day parade, well back in the day. Below: A poster for today’s Labour Day barbecue and picnic in Edmonton, J.S. Woodsworth, first leader of the CCF, and a philatelic tribute to labour. “What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.” – J.S. Woodsworth, first leader of the CCF Oh, today […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Church in fight over Alberta LGBTQ policy espouses far-right ideology, has close tie to advocacy group
PHOTOS: The New Testament Baptist Church near Spruce Grove, just west of Edmonton. Below: The vandalized sign, with some of the scrubbed pink spray paint still visible; additional signs on the site promoting the church and school; and administrator Rev. Brian Coldwell and private school advocate Donna Trimble, the latter two shots from the CBC. […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Brian Jean’s crack about beating Rachel Notley may have ended his hopes to lead Alberta’s right
PHOTOS: Opposition Leader Brian Jean, haunted by the radicalism of his own rural-dominated party, now looks like he’s stumbled into the same snake pit of anger and misogyny. (Photo from Wildrose.ca.) Below: Premier Rachel Notley, the subject of Mr. Jean’s controversial remark; Wildrose Finance Critic Derek Fildebrandt, whom he tried to discipline last spring for […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Tales from the Political Crypt: Vote for me and I’ll give it all to charity!
PHOTOS: Your blogger with Carl Benito, back in the day. Below: Brian “Clipper” Jean in his wedding canoe, and Jason Kenney, a confirmed bachelor, striking an appropriately W.L. Mackenzie King-like pose. The latter two politicians are the principal contenders to lead a united right, if indeed the right can be united. Bottom: Some of the […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
When then was ‘Now!’ Marking the day Peter Lougheed moved Alberta dramatically to the left
PHOTOS: Peter Lougheed on the campaign trail during the 1970s. Below: A few of the important characters in this story … William Aberhart, Ernest Manning, Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley. Today is the 45th anniversary of Peter Lougheed’s historic election victory in 1971, which brought the Progressive Conservative Party to power with a comfortable majority, […]