Some of the more than 2,000 people who protested the policies of the Redford Conservative Government in Edmonton’s Sir Winston Churchill Square today. When I was a cub reporter at the still-unhyphenated Victoria Daily Times – always a better paper than the Colonist, let it be noted – I was told by a grizzled veteran […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Can the Redford Government Survive Until 2016?
It’s unfortunate it’s illegal to say the word “str*ke” in Alberta, or you could write a great caption for this image. To be on the safe side, we’ll just stick to asking: “Can the Redford Government survive until 2016, or whenever the next provincial election is held?” Below: Alberta Premier Alison Redford; Soviet era prognosticator […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Alberta government confused by plan to give ‘non-essential’ workers paid time off at Christmas, New Year’s
The children of unionized Alberta public employees enjoy Christmas at home. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad had to be at work because the jobs they do are essential. Below: One of the great minds of the Alberta government scratches his head as he puzzles out the problem. (Edmonton Sun photo.) The government of Alberta has “no […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Redford Government resorts to bush-league law breaking as talks with civil servants hit another impasse
Members of the Alberta Government plan their latest strategy to hold the unionized civil service’s approximately 44,000 feet to the fire in negotiations. Actual government officials may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: William Aberhart. Bargaining with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees at an impasse again, so the government of Premier Alison Redford has […]
Posted inMedia
Revelation CAPP paid Mansbridge, defender of Murphy’s speaking fees, brings simmering controversy back to boil
CBC Chief Correspondent Peter Mansbridge, back in the day before he could seriously contemplate receiving a $28,000 speaking fee just for flapping his gums over dinner. (Photo found on the Internet.) Below: Similarly compensated CBC commentator Rex Murphy, presumably at about the same moment in history. Below that: Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith’s enthusiastic review […]
Posted inAlberta Politics, Canadian Politics
Shocker: Canadian Taxpayers Federation suffers 17-per-cent membership slump!
Riley Climenhaga, who has some duties as an actual watchdog despite being one of the Canadian Taxpayer Federation’s 70,000 “supporters,” watches suspiciously. Below: CTF Alberta mouthpiece Derek Fildebrandt and Operations VP Shannon Morrison. In a stunning development, membership in the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has slumped close to 17 per cent – from six members, to […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Women hit by Redford Government’s pension cuts entitled to ask: ‘What are we? Chopped liver?’
Finance Minister Doug Horner and Alberta Premier Alison Redford attempt to skate around opposition to their planned cuts to public service pensions. Points have not yet been awarded for the maneuver. Actual Alberta politicians may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: The real Mr. Horner as he slipped past media and uninvited union leaders at […]
Posted inAlberta Politics, Canadian Politics, Geopolitics
Advice to Canadian politicians and media: Proceed with caution on your support for Ukraine’s rebels
Anti-Government Ukrainians prepare to fight police in Kiev. Below: Rioters throw gasoline bombs at police in Ukraine; Alberta Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. (Wikimedia photos.) You can bet money that when trouble is brewing abroad things are always far more complicated than local enthusiasts for one side or the other make them out to be. Here […]
Posted inCanadian Politics
Future bleak for Brent Rathgeber’s CBC disclosure bill; perhaps less so for Rex Murphy’s commentaries
Your blogger with CBC commentator Rex Murphy, quite possibly on his way to a speaking engagement with the oil industry. Below: the same blogger with Edmonton-St. Albert Member of Parliament Brent Rathgeber, who has a date with history next week; the controversial Press Progress Rex Murphy info-graphic. ST. ALBERT, Alberta MP Brent Rathgeber’s private member’s […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
The Airline Ticketgate saga continued… Alberta’s Redford Tories, forever young, now have Young forever
Former Progressive Conservative Whip Steve Young gets ready to give it to his premier and party leader at yesterday’s caucus meeting in Edmonton. Actual unrepentant Tory MLAs may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: The actual Mr. Young, apparently yelling something; his friend Wildrose MLA Ian Donovan; Premier Alison Redford’s executive assistant, Brad Stables. After […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Olympic Hockey: It’ll take Grit to overcome Sisu – are Tories patriotic enough to let it happen?
Looks like Finnish hockey to me! Can’t understand what they’re saying, but, Canadians beware, they might have Sisu. Below: A Sisu truck; Lauri Rapala, inventor of the lure of Vaaksy. To heck with politics! Let’s talk hockey, a subject on which our physically unimposing prime minister is nevertheless supposedly an expert, which gives Alberta Diary […]
Posted inAlberta Politics
Time to change Alberta Labour Minister’s dual role, and maybe more, to ensure fair and equitable labour relations
Some roles just don’t seem to be a good match for the same person. Here are five examples. Perhaps Alberta Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, below, finds himself in such a position? Can Thomas Lukaszuk properly fulfill his dual roles as Alberta’s Minister of Labour and chair of the all-but-secret Public Sector Resource Committee of Premier […]