by Samantha Powers
The landslide election of 1993 took the ground out from under the Alberta New Democrats. The once-thriving official opposition lost every one of its 16 seats in an election that changed the political dialogue of the province.
"The spectrum had moved dramatically," says Ray Martin, NDP leader at the time. "We became isolated."
by Samantha Power
Two of Alberta's largest treaty groups were taken by surprise when a new consultation act was introduced into the legislature this past session and became law on May 27. "We were dismayed at the introduction," says Victor Horseman, the grand chief liaison with Treaty 8 of Bill 22: The Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act. "This doesn't show good faith."
by Samantha Powers
According to Reporters Without Borders’ recent World Press Freedom Index, the Conservative government has not created the "most transparent government in Canadian history." Canada fell 10 spots to barely hang on to 20th place, due to greater obstruction of journalists in the field and a growing threat to the confidentiality of journalists' sources.
by Samantha Power
I don't know if Thomas Lukaszuk is an asshole, but it's clear a lot of people care that he was called one by a federal minister. Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney's private communication became very public when that "reply-all" mistake we all dread hit the media.
by Samantha Power
Premier Alison Redford made history recently by being the first Albertan premier to deliver an address at Edmonton's Pride Week. It was as large a step for the PC party as it was a politically astute move.
Shortly after Ms Redford announced she would be delivering an address at Pride, Wildrose opposition leader Danielle Smith revealed she too would be appearing at Pride, just not at the parade. Or any public event. Ms Smith attended Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht's police reception, a limited space event to which you had to RSVP.
by Samantha Power
This week federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty declared in the House, "There is no bad job. The only bad job is not having a job." His fervent statement had more than a few Canadians scrunching their brows, thinking of those frustrating hours of servitude given to customers' demands, agonizing hours spent cleaning other people's toilets or putting up with unsafe environments.
Flaherty was defending the government's budget bill, which contains reforms to the Employment Insurance program. The bill will give the power to Cabinet to define "suitable employment" — which in turn will determine if a person qualifies for Employment Insurance. The NDP opposition has said this could potentially force Canadians into jobs they are overqualified for, or even force relocation in search of employment.
