Took a moment to look back at the Canada West Foundation and Western Centre for Economic Research that was done March 2010 of economic thought leader all over western Canada. The summer slowdown of the usual informed activist engagement in such matters is only part of the reason. We have had a lot happening to divert our attention from the economy like the British Petroleum Gulf of Mexico well blow-out, the abolishment of the vital Long Form Census, the Gun Registry political wedge ranting and the mass arrests of demonstrators at the very expensive G20...oh yes...and the Queen's visit. There was some $2Billion of taxpayers money borrowed and blown on bogus security and fake lakes. That made us all feel good and safe as a reckless abuse of political power and responsible fiscal management.
Back in March almost 70% of the 124 Alberta based thought leaders believed our economy would be Much Better (9.7%) or Somewhat Better (59.7%) over the next six months. Well the six months are over and the next thought-leader survey will be out in October. and I wonder where the new collected wisdom on the prospects for the Alberta economy in the pending six months will be now.
BTW the Albertan thought leaders were the most pessimistic about the economic prospects for Canada but still 60.2% thought it would be Somewhat Better and nobody thought it would be Much Better. The federal stimulus money was manipulated to support Conservative candidates and took a long time to get out but I believe overall it has helped avoid a depression and lessen the impacts of a severe recession.
Equally interesting was the thought-leaders overwhelming support for a national securities regulator. All of the west saw 69.1% in favour and even in Alberta 68.3% favoured this proposal. The official stance of the Alberta government is opposed to a national securities regulator.
An overwhelming 98.7% believed that Canada must pursue new export markets outside the US and 63.6% believed finding news markets should be the highest priority for western Canada. In terms of the American centred debates over dirty oil from the oil sands that cannot happen soon enough.
There is an ongoing concern of a double dip recession in the US that will impact many of Alberta's markets if it happens. The other alternative is a long slow growth of the US economy but nobody knows what is rally going to happen. Confidence in the future is a strong predictor of the economic outcomes, good or bad. We know from some of our research are Cambridge Strategies that there is not a lot of confidence in our federal MPs to take care of Alberta's interests in Ottawa these days and that makes the mood going forward even more unpredictable.
Looking forward to the next version of this western Canada Economic Expectations survey next month. IN the mean time why not take the poll on this blog and lets see how readers of this blog predictions align with the experts.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hunter Lovins in Calgary September 21st and 22nd.
Sick of seeing Alberta portrayed as the bad guy in the news? Meet with others who want to find real, effective solutions and create a truly sustainable Alberta with Newsweek Magazine’s Green Business Icon Hunter Lovins September 21st and 22nd in Calgary.
The group Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE) along with Cambridge Strategies Inc. a range of other sponsors is presenting lectures with Hunter Lovins of Natural Capital Solutions. Hunter is a true leader in combining sustainability with business - among her many other areas of expertise –
During her visit to Calgary, Hunter will make two presentations focusing on sustainable energy solutions for Alberta:
- Tues. September 21st, 4:00 pm, ConocoPhillips Theatre (ENMAX CEO Gary Holden to act as MC. Coffee reception to follow).
- Wed. September 22nd, 7:00 pm, University of Calgary MacHall Ballroom.
Get details and your tickets now through http://www.cambridgestrategies.com/rsvp/form.php to discuss current electricity challenges, the business case for climate protection and how Alberta can be a leader in energy solutions rather than always playing catch up to our critics.
Natural Capitalism Solutions is recognized internationally for its work in the field of sustainability and is led by Lovins, who has over 40 years experience in business, sustainability, change management, globalization, climate change, economic development and energy and resource policy,
Natural Capitalism develops innovative and practical ways to increase efficiency and environmental practices, as well as economic sustainability, for a long list of government and corporate clients and shows how to restore and further enhance natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life.
Natural Capitalism develops innovative and practical ways to increase efficiency and environmental practices, as well as economic sustainability, for a long list of government and corporate clients and shows how to restore and further enhance natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life.
Hunter developed the Economic Renewal Project and helped write many of its manuals on sustainable community economic development. She is currently a founding Professor of Business at Presidio Graduate School, one of the first accredited programs offering an MBA in Sustainable Management.
Hunter has consulted for governments and the private sector, briefing senior management at such organizations as Walmart, the International Finance Corporation, Interface, Inc., Bank of America, Calvert Social Investment Fund, Royal Dutch/Shell Group and numerous utility companies and the U.S. Defense Civil Preparedness Agency of the Pentagon, Environmental Protection Agency, numerous states and cities, and the governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Germany, and New Zealand.
Hunter has also co‐authored nine books and dozens of papers and has received several honorary doctorates. Her best‐known book, Natural Capitalism, released in September 1999, was the subject of a Harvard Business Review summary. She is currently working on Climate Capitalism, to be released by Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, in spring 2011.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Monday, September 13, 2010
Suncor About to Reclaim Pond 1
Suncor Energy is about to reclaim Tailings Pond #1 at the end of September 2010. There has been a lot of work done and even more to go but this video is the kind of information Albertans as owners of the oil sands need to see to appreciate and understand what is involved, what is being done and how reclamation works.
This is an actual reclamation of a tailings pond and I think the first in the history of the oil sands...but I could be wrong. I will find out and let you know later. Recent Cambridge Strategies research on the values of Albertans on what should guide and drive the development of the oil sands noted reclamation type, habitat and ecological monitoring were the top choices for about 60% of us. This video addresses all but the ecological monitoring but I am sure that is not being ignored in the reclamation efforts.
In the meantime as we start to consider the reclamation and habitat protection and replacement around oil sands more seriously, give this video by Suncor on their initial efforts a view.
Full disclosure I am a Suncor shareholder and have done work for them in the past but not presently.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
This is an actual reclamation of a tailings pond and I think the first in the history of the oil sands...but I could be wrong. I will find out and let you know later. Recent Cambridge Strategies research on the values of Albertans on what should guide and drive the development of the oil sands noted reclamation type, habitat and ecological monitoring were the top choices for about 60% of us. This video addresses all but the ecological monitoring but I am sure that is not being ignored in the reclamation efforts.
In the meantime as we start to consider the reclamation and habitat protection and replacement around oil sands more seriously, give this video by Suncor on their initial efforts a view.
Full disclosure I am a Suncor shareholder and have done work for them in the past but not presently.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Why is Harper Avoiding the Media?
I picked up this link this morning on Twitter via @BrianMCarroll from the Nanaimo Daily News. It shows that our totalitarian Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in image control but not into communicating with Canadians...at least not through the conventional media.
I am on the PMO distribution list of what Harper is doing and the activities are mere message massage and manipulation. I can't understand why cash strapped and staff starved MSM even bother to cover these circuses of events where photos are allowed but journalists questions are not allowed or severely limited.
It is becoming more obvious that our democracy is in decline and the personal ambitions of Prime Minister Harper are pleased and promoting that demise. Canadians have to wake up and smell the political rot - and it is not just in Ottawa.
Many of our political parties and leaders have forfeited the benefit of the doubt from citizens that they are acting in our best interests. The uncertainty amongst citizens it there but individually they seem to be afraid of the consequences of taking back political power into the hands of the electorate and not the elites in political parties or back rooms.
Giving up on democracy is not an option. Showing up, speaking out and insisting on accountability, integrity, honesty and transparency from those who seek our consent to govern us is the only option. If you are better off today than 4 years ago I can understand a contentment to the status quo...but not many of us are as well off.
The fear uncertainty and doubt we are feeling about the future can best be fixed by citizens taking action. We need to change the political power structure, who is in political power and how we select those to whom we grant political power. If you are not content with the status quo and the infighting between left and right politics you can re-engage in a progressive approach to democracy through Reboot Alberta Join us and start making a difference in the future of Alberta and even Canada.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
I am on the PMO distribution list of what Harper is doing and the activities are mere message massage and manipulation. I can't understand why cash strapped and staff starved MSM even bother to cover these circuses of events where photos are allowed but journalists questions are not allowed or severely limited.
It is becoming more obvious that our democracy is in decline and the personal ambitions of Prime Minister Harper are pleased and promoting that demise. Canadians have to wake up and smell the political rot - and it is not just in Ottawa.
Many of our political parties and leaders have forfeited the benefit of the doubt from citizens that they are acting in our best interests. The uncertainty amongst citizens it there but individually they seem to be afraid of the consequences of taking back political power into the hands of the electorate and not the elites in political parties or back rooms.
Giving up on democracy is not an option. Showing up, speaking out and insisting on accountability, integrity, honesty and transparency from those who seek our consent to govern us is the only option. If you are better off today than 4 years ago I can understand a contentment to the status quo...but not many of us are as well off.
The fear uncertainty and doubt we are feeling about the future can best be fixed by citizens taking action. We need to change the political power structure, who is in political power and how we select those to whom we grant political power. If you are not content with the status quo and the infighting between left and right politics you can re-engage in a progressive approach to democracy through Reboot Alberta Join us and start making a difference in the future of Alberta and even Canada.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Accountability, Integrity & Honesty is What Albertans Want from Politicians
We have done some interesting research about what values Albertans want to see guide and drive policy decision by the provincial government. There seems to be a critical disconnect with the governors and the governed about what values citizens want to see used to make public policy decisions.
The top values Albertans want to see from government are Accountability, Integrity and Honesty. When it comes to oil sands policy we are seeing a serious distance between the political culture citizens want and what they are getting. This is especially true in the areas of environmental monitoring and mitigation in areas like habitat, CO2 emissions and reclamation.
There is a very interesting set of quotes from politicians about the water quality in the Athabasca River and conflicting independent peer reviewed reports of unsafe levels of toxins that differ from the messages we have been getting from our government politicians. Government administration and independent experts seems to be saying very different things based on science than the political messages we are supposed to believe.
Click here is a link to a very enlightening blog post from the Calgary Herald that illustrates this point. How can this be happening in a modern democracy like Alberta?
I have to applaud the forthright comments of the government experts on the issues for their integrity, accountability and honesty in these quotes. It will be interesting to see if there are career consequences for bring truth to power when power has a different agenda.
Add to this the Globe and Mail story where Premier Stelmach says the meeting with US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi will emphasize that "The environment is the first and most important issue" but the rest of the story is all about investment and jobs. I hope the story is not fully reflective of the comments made by the Premier and he has had something specific to say about concerns like ecological monitoring, water use and safety, CO2 levels, habitat protection and reclamation.
Then we have another news story in the Globe and Mail saying a study is finding the destruction of ducks in oil sands tailing ponds is estimated to be 30 times that reported by industry and government. What is going on here?
We Albertans as owners of the oil sands need to start getting serious about insisting we get the facts behind the development decisions on this very important resource for Alberta's continuing prosperity. When sustaining or gaining political power supersedes the duty of politicians to govern responsibly with integrity, accountability and honesty citizens have to take matters back into their own hands.
We Albertans are the owners and ultimately responsible for how our oil sands are developed. We are also responsible as voter for who we allow to make these development decisions on our behalf. There is no "them" in this issue - only Albertans as owners and citizens.
It is time to speak up Alberta and insist on demonstrable political integrity, accountability and honesty from our governors again. Changes have to be made and a healthy democracy demands that we have viable political alternatives who demonstrate the core values we want applied to our public policy decisions.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
The top values Albertans want to see from government are Accountability, Integrity and Honesty. When it comes to oil sands policy we are seeing a serious distance between the political culture citizens want and what they are getting. This is especially true in the areas of environmental monitoring and mitigation in areas like habitat, CO2 emissions and reclamation.
There is a very interesting set of quotes from politicians about the water quality in the Athabasca River and conflicting independent peer reviewed reports of unsafe levels of toxins that differ from the messages we have been getting from our government politicians. Government administration and independent experts seems to be saying very different things based on science than the political messages we are supposed to believe.
Click here is a link to a very enlightening blog post from the Calgary Herald that illustrates this point. How can this be happening in a modern democracy like Alberta?
I have to applaud the forthright comments of the government experts on the issues for their integrity, accountability and honesty in these quotes. It will be interesting to see if there are career consequences for bring truth to power when power has a different agenda.
Add to this the Globe and Mail story where Premier Stelmach says the meeting with US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi will emphasize that "The environment is the first and most important issue" but the rest of the story is all about investment and jobs. I hope the story is not fully reflective of the comments made by the Premier and he has had something specific to say about concerns like ecological monitoring, water use and safety, CO2 levels, habitat protection and reclamation.
Then we have another news story in the Globe and Mail saying a study is finding the destruction of ducks in oil sands tailing ponds is estimated to be 30 times that reported by industry and government. What is going on here?
We Albertans as owners of the oil sands need to start getting serious about insisting we get the facts behind the development decisions on this very important resource for Alberta's continuing prosperity. When sustaining or gaining political power supersedes the duty of politicians to govern responsibly with integrity, accountability and honesty citizens have to take matters back into their own hands.
We Albertans are the owners and ultimately responsible for how our oil sands are developed. We are also responsible as voter for who we allow to make these development decisions on our behalf. There is no "them" in this issue - only Albertans as owners and citizens.
It is time to speak up Alberta and insist on demonstrable political integrity, accountability and honesty from our governors again. Changes have to be made and a healthy democracy demands that we have viable political alternatives who demonstrate the core values we want applied to our public policy decisions.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
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