Dave Hancock was recently selected by the PC Caucus to be the interim leader of the party pending the outcome of the forthcoming leadership contest. This may be the smartest thing they have done in the past week or so.
Dave is Mr. Social Progressive & Fiscal Conservative amongst Alberta's elected politicians. He has been involved in the party from his youth at the University of Alberta. I met him first when we both worked on the Joe Clark leadership of the federal PC in 1976. He served as President as established the Statement of Principles for the party that defined the progressive aspects of the PC party.
Elected initially in 1997 he has been a perpetually successful election performer often winning with the largest margins in the province. He has served in a wide array of portfolios and been Deputy Premier more than once. He has been the deep thinker and strategy guy in the PC caucus and Cabinet for years. A cerebral quality not often appreciated or respected by the Reform/Alliance leaning "common sense" MLAs.
He pursued the leadership in 2006 when Dinning and Morton were beat by Stelmach. I was very involved in his campaign helping to develop the campaign platform with him and others. Knowing he would not make the first ballot cut he chose to visibly support Stelmach before the first votes were counted. Many think that move was politically courageous. It was but it was also a strong signal to his supporters and others in the progressive branch of the party they ought to rally behind Stelmach. Dave correctly saw Stelmach as the best way to update the progressive policies of the party beyond the Klein years. It worked...for awhile.
Dave's diligence and dedication will ensure the business of government keeps going aligned with the PC party agenda set out in the recent Throne Speech and Budget. The administration will be given the respect and room to do their jobs, at least until the next leader comes in. I expect under Dave's interim watch there will be some significant but quiet execution of the policy and programs that have been passed but also passed over pending for implementation. I say this given his strong affirmation that Bill 45 and 46 are the "law" and they will be implemented. It is a double-edged sword for progressives.
So don't expect flash and dash from Dave. Do expect a steady hand on the tiller and a mature respect for the caucus and Cabinet members who are still around to govern given the leadership campaign activities that will distract them.
He can't stop the internal caucus dissent, that is not his job. He will also have to deftly handle the natural divisiveness inherent in the thrust and parry of the leadership race. He will run the province professionally while the party participants are away campaigning and hoping to find a suitable leader to appeal to the rest of Alberta.
This must be a moment of pride and humility for Dave as he get the trust and respect of the Caucus and the PC Party as interim leader. It also has to be bittersweet as he serves as the bridesmaid and not not as the bride. Such is life. Such is politics. Such is democracy.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Parsing a "Poll" in Alberta' s Leadership Politics
So Angus Reid did a poll on Alberta political leadership issues that they released on March 17/14. It was a on-line poll done March 3-9 using 698 of the Angus Reid Forum panelists. Those are people who like to answer polls and signed up to be on the Angus Reid roster for such polls.
I am always suspicious that these self-selecting Forum volunteers are more politically active and engaged and not so random. The methodology likely make extrapolations of under represented groups based on the results of small numbers of participants in various segments.
Say 30% of the Alberta population is male over 55. I don't know if that is true but humour me. If the on line pool only had 10% of respondents in that group I wonder if the pollster takes the answers of the 10% and triples their weight to reach the real demographic mix. If so it it almost guaranteed to be wrong. A chronic reality for political polling for a few years now...increasingly wrong.
That said, I don't trust theses polls for that and other reasons. For example Angus Reid said 46% of decided voters in Alberta would choose Wildrose if an election was called the next day. Well the election is two years away so why is that relevant never mind reliable as a serious question.
Second I wonder how they voted last time and if they are shifting their votes and why! I expect a lot of former/current PC supporters, inside and outside the party, wanted to send Premier Redford a message by "choosing" Wildrose. If that was the case it worked. Redford resigned shortly afterwards.
Third is, presuming the poll has some veracity, there is a real social schism on age and gender lines in Alberta when it comes to politics. The Wildrose support is predominantly male and older. 50% of males in the survey supported WRP and 41% of the females. the older you were the more you supported the WRP. The PCs support was small, half that of WRP but evenly spread over genders and generations. Liberal and NDP support is greatest in youth and still behind the WRP.
Here is where gender and generational divides gets somewhat interesting. Health Care is #1 (21%), Leadership & Economy tied for #2 as most important issues (17%) and Environment is next with 9% picking it as most important. Old people art into health (go figure!) and leadership. Only 6% of youth said Leadership is most important issue in Alberta today but they were the largest group to say the Economy is their issue followed by the Environment. The Environment was top issue for only 6% of men 35-54 and only 4% of the 55+ makes gave it a concern.
More women were concerned about Health Care than men and more men were concerned about Leadership and the Economy than women.
Since Redford has left the stage, here is a bit of thought on useless polling information, namely who would make the best Premier, WRP Smith was at 32% the Libs and Dipper leaders 8% each and Redford at a mere 11% support. What is interesting i sthe Undecideds and None of the Above answers at 42%, mostly (28%) not sure. That means 4 out of 10 Albertans are rejecting or reserving opinion who of the currnet crowd would be the best leader. 46% of females feel this way and half of the 18-34 demographic dont know or don't care about the qualities of current political leaders.
On the dealing with the Economy 47% of women and 41% of youth say none of the current leaders cut it. Concerning the Environment 51% of women and 46% of youth reject the current crop of political leadership. Heath Care as a concern sees 42% of women and 35% of youth lacking confidence in current regimes.
Who ever gets Alberta's women and youth on their side and manages to get them to actually vote will dominate the next election outcomes. Mayors Nenchi and Iveson have done it in Calgary and Edmonton. So it can be done. The WRP is toast if this happens and the PCs are a wild card now with no leader to evaluate.
I think the next two elections are up for grabs by any party who wins the hearts and minds of women and youth - if the Angus Reid poll is right. That is still an open question for me.
I am always suspicious that these self-selecting Forum volunteers are more politically active and engaged and not so random. The methodology likely make extrapolations of under represented groups based on the results of small numbers of participants in various segments.
Say 30% of the Alberta population is male over 55. I don't know if that is true but humour me. If the on line pool only had 10% of respondents in that group I wonder if the pollster takes the answers of the 10% and triples their weight to reach the real demographic mix. If so it it almost guaranteed to be wrong. A chronic reality for political polling for a few years now...increasingly wrong.
That said, I don't trust theses polls for that and other reasons. For example Angus Reid said 46% of decided voters in Alberta would choose Wildrose if an election was called the next day. Well the election is two years away so why is that relevant never mind reliable as a serious question.
Second I wonder how they voted last time and if they are shifting their votes and why! I expect a lot of former/current PC supporters, inside and outside the party, wanted to send Premier Redford a message by "choosing" Wildrose. If that was the case it worked. Redford resigned shortly afterwards.
Third is, presuming the poll has some veracity, there is a real social schism on age and gender lines in Alberta when it comes to politics. The Wildrose support is predominantly male and older. 50% of males in the survey supported WRP and 41% of the females. the older you were the more you supported the WRP. The PCs support was small, half that of WRP but evenly spread over genders and generations. Liberal and NDP support is greatest in youth and still behind the WRP.
Here is where gender and generational divides gets somewhat interesting. Health Care is #1 (21%), Leadership & Economy tied for #2 as most important issues (17%) and Environment is next with 9% picking it as most important. Old people art into health (go figure!) and leadership. Only 6% of youth said Leadership is most important issue in Alberta today but they were the largest group to say the Economy is their issue followed by the Environment. The Environment was top issue for only 6% of men 35-54 and only 4% of the 55+ makes gave it a concern.
More women were concerned about Health Care than men and more men were concerned about Leadership and the Economy than women.
Since Redford has left the stage, here is a bit of thought on useless polling information, namely who would make the best Premier, WRP Smith was at 32% the Libs and Dipper leaders 8% each and Redford at a mere 11% support. What is interesting i sthe Undecideds and None of the Above answers at 42%, mostly (28%) not sure. That means 4 out of 10 Albertans are rejecting or reserving opinion who of the currnet crowd would be the best leader. 46% of females feel this way and half of the 18-34 demographic dont know or don't care about the qualities of current political leaders.
On the dealing with the Economy 47% of women and 41% of youth say none of the current leaders cut it. Concerning the Environment 51% of women and 46% of youth reject the current crop of political leadership. Heath Care as a concern sees 42% of women and 35% of youth lacking confidence in current regimes.
Who ever gets Alberta's women and youth on their side and manages to get them to actually vote will dominate the next election outcomes. Mayors Nenchi and Iveson have done it in Calgary and Edmonton. So it can be done. The WRP is toast if this happens and the PCs are a wild card now with no leader to evaluate.
I think the next two elections are up for grabs by any party who wins the hearts and minds of women and youth - if the Angus Reid poll is right. That is still an open question for me.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Neil Young Calgary Concert Fantastic
I went to Calgary on the weekend to see the Neil Young concert and to learn more about the ACFN campaign on Honouring the Treaty.
The Concernt was great. Krall was enchanting and Young was enthralling. There was little to noproselytizing from the stage but everyone in the full house knew what the event was in aid of.
The audience ws not your usual corporate crowd you often attribute to Calgary. It looks like the four city tour will generate about $500k in proceeds and I hear some ENGO's may be matching this. If so the war chest for fighting for treaty rights is will stocked.
The Teach In that afternoon was a disappointingly small crowd of mostly the converted and already knowledgeable.
As a front-end Baby Boomer I remember the Teach In movement well. It is a great device to bring consciousness and raise awareness. Lots of great comments on treaty issues from young and well informed panelists. It was a bit of a refresher course for me on trety rights.
So now the stage is bare and the audience has gone home. Will the conversations caused by Neil Young close with the curtain or will it continue?
I hope it continues but with more accuracy on facts, a more authenthic represnetation of the context of the oil sand and a better mutual respect of participants.
Yound closed the concert saying it was alright for good people tro disagree. That does not mean differences of opinion cannot create and foster a mutual respect, and even friendships.
That is my personal experience, many times over, espeically in politics. However, the facts and forums have to accurate and respectful too. The oil sands industry reached out to Mr. Young in that spirit to meet with him in a public discussion while he was in Calgary. I understand Mr. Young and company insisted that Dr. Suzuki moderate the event and the oil sands participants wanted a neutral moderator. So the event never happened.
If that is the reason for failure to connect and communicate, it is disappointing and deters from the kind of informative dialogue Mr. Young says he is trying to initiate. Perhaps the idea can be revivied. I will think about that idea and see if it is worth pursuing further.
The Concernt was great. Krall was enchanting and Young was enthralling. There was little to noproselytizing from the stage but everyone in the full house knew what the event was in aid of.
The audience ws not your usual corporate crowd you often attribute to Calgary. It looks like the four city tour will generate about $500k in proceeds and I hear some ENGO's may be matching this. If so the war chest for fighting for treaty rights is will stocked.
The Teach In that afternoon was a disappointingly small crowd of mostly the converted and already knowledgeable.
As a front-end Baby Boomer I remember the Teach In movement well. It is a great device to bring consciousness and raise awareness. Lots of great comments on treaty issues from young and well informed panelists. It was a bit of a refresher course for me on trety rights.
So now the stage is bare and the audience has gone home. Will the conversations caused by Neil Young close with the curtain or will it continue?
I hope it continues but with more accuracy on facts, a more authenthic represnetation of the context of the oil sand and a better mutual respect of participants.
Yound closed the concert saying it was alright for good people tro disagree. That does not mean differences of opinion cannot create and foster a mutual respect, and even friendships.
That is my personal experience, many times over, espeically in politics. However, the facts and forums have to accurate and respectful too. The oil sands industry reached out to Mr. Young in that spirit to meet with him in a public discussion while he was in Calgary. I understand Mr. Young and company insisted that Dr. Suzuki moderate the event and the oil sands participants wanted a neutral moderator. So the event never happened.
If that is the reason for failure to connect and communicate, it is disappointing and deters from the kind of informative dialogue Mr. Young says he is trying to initiate. Perhaps the idea can be revivied. I will think about that idea and see if it is worth pursuing further.
Alberta Party Leader Reaches Out to Albertans Who Want Change.
Alberta Party President Greg Clark reaches out to by an open letter Albertans who are ready for change that is refreshing, caring, inclusive and fiscally prudent to look at politics and government differently.
Dear fellow Albertan,
Unfortunately, change from within hasn't worked.
This is an important time in Alberta history; the decisions we make now will determine whether or not Alberta remains economically prosperous and socially strong for generations to come.
Alberta needs a government capable of creating a long term plan, and sticking to it. We need a government committed to ensuring we have good jobs now and for our kids. A government committed to keeping our economy strong while still protecting our environment and a government that will return power to local MLAs to allow them to stand up for the people who elected them.
Most of all, we need a government with integrity and free from entitlement.
This is about something bigger than the PC Party... way bigger. The world is changing and Alberta needs to not just change with it, we need to lead that change. This requires new thinking and new energy in government.
If you voted for the PC Party in the last election and you're considering what to do next, I think you'll like what you see in the Alberta Party.
You can learn more at www.albertaparty.ca and you can contact me directly on my personal email at greg.clark@albertaparty.ca or on twitter at @GregClark4AB.
Sincerely,
Greg Clark, Leader
Alberta Party
Dear fellow Albertan,
Politics is changing
in Alberta. Last election, the people of Alberta gave the PC Party their 13th
majority government on the hope that new leadership would modernize the party
and move it in line with the evolving values of Albertans.
Unfortunately, change from within hasn't worked.
This is an important time in Alberta history; the decisions we make now will determine whether or not Alberta remains economically prosperous and socially strong for generations to come.
Alberta needs a government capable of creating a long term plan, and sticking to it. We need a government committed to ensuring we have good jobs now and for our kids. A government committed to keeping our economy strong while still protecting our environment and a government that will return power to local MLAs to allow them to stand up for the people who elected them.
Most of all, we need a government with integrity and free from entitlement.
This is about something bigger than the PC Party... way bigger. The world is changing and Alberta needs to not just change with it, we need to lead that change. This requires new thinking and new energy in government.
If you voted for the PC Party in the last election and you're considering what to do next, I think you'll like what you see in the Alberta Party.
You can learn more at www.albertaparty.ca and you can contact me directly on my personal email at greg.clark@albertaparty.ca or on twitter at @GregClark4AB.
Sincerely,
Greg Clark, Leader
Alberta Party
Sunday, January 05, 2014
A Visual Poem of Love for the North by Tim Moen
I invite you to view this visual poem of Fort McMurray, Fort Chip, and the Peace Region of northern Alberta. It is shot by long time McMurray resident, helicopter pilot, videographer, blogger and fireman, Tim Moen.
I met Tim Moen last September when Neil Young came to Fort McMurray to shoot a documentary in the region and to meet with First Nations people in the RMWB. Tim flew his helicopter for the shots for the video.
I came to McMurray to meet Neil Young and his crew to give some context on the social realities of people working in and around the oilsands. Lot of good my input did. Shortly afterwards Mr. Young did his over the top comparison of Fort McMurray to Hiroshima. Tim's video belies that comparison.
Tim's video shows places in the oil sands region you don't see from the highway but that makes up the majority of the landscapes of the region. With all the industrial development going on the oil sands region we still have about 97% of the regional biodiversity intact.
The Alberta Biodiveristy Monitoring Institute is a great source for information and context on how this is measured and monitored. Look it up if you are interested. If you are an Albertan, you are an owner of the oil sands, so you will be interested in learning more I am sure.
The human settlements in the boreal forest make this biodiversity an imperative ecological value we need to protect while we create economic value from the resources in responsible and sustainable ways.
We also have to ensure the human social divesity in places like Fort McMurray are also valued, protected and social inclusion and cohesion are promoted.
Speaking of social divdersity, of the 74,000 or so people living in the urban core of McMurray, they come from 127 differenct countries and speak over 69 languages. That is a Petri dish to grow a global model for a sustainable, inclusive, vibrant and diverse society, or the largest dysfunctional truck stop on the planet...if we mess it up.
Tim's obvious love for the land and strong sense of place in his home in the RMWB made me think about these things. He articulates these sentiments so well with these visuals that I call the video a poem. It is a relaxing 12 minutes so take the time to enjoy and let the mood wash over you.
Here is the link
I met Tim Moen last September when Neil Young came to Fort McMurray to shoot a documentary in the region and to meet with First Nations people in the RMWB. Tim flew his helicopter for the shots for the video.
I came to McMurray to meet Neil Young and his crew to give some context on the social realities of people working in and around the oilsands. Lot of good my input did. Shortly afterwards Mr. Young did his over the top comparison of Fort McMurray to Hiroshima. Tim's video belies that comparison.
Tim's video shows places in the oil sands region you don't see from the highway but that makes up the majority of the landscapes of the region. With all the industrial development going on the oil sands region we still have about 97% of the regional biodiversity intact.
The Alberta Biodiveristy Monitoring Institute is a great source for information and context on how this is measured and monitored. Look it up if you are interested. If you are an Albertan, you are an owner of the oil sands, so you will be interested in learning more I am sure.
The human settlements in the boreal forest make this biodiversity an imperative ecological value we need to protect while we create economic value from the resources in responsible and sustainable ways.
We also have to ensure the human social divesity in places like Fort McMurray are also valued, protected and social inclusion and cohesion are promoted.
Speaking of social divdersity, of the 74,000 or so people living in the urban core of McMurray, they come from 127 differenct countries and speak over 69 languages. That is a Petri dish to grow a global model for a sustainable, inclusive, vibrant and diverse society, or the largest dysfunctional truck stop on the planet...if we mess it up.
Tim's obvious love for the land and strong sense of place in his home in the RMWB made me think about these things. He articulates these sentiments so well with these visuals that I call the video a poem. It is a relaxing 12 minutes so take the time to enjoy and let the mood wash over you.
Here is the link
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
KEN CHAPMAN IS BACK and WILL POST AGAIN on A REGULAR BASIS
Hello neglected readers. This was a very popular blog site at one time. I went into a job based out of Fort McMurray with the oil sands industry that made this kind of blogging difficult. Anything I said could and would (but not should) be interpreted as speaking on behalf of certain oil sands companies. Not fair to them...or me! But such is life.
A New Job and a New Blog:
I have a new life now and a new position at Edmonton Economic Development and blogging is mandated there not discouraged. My mandate is to increase the collaboration between the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Edmonton Capital Region in areas of business, sustainability and community well-being.
Part of the EED mandate is going to be covered in another blog about the Edmonton area involvement in the oil sands using the triple bottom line and sustainability principles. Edmontonians are owners of the oil sands and need to know more on how we can take care ensure the oil sands are developed in a responsible sustainable and sensible way.
We need to take our citizenship obligations seriously and demand from government and industry that oil sands resource development be more sustainable. We need to expect optimizing oil sands be for the general well-being of people. We need to expect our oil sands deliver enhanced environmental stewardship. We deserve development that is less wasteful and more profitable for the posterity of future Albertans.
I have a new blog to serve that purpose and I hope you visit regularly at www.oilsandsken.com.
I have a hankering to re-engage in the Edmonton social media scene after an absence of way over 2 years. I have some catching up to do!
The Refocus of This Blog:
I hope this blog is a link between the communities and people of Edmonton and Fort McMurray. I have realized that there is a lot of myth and misinformation about life in McMurray within Edmonton.
I love both communities and want to help enhance the collaborative relationships and expand the appreciation and understanding of what great things the two regions can do together for mutual benefit and the greater good.
This blog is to become a focal point for that end. Of course I will be opinionated but I will also be informed and hopefully sufficiently authoritative to be worthy of your time and trust.
A New Job and a New Blog:
I have a new life now and a new position at Edmonton Economic Development and blogging is mandated there not discouraged. My mandate is to increase the collaboration between the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the Edmonton Capital Region in areas of business, sustainability and community well-being.
Part of the EED mandate is going to be covered in another blog about the Edmonton area involvement in the oil sands using the triple bottom line and sustainability principles. Edmontonians are owners of the oil sands and need to know more on how we can take care ensure the oil sands are developed in a responsible sustainable and sensible way.
We need to take our citizenship obligations seriously and demand from government and industry that oil sands resource development be more sustainable. We need to expect optimizing oil sands be for the general well-being of people. We need to expect our oil sands deliver enhanced environmental stewardship. We deserve development that is less wasteful and more profitable for the posterity of future Albertans.
I have a new blog to serve that purpose and I hope you visit regularly at www.oilsandsken.com.
I have a hankering to re-engage in the Edmonton social media scene after an absence of way over 2 years. I have some catching up to do!
The Refocus of This Blog:
I hope this blog is a link between the communities and people of Edmonton and Fort McMurray. I have realized that there is a lot of myth and misinformation about life in McMurray within Edmonton.
I love both communities and want to help enhance the collaborative relationships and expand the appreciation and understanding of what great things the two regions can do together for mutual benefit and the greater good.
This blog is to become a focal point for that end. Of course I will be opinionated but I will also be informed and hopefully sufficiently authoritative to be worthy of your time and trust.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Mr. Prime Minister: Promote Philanthropy - Stop Playing Politics
I just read Brett Wilson's National Post opinion piece on the HarperCons "boys in short pants in the PMO" manufactured manipulation over Justin Trudeau charging fees for speaking at charity events.
He deals with the substance of this issues of promoting philanthropy through speaking engagements. It is worth a read and reflection. I agree with him.
As for the politically motivations of our Prime Minister using this bullying as a deflection device is a feeble in effective attempt to divert attention from the moral corruption in his leadership. The permanent drop in his support amongst Canadians shows we have had enough of his affinity for US style dirty-trick politics.
It is time for political leadership in Canada that is dedicated to the greater good and not just committed to suppressing democracy to retain personal political power.
He deals with the substance of this issues of promoting philanthropy through speaking engagements. It is worth a read and reflection. I agree with him.
As for the politically motivations of our Prime Minister using this bullying as a deflection device is a feeble in effective attempt to divert attention from the moral corruption in his leadership. The permanent drop in his support amongst Canadians shows we have had enough of his affinity for US style dirty-trick politics.
It is time for political leadership in Canada that is dedicated to the greater good and not just committed to suppressing democracy to retain personal political power.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Robocall Fraud Coming Home to Roost on the Harper Government?
Looks like the boy the Conservative Party threw under the bus on the Guelph Robocall scandal is not going quietly into the night. Michael Sona spoke out recently in a very extensive interview with journalist Michael Harris. If convicted Sona goes to jail. His description of how controlling the Harper War Room was in the past election makes you wonder why anyone with self respect would volunteer for such abuse.
If you want a first person perspective on the Harper campaign machine and its machinations from someone who was there you want to read the Harris column in iPolitics.
Here is the money quote from Sona:
“I’ve learned three things from the Robocall Affair. Talking points aren’t always right; friends are fickle when you get in trouble; and I trusted the Conservative Party way too much. And one other thing. I’m ready to fight now and I’m ready to win.”
Expect as many tricks as there are in the CPC book of tricks on how to thwart justice by delaying the trial any way they can. Delay tactics is how they handled the original Robocall trial that found the Conservative Party lists were use for election fraud. The evidence was too sparse to prove who actually did it. One would think ethics and integrity would dictate that the Conservative Party would be working really hard to help find and expose the fraudster who misused their political lists.
So far there is not a peep from the Conservative Party to indicate they are engaged in any way to help the RCMP find the fraudster.
Not a good way for the Conservative Party to show citizens they want to help restore voter confidence in how they do politics. Even OJ said he would do everything in his power to find who really killed his wife.
If you want a first person perspective on the Harper campaign machine and its machinations from someone who was there you want to read the Harris column in iPolitics.
Here is the money quote from Sona:
“I’ve learned three things from the Robocall Affair. Talking points aren’t always right; friends are fickle when you get in trouble; and I trusted the Conservative Party way too much. And one other thing. I’m ready to fight now and I’m ready to win.”
Expect as many tricks as there are in the CPC book of tricks on how to thwart justice by delaying the trial any way they can. Delay tactics is how they handled the original Robocall trial that found the Conservative Party lists were use for election fraud. The evidence was too sparse to prove who actually did it. One would think ethics and integrity would dictate that the Conservative Party would be working really hard to help find and expose the fraudster who misused their political lists.
So far there is not a peep from the Conservative Party to indicate they are engaged in any way to help the RCMP find the fraudster.
Not a good way for the Conservative Party to show citizens they want to help restore voter confidence in how they do politics. Even OJ said he would do everything in his power to find who really killed his wife.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Edward Snowden, Freedom and the Media's Manufacture of Meaning
There is no doubt there is a need for fear, or at least anxiety, over our government's secret intrusion into our online personal lives. Yes the Government of Canada too, not just the United States, is doing this.
Reassurances from those perpetuating this travesty say that the surveillance is only on foreigners, not citizens is hardly reassuring nor very genuine. Those communications monitorings are ostensibly only on foreigners. But foreigners connecting with whom? American citizens is often as not the the answer. For Homeland security that is what the US spy system is mostly interested, I expect.
This makes the sincerity of the governments of the United States and Canada reassurances as to who is really being targeted by government invasion of privacy activities kind of, shall we say, "incredulous?" No wonder the USA is having trouble getting these "foreign" nations to cooperate with them in extraditing Snowden. A collaboration culture is hard to create with these "foreigner" nations, when their citizens and institutions are admittedly being spied on by the America government.
If Snowden is right, and I've seen no official rebuttal yet, those nameless anonymous government operatives who are doing the online surveillance searches of email, cellphone calls etc., they only need a personal confidence rating of 51% that they are not dealing with an American citizen in order to proceed. That puts a very low bar on standards of reasonable doubt don't you think? Since we don't know what metrics are actually being used to test what is involved in the 51% "confidence" (sic) level, it all seems to be so much manipulative Orwellian double speak. It make the integrity of surveillance process entirely ridiculous, especially when it to making claims that only foreigners are the targets of this official invasion of privacy practice.
Yes the world is still a dangerous complex place and American soil is not sacrosanct from invasion, even by their own fundamentalists citizens as it turns out. So more than a decade after 9-11 we are still seeing our governments use fear over reason, secrecy over solutions, and, dare I say, fascism over democracy to justify further denial and erosion of personal freedoms.
Freedom! That great American concept that motivated the G.W Bush government to take aggressive measures and to use freedom as justification for invading Iraq and Afghanistan. He wanted to give those poor folks the gift of American freedom...through invasion. It would appear that the great American concept of freedom is what drove Snowden to choose to jeopardize his personal freedom. He exercised personal freedom and came to a personal judgement, as a matter of democratic principle, when he decided to expose the US government secret abuses of freedom. He also created a space for that very necessary conversation to take place about the place of personal privacy and freedom for American citizens. That conversation needs to be open, candid and public, especially so when it has to consider their government's role to protect personal freedoms,....or ignore personal freedoms....or worse yet, abuse them.
The American government is clearly flummoxed about what to do since being "caught" in this secret underhanded system of what appears to be an unprecedented invasions of domestic and foreign personal privacy. They find the facts are against them. The law, while not strictly against them, is in serious disrepute. And so they revert to calling Snowden names like traitor and pathetic gestures like canceling his Passport.
And where is the media in all of this? Well the Guardian in the UK is doing the job. Check out their coverage. But where is the American media? I hope this video clip of David Gregory's alamaring questioning Glen Greenwald of the Guardian on Meet the Press is not a representative sample of where mainstream American media is positioning itself in all of this. If so then freedom of the press in the USA is also as good as gone, at least so far as its independent role of being the public's eyes, ears, and sense-makers and narrative makers is concerned.
Reassurances from those perpetuating this travesty say that the surveillance is only on foreigners, not citizens is hardly reassuring nor very genuine. Those communications monitorings are ostensibly only on foreigners. But foreigners connecting with whom? American citizens is often as not the the answer. For Homeland security that is what the US spy system is mostly interested, I expect.
This makes the sincerity of the governments of the United States and Canada reassurances as to who is really being targeted by government invasion of privacy activities kind of, shall we say, "incredulous?" No wonder the USA is having trouble getting these "foreign" nations to cooperate with them in extraditing Snowden. A collaboration culture is hard to create with these "foreigner" nations, when their citizens and institutions are admittedly being spied on by the America government.
If Snowden is right, and I've seen no official rebuttal yet, those nameless anonymous government operatives who are doing the online surveillance searches of email, cellphone calls etc., they only need a personal confidence rating of 51% that they are not dealing with an American citizen in order to proceed. That puts a very low bar on standards of reasonable doubt don't you think? Since we don't know what metrics are actually being used to test what is involved in the 51% "confidence" (sic) level, it all seems to be so much manipulative Orwellian double speak. It make the integrity of surveillance process entirely ridiculous, especially when it to making claims that only foreigners are the targets of this official invasion of privacy practice.
Yes the world is still a dangerous complex place and American soil is not sacrosanct from invasion, even by their own fundamentalists citizens as it turns out. So more than a decade after 9-11 we are still seeing our governments use fear over reason, secrecy over solutions, and, dare I say, fascism over democracy to justify further denial and erosion of personal freedoms.
Freedom! That great American concept that motivated the G.W Bush government to take aggressive measures and to use freedom as justification for invading Iraq and Afghanistan. He wanted to give those poor folks the gift of American freedom...through invasion. It would appear that the great American concept of freedom is what drove Snowden to choose to jeopardize his personal freedom. He exercised personal freedom and came to a personal judgement, as a matter of democratic principle, when he decided to expose the US government secret abuses of freedom. He also created a space for that very necessary conversation to take place about the place of personal privacy and freedom for American citizens. That conversation needs to be open, candid and public, especially so when it has to consider their government's role to protect personal freedoms,....or ignore personal freedoms....or worse yet, abuse them.
The American government is clearly flummoxed about what to do since being "caught" in this secret underhanded system of what appears to be an unprecedented invasions of domestic and foreign personal privacy. They find the facts are against them. The law, while not strictly against them, is in serious disrepute. And so they revert to calling Snowden names like traitor and pathetic gestures like canceling his Passport.
And where is the media in all of this? Well the Guardian in the UK is doing the job. Check out their coverage. But where is the American media? I hope this video clip of David Gregory's alamaring questioning Glen Greenwald of the Guardian on Meet the Press is not a representative sample of where mainstream American media is positioning itself in all of this. If so then freedom of the press in the USA is also as good as gone, at least so far as its independent role of being the public's eyes, ears, and sense-makers and narrative makers is concerned.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Population Changes; Will They Change Canada?
Stats Canada reports the national population increased by 85,500 in the first Quarter of 2013. The ratio is 3 to 1 of population coming from immigration compared to internal growth. The national average growth is .02% a rate that aligns with Ontario, Quebec, BC and Manitoba.
In real numbers new immigrants totaled 62,700 which was 4,600 more than Qtr1 of 2012. The net flow of "non-permanent resident immigrants" (a technical term for Temporary Foreign workers?) was 14,900 in Qtr1 of 2013 versus 12,900 in Qrt1 of 2012. That said our natural population sources were down 6.8% in 2013 from 2012.
The national figures are interesting but the provincial figures tell us more about the trends in the country. What those population shifts mean is the really interesting stuff of these stats. The core story is the continuing shift of population (and power?) to Alberta. It is only about the first quarter of 2013 but the facts are telling.
Newfoundland is stable and PEI is down 200 folks. Nova Scotia lost 1,800 people to net migration to other places in Canada. Actually 1,100 Nova Scotians moved to Alberta in the first three months this year. New Brunswick lost 700 folks to Alberta in the same time frame. Jobs are still the attraction to Alberta. The unanswered question are these Maritimers moving to the oil sands or are they flying in and flying out? My sense is they moved so there is even more "migration" when you consider the fly in-fly out folks who still consider home to be in the Maritimes.
Central Canada is growing modestly but Quebec tells an interesting story. Quebec grew past 8 million with comparable year to year growth of 14,100 new citizens, but 11,700 came from international immigration sources. That is the second highest level in Quebec history, the highest level of international immigrants came in 1992. Quebec is not losing many people to other parts of Canada either, only 900, the smallest out-migration since 2005.
Ontario is also growing at the national average. There are over 13.5 m Canadians living in Ontario, up 22,700 in the first quarter of 2013, but hat is the lowest growth there since 1972. International migration is up 1000 compared to 2013 but Ontario lost 6000 people to Alberta in the same time frame.
B.C. is up 10,100 folks year over year, aligned with the 0.2% national average with 9,800 being international immigrants, but 3,400 of them are actually non-permanent resident types. B.C. also lost 2,500 people to Alberta in the first 90 days of 2013.
Saskatchewan and Alberta tell a very different story. Saskatchewan grew 0.4% in the quarter mostly international migration which was at its second highest level in 2012 since 1972 and 2013 became the new second level of international immigration. People are returning to the province, not leaving it.
Alberta is a case study very different from the rest. We grew by 34,000 which is 0.9% of a population just shy of 4 million now. This is the highest Alberta growth rate since 1972. It comes from international immigration of 8,100, non-permanent immigrants of 6,900. We have a net migration from within Canada of 13,400 mostly from Ontario and B.C.
This continuing shift to Alberta is about jobs and the economic influence of the oil sands. Even may jobs staying in the rest of Canada are driven by oil sands development. This is good and bad news for Alberta. We have serious skilled labour shortages but the Stats Can numbers don't tell us if the migrants to Alberta are skilled. They also don't come with their houses, schools, hospital beds or other infrastructure requirements. The growth infrastructure in Fort McMurray is already an unaddressed crisis. This population shift means it get worse unless provincial political attitudes about investing in public infrastructure changes - and dramatically.
In real numbers new immigrants totaled 62,700 which was 4,600 more than Qtr1 of 2012. The net flow of "non-permanent resident immigrants" (a technical term for Temporary Foreign workers?) was 14,900 in Qtr1 of 2013 versus 12,900 in Qrt1 of 2012. That said our natural population sources were down 6.8% in 2013 from 2012.
The national figures are interesting but the provincial figures tell us more about the trends in the country. What those population shifts mean is the really interesting stuff of these stats. The core story is the continuing shift of population (and power?) to Alberta. It is only about the first quarter of 2013 but the facts are telling.
Newfoundland is stable and PEI is down 200 folks. Nova Scotia lost 1,800 people to net migration to other places in Canada. Actually 1,100 Nova Scotians moved to Alberta in the first three months this year. New Brunswick lost 700 folks to Alberta in the same time frame. Jobs are still the attraction to Alberta. The unanswered question are these Maritimers moving to the oil sands or are they flying in and flying out? My sense is they moved so there is even more "migration" when you consider the fly in-fly out folks who still consider home to be in the Maritimes.
Central Canada is growing modestly but Quebec tells an interesting story. Quebec grew past 8 million with comparable year to year growth of 14,100 new citizens, but 11,700 came from international immigration sources. That is the second highest level in Quebec history, the highest level of international immigrants came in 1992. Quebec is not losing many people to other parts of Canada either, only 900, the smallest out-migration since 2005.
Ontario is also growing at the national average. There are over 13.5 m Canadians living in Ontario, up 22,700 in the first quarter of 2013, but hat is the lowest growth there since 1972. International migration is up 1000 compared to 2013 but Ontario lost 6000 people to Alberta in the same time frame.
B.C. is up 10,100 folks year over year, aligned with the 0.2% national average with 9,800 being international immigrants, but 3,400 of them are actually non-permanent resident types. B.C. also lost 2,500 people to Alberta in the first 90 days of 2013.
Saskatchewan and Alberta tell a very different story. Saskatchewan grew 0.4% in the quarter mostly international migration which was at its second highest level in 2012 since 1972 and 2013 became the new second level of international immigration. People are returning to the province, not leaving it.
Alberta is a case study very different from the rest. We grew by 34,000 which is 0.9% of a population just shy of 4 million now. This is the highest Alberta growth rate since 1972. It comes from international immigration of 8,100, non-permanent immigrants of 6,900. We have a net migration from within Canada of 13,400 mostly from Ontario and B.C.
This continuing shift to Alberta is about jobs and the economic influence of the oil sands. Even may jobs staying in the rest of Canada are driven by oil sands development. This is good and bad news for Alberta. We have serious skilled labour shortages but the Stats Can numbers don't tell us if the migrants to Alberta are skilled. They also don't come with their houses, schools, hospital beds or other infrastructure requirements. The growth infrastructure in Fort McMurray is already an unaddressed crisis. This population shift means it get worse unless provincial political attitudes about investing in public infrastructure changes - and dramatically.
Election Time is Coming in Alberta
The local municipal and school board elections are coming this fall - all over Alberta. These local elections are not partisan affairs. Local candidates run in wards or in smaller communities to represent people at the most "retail" of any order of government. School Board elections are pretty passive gentile and usually pretty pointless events, given the limited authority and influence the school boards have.
Since most of Albertans are urbanized living in over 600 communities all over the province, there are a lot of different kinds of candidates and some different issues in the municipal government races. There are lots of growth pressures on some communities. Others face decline and are threatened with extinction. There are vastly difference community cultures in the south, central and northern towns. There are different realities for communities inside or outside the Edmonton-Calgary corridor. Then there are the dramatic differences between Calgary and Edmonton municipal cultures.
This diversity and variety of perspectives at election time gives local communities a sense of exceptionalism. They see themselves as unique. And for the most part they are...just like every other community (sic). Then go to Fort McMurray. There you will see real uniqueness, real diversity and real pressures.
I think every Albertan needs to be aware and informed of the issues facing their communities as well as Fort McMurray in these forthcoming elections. That is right. Think of yourself as a citizen of your Alberta community AND as a non-permanent citizen of Fort McMurray at the same time.
What happens in Fort McMurray and the Athabasca Oil Sands Region generally will have dramatic impact on your community too. The development growth of the oil sands puts enormous pressures on McMurray housing, transportation including roads, rails, birdges and air services, hospitals, schools, recreation, social cohesion, social profit sector services, police, fire, ambulance, arts, culture, spiritual needs and other quality of life elements.
The resolution of these problems in the oil sands will make it more difficult for other communities in Alberta to compete for trades, attention and other resources to meet local needs. However if Fort McMurray fails to have its growth challenges met, so will Albertans fail to optimize the benefits of the oil sands. After all all Albertans are owners of the oil sands. We need to start acting like owners. Part of acting like an owner is to become aware adn supportive of getting the quality of life in fort McMurray right. When that happens we all benefit, If it does not happen we all suffer loss.
This blog will give you information on what is needed in Fort McMurray to ensure it succeeds as a community and who can - should - must step up and make it happen. Time to act like an oil sands owner Albertans. Time to get educated about the people, planet and prosperity implications of oil sands development on the Athabasca Oil Sands Region and ALL OF ALBERTA.
Since most of Albertans are urbanized living in over 600 communities all over the province, there are a lot of different kinds of candidates and some different issues in the municipal government races. There are lots of growth pressures on some communities. Others face decline and are threatened with extinction. There are vastly difference community cultures in the south, central and northern towns. There are different realities for communities inside or outside the Edmonton-Calgary corridor. Then there are the dramatic differences between Calgary and Edmonton municipal cultures.
This diversity and variety of perspectives at election time gives local communities a sense of exceptionalism. They see themselves as unique. And for the most part they are...just like every other community (sic). Then go to Fort McMurray. There you will see real uniqueness, real diversity and real pressures.
I think every Albertan needs to be aware and informed of the issues facing their communities as well as Fort McMurray in these forthcoming elections. That is right. Think of yourself as a citizen of your Alberta community AND as a non-permanent citizen of Fort McMurray at the same time.
What happens in Fort McMurray and the Athabasca Oil Sands Region generally will have dramatic impact on your community too. The development growth of the oil sands puts enormous pressures on McMurray housing, transportation including roads, rails, birdges and air services, hospitals, schools, recreation, social cohesion, social profit sector services, police, fire, ambulance, arts, culture, spiritual needs and other quality of life elements.
The resolution of these problems in the oil sands will make it more difficult for other communities in Alberta to compete for trades, attention and other resources to meet local needs. However if Fort McMurray fails to have its growth challenges met, so will Albertans fail to optimize the benefits of the oil sands. After all all Albertans are owners of the oil sands. We need to start acting like owners. Part of acting like an owner is to become aware adn supportive of getting the quality of life in fort McMurray right. When that happens we all benefit, If it does not happen we all suffer loss.
This blog will give you information on what is needed in Fort McMurray to ensure it succeeds as a community and who can - should - must step up and make it happen. Time to act like an oil sands owner Albertans. Time to get educated about the people, planet and prosperity implications of oil sands development on the Athabasca Oil Sands Region and ALL OF ALBERTA.
HOW IS PRIME MINISTER HARPER'S POPULARITY HOLDING UP THESE DAYS?
The Huffington Post reports on a CBC exclusive survey on Canadians change of attitude about Prime Minister Stephen Harper, done by Nik Nanos, one of the most reliable pollsters in the biz these days.
Canadians when asked how satisfied they were about our Prime Minister's explanation of the $90,000+ cheque his Chief of Staff wrote to then Conservative Senator Mike Duffy to cover his unwarranted expenses 72% of us said we were "dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied." Only 27% were OK with Prime Minister Harper's explanation about what he really knows about the circumstances around the cheque.
The Government of Canada continue to say it cannot produce the cheque in question because it is a personal cheque and that is not within their power to produce. Strange though they have not seen it reasonable to asked the formed Chief of Staff of our Prime Minister to volunteer a copy to clear the air.
Might be helpful to co-operate publicly now and find a way to disclose the cheque before the recently announced criminal investigation by the RCMP does it for them.
It is not as if the Duffy-Wright scandal is off the public's radar screen. Nanos survey says 95% of Canadians are aware of this scandal and one in three of us hold our Prime Minister mostly to blame.
It is a long way to the next election in 2015. Lots can change between then and now...it is politics after all. One thing that will change is Alberta will have six more federal seats by then. What will happen to voting patterns in those new ridings? How will the changing nature of the urban Albertan respond to our political options? Next blog post will be on the changing population of Alberta.
Canadians when asked how satisfied they were about our Prime Minister's explanation of the $90,000+ cheque his Chief of Staff wrote to then Conservative Senator Mike Duffy to cover his unwarranted expenses 72% of us said we were "dissatisfied or somewhat dissatisfied." Only 27% were OK with Prime Minister Harper's explanation about what he really knows about the circumstances around the cheque.
The Government of Canada continue to say it cannot produce the cheque in question because it is a personal cheque and that is not within their power to produce. Strange though they have not seen it reasonable to asked the formed Chief of Staff of our Prime Minister to volunteer a copy to clear the air.
Might be helpful to co-operate publicly now and find a way to disclose the cheque before the recently announced criminal investigation by the RCMP does it for them.
It is not as if the Duffy-Wright scandal is off the public's radar screen. Nanos survey says 95% of Canadians are aware of this scandal and one in three of us hold our Prime Minister mostly to blame.
It is a long way to the next election in 2015. Lots can change between then and now...it is politics after all. One thing that will change is Alberta will have six more federal seats by then. What will happen to voting patterns in those new ridings? How will the changing nature of the urban Albertan respond to our political options? Next blog post will be on the changing population of Alberta.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Conversation With Author of Mistakes Were Made (but Not By Me!)
This is a book worth reading and understanding deeply. It has great application to our view of politics, the way we see our role in the environment and how we conduct business, society and even ourselves.
You will get a practical insight into cognitive dissonance and how we fool ourselves again and again. This is a video of the conversation between author Carol Tavris and Ken Low the animator behind Leadership Edmonton and Leadership Calgary...you really need to Google these organizations too.
Tim Goos was kind enough to put the link in hi Paper.li "The EnviroAb Daily" - It is at the bottom of the page.
It's an hour long conversation but worth it.
You will get a practical insight into cognitive dissonance and how we fool ourselves again and again. This is a video of the conversation between author Carol Tavris and Ken Low the animator behind Leadership Edmonton and Leadership Calgary...you really need to Google these organizations too.
Tim Goos was kind enough to put the link in hi Paper.li "The EnviroAb Daily" - It is at the bottom of the page.
It's an hour long conversation but worth it.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
So What's Happening in Edmonton For Picking Our Next Mayor?
So I have received information on a poll done on preferred candidates for the Edmonton Mayoralty race this October.
This data is interesting as a provocation to conversation - not at all indicative or predicative of the outcome. I offer these results not to enhance the superficial horse-race analysis that is the media fodder of most of these polls. Note also that the predicative nature of "opinion" polls usually make astrology look good.
This poll is random in the province with a very small number of folks from Edmonton. So this is not "grain of salt" stuff, it is an invitation to engage in a citizen's conversation about what character, capacity and caring do we want in the nest Mayor of Edmonton?
Get to know the candidates beyond the media report. Come to forums, read bloggers (with a grain of salt) consider what is important to you about leadership. What is the stuff of being citizen of Edmonton that is important to you? Which candidate comes closest to your sense of the city...and can you say clearly why you will vote for the candidate you "best" support. Don't expect any one candidate to b perfect. They aren't, but neither are we in how we made decisions on who we will grant our consent to govern us.
So as at between April 20 to May 4, when only one candidate has actually declared intentions to run, here are the results:
This data is interesting as a provocation to conversation - not at all indicative or predicative of the outcome. I offer these results not to enhance the superficial horse-race analysis that is the media fodder of most of these polls. Note also that the predicative nature of "opinion" polls usually make astrology look good.
This poll is random in the province with a very small number of folks from Edmonton. So this is not "grain of salt" stuff, it is an invitation to engage in a citizen's conversation about what character, capacity and caring do we want in the nest Mayor of Edmonton?
Get to know the candidates beyond the media report. Come to forums, read bloggers (with a grain of salt) consider what is important to you about leadership. What is the stuff of being citizen of Edmonton that is important to you? Which candidate comes closest to your sense of the city...and can you say clearly why you will vote for the candidate you "best" support. Don't expect any one candidate to b perfect. They aren't, but neither are we in how we made decisions on who we will grant our consent to govern us.
So as at between April 20 to May 4, when only one candidate has actually declared intentions to run, here are the results:
- Kerry Diotte: 19.4%
- Don Iveson 17.6%
- Karen Liebovici 15.1%
- Tony Catarina 12.9%
- Amarjeet Sohi 6.9%
Diotte has declared he was running before the poll and Sohi and said he is not after the poll.
So don't jump to conclusions but do create time and place for conversations on the future of Edmonton, the leadership we need and how do we get it?
Interested in our comments and hope for a conversation about the kind of leadership we need for Edmonton on this blog.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Brent Rathgeber Man of Political Character
I know Brent a bit, when he was in the Klein Progressive Conservative government. He was smart and insightful and had a great legal mind. He was also an independent thinker then. I formed these impressions from political meetings and convention conversations but mostly from some consulting work I did for the Alberta Minister of Justice and the Speaker of the Alberta Legislature.
I was reviewing the risk management policies for the Government of Alberta as a result of a defamation lawsuit brought against Stockwell Day, a Minister in the Klein Cabinet. The issues were complicated, politically laced and competing values were everywhere.
Brent grasped all of this in one and was immediately able and interested in exploring the issues, the implications and all in the context of the goal of public service and the greater good. He was not a guy who as concerned about the "Party" or his position in it. He was a democrat and a politician with character and competence.
I have to say I was sorry to see him join the Harper government. I always thought he was better than that. Well I was right. It took some time but the Brent Rathgeber I knew is back to being himself again.
Rex Murphy has a take on this that puts some more context on what I am trying to say.
Last Wednesday as a good day for democracy. Citizens need to be very careful who they vote for and why. We get the government we deserve, especially if we don't vote or vote mindlessly.
I was reviewing the risk management policies for the Government of Alberta as a result of a defamation lawsuit brought against Stockwell Day, a Minister in the Klein Cabinet. The issues were complicated, politically laced and competing values were everywhere.
Brent grasped all of this in one and was immediately able and interested in exploring the issues, the implications and all in the context of the goal of public service and the greater good. He was not a guy who as concerned about the "Party" or his position in it. He was a democrat and a politician with character and competence.
I have to say I was sorry to see him join the Harper government. I always thought he was better than that. Well I was right. It took some time but the Brent Rathgeber I knew is back to being himself again.
Rex Murphy has a take on this that puts some more context on what I am trying to say.
Last Wednesday as a good day for democracy. Citizens need to be very careful who they vote for and why. We get the government we deserve, especially if we don't vote or vote mindlessly.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Why Robin Ford is Bad for Progressives
The Kahneman work is the thesis on why the Robin Ford Scandal is bad for progressives. Give the Star story a read here.
The essence of the Kahneman thesis is this:
Behavioural economics has shown that the more times you hear something - even if you don't believe it, the more familiar it becomes. Familiarity breeds a sense of seeming truthfulness...what Colbert calls "truthiness."
Question is will inert complacent and compliant Progressives become even more disassociated with politics because of an even more enhanced sense of cynicism due to Mayor Ford.
I recently attended a lecture sponsored by Leadership Edmonton by Carol Tavris, the authour of "Mistakes Were Made but Not by Me.." She spoke of cognitive dissonance and self justification. The cognitive dissonance aspect applies to those who support something that they even know to be untrue is rationalized by focus selective evidence. I am sure mayor Ford is getting some positive feedback from his supporters who feel theyhave to rationalize their mistake in voting form him
We are seeing some of that perhaps with the comments of Prime Minister Harper who says he was not told of the Duffy payoff by his Chief of Staff so therefore he has nothing to do with it. Also the "facts are clear" avoids dealing with the legal and moral obligation to deal with the mistake...duck and cover is not leadership but his base will use this selective "evidence" to justify their earlier support for Harper.
Thinking of a blog post on Integrity as a fading value in a complex political and partisan world...stay tuned.
The essence of the Kahneman thesis is this:
Behavioural economics has shown that the more times you hear something - even if you don't believe it, the more familiar it becomes. Familiarity breeds a sense of seeming truthfulness...what Colbert calls "truthiness."
Question is will inert complacent and compliant Progressives become even more disassociated with politics because of an even more enhanced sense of cynicism due to Mayor Ford.
I recently attended a lecture sponsored by Leadership Edmonton by Carol Tavris, the authour of "Mistakes Were Made but Not by Me.." She spoke of cognitive dissonance and self justification. The cognitive dissonance aspect applies to those who support something that they even know to be untrue is rationalized by focus selective evidence. I am sure mayor Ford is getting some positive feedback from his supporters who feel theyhave to rationalize their mistake in voting form him
We are seeing some of that perhaps with the comments of Prime Minister Harper who says he was not told of the Duffy payoff by his Chief of Staff so therefore he has nothing to do with it. Also the "facts are clear" avoids dealing with the legal and moral obligation to deal with the mistake...duck and cover is not leadership but his base will use this selective "evidence" to justify their earlier support for Harper.
Thinking of a blog post on Integrity as a fading value in a complex political and partisan world...stay tuned.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Orwellian Governance in the Canadian Context
If this blog is to revive I want to do it systemically and thematically around supporting the return to democracy through enlightened progressive citizen engagement.
My friend Allan Gregg recently spoke to the Alberta Federation of Labour about this set of issues in the federalist context. I thank the folks at Rabble.ca for posting it for the rest of us.
This is a 38 minute video. So get a coffee or a tea and settle in and focus on the content and context. In a sober second thought, perhaps you should pour yourself something stronger. You may feel you need it after you fathom Allan's message.
Orwellian Governance in the Current Canadian Context
Looking forward to your feedback...even on if I should be back.
My friend Allan Gregg recently spoke to the Alberta Federation of Labour about this set of issues in the federalist context. I thank the folks at Rabble.ca for posting it for the rest of us.
This is a 38 minute video. So get a coffee or a tea and settle in and focus on the content and context. In a sober second thought, perhaps you should pour yourself something stronger. You may feel you need it after you fathom Allan's message.
Orwellian Governance in the Current Canadian Context
Looking forward to your feedback...even on if I should be back.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Take Time to Vote for The Grizzly Manifesto
I am championing Jeff Gailus' book The Grizzly Manifesto in the Alberta Readers' Choice Awards. You can vote for this book - and you should - if only because I asked you to. But you should also read the book and the other four books in the competition. There is a rich array of genres awaiting your reading pleasure.
Here is a link to vote for Jeff's book. http://www.albertareaderschoice.ca. You have until the end of business on May 31 to vote on this book - so don't waste any time! Vote once a day. It is allowed!
If you want to get a sense of why I am championing this book - read this newspaper article based on an interview I did on The Grizzly Manifesto.
http://www.canmoreleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3139322
Here is a link to vote for Jeff's book. http://www.albertareaderschoice.ca. You have until the end of business on May 31 to vote on this book - so don't waste any time! Vote once a day. It is allowed!
If you want to get a sense of why I am championing this book - read this newspaper article based on an interview I did on The Grizzly Manifesto.
http://www.canmoreleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3139322
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Alberta Party Leadership Candidate Debate
Here is the long form video of the recent Alberta Party Leadership Debate held in Calgary. It is 2 hours long so put on a pot of coffee first.
The Alberta Party Leadership Convention is in Edmonton May 27-28 and will be Live streamed. More to follow on those details.
The Alberta Party Leadership Convention is in Edmonton May 27-28 and will be Live streamed. More to follow on those details.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Vote for The Grizzly Manifesto in the Readers' Choice Awards.
The Readers' Choice Awards is a great prize and serious upside recognition for an Alberta author. The competition this year is between five terrific titles but my preferences is for The Grizzly Manifesto. I really think Albertans are hungry for this kind of information and narrative. We can't presume our species is in control and be oblivious to our place in the biosphere - even the carbon cycle.
Jeff Gailus teachers us, implores us and after reading this book, I know it will motivate us to take a more meaningful look as how humanity is integrated into nature. We have to do a much better job of being human within nature, not just consumers who are indifferent to our place in the planet.
I strongly recommend you read all the books but you vote for The Grizzly Manifesto. It is not like an election. Here you can vote early and often - until the end of May.
Here is the link to vote for the book I am championing.
As for the rest, you can check them out here - but only after you vote for The Grizzly Manifesto.
Vote a bunch of times between now and May 31 and tell your friends and family to vote for The Grizzly Manifesto - but be sure to buy it and read it too.
Jeff Gailus teachers us, implores us and after reading this book, I know it will motivate us to take a more meaningful look as how humanity is integrated into nature. We have to do a much better job of being human within nature, not just consumers who are indifferent to our place in the planet.
I strongly recommend you read all the books but you vote for The Grizzly Manifesto. It is not like an election. Here you can vote early and often - until the end of May.
Here is the link to vote for the book I am championing.
As for the rest, you can check them out here - but only after you vote for The Grizzly Manifesto.
Vote a bunch of times between now and May 31 and tell your friends and family to vote for The Grizzly Manifesto - but be sure to buy it and read it too.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Premier's Council for Economic Strategy Report is Some Kind of Wonderful
Premier Stelmach gathered together and challenge twelve of the most thoughtful minds you can imagine to actually imagine the reality we face as Albertans to ensure our prosperity from now until 2040. Then they were challenged to get focused on major aspects of the challenges ahead. That resulted in the five themes in the report.
The themes are:
Premier Stelmach framed the focus on the future challenges for Alberta in three ways. I have described them below and added the emphasis!
"What must Albertans begin to do now to sustain prosperity through the next three decades and beyond."
Next he asked the Council to consider "How can we ensure our children and grandchildren enjoy even greater opportunity than we have - that we hand future generations a legacy of 'a better Alberta'"?
He closed with the question of "What will it take to make the Alberta of 2040 the place for creative and committed citizens to live, work, raise families, contribute to an enjoy society."
This language aligns so nicely with my sense that we have to move beyond the Alberta Advantage and into defining and designing the Alberta Aspiration. The report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy is magnificently aligned with that way of thinking as it responds to the challenges posed by Premier Stelmach and points to potential and mindset adaptations we must make to move beyond the Alberta Advantage.
I am anxious to deal with the content of the report. It is a truly terrific document and designed to spark conversations and considerations of what we must to to adapt and achieve our potential in the coming but still uncertain future. I will get into the meaning and merits of the report in other posts. For now you need some context and a reason to read the report yourself.
I have chosen a could of quote from the introduction of the report and believe these words are more than enough to intrigue committed and concerned Albertans.
"This report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy is intended to inspire dialogue and action to ensure that in 2040 and beyond, the citizens of Alberta will be thriving, enjoying a desirable quality of life."
"We call on all Albertans to make intentional choices now to shape their future, the future of their grandchildren and the future of Alberta."
"In these pages,we identify opportunities Alberta has within its grasp, given its history, endowment and potential. We also shine a spotlight on threats to Alberta's future prosperity and suggest strategies for managing these risks as well. Our focus is on building an Alberta that is resilient and outward-looking, with all its citizens contributing to their full potential and ready to seize opportunities, a respected and strategic player in Canada and on the world stage."
If that language does not make you want to read the report, then you are clearly too cynical or to presumptive that tomorrow will be just like today, only better, with out change or applied effort.and intelligence.
Here is the link to the full report. It is a call to action for all Albertans. Be part of the design of the next Alberta. This report is a provocation towards a new and more appropriate purposefulness for the next Alberta.
Ready, reflect and respond. It is within our grasp to create the future we want and avoid the dangers of continuing the current mindset.
The themes are:
- "Realizing the full potential of our energy resources;
- Broadening the economic base;
- Preparing to prosper in a global economy
- Providing a strong platform to sustain economic growth;
- Investing in shaping the future.
Premier Stelmach framed the focus on the future challenges for Alberta in three ways. I have described them below and added the emphasis!
"What must Albertans begin to do now to sustain prosperity through the next three decades and beyond."
Next he asked the Council to consider "How can we ensure our children and grandchildren enjoy even greater opportunity than we have - that we hand future generations a legacy of 'a better Alberta'"?
He closed with the question of "What will it take to make the Alberta of 2040 the place for creative and committed citizens to live, work, raise families, contribute to an enjoy society."
This language aligns so nicely with my sense that we have to move beyond the Alberta Advantage and into defining and designing the Alberta Aspiration. The report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy is magnificently aligned with that way of thinking as it responds to the challenges posed by Premier Stelmach and points to potential and mindset adaptations we must make to move beyond the Alberta Advantage.
I am anxious to deal with the content of the report. It is a truly terrific document and designed to spark conversations and considerations of what we must to to adapt and achieve our potential in the coming but still uncertain future. I will get into the meaning and merits of the report in other posts. For now you need some context and a reason to read the report yourself.
I have chosen a could of quote from the introduction of the report and believe these words are more than enough to intrigue committed and concerned Albertans.
"This report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy is intended to inspire dialogue and action to ensure that in 2040 and beyond, the citizens of Alberta will be thriving, enjoying a desirable quality of life."
"We call on all Albertans to make intentional choices now to shape their future, the future of their grandchildren and the future of Alberta."
"In these pages,we identify opportunities Alberta has within its grasp, given its history, endowment and potential. We also shine a spotlight on threats to Alberta's future prosperity and suggest strategies for managing these risks as well. Our focus is on building an Alberta that is resilient and outward-looking, with all its citizens contributing to their full potential and ready to seize opportunities, a respected and strategic player in Canada and on the world stage."
If that language does not make you want to read the report, then you are clearly too cynical or to presumptive that tomorrow will be just like today, only better, with out change or applied effort.and intelligence.
Here is the link to the full report. It is a call to action for all Albertans. Be part of the design of the next Alberta. This report is a provocation towards a new and more appropriate purposefulness for the next Alberta.
Ready, reflect and respond. It is within our grasp to create the future we want and avoid the dangers of continuing the current mindset.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Meet Glenn Taylor Alberta Party Leadership Candidate
The Alberta Party has done some short videos of the leadership candidates so the people of Alberta can get to know them better.
Here is the Glenn Taylor video. He is my choice to be the next leader of the Alberta Party and the kind of fresh thinking and collaborative politician I believe we need so Alberta can realize its full potential.
Glenn Taylor, Alberta Party Leadership Candidate from Alberta Party on Vimeo.
To learn more go to www.glenntaylor.org.
Here is the Glenn Taylor video. He is my choice to be the next leader of the Alberta Party and the kind of fresh thinking and collaborative politician I believe we need so Alberta can realize its full potential.
Glenn Taylor, Alberta Party Leadership Candidate from Alberta Party on Vimeo.
To learn more go to www.glenntaylor.org.
Coming to Grips with the Election Implications
So here we are, in a "stable majority government" in times of enormous uncertainty in the world. Democracy has spoken and the collective wisdom of an ever diminishing number of democratically engaged citizens sets Canada on a new course. It looks like voter turnout was even lower this time than the dismal showing in the 2008 election with early indications showing we are flirting with 50% turnout.
We have the results and they are impressive. Mr. Harper is the clear winner and deserves congratulations for such an impressive tactical accomplishment. With Mr. Harper's absolute majority he now has absolute personal power and is now personally entrusted with the future of the country.
The check and balance on Mr. Harper's absolute power is the NDP who have been blessed and burdened with official opposition status. Again congratulations are in order but to Jack Layton personally, not the NDP. This is Jack's victory as much as the majority government is Mr. Harper's victory.
Those who voted for Mr. Harper seem to have been attracted by the need for the stability of a majority government. However, the stability promise of the "Harper Government" is unlikely given the economic, social, political and environmental instability of the world and in the country we now live in. The majority given to Mr;. Harper will more likely result in quicker more decisive political decisions but that is no guarantee of a future that is steady-state stable and certain.
The promise to balance the budget quickly but still undertake enormous spending projects without raising taxes in an economy that most likely a flat line growth profile means money will have to come from serious cuts many other government programs. That is the clear, unequivocal and well articulated game plan of the Harper government. There is no hidden agenda here.
The NDP has been entrusted to be the caring and compassionate conscious of Canadians and to keep the Harper Government honest and accountable. I have no doubt of the integrity of the Layton lead NDP and its capacity to play that role. However, much of the reality of the NDP political fortunes are embedded in the nationhood aspirations of Quebec. It is unclear to me if the death of the Bloc and the resurrection of the Dippers in Quebec means a rejection of separation for federalism. Or is the shift to the NDP just a smarter political tactic by Quebeckers to have fresh faces to push an entitlement agenda in Ottawa?
How beholden is the NDP going to be to the Quebec agenda given that all politics are local at the end of the day? Will we see a return to the focus on Ontario and Quebec as the political power bases that determines the direction for the country like we had in Trudeau's time? Will the west feel like it is "in" or "out" as the country stumbles into a new narrative or returns and retreats into an old one?
As for the Liberals, the writing is not only on the wall it is all over their political structure. Humility was the tone I heard in Mr. Iggnatieff's concession and confession speech last night. It is only one of the key lessons the Liberals have to take to heart as they rebuild from the grass roots up. They have to pick up on Mr;. Iggnatieff's comment that "democracy teaches hard lessons" and the Liberal political challenge now is one of showing character and courage. Are they able to rethink everything and rebuild with a new sense of purpose with an open heart and mind that resonates with Canadians? Time will tell.
The Bloc is done but what is the Quebec agenda for the NDP? Is it separation or federation? We still don't know but we will be enlightened on what the shift to the NDP from the Bloc means for Canada sooner than later. How Mr. Harper responds to Quebec is also uncertain? Will he punish them of appeal to them? He has done both in the past. Again the future is uncertain.
As for Elizabeth May and Linda Duncan, we have the best indication that at the end of the day all politics are local. The coalesced citizens and engaged them in ways that encourages people like me who are worried about the viability of our democracy if citizenship means disengaged cynicism instead of informed activism.
Congratulations to Mr. Harper and Mr. Layton. Condolences to Mr. Iggnatieff and Mr Duceppe. Thumbs up to Ms May and Ms. Duncan for bucking the trends and showing citizens that they can make a difference.
So no federal election for four more years. I wonder how much economic and social stability we will actually have? I wonder how much Canadian politics will change by then too? As for me I see more uncertainty than stability, challenges that are more about complexity than simplicity. I see a fiscal and environmental fog in the future and no clear path forward. So one with the day as we stumble into the future where stability actually means no near term elections but uncertainty in all other aspects of being and becoming the next Canada.
We have the results and they are impressive. Mr. Harper is the clear winner and deserves congratulations for such an impressive tactical accomplishment. With Mr. Harper's absolute majority he now has absolute personal power and is now personally entrusted with the future of the country.
The check and balance on Mr. Harper's absolute power is the NDP who have been blessed and burdened with official opposition status. Again congratulations are in order but to Jack Layton personally, not the NDP. This is Jack's victory as much as the majority government is Mr. Harper's victory.
Those who voted for Mr. Harper seem to have been attracted by the need for the stability of a majority government. However, the stability promise of the "Harper Government" is unlikely given the economic, social, political and environmental instability of the world and in the country we now live in. The majority given to Mr;. Harper will more likely result in quicker more decisive political decisions but that is no guarantee of a future that is steady-state stable and certain.
The promise to balance the budget quickly but still undertake enormous spending projects without raising taxes in an economy that most likely a flat line growth profile means money will have to come from serious cuts many other government programs. That is the clear, unequivocal and well articulated game plan of the Harper government. There is no hidden agenda here.
The NDP has been entrusted to be the caring and compassionate conscious of Canadians and to keep the Harper Government honest and accountable. I have no doubt of the integrity of the Layton lead NDP and its capacity to play that role. However, much of the reality of the NDP political fortunes are embedded in the nationhood aspirations of Quebec. It is unclear to me if the death of the Bloc and the resurrection of the Dippers in Quebec means a rejection of separation for federalism. Or is the shift to the NDP just a smarter political tactic by Quebeckers to have fresh faces to push an entitlement agenda in Ottawa?
How beholden is the NDP going to be to the Quebec agenda given that all politics are local at the end of the day? Will we see a return to the focus on Ontario and Quebec as the political power bases that determines the direction for the country like we had in Trudeau's time? Will the west feel like it is "in" or "out" as the country stumbles into a new narrative or returns and retreats into an old one?
As for the Liberals, the writing is not only on the wall it is all over their political structure. Humility was the tone I heard in Mr. Iggnatieff's concession and confession speech last night. It is only one of the key lessons the Liberals have to take to heart as they rebuild from the grass roots up. They have to pick up on Mr;. Iggnatieff's comment that "democracy teaches hard lessons" and the Liberal political challenge now is one of showing character and courage. Are they able to rethink everything and rebuild with a new sense of purpose with an open heart and mind that resonates with Canadians? Time will tell.
The Bloc is done but what is the Quebec agenda for the NDP? Is it separation or federation? We still don't know but we will be enlightened on what the shift to the NDP from the Bloc means for Canada sooner than later. How Mr. Harper responds to Quebec is also uncertain? Will he punish them of appeal to them? He has done both in the past. Again the future is uncertain.
As for Elizabeth May and Linda Duncan, we have the best indication that at the end of the day all politics are local. The coalesced citizens and engaged them in ways that encourages people like me who are worried about the viability of our democracy if citizenship means disengaged cynicism instead of informed activism.
Congratulations to Mr. Harper and Mr. Layton. Condolences to Mr. Iggnatieff and Mr Duceppe. Thumbs up to Ms May and Ms. Duncan for bucking the trends and showing citizens that they can make a difference.
So no federal election for four more years. I wonder how much economic and social stability we will actually have? I wonder how much Canadian politics will change by then too? As for me I see more uncertainty than stability, challenges that are more about complexity than simplicity. I see a fiscal and environmental fog in the future and no clear path forward. So one with the day as we stumble into the future where stability actually means no near term elections but uncertainty in all other aspects of being and becoming the next Canada.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Is Layton the New Nenshi?
Watching the last minute rise of Jack Layton in the polls for the election on Monday reminds me of the Calgary civic election last October. What we saw then was Naheed Nenshi, an "also-ran" candidate with little hope of success, turn the election for Mayor into a rout and rejection of the establishment candidates.
Are we seeing the same thing on a national scale with the rise in popularity of Jack Layton? It seems to be true in Quebec where Bloc fatigue is translating into NDP support. Quebec is moving far away from the Conservatives who try to buy the hearts with entreats and untrusted promises. As for the Liberal Quebec support, it is pretty much concentrated in Montreal and will likely stay there...but with some nail-biting uncertainty for sure.
There seems to be NDP movement in BC too and some shifting ground in spots in Ontario too. It seem as though more ordinary Canadians are seeing Jack (not the NDP) as a credible person to put some trust in as an alternative to temper the social conservative underbelly of the Harper Conservatives and to continue to humble the Liberal Party as the same time. Are Canadians collecting their wisdom and sending a message that politics as usual is not working and we want change...real change? Is the surge to Jack a protest vote more than a real shift in political philosophy of Canadians? I think so.
As we move into the final campaign weekend the parties will push the emotional buttons of their support base to get out and vote. I expect the messages will have all the subtleness of a late night Sham Wow (sic) infomercial and the gentility of a Don Rickles or a Joan Rivers monologue. The winds of change are in the political air but it is a not a violent thunder storm. It is more like a strong unrelenting headwind of thoughtful citizens pushing back against some of the distasteful campaign tactics of what has become conventional politics in Canada.
There is potential for a new political narrative to be written for Canada come Monday. It will almost assuredly be a minority government and perhaps with the NDP as the official opposition with a strong base in Quebec. What will that mean in terms of policy, governance and politics for the country? Will we see some significant political flux in the leadership of the Conservatives and the Liberals if this happens? Will the knives be out and after the leaders inside the CPC and the LPC? It depends, but don't be surprised if there are pressures on those leaders to pass the torch.
As for Jack, he might decided to quit while at the top of his game and move into a less demanding role as well. Duceppe wants out of politics and has signalled that desire for years. I expect that he will be moving on soon after this election regardless of the outcome.
It could be that the next federal election will see campaigns with new leaders in all the parties, including the Greens if Elizabeth May does not win her seat this time out.
What will the political and policy map of Canada look like after Monday? I am not sure but I am sure of one thing it will be different than it is today. Stay tuned. But in the meantime get out and vote. In a democracy we always get the government we deserve...especially if you don't vote.
Are we seeing the same thing on a national scale with the rise in popularity of Jack Layton? It seems to be true in Quebec where Bloc fatigue is translating into NDP support. Quebec is moving far away from the Conservatives who try to buy the hearts with entreats and untrusted promises. As for the Liberal Quebec support, it is pretty much concentrated in Montreal and will likely stay there...but with some nail-biting uncertainty for sure.
There seems to be NDP movement in BC too and some shifting ground in spots in Ontario too. It seem as though more ordinary Canadians are seeing Jack (not the NDP) as a credible person to put some trust in as an alternative to temper the social conservative underbelly of the Harper Conservatives and to continue to humble the Liberal Party as the same time. Are Canadians collecting their wisdom and sending a message that politics as usual is not working and we want change...real change? Is the surge to Jack a protest vote more than a real shift in political philosophy of Canadians? I think so.
As we move into the final campaign weekend the parties will push the emotional buttons of their support base to get out and vote. I expect the messages will have all the subtleness of a late night Sham Wow (sic) infomercial and the gentility of a Don Rickles or a Joan Rivers monologue. The winds of change are in the political air but it is a not a violent thunder storm. It is more like a strong unrelenting headwind of thoughtful citizens pushing back against some of the distasteful campaign tactics of what has become conventional politics in Canada.
There is potential for a new political narrative to be written for Canada come Monday. It will almost assuredly be a minority government and perhaps with the NDP as the official opposition with a strong base in Quebec. What will that mean in terms of policy, governance and politics for the country? Will we see some significant political flux in the leadership of the Conservatives and the Liberals if this happens? Will the knives be out and after the leaders inside the CPC and the LPC? It depends, but don't be surprised if there are pressures on those leaders to pass the torch.
As for Jack, he might decided to quit while at the top of his game and move into a less demanding role as well. Duceppe wants out of politics and has signalled that desire for years. I expect that he will be moving on soon after this election regardless of the outcome.
It could be that the next federal election will see campaigns with new leaders in all the parties, including the Greens if Elizabeth May does not win her seat this time out.
What will the political and policy map of Canada look like after Monday? I am not sure but I am sure of one thing it will be different than it is today. Stay tuned. But in the meantime get out and vote. In a democracy we always get the government we deserve...especially if you don't vote.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Youth Are Not Politically Disengaged - If They Have a Reason to Believe
A great thing about political campaigns is you meet new people, often outside your usual spheres and circles. It adds dynamics and depth to ones understanding of how others see the world. I especially enjoy spending time with younger people and finding out more about their points of view and not just about politics - about everything they see as important.
The presumptions and stereotypes we are so quick to attribute and hesitant to change about one group or another is a dangerous thing. Pattern making is one of the great gifts of the human species and also one of our greatest downfalls because it hinders our ability to reflect on a deeper understanding appreciation or even plain tolerance for differences.
I am very aware of the application of this patterning perpetuating beliefs and superficial assumptions. One that drives me crazy is the superficial assumption that youth are not involved and engaged in politics. They are not involved in the outdated and sclerotic political institutions but that is a far cry from saying they are not involved. They are - just not in the traditionalist top down command and control concepts of political culture.
I want you to meet Erin Craig. She is a young musician who has become politically engaged through the Glenn Taylor campaign to be the leader for the Alberta Party. Here is her email to her friend expressing her thoughts and asking her friends to also become active, informed and engaged citizens. It is also a strong testimonial for Glenn Taylor and food for thought as to why he is the right kind of person to lead with others in the Alberta Party.
The Alberta Party is an effort to change the old way of doing politics in a top down hierarchy with concentrated and centralized leadership. It is a learning organization with people very skilled at the use of social media as an outreach tool and a means for message amplification. But the Alberta Party is dedicated to speaking with people directly, face to face, in what we call The Big Listen. This is an effective and sincere effort to form real relationships amongst people. It is a growing citizen's movement learning to become a new kind of political party to foster progressive changes to the Alberta political culture.
Young people like Erin Craig catching on to what the Alberta Party is all about. I expect many of them, like Erin, will find that Glenn Taylor is a different kind of leader, one they can believe in. Everyday I am seeing a progressive sea change coming to Alberta in the next election as the Erin Craig story get repeated all over the province and through all different kinds of people.
I encourage you to dust off your citizenship and park your apathy...it boring. There is a revival of democracy in the Alberta air these days and the Alberta Party is part of that spring freshness you a sensing. Join us and be the change you want. Support Glenn Taylor as the leader for the Alberta Party and help make the change you want in Alberta a reality. You can join Team Taylor by purchasing an Alberta Party membership online and volunteering for Glenn by sending me an email at kenc@glenntaylor.org
Looking forward to hearing from you.
The presumptions and stereotypes we are so quick to attribute and hesitant to change about one group or another is a dangerous thing. Pattern making is one of the great gifts of the human species and also one of our greatest downfalls because it hinders our ability to reflect on a deeper understanding appreciation or even plain tolerance for differences.
I am very aware of the application of this patterning perpetuating beliefs and superficial assumptions. One that drives me crazy is the superficial assumption that youth are not involved and engaged in politics. They are not involved in the outdated and sclerotic political institutions but that is a far cry from saying they are not involved. They are - just not in the traditionalist top down command and control concepts of political culture.
I want you to meet Erin Craig. She is a young musician who has become politically engaged through the Glenn Taylor campaign to be the leader for the Alberta Party. Here is her email to her friend expressing her thoughts and asking her friends to also become active, informed and engaged citizens. It is also a strong testimonial for Glenn Taylor and food for thought as to why he is the right kind of person to lead with others in the Alberta Party.
The Alberta Party is an effort to change the old way of doing politics in a top down hierarchy with concentrated and centralized leadership. It is a learning organization with people very skilled at the use of social media as an outreach tool and a means for message amplification. But the Alberta Party is dedicated to speaking with people directly, face to face, in what we call The Big Listen. This is an effective and sincere effort to form real relationships amongst people. It is a growing citizen's movement learning to become a new kind of political party to foster progressive changes to the Alberta political culture.
Young people like Erin Craig catching on to what the Alberta Party is all about. I expect many of them, like Erin, will find that Glenn Taylor is a different kind of leader, one they can believe in. Everyday I am seeing a progressive sea change coming to Alberta in the next election as the Erin Craig story get repeated all over the province and through all different kinds of people.
I encourage you to dust off your citizenship and park your apathy...it boring. There is a revival of democracy in the Alberta air these days and the Alberta Party is part of that spring freshness you a sensing. Join us and be the change you want. Support Glenn Taylor as the leader for the Alberta Party and help make the change you want in Alberta a reality. You can join Team Taylor by purchasing an Alberta Party membership online and volunteering for Glenn by sending me an email at kenc@glenntaylor.org
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Dave Meslin Makes Sense of Citizen Engagement
Readers of this blog know that I am keen on progressive politics but also citizen engagement. Dave takes on the presumption of apathy. The presumption of apathy is challenged and seen as a function of institutionalized barriers and obstacles.
He explores my other passion of leadership. Leadership is an heroic effort and a collective effort. Leadership is imperfect and voluntary. Leadership is "...about following your own dreams uninvited and work with others to make those drams come true."
His comments about political parties are very telling. He rightly says that political parties ought to be the most obvious entry point for citizen to become engaged. Instead they be come unimaginative and uninspiring organizations that are so dominate by polling and focus groups they all crowd in the muddle (sic) and don't risk bold and creative ideas.
It is just over 7 minutes but if you are concerned about how to prevent, avoid, detect and correct what is hindering citizen engagement this TED Talk is worth your time and reflection.
He explores my other passion of leadership. Leadership is an heroic effort and a collective effort. Leadership is imperfect and voluntary. Leadership is "...about following your own dreams uninvited and work with others to make those drams come true."
His comments about political parties are very telling. He rightly says that political parties ought to be the most obvious entry point for citizen to become engaged. Instead they be come unimaginative and uninspiring organizations that are so dominate by polling and focus groups they all crowd in the muddle (sic) and don't risk bold and creative ideas.
It is just over 7 minutes but if you are concerned about how to prevent, avoid, detect and correct what is hindering citizen engagement this TED Talk is worth your time and reflection.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Alberta Party Leadership Nominations Close Today
The next growth stage for the Alberta Party starts today. The nominations for the leadership close today so we will know who is really in the running to lead this new political party and who is not.
GLENN TAYLOR FIRST AP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE CONFIRMED:
Glenn Taylor was confirmed as qualified to run for the Alberta Party leadership last Thursday. He was the first candidate to declare his intentions to seek the Alberta Party leadership on February 8th and he is the first to meet the requirements of the Alberta Party to qualify to run for leadership.
Glenn is the candidate I believe most qualified and experienced to help the Alberta Party move to the next level of organization and preparation. He aligns with the values and the shared governing philosophy of the Alberta Party. There is also a pragmatic reality facing the Alberta Party around leadership. That is all the work that must be done to get this fledgling political movement ready to be a force to be reckoned with in the next Alberta election.
There is so much on the ground organizing work to be done. That will take dedicated time and proven talent if the next leader to continue to help the Alberta Party and its dedicated and growing membership realize the goal of being a viable and valid political alternative in the next election. The next election may come sooner than we think.
ALBERTA PARTY IS MOVING TO THE NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH:
Albertans are now seriously considering the Alberta Party but there is a long and arduous road ahead to move people from seriously considering to actually supporting the Alberta Party. Part of that shift will depend on the new leader. Will she or he be credible within the Alberta Party membership to capture and help them generate more enthusiasm for doing politics differently? Will the new Alberta Party leader be credible with the general voting population of Alberta to move beyond being Alberta Party curious to being an Alberta Party supporter?
That support for the Alberta Party that must come from Albertans who are yearning for a viable alternative to status quo politics. Casting a ballot for an Alberta Party candidate is necessary but insufficient to make the real difference the Alberta Party is pursuing. That support has to translate into memberships, fund raising, constituency organization, candidacy selection and training, policy and platform development, communications. Plus a deep and determined dedication to continuing and extending the Big Listen process all over, up to and through the next election. That support comes from hard work and devoting the time necessary to make it happen.
QUALITIES AND CAPACITIES OF THE NEXT LEADER:
The next a leader has to do all this and model the behaviour necessary for others to engage deploying their time and talents to the cause too. This is a shared responsibility that is lead from within the membership not dictated by a top down leader. The Alberta Party is looking for an authentic and catalytic leader not just a charismatic personality kind of leadership. Finding that kind and quality of leader is one of the keys for the Alberta Party to actually demonstrate that we will do politics differently and not just say we are different.
The new leader has to be capable an competent in all these areas as well as bring the capacity for personal electability. There is nothing good going to happen for the growth of the Alberta Party if the new leader is not electable in a constituency somewhere in Alberta. That is the truly one of the most profound and pragmatic reasons why Glenn Taylor is the best choice for the Alberta Party leadership. He has been elected four times in Hinton, three times as Mayor.
Glenn is the real deal when it comes to organizing and delivering on citizen engagement and political participation . He has sold the most Alberta Party memberships of anyone in his campaign. I will not be surprised that come the May 28 Alberta Party Leadership and Policy Convention that Glenn's constituency of West Yellowhead is going to be one of the largest, if not the largest Alberta Party constituency membership in all of Alberta.
Glenn has attracted and recruited former provincial and federal candidates from the NDP and Liberals in the West Yellowhead constituency to join the Alberta Party and support his leadership bid and his candidacy for the Alberta Party in the next election. That kind of bridge building and relationship focus is going to be at the heart of the next stage of the Alberta Party growth and development.
JOIN THE ALBERTA PARTY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
So today is a big day in the history and the future of the Alberta Party and those candidates who qualify for the leadership race. They offer themselves for public service in a partisan political leadership role and potentially as the Premier of the province.
So Alberta, it is not too late to have an influence on the Alberta Party, its leadership and the future of the province. If you want to support Glenn Taylor you can. You can buy a membership by contacting haleys@glenntaylor.org. You can donate online at www.glenntaylor.org. You can organize and invite folks to a meet and greet event in your home or your community to move people from Alberta Party curious to Alberta Party enthusiast.
Forty years of one party rule is enough. We need a viable progressive political alternative. The good news is the Alberta Party is emerging as that viable progressive political alternative but it need nurturing and support to make it happen. The world is run by those who show up. Here is a chance for you to be a citizen again and to be part of running Alberta again.
GLENN TAYLOR FIRST AP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE CONFIRMED:
Glenn Taylor was confirmed as qualified to run for the Alberta Party leadership last Thursday. He was the first candidate to declare his intentions to seek the Alberta Party leadership on February 8th and he is the first to meet the requirements of the Alberta Party to qualify to run for leadership.
Glenn is the candidate I believe most qualified and experienced to help the Alberta Party move to the next level of organization and preparation. He aligns with the values and the shared governing philosophy of the Alberta Party. There is also a pragmatic reality facing the Alberta Party around leadership. That is all the work that must be done to get this fledgling political movement ready to be a force to be reckoned with in the next Alberta election.
There is so much on the ground organizing work to be done. That will take dedicated time and proven talent if the next leader to continue to help the Alberta Party and its dedicated and growing membership realize the goal of being a viable and valid political alternative in the next election. The next election may come sooner than we think.
ALBERTA PARTY IS MOVING TO THE NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH:
Albertans are now seriously considering the Alberta Party but there is a long and arduous road ahead to move people from seriously considering to actually supporting the Alberta Party. Part of that shift will depend on the new leader. Will she or he be credible within the Alberta Party membership to capture and help them generate more enthusiasm for doing politics differently? Will the new Alberta Party leader be credible with the general voting population of Alberta to move beyond being Alberta Party curious to being an Alberta Party supporter?
That support for the Alberta Party that must come from Albertans who are yearning for a viable alternative to status quo politics. Casting a ballot for an Alberta Party candidate is necessary but insufficient to make the real difference the Alberta Party is pursuing. That support has to translate into memberships, fund raising, constituency organization, candidacy selection and training, policy and platform development, communications. Plus a deep and determined dedication to continuing and extending the Big Listen process all over, up to and through the next election. That support comes from hard work and devoting the time necessary to make it happen.
QUALITIES AND CAPACITIES OF THE NEXT LEADER:
The next a leader has to do all this and model the behaviour necessary for others to engage deploying their time and talents to the cause too. This is a shared responsibility that is lead from within the membership not dictated by a top down leader. The Alberta Party is looking for an authentic and catalytic leader not just a charismatic personality kind of leadership. Finding that kind and quality of leader is one of the keys for the Alberta Party to actually demonstrate that we will do politics differently and not just say we are different.
The new leader has to be capable an competent in all these areas as well as bring the capacity for personal electability. There is nothing good going to happen for the growth of the Alberta Party if the new leader is not electable in a constituency somewhere in Alberta. That is the truly one of the most profound and pragmatic reasons why Glenn Taylor is the best choice for the Alberta Party leadership. He has been elected four times in Hinton, three times as Mayor.
Glenn is the real deal when it comes to organizing and delivering on citizen engagement and political participation . He has sold the most Alberta Party memberships of anyone in his campaign. I will not be surprised that come the May 28 Alberta Party Leadership and Policy Convention that Glenn's constituency of West Yellowhead is going to be one of the largest, if not the largest Alberta Party constituency membership in all of Alberta.
Glenn has attracted and recruited former provincial and federal candidates from the NDP and Liberals in the West Yellowhead constituency to join the Alberta Party and support his leadership bid and his candidacy for the Alberta Party in the next election. That kind of bridge building and relationship focus is going to be at the heart of the next stage of the Alberta Party growth and development.
JOIN THE ALBERTA PARTY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
So today is a big day in the history and the future of the Alberta Party and those candidates who qualify for the leadership race. They offer themselves for public service in a partisan political leadership role and potentially as the Premier of the province.
So Alberta, it is not too late to have an influence on the Alberta Party, its leadership and the future of the province. If you want to support Glenn Taylor you can. You can buy a membership by contacting haleys@glenntaylor.org. You can donate online at www.glenntaylor.org. You can organize and invite folks to a meet and greet event in your home or your community to move people from Alberta Party curious to Alberta Party enthusiast.
Forty years of one party rule is enough. We need a viable progressive political alternative. The good news is the Alberta Party is emerging as that viable progressive political alternative but it need nurturing and support to make it happen. The world is run by those who show up. Here is a chance for you to be a citizen again and to be part of running Alberta again.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Are Canadian Youth Standing Up and Showing Up This Election?
Here is a video that is simple and pointed about youth at the University of Guelph showing up as citizens and encouraging voting to make a difference. Lets hope this spirit spreads to other campuses and to other groups.
It is election time in Canada. Time for citizens to take back control of our democracy. Time for citizens to create alternatives to the status quo - and definitely time to get rid of oppression, intimidation and abuse through political power.
(h/t to Political Cafe for the link - a new blogger I recommend you put on your must read list.)
We can't sit back and assume all is well with how we are governed or will be under a Harper majority when we see these scenes happening on a Canadian street to peaceful protesters. Mass arrests of peaceful protester at the G20 that was more than twice the amount of arrests than happened during the FLQ crisis.
Do you think if we just concentrate just on the economy and not the integrity, accountability, transparency and honesty of those who want political power over us we will be well governed? Of course it's about the economy but it is stupid.to think it is just about the economy. Think about this election. Get informed and show up to vote and make a difference.
It is election time in Canada. Time for citizens to take back control of our democracy. Time for citizens to create alternatives to the status quo - and definitely time to get rid of oppression, intimidation and abuse through political power.
(h/t to Political Cafe for the link - a new blogger I recommend you put on your must read list.)
We can't sit back and assume all is well with how we are governed or will be under a Harper majority when we see these scenes happening on a Canadian street to peaceful protesters. Mass arrests of peaceful protester at the G20 that was more than twice the amount of arrests than happened during the FLQ crisis.
Do you think if we just concentrate just on the economy and not the integrity, accountability, transparency and honesty of those who want political power over us we will be well governed? Of course it's about the economy but it is stupid.to think it is just about the economy. Think about this election. Get informed and show up to vote and make a difference.
Canadian Women Are "Breaking Up" With Harper
In all the negative ad space this election and even before the election there are glimmers of satirical political hope on YouTube. These clips of Women Breaking Up With Stephen Harper fit the bill.
I think the most politically disengaged citizens in Canada are youth and women. When you put them together and cleverly highlight the personal relationship of political leadership to citizenship you get this kind of high quality satire.
These clips are 3 minute or so and worth every second of your time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn5RzQCx7So&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2766jFKOEY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyuXptGR9cY&NR=1
This is the stuff of pointed political commentary but it is not enough to make the political changes we actually need. If women and youth show up in large numbers at their local polling stations on May 2 and reject the "Harper Government" (sic) and choose a Canadian Government instead, they can be the change agents we need to clean up the political culture of Canada.
If not, we will get more of Bev Oda's kind of conniving that made the "Harper Government" (sic) guilty of the very first finding of Contempt of Parliament in the entire history of our Westminster system of governance. How can you trust Harper to keep any promise if he has demonstrated no respect for integrity, accountability, honesty, transparency and holds the highest of our governing institutions in contempt?
If not, we get more personal abuses of political power calling in the RCMP to investigate outlandish claims, with no evidence whatsoever, but directed at personally destroying Helen Geurgis' reputation. She was a friendly, a Harper Cabinet Minister. Consider how Harper might handle his political opponents if he gets the absolute power of a majority government.
The politically motivated firing of Canadian nuclear watchdog, Linda Keen for doing her regulatory job as another example of Harper using political chilling and marginalizing those in the administration of government. There are a lot more examples. These are just a few graphic examples of why the women of Canada have to re-engage and be part of the citizen's movement to take back control of our democracy from abusive power-hungry political forces.
We need more women in Canadian politics in every way, not the least of which is as active informed and voting citizens. Cynicism is dangerous. Apathy is boring. Citizenship is a serious responsibility if democracy is to survive and reverse the scary shift towards political demagogy that we have enabled by our neglect and distaste for politics.
Politics is the power source of citizenship - especially at election time. Don't throw away your power. Make a difference in the vision and direction of Canada in this election. The world is run by those who show up. Show up and vote on May 2 to send Harper a message - Canada is "breaking up" with him and women are making it happen.
I think the most politically disengaged citizens in Canada are youth and women. When you put them together and cleverly highlight the personal relationship of political leadership to citizenship you get this kind of high quality satire.
These clips are 3 minute or so and worth every second of your time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn5RzQCx7So&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2766jFKOEY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyuXptGR9cY&NR=1
This is the stuff of pointed political commentary but it is not enough to make the political changes we actually need. If women and youth show up in large numbers at their local polling stations on May 2 and reject the "Harper Government" (sic) and choose a Canadian Government instead, they can be the change agents we need to clean up the political culture of Canada.
If not, we will get more of Bev Oda's kind of conniving that made the "Harper Government" (sic) guilty of the very first finding of Contempt of Parliament in the entire history of our Westminster system of governance. How can you trust Harper to keep any promise if he has demonstrated no respect for integrity, accountability, honesty, transparency and holds the highest of our governing institutions in contempt?
If not, we get more personal abuses of political power calling in the RCMP to investigate outlandish claims, with no evidence whatsoever, but directed at personally destroying Helen Geurgis' reputation. She was a friendly, a Harper Cabinet Minister. Consider how Harper might handle his political opponents if he gets the absolute power of a majority government.
The politically motivated firing of Canadian nuclear watchdog, Linda Keen for doing her regulatory job as another example of Harper using political chilling and marginalizing those in the administration of government. There are a lot more examples. These are just a few graphic examples of why the women of Canada have to re-engage and be part of the citizen's movement to take back control of our democracy from abusive power-hungry political forces.
We need more women in Canadian politics in every way, not the least of which is as active informed and voting citizens. Cynicism is dangerous. Apathy is boring. Citizenship is a serious responsibility if democracy is to survive and reverse the scary shift towards political demagogy that we have enabled by our neglect and distaste for politics.
Politics is the power source of citizenship - especially at election time. Don't throw away your power. Make a difference in the vision and direction of Canada in this election. The world is run by those who show up. Show up and vote on May 2 to send Harper a message - Canada is "breaking up" with him and women are making it happen.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Vote for an Independent Conservative. Vote for Jim Ford May 2
OK - it will come as a surprise to many that I am endorsing a conservative candidate in the May 2 federal election. Well I am. It is my strong recommendation (for what it is worth) that the good citizens in the Edmonton Sherwood Park Fort Saskatchewan riding vote for Independent Conservative Jim Ford .
We Albertans need to send the Harper Conservatives a message, not the least of which is he should no longer take the support of Alberta for granted. Canada is a representative democracy not a "friendly dictatorship" as Mr. Harper sees it as he rules rough shod over HIS caucus and HIS cabinet in the HARPER government. If Harper wins a majority government he will reign and rule over the rest of us and we will all suffer from the natural consequences of such absolute power.
Chuck Cadman knew that first hand about how Harper uses political power when he was ousted from the CPC nomination in favour of a Harper loyalists. After serving many years as a Reform and later Alliance MP Cadman was unceremoniously pushed out of the CPC nomination. Cadman was offended by the tactics used in the nomination process and decided to run anyway. He won as an independent Conservative - and the Harper preferred candidate came in 4th. Cadman heard about his 2004 election victory from his hospital bed. He had terminal cancer at the time but was still the overwhelming choice of his constituents. Canadians, and especially Albertan, need to take that same rebellious independent spirit that elected Cadman and do it again in ridings all over the country and all over Alberta.
Cadman made a huge difference and a positive personal contribution to good governance in Canada. Some of you will recall the scandal that erupted when it was alleged that key advisers to Harper were accused of offering a bribe to Cadman to secure his vote against the Martin Budget in May 2005. Cadman apparently refused and in fact, while in chemotherapy, he flew from his riding in BC to Ottawa specifically to vote for the Martin Budget. The Budget vote was a tie and the Speaker broke the tie voting with Cadman and the Martin government on the obvious non-confidence motion.
There is so much more to the Cadman story on Wikipedia and other sources if you are interested. You should be interested, It is a fascinating story that has been forgotten in the perpetual partial attention world of modern politics. Cadman was a man of courage, principle and public service. He had values that he lived by. He was caring, and conscientious and responsible. His ethics were not situational and selective as we see in so much of the Harper approach that is often an abuse of his political power.
The Jim Ford I know is an independent thinker - much like Chuck Cadman - and I expect he shares many of the other admirable Cadman qualities. Jim Ford is a guy worthy of our consent to govern. I strongly recommend the citizens of Edmonton Sherwood Park Fort Saskatchewan.send Jim to Ottawa for your own good, for the good of Alberta and yes, even for the good of the country.
I have known Jim Ford for decades. We were both active in the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. We were in different parts of that "big tent." He was Reform leaning and I was Red Tory as they come. We could always share ideas, address concerns and have real and respectful conversations about issues that mattered. That is not the case in the current opposition hating hyper-partisan Harper hegemony and that is not good enough.
There is a difference between a thinking independent conservative like Jim Ford and the herd of Harper compliant conservative candidates we see hunkered down and running scared across the country. We rarely hear from the individual Conservative candidates in this election. When we do it is all just speaking points. This election it is all Harper all the time and he is only talking about the most simplistic, shallow and short-sighted of his own speaking points. They are used to keep his half-hearted fiscal conservative and disheartened social conservative base happy since he has does so much to betray all of their trust since coming to power.
In conversations with Jim Ford over the years we knew we could thrive on our differences. We never had to fear each other or deride each other for having another point of view. Jim was always about gathering the collective wisdom of people. I expect he still is all about that. That is only part of why I want to endorse his candidacy, again.
We Albertans need to send the Harper Conservatives a message, not the least of which is he should no longer take the support of Alberta for granted. Canada is a representative democracy not a "friendly dictatorship" as Mr. Harper sees it as he rules rough shod over HIS caucus and HIS cabinet in the HARPER government. If Harper wins a majority government he will reign and rule over the rest of us and we will all suffer from the natural consequences of such absolute power.
Chuck Cadman knew that first hand about how Harper uses political power when he was ousted from the CPC nomination in favour of a Harper loyalists. After serving many years as a Reform and later Alliance MP Cadman was unceremoniously pushed out of the CPC nomination. Cadman was offended by the tactics used in the nomination process and decided to run anyway. He won as an independent Conservative - and the Harper preferred candidate came in 4th. Cadman heard about his 2004 election victory from his hospital bed. He had terminal cancer at the time but was still the overwhelming choice of his constituents. Canadians, and especially Albertan, need to take that same rebellious independent spirit that elected Cadman and do it again in ridings all over the country and all over Alberta.
Cadman made a huge difference and a positive personal contribution to good governance in Canada. Some of you will recall the scandal that erupted when it was alleged that key advisers to Harper were accused of offering a bribe to Cadman to secure his vote against the Martin Budget in May 2005. Cadman apparently refused and in fact, while in chemotherapy, he flew from his riding in BC to Ottawa specifically to vote for the Martin Budget. The Budget vote was a tie and the Speaker broke the tie voting with Cadman and the Martin government on the obvious non-confidence motion.
There is so much more to the Cadman story on Wikipedia and other sources if you are interested. You should be interested, It is a fascinating story that has been forgotten in the perpetual partial attention world of modern politics. Cadman was a man of courage, principle and public service. He had values that he lived by. He was caring, and conscientious and responsible. His ethics were not situational and selective as we see in so much of the Harper approach that is often an abuse of his political power.
The Jim Ford I know is an independent thinker - much like Chuck Cadman - and I expect he shares many of the other admirable Cadman qualities. Jim Ford is a guy worthy of our consent to govern. I strongly recommend the citizens of Edmonton Sherwood Park Fort Saskatchewan.send Jim to Ottawa for your own good, for the good of Alberta and yes, even for the good of the country.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Alberta in a Global Perspective Partly Because of Oil Sands
The oil sands have put Alberta on the world stage in many ways. The size of the reserves is enough to turn heads. The size of the capital investment for development in billions of dollars is another attention grabber. Then we have the negatives of a branding of "dirty oil" and climate change implications that have become part of the international Alberta "brand" as a result of oil sands.
There is much more to the oil sands and their implications beyond these macro issues including the social impacts of rapid development in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, aboriginal relationships and the impact rest of the province and benefits for future generations. Add the issues of water usage, habitat protection, conservation offsets and reclamation issues, especially around tailings ponds and you get a more complex but still incomplete picture.
Then consider Alberta's emerging as an international energy force and our opportunities beyond continental North America in places like China and India. Then the narrative becomes even more interesting and complex. The Institute for Public Policy at the University of Alberta Department of Economics is sponsoring an event in Edmonton May 9-10 to address the opportunities for Alberta in the light of the power shift to China and India. My business partner Satya Das is chairing one of the panels as part of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada initiative known as the "National Conversation on Asia."
This conference will look at the trade opportunities for Alberta with China and India in raw materials, manufactured goods, technology, education and business services. Can a middle power and multi-cultural country like Canada and a resource rich province like Alberta exploit the opportunities in these "burgeoning markets?
Topics include the Economies and the Financial systems, Innovative Partnerships, Energy and the Environment, Agriculture, Business Opportunities in Alberta . Satya's Chairing the Energy and Environment session with participation from the Canadian Centre for Clean Coal/Carbon and Mineral Processing Technologies, the Centre for Economic Studies at Jawaharal Nehru University, the Research Centre for Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Joe Doucet, the Enbridge Professor of Energy Policy at the U of A School of Business.
There is much more to the oil sands and their implications beyond these macro issues including the social impacts of rapid development in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, aboriginal relationships and the impact rest of the province and benefits for future generations. Add the issues of water usage, habitat protection, conservation offsets and reclamation issues, especially around tailings ponds and you get a more complex but still incomplete picture.
Then consider Alberta's emerging as an international energy force and our opportunities beyond continental North America in places like China and India. Then the narrative becomes even more interesting and complex. The Institute for Public Policy at the University of Alberta Department of Economics is sponsoring an event in Edmonton May 9-10 to address the opportunities for Alberta in the light of the power shift to China and India. My business partner Satya Das is chairing one of the panels as part of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada initiative known as the "National Conversation on Asia."
This conference will look at the trade opportunities for Alberta with China and India in raw materials, manufactured goods, technology, education and business services. Can a middle power and multi-cultural country like Canada and a resource rich province like Alberta exploit the opportunities in these "burgeoning markets?
Topics include the Economies and the Financial systems, Innovative Partnerships, Energy and the Environment, Agriculture, Business Opportunities in Alberta . Satya's Chairing the Energy and Environment session with participation from the Canadian Centre for Clean Coal/Carbon and Mineral Processing Technologies, the Centre for Economic Studies at Jawaharal Nehru University, the Research Centre for Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Joe Doucet, the Enbridge Professor of Energy Policy at the U of A School of Business.
Monday, April 11, 2011
More Harper Contempt? This Time is it for the Law?
The picture is getting clearer every day about of just how bad the Harper government is (sic) and what a danger he has become to our democracy and in his indifference to his governance responsibility to Canadians.
Now we have reports of a "damning audit of G8 spending by the federal Conservatives" from Auditor General Sheila Fraser. However, Fraser, ever the consummate professional, will not release the report because under her enabling legislation she can only release reports when Parliament is sitting. Where is the whistle blower who might leak this vital information for Canadians to have and help us judge the quality and capacity of the Harper Cons to govern? BTW, where is the Harper promise of legislation to protect whistle blowers when he came to office five years ago?
Media reports quote Fraser as saying an early draft, not the final report, "...may have been released by someone outside our Office." One can only hope. We need a change in the law so the AG can release any report she wants to at any time she wants to whether it is preliminary or final. This arcane restriction that such material can only be released when Parliament is sitting is a relic of a bye-gone era of command and control of communications was possible and preferable. Not the case today.
Apparently every party has agreed to the release of her damning audit of G8 expenses but only when it is done properly and according to the law. Harper in his best dog-in-a-manger mood called on Fraser to release the final report anyway, knowing she could not do so legally. What height of hubris would motivate a holder of the highest office in the country to make such a statement. Actually inviting the Auditor General to break the law.
Spare me the half-hearted homage to open accountable honest and transparent governing Mr. Prime Minister. We are talking about allegations of misspending and illegality of some of the $1.2billion of taxpayer money we had to borrow "to put a good face on Canada" at the G8 and to give "...the rest of the fund (as) a gift to the region. This is money Harper borrowed on our behalf to upgrade parks and revitalize small town down towns in communities that allegedly had nothing to do with G8 activities but sure seemed aimed at helping out hapless Tony Clement, the Cons MP from the area.
Why should thoughtful Canadian citizen have the slightest respect for a Prime Minister who openly suggests the Auditor General break the law? This is pure political posturing at best to mislead the media and the public about the truth. At worst it is counselling an Officer of Parliament to break the law. That is irresponsible governing but typical of Prime Minister Harper who has shown less and less respect for the non-political duties of his office. Makes one see just how easily it was for this PM to have a five time convicted fraudster working in his office without any serious concern for the possible consequences.
John Baird, bless his partisan heart, said the "inflammatory language" in the first report is not in the final draft. That does little to diffuse allegations of serious wrong-doing or reassure Canadians that these guys are still worthy of our consent to govern. Besides, what is Baird doing commenting on the content of the still secret Auditor General report and why is he doing it in public before the author can legally talk about the contents herself? Who made him above the law? That behaviour is further evidence of contempt for Parliament and disrespect for the rule of law by the "Harper government."
This election Canadians have to realize that they are electing their own government, not Harper's government as he likes to have us refer to him. We have to ensure in this election that the words "Harper" and "government" are never again in the same sentence except to describe a bad time in the history of our democracy. When Brian Mulroney of all people, is prepared to "...show his unease with Harper's Tories" it is time to defeat them at the ballot box.
Now we have reports of a "damning audit of G8 spending by the federal Conservatives" from Auditor General Sheila Fraser. However, Fraser, ever the consummate professional, will not release the report because under her enabling legislation she can only release reports when Parliament is sitting. Where is the whistle blower who might leak this vital information for Canadians to have and help us judge the quality and capacity of the Harper Cons to govern? BTW, where is the Harper promise of legislation to protect whistle blowers when he came to office five years ago?
Media reports quote Fraser as saying an early draft, not the final report, "...may have been released by someone outside our Office." One can only hope. We need a change in the law so the AG can release any report she wants to at any time she wants to whether it is preliminary or final. This arcane restriction that such material can only be released when Parliament is sitting is a relic of a bye-gone era of command and control of communications was possible and preferable. Not the case today.
Apparently every party has agreed to the release of her damning audit of G8 expenses but only when it is done properly and according to the law. Harper in his best dog-in-a-manger mood called on Fraser to release the final report anyway, knowing she could not do so legally. What height of hubris would motivate a holder of the highest office in the country to make such a statement. Actually inviting the Auditor General to break the law.
Spare me the half-hearted homage to open accountable honest and transparent governing Mr. Prime Minister. We are talking about allegations of misspending and illegality of some of the $1.2billion of taxpayer money we had to borrow "to put a good face on Canada" at the G8 and to give "...the rest of the fund (as) a gift to the region. This is money Harper borrowed on our behalf to upgrade parks and revitalize small town down towns in communities that allegedly had nothing to do with G8 activities but sure seemed aimed at helping out hapless Tony Clement, the Cons MP from the area.
Why should thoughtful Canadian citizen have the slightest respect for a Prime Minister who openly suggests the Auditor General break the law? This is pure political posturing at best to mislead the media and the public about the truth. At worst it is counselling an Officer of Parliament to break the law. That is irresponsible governing but typical of Prime Minister Harper who has shown less and less respect for the non-political duties of his office. Makes one see just how easily it was for this PM to have a five time convicted fraudster working in his office without any serious concern for the possible consequences.
John Baird, bless his partisan heart, said the "inflammatory language" in the first report is not in the final draft. That does little to diffuse allegations of serious wrong-doing or reassure Canadians that these guys are still worthy of our consent to govern. Besides, what is Baird doing commenting on the content of the still secret Auditor General report and why is he doing it in public before the author can legally talk about the contents herself? Who made him above the law? That behaviour is further evidence of contempt for Parliament and disrespect for the rule of law by the "Harper government."
This election Canadians have to realize that they are electing their own government, not Harper's government as he likes to have us refer to him. We have to ensure in this election that the words "Harper" and "government" are never again in the same sentence except to describe a bad time in the history of our democracy. When Brian Mulroney of all people, is prepared to "...show his unease with Harper's Tories" it is time to defeat them at the ballot box.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Imagine No Harper
This link came from an anonymous comment on another post on this blog. It is a little bit of satire you can spare 3 mins or so to enjoy and reflect on.
I know its anonymous and everyone know how much I detest anonymous comments. But OMG if they used their real names they would be thrown out of public political rallies by Harper henchmen as Harper ducks and weaves to avoid answering questions.
There here is the link - enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWI9GHIBusM
I know its anonymous and everyone know how much I detest anonymous comments. But OMG if they used their real names they would be thrown out of public political rallies by Harper henchmen as Harper ducks and weaves to avoid answering questions.
There here is the link - enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWI9GHIBusM
More Curiosity About Alberta Party
Here is a link to an interesting article in FFWD out of Calgary that will give you a sense of the recent history and amazing growth of the Alberta Party. The Alberta Party is doing everything at once. They have set up constituency organizations (44 in five months). They are gathering membership, over 1300 in five months. They are setting policy ideas in place on a citizen engagement model. Add to that the leadership search to find the right blend of practical political experience but with a leadership style that is inclusive and community based that will keep the shared sense of the purpose of the Alberta Party progressing.
This fledging revived and renewed political party morphed out of the desire of a group of progressive thinking Albertan who gathered in a citizen's movement called Reboot Alberta. People who wanted to start a new political party found each other at Reboot Alberta and the Alberta Party was born.
One of those progressive thinking Albertans at Reboot Alberta was Glenn Taylor, the three time Mayor of Hinton. He has now stepped up to run for the leadership of the Alberta Party and I am delighted to be working with him on achieving that goal. I encourage you to learn more about Glenn Taylor and see what a breadth and depth of elected political experience he has. He also has a realistic world view from a rich and diverse set of practical life experiences too. I believe he has much to offer to Alberta through the Alberta Party goal of doing politics differently.
You can also keep in touch with Glenn on Twitter @glenntalyr and on Facebook by searching GlennTaylorAlberta. Check out those opportunities to engage with and get to know Glenn too.
I hope you have also come to realize that we need a new political culture in Alberta. We need a government that reflects our true selves and not the mistaken myths and condescending caricatures that are imposed on Alberta these days.
We can change all that through a young vibrant enthusiastic political movement that is caring, compassionate and ready to take responsibility for more open, transparent, honest and accountable governance. This is all now emerging and getting ready to offer a serious viable progressive political alternative in the next election. It is called the Alberta Party. Join us and be the change you want to see in and for Alberta.
This fledging revived and renewed political party morphed out of the desire of a group of progressive thinking Albertan who gathered in a citizen's movement called Reboot Alberta. People who wanted to start a new political party found each other at Reboot Alberta and the Alberta Party was born.
One of those progressive thinking Albertans at Reboot Alberta was Glenn Taylor, the three time Mayor of Hinton. He has now stepped up to run for the leadership of the Alberta Party and I am delighted to be working with him on achieving that goal. I encourage you to learn more about Glenn Taylor and see what a breadth and depth of elected political experience he has. He also has a realistic world view from a rich and diverse set of practical life experiences too. I believe he has much to offer to Alberta through the Alberta Party goal of doing politics differently.
You can also keep in touch with Glenn on Twitter @glenntalyr and on Facebook by searching GlennTaylorAlberta. Check out those opportunities to engage with and get to know Glenn too.
I hope you have also come to realize that we need a new political culture in Alberta. We need a government that reflects our true selves and not the mistaken myths and condescending caricatures that are imposed on Alberta these days.
We can change all that through a young vibrant enthusiastic political movement that is caring, compassionate and ready to take responsibility for more open, transparent, honest and accountable governance. This is all now emerging and getting ready to offer a serious viable progressive political alternative in the next election. It is called the Alberta Party. Join us and be the change you want to see in and for Alberta.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Do Elections Actually Equal Political Accountability?
Back in 1993 Kim Campbell was excoriated for stating the obvious that elections are not the time to deal with complex issues. The reaction was swift negative and part of her disastrous electoral outcome. She was right however.
The sound bite journalism with the superficial horse race mind set of traditional media coverage back then persists today...even worse if you ask me. Add to that the social media maelstrom of comment and conflict and the poor voter is hard pressed to know what or who to believe...never mind trust.
The Hill Times has a terrific article by W.T. Stansbury entitled "Why general elections are pretty poor mechanism for accountability to citizens." It is a long and thoughtful article so don't rush through it. Let it sink in. Accountability along with Integrity and Honesty were the top three evaluation criteria Albertan's choose in some research we did last May through Reboot Alberta. It is a serious and central concern of citizens in this province.
His accountability theme expands on the fact that elections are too infrequent to make and irreversible to really make politicians accountable. He notes that we don't have any really effective and acceptable performance measures for politicians, especially given the complex and wide scope of government. He notes there is a sense that elections are mostly a referendum on the performance of the economy. If folks feel better off the economic management of the current government get applauded and likely re-elected. Harper is making misleading comments about the comparative strength of the Canadian economy as Jim Stafford points out in this Globe and Mail Commentary
This leads to Stansbury's next point; the Information Problem. Information to assess government performance is hard to collect get at and it is expensive to access. We see Access to Information policy thwarted more than enabled and recently we see it is inappropriately interfered with by Harper government operatives for political purposes.
There is more but you get the drift. Elections matter but we need to take them seriously as citizens as difficult as that is. It is made worse with the superficial political spin machines and the misleading messaging they push at us and the herd mentality of understaffed and under funded mainstream media who too often get suckered into be stenographers and not journalists.
Just another reason why citizens need to take back control of our democracy and punish poor political performance in government and on the way to get there.
The sound bite journalism with the superficial horse race mind set of traditional media coverage back then persists today...even worse if you ask me. Add to that the social media maelstrom of comment and conflict and the poor voter is hard pressed to know what or who to believe...never mind trust.
The Hill Times has a terrific article by W.T. Stansbury entitled "Why general elections are pretty poor mechanism for accountability to citizens." It is a long and thoughtful article so don't rush through it. Let it sink in. Accountability along with Integrity and Honesty were the top three evaluation criteria Albertan's choose in some research we did last May through Reboot Alberta. It is a serious and central concern of citizens in this province.
His accountability theme expands on the fact that elections are too infrequent to make and irreversible to really make politicians accountable. He notes that we don't have any really effective and acceptable performance measures for politicians, especially given the complex and wide scope of government. He notes there is a sense that elections are mostly a referendum on the performance of the economy. If folks feel better off the economic management of the current government get applauded and likely re-elected. Harper is making misleading comments about the comparative strength of the Canadian economy as Jim Stafford points out in this Globe and Mail Commentary
This leads to Stansbury's next point; the Information Problem. Information to assess government performance is hard to collect get at and it is expensive to access. We see Access to Information policy thwarted more than enabled and recently we see it is inappropriately interfered with by Harper government operatives for political purposes.
There is more but you get the drift. Elections matter but we need to take them seriously as citizens as difficult as that is. It is made worse with the superficial political spin machines and the misleading messaging they push at us and the herd mentality of understaffed and under funded mainstream media who too often get suckered into be stenographers and not journalists.
Just another reason why citizens need to take back control of our democracy and punish poor political performance in government and on the way to get there.
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