Politics Archives - Page 10 of 10

25Mar

By Bob AscahNo Comments

Budget, Politics

Alberta’s Fiscal Dilemma

Excerpt from forthcoming book of essays about an Alberta sales tax. Legislature Building Alberta’s fiscal dilemma, which has vexed provincial politicians since 1905, is the public’s expectation that governments will provide a high level of services and maintain low taxes. Services in the early years were basic education, roads, railways, telephones, relief, public buildings, and irrigation canals. Today government services include health care and a variety of programs for corporations such as small business, farmers, oil and gas investment incentives, and special-needs Albertans. Other functions critical to the modern state involve regulation of marketplace behaviour, electricity markets, food, the environment, financial services, labour relations, and building public infrastr...

Oil’s Deep State

Originally posted 7 October 2017 Kevin Taft's new book Oil's Deep State, sub-titled "How the petroleum industry undermines democracy and stops action on global warming- in Alberta and in Ottawa," was released on 26 September to a large audience at the UofA's TELUS Centre. The book launch was sponsored by the Parkland Institute and Alberta Views newsmagazine. The book is a "must read" for anyone who is interested in Alberta politics and society. (more…)

My time at Alberta NDP convention

On June 10-12, I attended my very first party convention in Calgary witnessing an historic meeting after over 110 years of right leaning governments. This is not to say that during some mandates, the governing party introduced radical legislation- for instance during the early mandates of the United Farmers of Alberta (1921-1935), Social Credit (1935-1971), and the Progressive Conservatives (1971-2015). All political parties in government become more conservative over time- seemingly more interested in remaining in power than shaking the boat. My initial impressions at the event were as follows: First the convention was well organized and classy (at the Hyatt Regency no less!). And unlike the NDP convention in Edmonton held earlier this year, controversy was avoided. Second, as Don Brai...