Category: Uncategorized

The Turino Winter Olympics are going to be held February 10-26, 2006.

We’re looking forward to it.

…we posted the leaked Alberta rebate cheques designs.

Being the political nerds we are, we thought we’d look back at some of the results from last November’s Provincial Election.

Today, we look at the results from two of Alberta’s well-known Rocky Mountain towns: Banff and Jasper. Though this post shouldn’t be mistaken for a “cognative analysis” of any kind, we hope you enjoy the charts we made.

We didn’t find it very surprising that Banff voters supported a more right-wing party, but we were a little surprised at the political plurialism found in the beautiful mountain town of Jasper… we knew there was a reason why we like Jasper more than Banff…

A quick look at the electoral history of Jasper, in the West Yellowhead riding, will show that it has elected opposition MLA’s in the past. New Democrat Jerry Doyle (1989-93) and Liberal Duco VanBinsbergen (1993-97). In 1997, VanBinsbergen was edged out by Tory Ivan Strang. In 2001, Strang cruised to re-election and was also re-elected in 2004. So, West Yellowhead has a tradition of sometime electing opposition MLA’s…

Banff, in the Banff-Cochrane riding, voted fairly solidly Tory, though we were very surprised at the strength of the Alberta Green vote in Banff, edging out the Liberals for second place.

Not that was wanted to prove anything critical with this post. We just like making charts.

AA = Alberta Alliance
AG = Alberta Greens
LIB = Alberta Liberals
ND = Alberta NDP
PC = Progressive Conservative

Nice to see that 10 years after the boom began, they’re finally thinking about coordinating development in the Oil Sands…

…in a press release from Alberta’s Public Affairs Bureau and Alberta Energy released the other day titled “Province Developing a plan to Coordinate Oil Sands Development.”

Also…

“The environment is our Mother ship, and it is important that we focus on sustainable development that preserves the natural resources and beauty of our province.”
– Alberta Environment Minister Guy Boutillier

Welcome to the Mother Ship…

Holy smokes…

It appears our scoopage of the Globe & Mail on the Alberta rebate cheque designs story (much to the dismay of mr. c-lo) has boosted our blog traffic up a little bit from to the usual daily 90-100ish to around 400 visitors today.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed and come back to visit.

(Extra props go to Calgary Grit, Dust My Broom, Red Between the Lines, and Matthew Good (we own 3 of your CD’s…) for the linkage – which had much to do with the boost in traffic – sorry if we missed anyone).

The designs of Alberta’s upcoming rebate cheques have been leaked to us at daveberta by a crafty individual with close ties to the Alberta government.

Here they are….

UPDATE/WARNING: It’s been insinuated that these may not actually be the real Alberta rebate/prosperity cheque designs. As disappointing as this is, we urge you to view them at your own risk – and yes, we realize the irony of having the ‘warning’ at the bottom of the post… (also, if you like ponies and pachyderms)

It’s very windy outside.

For those of you interested, we’re currently reading the Canadian Institute for Resource Law‘s Independent Review of the BHP Diamond Mine Process (June 30, 1997) for our Canadian Public Policy Seminar.

It’s more interesting than it sounds.

Also, has anyone listened to the new Franz Ferdinand album? (which of course, could never be good as the first Franz Ferdinand) We’re sorry to say we’re slightly disappointed this time around…

Alberta’s Conservative government launched another round of fairly obvious patronage appointments last week…

Karen Kryczka, Tory MLA for Calgary West (1997-2004), was appointed to the Board of the Alberta Foundation of the Arts.

Bob Clark, Social Credit MLA for Olds-Didsbury (1960-81), Socred Leader (1977-81), and Alberta’s “Ethics Commissioner” (1992-2003), was appointed to the Natural Resource Conservation Board.

Tomorrow, on the U of A campus, the Question is Alberta, and some local and not so local politicians will be speaking…

From 4pm to 5pm, Parkland Institute Executive Director Ricardo Acuna and Edmonton Strathcona NDP MLA Dr. Raj Pannu will be speaking on “Alberta’s Lack of Vision for the Surplus” at Dewey’s.

From 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Alberta Liberal Leader and Edmonton Riverview MLA Kevin Taft and Calgary Currie Liberal MLA Dave Taylor will be speaking on “Where is Alberta?” at Dewey’s as well.

If you have the chance, come out and meet some of Alberta’s premiere opposition MLA’s and critics…

…a mighty warrior. The tenth issue-versary edition of teengirl squad is out.

(props to peter and geoff for the link)

Also… new Strongbad email!

“I hear a rattle, Mr. Speaker, I think the minister just had an idea.”

Nick Taylor, Liberal MLA for Westlock-Sturgeon (1986-93) and Redwater (1993-96), and Alberta Senator (1996-2002)

busy weekend. most posting soon.

in the mean time… this has quite the political message, plus, it’s kind of funny…

(props to Mr. Ryan Payne for the pic)

Ahh. Tonight, as we read about the general lameness of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), we are also reminiscing about how good the magical first four seasons of the West Wing were. Josh, Sam, Toby, CJ. Political superstars. Total fun entertainment. The assassination attempt, the MS scandal, the re-election.

Last Sunday night, we caught part of the West Wing for the first time in an entire season, and were surprised and confused at what was going on and who was now working for who. Gladly, we weren’t the only ones… Ainge from Lotusland also feels the confusion. We recommend other West Wing-a-holics (*cough*henderson*cough*sam*cough*) check out the Lotusland post…

That’s right folks! Hailing from St. John’s Newfoundland, John Gushue… Dot Dot Dot is this week’s blog of the week.

We enjoy John’s posts and they’re always quite entertaining and informative. His ‘Daily Dot’s’ are also quite cool as well.

Make sure to check out John Gushue… Dot Dot Dot!