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Calm or Chaos? Canada's Decided |
DIRECTORY | ||
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Contributions: Canada's Election Results - Surprised? Now what? |
Action: Help sustain KEI's contributions |
Fact or Fiction?
Stop Fluoridation? |
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Editor - Perry Kinkaide |
I was inspired by a recent article distributed by Troy Media and written by David Leis - HERE. He shared a deep concern for Canada and highlighted the urgent to-do list facing the new government including first and foremost the formation of a coalition to enable the Liberal Party to deliver on it's promises. Consider joining us any Thursday to listen or weigh in on our Network's insightful discussions. Share your views and maybe even send us a note as we continue to explore the future. - Editor |
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Calm or Chaos: What the Liberal Victory Means for Canada’s Fractured FutureCanadians have chosen continuity over change. Despite pre-election buzz about a national appetite for transformation, the Liberal Party has emerged with a narrow victory, tasked once again with steering the country through turbulent waters. The outcome invites reflection: Did fear outweigh frustration? Did foreign threats overshadow domestic dissatisfaction?
A Vote Against Instability? The return of Donald Trump to U.S. political prominence—promising disruption, autocracy, and economic nationalism—may have driven cautious Canadian voters to opt for familiarity. The Liberals, while battered, projected predictability. In uncertain times, many saw that as preferable to upheaval or worse. - continued below
No need to register. Just Zoom in https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84258596166?pw.. Continued from above - But What of the Threat from Within? Trump’s America is not Canada’s only sovereignty challenge. Western alienation—especially in Alberta—has intensified into a credible separatist undercurrent. Many in the West view Ottawa not as a unifying force, but as an indifferent or obstructive power. The Liberals’ return may feel less like stability and more like a dismissal of
CARED TO COMMENT Disaffection Looms Large - Concerned Albertan Not all Albertans are on-board with what they view as Daneille Smith's platform for change in Alberta. Note. All Abertans suffer the cost of equity by subsidizing the high cost of energy transmission to rural areas. - Editor Has the KEI Network ever thought about looking at Alberta's political scene? I find the Alberta premier's ideologies, policies and practices increasingly a threat to democracy. I don't know if anyone else is noticing... the disintegration of the health system, attacks on the education system, attacks on the medical profession, attacks on public health, intrusion into municipal affairs, neglect of rural areas in dealing with the oil and gas arrears on municipal taxes, and cleanup of depleted well sites, lack of consultation with experts/ academics on important policy issues (other than her own constituency), use of public funds, excessive electricity rates in this province (due to Klein's deregulation which now sees individuals and businesses, especially in the rural areas, paying extraordinary costs for the distribution and transmission of electricity), threats to Alberta's place in confederation (Manning might be the biggest threat), etc.
Case in point re: electricity: I'm the treasurer of our rural community club. Our electrical bills are outrageous for the amount of time we actually use the community hall. We are conscientious in turning off the hot water heater, reducing the temperature, turning off the fridge, etc. when the hall is not in use. The distribution and transmission rates constitute 85% of the total electricity bill. And we do not have a choice of the electricity supplier as it's governed by area/region. The same scenario plays out in private homes and businesses. Alberta is the only province that has stuck to the utility deregulation plan; everyone else abandoned it! If you were to divide the KWH usage by the total cost of the electrical bill, you would be staggered by how much Albertans are paying for electricity compared to other provinces. The government and electricity providers are making a haul on the backs of consumers who rely on an essential public utility.
When the premier points to the federal government with accusations of hostility toward Alberta, she needs to turn her finger at herself. Alberta is hardly suffering! I remember hearing an Alberta oil executive being interviewed on TV about the possible impact of a 10% tariff, he was nonchalant saying his company had done its longer range planning taking that into account and essentially they could weather the storm. When I ran the home care program a zillion years and met at the federal provincial table, no one had any sympathy for Alberta. For people to complain about the state of economic well-being in this province is disgraceful, other than for those who are marginalized, disabled, working poor and others who often due to things beyond their control e.g., mental health issues --- these are big issues. It remains to be seen if her massive reorganization of the health system, which must be costing millions of dollars, will have any significant impact. I heard today on the news that all MOHs across Alberta will be moved into Alberta Health, reporting to the Chief Medical Officer of Health -- all the easier to muzzle them. Also that community public health services will be integrated into primary care. There could be some benefits from that but I expect the treatment side will continue to squeeze out the preventive services.
People tend to look yonder to the federal government to solve all the problems and while doing so, neglect to see what's happening right under their noses. Or if they do query the Premier/ MLAs, their complaints / feedback are excused/ignored.
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