The Parkland Institute

Transparency

The truth, the hole truth

When it comes to loopholes, a newly passed Alberta Government Bill is allegedly rife with them, something New Democrat Raj Pannu pointed out in the Alberta Legislature House session this November. He described how the new lobbyist registry bill slated to start up in 2009 is full of logical gaps. He wants them plugged up. According to Pannu, the bill was intended to be a cornerstone of openness and integrity in government. Under this new legislation, groups and individuals who ask the government for things must be listed in a publicly accessible registry. Read more...

Editorial

Reason for hope, this time around?

Changes in the province's demographic could spice up Alberta politics

Since the last provincial election in 2004, Alberta has changed dramatically in a myriad of ways. Some extremists argue that the province is on a steady decline, but it might be more accurate to say that the good change we've seen has been accompanied by negative changes as well—often in equal measure. Most of us have cheered, for instance, the face-lift in Edmonton's downtown core which has revitalized some under-utilized buildings in the district and brought life to the downtown. But we've also noticed the growing numbers of homeless people seeking refuge from the cold in the pedways of Edmonton centre, Calgary's C-train stations, and wherever they can throughout our province. Read more...

Work and labour

No room for the working poor in Alberta

Many Albertans continue to struggle with low wages, pricey housing

The prosperity of Alberta seems like a myth for those who earn $14 or even $18 an hour—these days it barely covers the rent. People migrate to our province because they hear tales of the oil prosperity. When they arrive here, they discover they can't find an affordable residence. It seems we have room for everybody in Alberta except those in need of low-cost housing. Read more...

Work and labour

Hot economy, lukewarm wages

True to Alberta's labour history, workers continue to be undervalued in spite of the boom

During the last two decades of the 20th century, worker productivity doubled. Meanwhile people have seen their real wages stagnate or decline in real terms since the mid-70s. A Canada-wide study, The Rich and the Rest of Us: The Changing Face of Canada's Growing Gap, examined Canadian incomes over the past three decades. It found that everyone except the upper 10 per cent of the population has been working longer hours while most of the economic gains have gone to this top group. The lowest half of the population showed a drop in their share of total income. Read more...

Environment

Environmentalism in Alberta?

Activists say communities are beginning to stand up to tar sands

Following his 1992 election victory, Premier Ralph Klein declared the province 'open for business,' and Albertans, fearful of growing debt, accepted a vision of stable growth after years of economic depression. As natural resources were opened up to massive exploitation, however, the result has been an overheated economy, and a crumbling infrastructure unable to handle the influx of workers and families. Today, Albertans are beginning to stir. Leila Darwish, Associate Prairie Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, sees change afoot. Read more...

Environment

Sensitive environmental area slated for new highway

New U.S.-Fort McMurray highway proposal bad news for native prairie

A proposal to open the Wild Horse border crossing for 24-hour service and expand a north-south transportation corridor along Alberta's eastern border would have dramatic environmental impacts. Read more...

Health

A golden retreat

The Goldeneye camp, which receives funding from the Alberta Mental Health Board, has been connecting people with schizophrenia since 1996. I first attended the retreat 10 years after its creation, in September 2006. Others who attended reported that they felt much the same way. After all, the urban jungle, with its buildings, busy streets and traffic, has poor effects on anyone's mental functioning over time. And for those with schizophrenia, the pace of a rapidly growing city can trigger the illness. Read more...

Conference retrospective

Conference opens door for action

Reflections on the Parkland Institute's 2007 fall conference

The leaders of Alberta are not confined to government offices and corporate boardrooms. They are found throughout our community—from lecture halls to farmer's markets. And this November, leaders of all kinds were in attendance at the Parkland Institute's Eleventh Annual Conference, "From Crisis to Hope: Building Just and Sustainable Communities." Read more...

International

Canadian mining companies: Unwelcome guests

Binding legislation still needed to curb human rights, environmental violations

On Nov. 2, 2007, gold hit $807.70 an ounce, a 28-year high. Millions of Latin Americans, Africans and Asians, exposed to the environmental and social damages of Canadian mines operating in their community, had no reason to rejoice. Neither did the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA) whose members participated in the Government of Canada's National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries from June to November 2006. The roundtables affirmed the need for major policy and law reform to ensure that Canadian companies comply with international human rights and environmental standards. Read more...

Healthcare

User fees contradict purpose of Medicare

In Alberta and BC, monthly health-care fees create barriers for low-income people

Like Albertans, but unlike most Canadians, British Columbians pay premiums for health care. Since health care is something that everyone uses, let's call premiums what they really are: user fees on Medicare. There is a tantalizing logic behind user fees on Medicare. Since everyone requires health care at some point, everyone should have to chip in to help pay for it. And what could be more egalitarian than asking everyone to pay the same amount (in BC, $54 a month or $648 a year)? After all, in the doctor's office we are all equal. There are no barriers of race, education or class that sickness cannot cross. If we all use health care equally, why shouldn't we have to pay for it equally? Read more...

Economy and politics

How to prepare for an Alberta provincial election

Tips for political pundits and junkies

For some Albertans, election readiness means looking at the ballot box and saying, "Who are all of these people anyway?" And someone in the next booth might answer back, "Who cares? It's just another boring Provincial election." But here are some tips for the hardcore flacks. Read more...