tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102904292024-03-13T09:18:53.166-06:00daveberta.ca"...Dave Cournoyer isn't some obscure fat frat boy with a sticky-up haircut."
- Neil Waugh (Edmonton Sun)davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comBlogger2034125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-27454703976626815672010-04-11T23:38:00.006-06:002010-09-21T08:32:57.276-06:00this blog has moved: please update your rss and links.<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.daveberta.ca/">THIS BLOG HAS MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS: http://daveberta.ca</a></span></b></div><br />
Five years and two months since this blogger blog was born, I have finally taken the big step of migrating my blog to a new home. As of yesterday afternoon, daveberta will be hosted on <a href="http://daveberta.ca/"><b>daveberta.ca</b></a> on a Wordpress blog. This change has been a long time coming and will be a work in progress over the upcoming weeks.<br />
<br />
If you are currently using daveberta.blogspot.com in your RSS feed, please update to <a href="http://daveberta.ca/?feed=rss2">the new RSS feed</a> for this new site. Also, if you are linking to daveberta.blogspot.com from your blog or website, please update the link to daveberta.ca. I will no longer be posting on this blogspot blog, so make sure to read <b><a href="http://daveberta.ca/">daveberta.ca</a></b> for new posts.<br />
<br />
A big thanks to <a href="http://twitter.com/phendrana">Duncan</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/bingofuel">Adam</a> for their technical expertise and sage advice in helping make this move a reality.<br />
<br />
Thank You!davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-44268778115350632992010-04-09T20:41:00.001-06:002010-04-09T20:42:39.577-06:00new video: earl and rahim.<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqpMMWhq9P4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqpMMWhq9P4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-52628788213143201362010-04-08T23:09:00.003-06:002010-04-08T23:17:15.306-06:00video: premier ed stelmach at the university of alberta.Premier <b>Ed Stelmach</b> spoke to an audience of over 300 staff and students at the <a href="http://www.ualberta.ca/">University of Alberta</a> this afternoon at an event hosted by the <a href="http://www.uofaconservatives.ca/">Campus Conservative Club</a>. I have seen Premier Stelmach speak on a number of occasions, and though public speaking is not his gift, this afternoon was not his best performance. I have to admit that even as I was video recording the Premier's speech, my mind wandered to other things like, what should I eat for lunch this afternoon?<br />
<br />
It was a fairly unremarkable twenty minute speech and Premier Stelmach used most of his time justifying decisions that his party has made in government over the past three years. He did make some interesting comments, including criticizing the Province of Quebec for the amount of transfer payments that they collect and their low university tuition (see the third video). The Premier also made an interesting comment made about "the previous Premier" when referring to former Premier and <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/ralph-kleins-game-show-stint/article1507312/">gameshow</a> host <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Klein">Ralph Klein</a></b>.<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></b>Feel free to watch the videos, and if you are able to get through the entire twenty minutes, let me know what you think.<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oYRN1goHINU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oYRN1goHINU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NCr38_pxcr4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NCr38_pxcr4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3YfiL6aXcZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3YfiL6aXcZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-63775133583314568752010-04-08T19:13:00.001-06:002010-04-08T19:15:43.775-06:00global edmonton embargoed over budget tweets.Many Edmontonians who use <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> might have noticed that <a href="http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/">Global Edmonton</a> News anchor <a href="http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/personalities/Lynda+Steele/766965/story.html"><b>Lynda Steele</b></a> recently deleted her Twitter account <a href="https://twitter.com/LyndaSteele">@lyndasteele</a>. Ms. Steele was an avid and engaged contributor on Twitter and I assumed that her departure was caused by a loss of interest or time management issues. It turns out that her account may have been shut down because of four 'tweets' that were sent between 3:16m and 3:17pm on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 and were related to the provincial budget that was under a media embargo until 3:20pm.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/edmonton/includes/pdf/global-pab.pdf">A letter</a> written by <a href="http://publicaffairs.alberta.ca/index.cfm">Public Affairs Bureau</a> Manager <b><a href="http://alberta.ca/home/includes/DirectorySearch/browse_view.cfm?txtSearch=Lee%20Funke&item=16314&x=0#16314">Lee Funke</a></b> to Global Edmonton explains the repercussions:<blockquote>A breach of an embargo of any kind is a breach of trust. That is has to do with subject matter that can have market implications makes it all the more serious a matter. The Government of Alberta's budget embargo rules for media are extremely permissive relative to those of the federal government and some other provinces. In exchange for this flexibility, government asks only that media agree to respect the rules of the embargo.<br />
<br />
Global Edmonton breached that agreement. In light of the fact that this is the second budget embargo breach in three years by an Alberta media outlet, we must now consider more severe restrictions on the entire media corps for future budgets and simmer events, including a strict lockup where electronic devices are removed.</blockquote>The media outlets that are given access to the budget documents before they are officially released have agreed to the embargo on reporting information. The budget is one of the most important centre pieces of a government's governing, political, legislative, and communications strategy, so it is no surprise that they would react this way towards Global Edmonton (<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/calgary">CBC Calgary</a> found themselves in a similar situation in 2008). Having attended each budget announcement (or the Rotunda scrums afterward) since 2003, it is a big event that government and opposition politicians, business groups, and public interest groups craft many of their main messages around.<br />
<br />
The question is: why does this embargo breach need to result in more severe restrictions on the entire media corps? Perhaps our government placing too much importance on the budget embargo, and even the actual budget speech. Do these breaches prove that more restrictions are needed or that perhaps the Public Affairs Bureau and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Stelmach">their political master</a> need to examine their role as communicators with less of a focus on 'command and control' and more of an open 21st century attitude.<br />
<br />
<i>(For more on the role of the Public Affairs Bureau, </i><a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=1OS543VlAn0C&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=kevin+taft+public+affairs+bureau&source=bl&ots=Azag1BRdTl&sig=Qla2JBzKLXN1dyuJTS1XLaH8kOc&hl=en&ei=oVe-S52OAsaBnQfazdmwCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false"><i>read this exert</i></a><i> from </i><b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Taft">Kevin Taft</a></i></b><i>'s 1997 book </i><a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Shredding-Public-Interest-Ralph-Klein-Kevin-Taft/9780888642950-item.html?pticket=2ynoztfa2cxdnpbwpg1n4pmqCNlWIJ84VDa1PD22GjShWubVcsY%3d"><i>Shredding the Public Interest</i></a><i>)</i>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-90896615311752469332010-04-08T08:53:00.003-06:002010-04-08T09:23:47.141-06:00col. donald ethell is alberta's new lieutenant governor.Lieutenant Governor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Kwong"><b>Norman Kwong</b></a>'s replacement is <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/Alta+named+todayCol+Ethell+named+Alta+lieutenant+governor/2777798/story.html#ixzz0kWKEYHwa">expected to be announced</a> this afternoon in Ottawa:<br />
<blockquote>"CALGARY - Decorated Canadian peacekeeper Col. <b><a href="http://www.lieutenantgovernor.ab.ca/aoe/bio/ethell.htm">Donald Ethell</a></b> will be named Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor this afternoon.<br />
<br />
The veteran of 14 international peacekeeping missions, including Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and the Balkans, was leader of Canadian peacekeeping operations from 1987 until 1990. He also served as deputy force commander of multinational forces during the 1990 Persian Gulf War and went on to his final assignment in Yugoslavia before retiring in July 1993.<br />
<br />
Col. Ethell was also deployed by the United Nations to provide reconnaissance for the Arias Peace Plan covering five Central America countries. His operational plan for the UN Force in Central America was tabled in the House of Commons.<br />
<br />
He’s now familiar to Canadians as a defence analyst on the CBC and other media. Col. Ethell will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his Ottawa office where his appointment will be formally announced later today. </blockquote>Here is a July 2008 video interview of Col. Ethell used in the promotion of National Peacekeepers Day (h/t <a href="http://twitter.com/oberhoffner">Joey Oberhoffner</a>):<br />
<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U8BSbtCrxNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U8BSbtCrxNo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">EAVB_FNJEONVRIC</span></span>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-79129285765000528212010-04-07T19:55:00.001-06:002010-04-07T19:59:56.301-06:00alberta politics notes 4/07/2010- <a href="http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/04/06/david-akin-senate-reform-go-big-or-go-home.aspx"><b>David Akin</b> recently sat down</a> with Liberal Senator <a href="http://www.liberal.ca/en/team/senators/11566_thomas-banks"><b>Tommy Banks</b></a> for a chat on Senate reform.<br />
- Alberta has held Senate elections in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Senate_nominee_election,_1989">1989</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Senate_nominee_election,_1998">1998</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_Senate_nominee_election,_2004">2004</a>, and is <a href="http://communities.canada.com/CALGARYHERALD/blogs/insidealberta/archive/2010/02/24/stelmach-confirms-new-round-of-senate-elections-coming-likely-soon.aspx">expected to hold a Senate election</a> in the next two years to fill upcoming vacancies. Senator-in-Waiting <b><a href="http://www.linkbyfield.ca/">Link Byfield</a></b> has <a href="http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=34192cc6-6c9a-4914-a4b5-550e858a306b">declared his intentions</a> to seek the <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a> nomination.<br />
- Alberta will be getting <a href="http://calgarygrit.blogspot.com/2010/04/take-seat.html">five new federal ridings</a> if new legislation is passed in Ottawa.<br />
- The provincial <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/">Electoral Boundaries Commission</a> will be starting their <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/Schedule.html">second round of public hearings</a> on April 12 in Calgary.<br />
- After originally being lukewarm to the idea of an urban riding for Grande Prairie as proposed in the Boundaries Commission's <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/Reports.html">interim report</a>, City Councillors have <a href="http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2509911">decided to support</a> the two existing 'rurban' ridings of <b>Grande Prairie-Smoky</b> and <b>Grande Prairie-Wapiti</b>.<br />
- Alberta Health Services CEO Dr. <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Duckett">Stephen Duckett</a></b> was given <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Alberta+Health+slammed+survey/2770233/story.html">failing grades</a> from employees and physicians this week. <a href="http://www.friendsofmedicare.org/">Friends of Medicare</a> executive director <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Eggen">David Eggen</a></b> told the Edmonton Journal that the survey points to the need for new leadership: <i>"To make a fresh start, I think it's important to make significant changes in senior leadership. This is a back-to-Australia kind of performance indicator."</i><br />
- Advanced Education Minister <b><a href="http://www.doughornermla.ca/">Doug Horner</a></b> caved to the wishes of the University Administrations by allowing them to <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Tuition+hiked+Alberta+programs/2772892/story.html">increase their base tuition rates</a> beyond what is currently allowed under Alberta's tuition policy for six programs. I wrote some background on the Universities quest for tuition hikes <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/11/tuition-tinkering-in-alberta.html">in November 2009</a>.<br />
- Premier <b>Ed Stelmach</b> will be speaking <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102657839771468">at the University of Alberta tomorrow</a> at an event hosted by the campus Conservative club. The same club hosted an event with Wildrose Alliance leader <b><a href="http://www.daniellesmith.ca/">Danielle Smith</a></b> last month.<br />
- From <a href="http://communities.canada.com/EDMONTONJOURNAL/blogs/electionnotebook/archive/2010/04/07/borat-high-five-consulting-ltd-very-niiiiice.aspx">Capital Notebook</a>, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development paid $33,963 to a company called Borat High Five Consulting Ltd. between April 2008 and October 2009. This gives me a good excuse to post my favourite Borat clip...<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i_KH28KuZ3I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i_KH28KuZ3I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-69852127531307472602010-04-06T22:29:00.000-06:002010-04-06T22:29:50.383-06:00hot air.With <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Tories+lose+polls+bank/2751674/story.html">recent political contribution disclosures</a> showing the PC Party holding ground, maybe the Wildrose Alliance groundswell in Calgary is just <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/04/06/calgary-un-report-carbon-dioxide-greenhouse-emissions.html?ref=rss">a bunch of hot air</a>...davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-34604678615642585742010-04-05T23:39:00.006-06:002010-04-05T23:53:13.638-06:00from the earth to the moon.This weekend some friends and I began watching the mini-series <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Earth_to_the_Moon_(TV_miniseries)">From the Earth to the Moon</a>. The HBO mini-series ran from April to May 1998 and focused on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Program">Apollo program</a> that led to the first Moon landing on July 20, 1969.<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WhZhzt1rh7o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WhZhzt1rh7o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>Over forty years ago, human beings developed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer">kind of technology</a> that could carry three men to the Moon. It is mind-boggling to think about change in thinking that it must have taken to develop the kind of technology that could carry a man to the Moon in the 1960s. Watching the mini-series really began to put into perspective how much our society has changed because of the Apollo program. Not only did the Apollo space program beat the Communists to the Moon, but it resulted in a huge number of technological spin-offs that helped push western civilization into a new kind of reality.<br />
<br />
Over forty years later on March 30, 2010, <a href="http://public.web.cern.ch/public/">CERN</a>s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider">Large Hadron Collider</a> successfully <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2010/03/100330_cern_nh_sl.shtml">collided beams of protons at the highest energy levels ever seen</a>. While these technological advancements may not be directly (or indirectly linked), it is a perfect example of the leaps that have been made since.<br />
<br />
It is likely that within my lifetime, there will be technological changes that could completely redefine how our society functions. In a field close to the hearts and paycheques of Albertans, how would the province of Alberta if a giant technological leap occurred in the field of energy? Would Alberta be prepared for the result of new energy technology that could decrease the world's dependence on oil and natural gas?<br />
<br />
What would Alberta look like if this happened in 2010? What would happen to the oilsands and the billions of dollars that have been spent building the infrastructure around them? According to local futurist <b>Kevin Kuchinski</b>, "<i>Alberta's oil belt will be the new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rust_Belt">rust belt</a></i>."<br />
<br />
In 1905, Alberta's provincial boundaries were defined with railway access in mind. What will our next boundaries be and what will define them?davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-39791432971414886932010-04-03T11:08:00.006-06:002010-04-03T11:29:29.797-06:00stop the calgary-edmonton rivalry habit.I have been meaning to write about this for a couple of weeks. The <a href="http://flyeia.com/">Edmonton International Airport</a> recently launched <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/03/01/edmonton-airport-stop-the-calgary-habit-campaign.html">a semi-guerilla marketing campaign</a> to convince Edmontonians and northern Albertans to "<b><a href="http://www.stopthecalgaryhabit.ca/">Stop the Calgary Habit</a></b>." The campaign is geared towards stopping travellers from flying on departing flights from the <a href="http://www.calgaryairport.com/">Calgary International Airport</a> (where there are many more connecting flights) and depart from the Edmonton International.<br />
<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3bZc-fbbNg8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3bZc-fbbNg8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>When I first heard about the campaign, I pictured the messaging being conceived by a group of grey-haired baby boomer marketers whose target audience was the +65 year old couple with a time-share in Boca. When it comes to travel, and in general, I do not feel any animosity towards Calgary (or their airport and its free wireless internet), nor do I feel that there is any point to a rivalry between the two cities.<br />
<br />
In recent conversations with some friends, the question was raised: "<i>Why would we want to compare ourselves to Calgary?</i>"<br />
<br />
A big deal was made in the mid-1990s by political groups like <a href="http://www.rewedmonton.ca/content_view2?CONTENT_ID=1033">The Edmonton Stickmen</a> and politicians like Mayor <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Smith_(Alberta_politician)">Bill Smith</a></b> about the lack of corporate headquarters in Edmonton and businesses being lost to Calgary. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alberta">hockey rivalry</a> does not interest me and now that Premier <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Klein">Ralph Klein</a></b> has retired to become <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/ralph-kleins-game-show-stint/article1507312/">a gameshow host</a>, the political rivalry feels practically inexistent and pointless. From the amount of cranes in its downtown skyline, it appears that Calgary is continuing its dream of becoming the Toronto of the West. As a proud Edmontonian, I say: "<i>they can have it</i>."<br />
<br />
As Calgary charts its own course, Edmonton is charting one that will be shaped by its own unique identity, strengths, and opportunities. Outsiders might be shocked to learn about the vibrant and engaged communities that our city has (<a href="http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2010/03/26/recap-galaguru-2010/">last week's GalaGuru event</a> at the packed <a href="http://www.latitude53.org/">Latitude 53 Studio</a> was a great example of these vibrant communities). I used to believe that I would need to move to bigger cities like Vancouver or Toronto (or even Calgary) in order to find a great job and quality of life, but I share the perspective of a growing number of younger city-dwellers who believe that Edmonton is a place to be. There is a new confidence in a younger generation that perhaps was not there when the Edmonton-Calgary rivalry was at its hottest twenty or thirty years ago.<br />
<br />
When I fly to other cities, I fly from the Edmonton International Airport, not because of loyalty or rivalry, but because it is the closest. If Calgary International Airport is attracting important international flights and airlines, I say: "<i>good for them. It is good for Calgary, good for Alberta, and good for Edmonton</i>."davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-66589790885590829242010-04-01T16:30:00.002-06:002010-04-01T16:34:48.264-06:00rainbows and unicorns.It probably would have been more effective if they had kept their up the tongue-in-cheek theme, but before it devolves into a fairly predicable attack ad, this April Fools Day joke from the <a href="http://www.nrsc.org/">US Republican Senate Committee</a> is pretty entertaining.<br />
<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtxqtBq0uVw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtxqtBq0uVw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>(h/t <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/01/april-fools-2010-the-best_n_521301.html">Huffington Post</a>)davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-63082270936039279022010-03-31T09:00:00.004-06:002010-03-31T09:54:13.840-06:00alberta politics: state of the opposition.They may have dropped to the fourth largest party in the <a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/">Legislative Assembly</a> in 2010, but the <a href="http://www.albertandp.ca/">NDP</a> are the first out of the starting gate to nominate a candidate for the 2012 election. The <b>Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview</b> NDP have scheduled their nomination for May 5, 2010. As far as this blogger knows, local teacher and 2008 <b>Edmonton-Centre</b> candidate <b><a href="http://www.deronbilous.ca/">Deron Bilous</a></b> is the only candidate seeking the nomination. The constituency was represented by NDP MLA <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Martin_(politician)">Ray Martin</a></b> from 2004 until his narrow defeat to Tory <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=25">Tony Vandermeer</a></b> in 2008. Under the <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/03/electoral-boundaries-mashup.html">interim proposed boundary</a> changes for 2012, the new <b>Edmonton-Clareview</b> constituency would reduce Mr. Vandermeer's 2008 margin of victory down to 101 votes. With recent polls looking quite different than those of 2008, past results could mean very little in two years.<br />
<br />
Word has it that a recent shake up in the NDP was not limited to their <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/03/turnover-at-alberta-ndp-office.html">departing Executive Director</a>. Some recent turnover on the board of executive officers has introduced some fresh blood onto the tiny party's central bureau (since no table officers are listed on the NDP website, it is left to this kind of speculation). While they are <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/columnists/Braid+Unpopular+Tories+have+edge/2747294/story.html">reported to have raised</a> $681,000 in 2009, insider sources have told me that slower economic times have contributed to a decline in individual donations in 2010, making staff layoffs likely. <br />
<br />
Not too far behind in their search for candidates is the <a href="http://www.albertaliberal.com/">Liberal Party</a>, who I have been told are hoping to nominate candidates in <b>Edmonton-Decore, Edmonton-Glenora</b>, <b>Edmonton-McClung</b>, <b>Edmonton-Mill Woods</b>, and <b>Edmonton-Rutherford</b> by Fall 2010. The Liberals are reported to have raised $768,000 in 2009, but are struggling to even hold their support in the polls, a problem that has some Liberals <a href="http://donntodusk.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-there-going-to-be-swann-dive.html">talking about a palace coup</a>.<br />
<br />
The Liberals may also be looking for a candidate to run in an upcoming by-election if rumors that one of two Calgary MLAs run for Mayor this Fall. A growing number of Liberals in Calgary are seriously talking about supporting a Mayoral bid by popular <b>Calgary-Buffalo</b> MLA <b><a href="http://www.kenthehrmla.com/">Kent Hehr</a></b>. One Liberal told me that Mr. Hehr "<i>is seriously considering running for Mayor, and is currently arranging lunches with former </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Bronconnier"><i>Bronco</i></a><i> heavy weights</i>." A by-election in Calgary-Buffalo would be an ideal opening for <a href="http://www.albertaparty.ca/">a new party</a> with <a href="http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/coming-soon-to-a-living-room-near-you-5334/">a potential candidate</a> who has extensive experience organizing a winning election in that progressive downtown constituency.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a> leader <a href="http://www.daniellesmith.ca/"><b>Danielle Smith</b></a> is taking advantage of not being burdened with the responsibility of holding a seat in the Assembly by delivering <a href="http://thegatewayonline.ca/articles/news/2010/03/22/wildrose-alliance-leader-talks-postsecondary-substage">campaign style</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmLOADKcso&feature=sub">stump</a> <a href="http://www.strathmorestandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2505889">speeches</a> <a href="http://www.brooksbulletin.com/default.aspx?contentid=2679">across</a> <a href="http://www.vermilionstandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2483192">the province</a>. Ms. Smith's party remains strong in the polls and <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Wildrose+Alliance+sees+huge+jump+revenue/2747293/story.html">raised nearly $700,000</a> in 2009 (most since she became leader in October 2009.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-60751401507975331412010-03-29T17:19:00.002-06:002010-04-07T20:02:04.324-06:00alberta politics notes 3/29/2010- <b>Don Braid</b> has all the latest news on the <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Alberta+riding+berates+Tories+questions+party+right+govern/2737757/story.html">Highwood PC revolt</a>, including <a href="http://communities.canada.com/CALGARYHERALD/blogs/braidbuzz/archive/2010/03/29/full-text-of-highwood-riding-letter-blasting-ed-stelmach.aspx">the letter</a> sent by Constituency officials to PC Party President <b>Bill Smith</b>.<br />
- Sometime campaign manager <a href="http://donntodusk.blogspot.com/2010/03/is-there-going-to-be-swann-dive.html"><b>Don Lovett</b></a> is reporting insider rumours about heightened tension between <a href="http://www.albertaliberal.com/">Liberal Party</a> leader <b><a href="http://albertaliberalcaucus.com/index.php/alc/caucus_member/david_swann">David Swann</a></b> and his party executive committee. As reported in the <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/03/alberta-political-notes-3092010.html">Alberta Political Notes 3/09/2010</a>, the tension is nothing new and may create some interesting confrontation at the upcoming <a href="https://www.alpsecure.com/convention2010/">Liberal Convention in May 2010</a>. <br />
- According to <a href="http://howdtheyvote.ca/member-stats.php?o=rw_ad&s=13">How'd they Vote</a>, since the beginning of the current session of Parliament on March 3, Alberta MPs <b><a href="http://www.tedmenzies.ca/">Ted Menzies</a></b>, Prime Minister <b><a href="http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/default.asp">Stephen Harper</a></b>, <b><a href="http://lindaduncan.ndp.ca/">Linda Duncan</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.mikelake.ca/splash.asp">Mike Lake</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.merrifieldmp.com/">Rob Merrifield</a></b> are the Alberta MPs who have spoken the most on the floor of the House of Commons. Alberta MPs <b><a href="http://www.brianstorseth.ca/">Brian Storseth</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.petergoldring.com/">Peter Goldring</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.robanders.com/">Rob Anders</a></b> have not spoken a word since the beginning of the current Session.<br />
- <b>Calgary-West</b> MP Rob Anders is <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iPFU3_IUroqszo3_8HWoD8uq3hrQ">the latest</a> Conservative Party convert to the <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a> (not to be confused with Wildrose MLA <b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2115933221">Rob Anders</a></b><i><b><a href="http://www.robanderson.ca/">on</a></b></i>).<br />
- Via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/taudette">Trish Audette</a>, a new <a href="http://content.yudu.com/A1n8us/PoliticsMagazine0310/resources/index.htm">politics magazine</a> has launched in Canada. The first issue features an interview with <b><a href="http://www.daniellesmith.ca/">Danielle Smith</a></b> and includes <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveberta/4249648368/in/set-72157623148405110/">a photograph</a> taken by yours truly, which the editors failed to credit under the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">Creative Commons licensing</a> (<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23FAIL">#FAIL</a>).davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-80786437021007072272010-03-29T08:29:00.002-06:002010-03-29T09:09:46.145-06:00"nearing the precipice of moral insolvency to govern."I bet there are some people who were wishing <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/environment/Alberta+riding+berates+Tories/2737757/story.html">this letter</a> would have just been a cruel April Fools joke:<br />
<blockquote>In a blistering, unprecedented letter to Premier Ed Stelmach, a key Progressive Conservative riding association says the party is "nearing the precipice of moral insolvency to govern."<br />
<br />
The Highwood riding board charged that the Tory party "is bereft of policy, planning, execution, follow-through and communication to the members of the party, and, most importantly, to the citizens of Alberta."<br />
<br />
Without a rebirth of grassroots participation, the letter says, "this party can expect no mercy from the electorate on the election day, which is just two short years away."</blockquote>Highwood PC MLA <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=58">George Groeneveld</a></b> was dropped from cabinet in January 2010 after serving as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development since December 2006. After his departure from cabinet, Mr. Groeneveld told the <a href="http://www.highrivertimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2263344">High River Times</a>:<br />
<blockquote>"I was a little surprised to be removed," he told the Times. "I was hoping for another year. But at the same time I was there three years, which is about par for a minister."<br />
He said he is getting a "little long in the tooth" (a term his wife hates), he said with a laugh, and he thought that may have been a factor as well. The premier might have been trying to bring in new blood.</blockquote>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-63028498232362366662010-03-25T09:15:00.008-06:002010-03-25T10:22:50.175-06:00foster care fiasco.<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/21UELSDw3_Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/21UELSDw3_Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center>For many reasons, so much about politics in Alberta's <a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/">Legislative Assembly</a> reminds me of the above scene from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing">The West Wing</a>.<br />
<br />
I used to believe that the toughest job in the Alberta cabinet was held by Health & Wellness <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=37">Gene Zwozdesky</a></b>, but lately I am starting to believe that it is actually held by Children and Youth Services Minister <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=04">Yvonne Fritz</a></b>. Following <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Braid+Stelmach+blame+game+comes+home+roost/2724327/story.html">this week's shenanigans</a> and <a href="http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100324/edm_fostercare_100324/20100324/?hub=CalgaryHome">resignation</a> over foster care funding, it is clear that something is not functioning properly in our government.<br />
<br />
On Monday morning, NDP leader <b><a href="http://www.rachelnotley.ca/RachelNotley/">Rachel Notley</a></b> held a media conference <a href="http://ndpopposition.ab.ca/site/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.details&ID=8098&t=8&i=46">leaking a public document</a> that outlined changes to foster care funding in the Edmonton region. Ms. Notley claimed that the plan was to cut foster funding, and called on Minister Fritz to rescuing the new funding formula. She did and insisted that she told department officials not to cut support. <b>Paula Simons</b> raised the issue in her <a href="http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/columnists/story.html?id=f340d805-90a1-47f8-8358-65a57a6256b0">Tuesday column</a>: Was Minister Fritz sabotaged? Does the Minister actually have a handle on the decisions being made inside the Minister of Children & Youth Services?<br />
<br />
Minister Fritz was <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+area+loses+children+portfolio/2440098/story.html">appointed to the portfolio</a> in January 2010, replacing <b>Banff-Cochrane</b> MLA <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=45">Janis Tarchuk</a></b>, who had not excelled when faced with challenges in that Department.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Premier <b>Ed Stelmach</b> undoubtably <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Premier+should+know+when+clam/2723597/story.html">breathed new life into the foster care issue</a> by accusing the NDP of playing politics with the issue. While he may have been trying to save face, his point is somewhat well taken. Should Ms. Notley have brought the issue directly to Minister Fritz? Ms. Notley claims that if she had brought the issue directly to the Minister, it would have been buried (not an unjust assumption). At what point does this kind of political gamesmanship become irresponsible? Like so many issues raised in the Assembly, what was really accomplished when they devolve into this kind of weekly round-robin?davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-72407553849842669142010-03-24T23:14:00.003-06:002010-03-24T23:38:46.405-06:00207 days until mayoral vote 2010.Following Mayor <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Mandel">Stephen Mandel</a></b>'s recent announcement that he will be running for a third-term in office, I have a couple of quick thoughts on the <a href="http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal-elections.aspx">October Municipal election</a>:<br />
<br />
1) <b>A cake-walk through the park?</b> It is really too early to tell whether Mayor Mandel will face an easy re-election in October. In the <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2007/09/edmonton-election-2007-non-race-for.html">non-race for Mayor of 2007</a>, second place challenger <b><a href="http://www.donkoziak.ca/Welcome.html">Don Koziak</a></b> earned 25% while only running a semblance of a city-wide campaign. I would not underestimate the electoral potential of an even moderately organized & well-funded outsider/anti-Council candidate, especially if it looks like Mayor Mandel is going to cruise to another victory.<br />
<br />
2) <b>Opposition is split.</b> Mayor Mandel enjoys wide-spread support and the opposition he does face appears to be fragmented around varying issues. The people who are furious about the <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/07/phased-closure-of-edmontons-city-centre.html">closure of the Edmonton City Centre Airport</a> or annoyed about the funding of the <a href="http://www.youraga.ca/">Art Gallery of Alberta</a> are unlikely to vote for the same candidate as the people angry over the <a href="http://www.ourpoweredmonton.ca/">Capital Power-Epcor decision</a>. At this point, no champion challenger apparent has emerged with the potential of galvanizing this dissent (watching Season 3 of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wire">The Wire</a> has taught me that even two or three reasonable challengers could bleed a Mayor's support and create some interesting results).<br />
<br />
3) <b>What issues?</b> There are no shortage of issues that I hope will be the focus of debate in this election (urban sprawl, inner city schools, regional amalgamation, and others that I plan to write about over the next six months), but the one issue that may have the potential to create a major wave is the <a href="http://www.katzgroup.ca/">Katz Group</a>'s desire to have the City of Edmonton to fund $400,000,000 for a new downtown arena. The Katz Group has hired long-time PC-insider <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Elzinga">Peter Elzinga</a></b> as <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/02/does-downtown-edmonton-need-katz-arena.html">a lobbyist</a> and launched a political campaign to "<a href="http://www.revitalizedowntown.ca/">Revitalize Downtown</a>" in advance of the election. Mayor Mandel was an <a href="http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=d52cf671-24d5-4f7b-a083-8bc0ae07f698&sponsor=">early supporter</a> of the downtown arena, but <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/02/10/edmonton-arena-downtown-katz-mandel.html">remains publicly coy</a> about his position on the actual Katz Group proposal.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile in Calgary, the race to replace retiring Mayor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Bronconnier"><b>Dave Bronconnier</b></a> remains eerily quiet. Former PC MLA <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Former+alderman+Lord+enters+mayoral+race/2700814/story.html"><b>Jon Lord</b></a> and food activist <a href="http://www.ffwdweekly.com/calgary-blogs/the-howler/2010/03/11/food-activist-paul-hughes-to-run-for-mayor-300/"><b>Paul Hughes</b></a> are in the race. Former <a href="http://ontariondp.com/welcome/">Ontario NDP</a> MPP <a href="http://twitter.com/george_dadamo"><b>George Dadamo</b></a> <a href="http://david.cournoyer.googlepages.com/Dadamo.Biography.pdf">entered the race</a> last Summer and has since dropped off the political map. <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2718673">Game show contestant</a> and Alderman <a href="http://www.ricmciver.ca/"><b>Ric McIver</b></a> is widely expected to join the race and an online campaign to draft Mount Royal University professor <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nenshi"><b>Naheed Nenshi</b></a> is growing.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-81343327673822026422010-03-23T13:06:00.005-06:002010-03-27T11:19:02.206-06:00poll post: 2010 edmonton mayoral election.<b>Question: </b>Mayor Stephen Mandel has announced his intentions to seek re-election in October 2010. If the election were held today, would you vote for Mandel?<br />
<br />
Results: Yes: 64%, No: 36%<br />
<br />
<b>Question:</b> Mayor Stephen Mandel has announced his intentions to seek re-election in October 2010. Who should step up to challenge him?<br />
<br />
Top 5 Results: <b><a href="http://alc.whitematter.ca/index.php/alc/caucus_member/kevin_taft/">Kevin Taft</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.doniveson.ca/">Don Iveson</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.vueweekly.com/article.php?id=6117">Michael Phair</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.brianmason.ca/">Brian Mason</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.millerthomson.com/index.cfm?ce=details&cm=employee&primaryKey=44713">Roberto Noce</a></b>.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-21537955815911867082010-03-22T23:14:00.010-06:002010-03-23T10:20:19.167-06:00mayor stephen mandel to run for re-election.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveberta/3626736694/"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6hMh5cyZ5I/AAAAAAAABD8/7DG4B5PsOWw/s320/Stephen+Mandel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/">Edmonton Journal</a> columnist <b><a href="http://twitter.com/scott_mckeen">Scott McKeen</a></b> is reporting <a href="http://twitter.com/Scott_McKeen/status/10908468208">via Twitter</a> that Mayor <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Mandel">Stephen Mandel</a></b> is expected to announce whether or not he will run for re-election in the October 18, 2010. Mayor Mandel was re-elected to a second term in 2007 with 65% of the vote. He served as Councillor for Ward 1 from 2001 until becoming unseating Mayor <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Smith_(Alberta_politician)">Bill Smith</a></b> in 2004.<br />
<br />
In May 2009, I wrote <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/05/who-will-run-for-mayor-of-edmonton-in.html">a blog post speculating some of the contenders</a> who could replace Mayor Mandel.<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE</b>: At a media conference held at the <a href="http://www.bissellcentre.org/">Bissell Centre</a> this morning, Mayor Mandel has announced his <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Mandel+third+term/2716332/story.html">intention to seek re-election</a> for a third-term as Mayor of Edmonton. It is not yet known whether he will face a strong challenger in his campaign for re-election.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-32489297013349655702010-03-22T12:10:00.005-06:002010-03-22T18:43:19.439-06:00turnover at the alberta ndp office.Word on the street is that <a href="http://www.albertandp.ca/">Alberta NDP</a> Executive Director <b>Sandra Houston</b> is resigning to pursue an job in Islamabad, Pakistan involving women and democracy. Ms. Houston has held the position for a couple of years and is considered a close ally of leader <b><a href="http://www.brianmason.ca/">Brian Mason</a></b>, something that has frustrated many reform-minded New Democrats that I have spoken with.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a> and <a href="http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/">Progressive Conservative Party</a> have also had recent <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/03/alberta-political-notes-3152010.html">turnover in their offices</a> leading to the hirings of new Executive Directors <b><a href="http://www.conservative.ca/2991/43449/">Vitor Marciano</a></b> and <b>Patricia Godkin</b>. In September 2009, <b><a href="http://twitter.com/coreyhogan">Corey Hogan</a></b> became Executive Director of the <a href="http://www.albertaliberal.com/">Liberal Party</a> after <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-four-months-time.html">filling a vacancy</a> left after <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2008/09/rich-tories-poor-liberals-ndp.html">the resignation</a> of long-time Executive Director <b>Kieran Leblanc</b> in 2008.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-34076150494437158132010-03-20T11:50:00.010-06:002010-03-20T12:31:32.807-06:00perfesser dave's five paths to obscurity.<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albertadiary.ca/"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6UQe6NG74I/AAAAAAAABD0/1lKez1_d-Rk/s320/prof.dave.JPG.jpeg" /></a></div>In his most <a href="http://www.albertadiary.ca/2010/03/five-reasons-why-new-alberta-party-wont.html">recent blog post</a> and column in the <a href="http://www.saintcitynews.com/">Saint City News</a>, <b><a href="http://www.albertadiary.ca/">David Climenhaga</a></b> (aka Perfesser Dave) pointed out five main challenges that the new <a href="http://www.albertaparty.ca/">Alberta Party</a> faces in becoming relevant in the 2012 election. It is a good list and these challenges do not face the new Alberta Party alone. Mr. Climenhaga is also accurate in describing the challenges facing the other opposition parties in Alberta.<br />
<br />
While the <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a>, now led by <b><a href="http://www.daniellesmith.ca/">Danielle Smith</a></b>, has been successful in raising piles of cash through their <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/11/yager-bomb.html">oil and gas sector bankrollers</a>, both the <a href="http://www.albertaliberal.com/">Liberals</a> and <a href="http://www.albertandp.ca/">New Democrats</a> have had a difficult time raising the kind of funds needed to compete with the near 40-year governing <a href="http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/">Progressive Conservative Party</a>. In 2007, the Liberals led by Edmonton MLA <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=39">Kevin Taft</a></b> raised over $1 million, but it remained a miniscule amount compared to the PC Party's multi-million dollar war chest.<br />
<br />
For all the talk of vote-splitting among the opposition parties, the political field is really not that crowded. In 2008, over 60% of Albertans stayed away from the polls, which signals that Albertans are hardly overflowing the polling stations to split votes. Even the electoral equations provided by the <a href="http://www.drproject.ca/">Democratic Renewal Project</a> show that a merger of Liberal and NDP votes in recent elections would only create a moderately-sized opposition. It is true that the new Alberta Party leader, <b><a href="http://twitter.com/EdwinFErickson">Edwin Erickson</a></b>, is not high profile and is unlikely to be the next Premier of Alberta, but once you step out of the political echo chamber or away from the Dome, all the parties become irrelevant. For all their hard work, show a picture of <b><a href="http://albertaliberalcaucus.com/index.php/alc/caucus_member/david_swann">David Swann</a></b> or <b><a href="http://www.brianmason.ca/">Brian Mason</a></b> to a random person on the street, and you will likely get a puzzled look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/01/dear-ontario-punditry-re-alberta.html"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6UIhQg6-xI/AAAAAAAABDk/2Pgp6jupnSE/s200/Alberta+Voter+Turnout+1975-2008-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/01/dear-ontario-punditry-re-alberta.html"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6UJBBuBQzI/AAAAAAAABDs/0uqRhcV69Jo/s200/Alberta+Vote+Results+1971-2008.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><center>Voter Turnout versus Eligible Voters (Alberta 1975-2008)<br />
Total Vote: Party Breakdown (Alberta 1971-2008)</center><br />
Mr. Climenhaga claimed that the Alberta Party is a group of "<i>self-important yuppified professionals who would like to go straight into power</i>." <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/02/breakfast-with-new-alberta-party.html">I have met with some of the organizers</a> of the new Alberta Party and some of them are even good friends of mine. I can attest that while they are ambitious (and perhaps a bit naive), they are not what Mr. Climenhaga describes.<br />
<br />
I have spoken with many Liberals and New Democrats who remain befuddled as to why anyone would attempt to start something new, rather than join the ranks of the already assembled politicos. On many levels, the people behind the new party are looking for a cultural shift in Alberta politics. Although they may agree with some of the policies promoted by the traditional political parties, they see the culture of these traditional parties as part of the problem. The Alberta Party organizers appear to be fully aware of the risks of failure and that they are stepping beyond the political comfort zones of many people already involved in other parties.<br />
<br />
I know many jilted Liberals and jolted New Democrats who have resolved to bask in the glory days of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Trudeau">Pierre Trudeau</a></b> or <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Decore">Laurence Decore</a></b> and <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas">Tommy Douglas</a></b> or <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Notley">Grant Notley</a></b>. I somewhat admire their political stamina and strength (or madness) in the face of adversity, but I also completely understand why a group of young politically ambitious reformers would want to chart their own course. Joining a group that has become content with spending decades in the relative obscurity of the opposition benches is hardly attractive if you are serious about changing government policy.<br />
<br />
Building a new political party from the ground up is hard work. The current leadership of the Liberals and New Democrats inherited a base of support and network that has existed for decades. Considering that the party was formed only eight years ago, the growth of the Wildrose Alliance is impressive (recognizing that it did have roots in the mini-resurgence of the <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Thorsteinson">Randy Thorsteinson</a></b>-led <a href="http://www.socialcredit.com/">Social Credit Party</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_general_election,_1997">1997</a>). It will be interesting to see whether the people involved with the new Alberta Party can actually build something different.<br />
<br />
Contrary to what you may sometimes read on this blog, I do not always enjoying pointing out the flaws of Alberta's opposition parties. I wish they would do better. I wish for opposition parties that were not uncompetitive in half the constituencies represented in the Assembly. I wish for a competitive election in 2012 that will attract Albertans back to the ballot booths. If the <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Tories+Wildrose+only+apart+polls+Alberta+awaits+royalty+review/2669325/story.html">current polling trends</a> continue, it looks like it may be competitive, but it remains to be seen who will actually be the contenders.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-63999633785373742382010-03-18T22:14:00.007-06:002010-03-19T09:23:27.164-06:00the rural alberta advantage.While speaking to the <a href="http://aamdc.com/">Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties</a> this week, Premier <b>Ed Stelmach </b>confirmed the obvious when defending his government's decision to increase <a href="http://communities.canada.com/EDMONTONJOURNAL/blogs/electionnotebook/archive/2010/03/17/stelmach-on-protecting-rural-ridings.aspx">the number of constituencies in the next election</a>: it was in order to preserve the existing number of rural constituencies in the Legislative Assembly. This decision continued the over-represention of rural Alberta ridings in the Assembly, despite rapid growth in the urban centres.<br />
<br />
With a few exceptions, the PCs have been able to rely on non-competitive electoral districts in rural Alberta since wiping out the <a href="http://www.socialcredit.com/">Social Credit</a> rump in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_general_election,_1975">1975</a>. Over the past 39-years, the PCs have relied heavily on rural politicians as a "farm team" to replenish their ranks of rural MLAs (some now include Premier Stelmach, and Ministers <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=52">Jack Hayden</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=74">Iris Evans</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=60">Ray Danyluk</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=80">Lloyd Snelgrove</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.melknightmla.com/">Mel Knight</a></b>, and MLAs <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=57">Wayne Drysdale</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=49">Broyce Jacobs</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=69">Richard Marz</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=50">Len Mitzel</a></b>).<br />
<br />
The PCs have dealt with competitive elections in the two major urban areas (Edmonton and Calgary), but the threat of a <a href="http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2010.03.11_Politics_AB.pdf">Wildrose insurgency</a> across Alberta would be cause for great concern and is likely the reason behind Premier Stelmach's posturing over rural over-representation.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-22558802649830859562010-03-18T21:56:00.008-06:002010-03-18T22:14:39.499-06:00electoral boundaries mashup.Earlier this week, I posted the <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/03/interim-boundaries-report-attracts-some.html">poll-by-poll results from the 2008 provincial election</a> for Calgary and Edmonton, and (once again thanks to reader <b>Alan Hall</b>) posted below are the 2008 results superimposed over the proposed boundaries from the <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/EBC%20Interim%20Report_web5mb.pdf">interim report</a> of the <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/">Electoral Boundaries Commission</a>. A listing of the interim ridings with the 2008 results and margins are also posted below. If the political environment continues to change before the expected 2012 election, the past electoral results could mean very little, but until that time, these maps provide an interesting view of the previous election and what could be in 2012:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6I9HjTVj-I/AAAAAAAABC8/7rPP99sl-gc/s1600-h/ProposedCalgary_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6I9HjTVj-I/AAAAAAAABC8/7rPP99sl-gc/s200/ProposedCalgary_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6I9KSlV7mI/AAAAAAAABDE/mFUg7upBCyk/s1600-h/ProposedEdmonton_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6I9KSlV7mI/AAAAAAAABDE/mFUg7upBCyk/s200/ProposedEdmonton_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" width="154" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6Lyu05fExI/AAAAAAAABDU/9AAKKbomsd4/s1600-h/2012+Calgary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6Lyu05fExI/AAAAAAAABDU/9AAKKbomsd4/s320/2012+Calgary.jpg" /></a></div><center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6Ly02siw4I/AAAAAAAABDc/sBAgaji6x5k/s1600-h/2012+Edmonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S6Ly02siw4I/AAAAAAAABDc/sBAgaji6x5k/s320/2012+Edmonton.jpg" /></a></center>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-90490093132725407502010-03-16T20:06:00.001-06:002010-03-16T20:15:43.865-06:00wayne cao sings.I am speechless... and unsure how I missed this until now. <b>Calgary-Fort</b> MLA <b><a href="http://www.waynecao.ca/">Wayne Cao</a></b> sings on YouTube... could it be the next <a href="http://trololololololololololo.com/">trolololololo</a>?<center><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oh1FOvyStN8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oh1FOvyStN8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></center>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-31985456946167114272010-03-15T23:17:00.002-06:002010-03-15T23:27:04.887-06:00interim electoral boundaries report attracts some interesting responses.An NDP letter writing campaign to change the name of a northern riding to <b>Notley-Central Peace</b>, at least two messages sent from a Blackberry, and <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/submissions2/EBC-SPR-051.pdf">a hand-written congratulatory note</a> from Minister <b><a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=74">Iris Evans</a></b> are among the many <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/WrittenSubmissions.html">Spring 2010 submissions</a> to the <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/">Electoral Boundaries Commission</a>. The Commission recently published its <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/EBC%20Interim%20Report_web5mb.pdf">interim report</a> and <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/02/albertas-proposed-new-electoral.html">maps</a>, and is set to hold its second round of <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/Schedule.html">public hearings</a> on April 12 to 30, 2010.<br />
<br />
For readers interested in the political implications of the changes, thank reader <b>Alan Hall</b>, who emailed me these Calgary and Edmonton maps and poll-by-poll results from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta_general_election,_2008">2008 election</a> (data provided by <a href="http://elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/index.htm">Elections Alberta</a>). It would be interesting to see these poll results transposed on the interim boundaries and the final report boundaries (due in July 2010).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S58OxfU_hCI/AAAAAAAABCU/D_cm-rD8lms/s1600-h/Calgary_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S58OxfU_hCI/AAAAAAAABCU/D_cm-rD8lms/s200/Calgary_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" width="153" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S58O5IFF3oI/AAAAAAAABCc/w7TCe1tqrk4/s1600-h/Edmonton_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S58O5IFF3oI/AAAAAAAABCc/w7TCe1tqrk4/s200/Edmonton_Prov2008PD_Map.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-34817396973716800572010-03-15T08:43:00.003-06:002010-04-07T20:02:30.478-06:00alberta politics notes 3/15/2010- New polls from <a href="http://www.visioncritical.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2010.03.11_Politics_AB.pdf">Angus-Reid</a> (Wildrose: 42%, PC: 27%, Liberal: 19%, NDP 9%, Other 3%) and <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Tories+Wildrose+only+apart+polls+Alberta+awaits+royalty+review/2669325/story.html">Environics</a> (PC: 34%, Wildrose: 30%, Liberal: 23%, NDP 10%). <a href="http://calgarygrit.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-week-in-alberta-toboggan-ride-ends.html">Calgary Grit</a> has more on these polls.<br />
- According to the <a href="http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/">PC Party</a> website, <b>Patricia Godkin</b> has replaced <b><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/jim-campbell/9/b02/367">Jim Campbell</a></b> as Executive Director (Mr. Campbell recently joined <a href="http://www.cenovus.com/">Cenovus Energy</a> as their Vice-President Government Relations and Corporate Accountability). Ms. Godkin previously served as Director of Finance and was the acting Executive Director in 2007 after the resignation of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Elzinga">Peter Elzinga</a></b>. While holding the interim position in 2007, Ms. Godkin faced a challenge from outgoing PC Youth President <b><a href="http://davidmccoll.com/">David McColl</a></b>, who <a href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=f4eb226f-8cf4-46f6-96d0-581cbc47301e">published an op-ed in the Calgary Herald</a> predicting that "PC Alberta will continue its slow death march, to the beat of a rural drum and tired, stale policies."<br />
- <b><a href="http://www.conservative.ca/2991/43449/">Vitor Marciano</a></b> is <a href="http://communities.canada.com/CALGARYHERALD/blogs/braidbuzz/archive/2010/03/12/top-harper-tory-to-run-wildrose-alliance.aspx">expected to become the new Executive Director</a> of the <a href="http://www.wildrosealliance.ca/">Wildrose Alliance</a>. Mr. Marciano recently stepped down from his position on the National Council of the <a href="http://www.conservative.ca/">Conservative Party of Canada</a> and served as Campaign Manager for <b>Edmonton-Centre</b> MP <b><a href="http://lauriehawn.ca/">Laurie Hawn</a></b> in 2004 and 2006, and for <b>Nunavut</b> MP <b><a href="http://www.leonaaglukkaq.ca/">Leona Aglukkaq</a></b> in 2008. In 2006, he supported former <b>Edmonton-McClung</b> PC MLA <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Norris_(Canadian_politician)">Mark Norris</a></b>' bid for the PC leadership. This is the second prominent Edmonton conservative to join <b><a href="http://www.daniellesmith.ca/" www.daniellesmith.ca"="">Danielle Smith</a></b>'s staff in recent months. In February, former PC Party VP Outreach and 2004 <b>Edmonton-Strathcona</b> candidate <b>Shannon Stubbs</b> <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2010/02/alberta-political-notes-2162010.html">became Executive Assistant</a> to Ms. Smith.<br />
- Former <b>Edmonton-Meadowlark</b> Liberal MLA <b><a href="http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/mtougas">Maurice Tougas</a></b> has <a href="http://www.albertaviews.ab.ca/TougasMar10.html">written a piece in this month's Alberta Views Magazine</a> that focuses on Danielle Smith's time on the <a href="http://www.cbe.ab.ca/">Calgary Board of Education</a> from 1998 to 1999. Mr. Tougas' reliance on comments from former Trustee <b><a href="http://jenniferpollock.ca/">Jennifer Pollock</a></b> provided a fairly one-sided perspective of the issue. You can read my four part series <i>Smith v. Board of Education</i> <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/10/part-1-smith-v-board-of-education.html" style="color: #375e86;">part 1</a>, <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/10/smith-v-board-of-education-part-2.html" style="color: #375e86;">part 2</a>, <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/10/smith-v-board-of-education-part-3.html" style="color: #375e86;">part 3</a>, and <a href="http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/11/smith-v-board-of-education-part-4.html" style="color: #375e86;">part 4</a>.<br />
- The <a href="http://albertaparty.ca/">Alberta Party</a> has posted an update on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-alberta-party/alberta-party-update-the-big-listen-march-2010/365085474791">The Big Listen</a>.<br />
- <b><a href="http://shandro.wordpress.com/">Tyler Shandro</a></b> has <a href="http://shandro.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/on-the-interim-report-by-albertas-boundaries-review-commission/">raised some interesting questions</a> about the interim report of Alberta's <a href="http://www.altaebc.ab.ca/">Electoral Boundaries Commission</a>.<br />
- Three years after the <a href="http://www.albertaroyaltyreview.ca/">a committee of top-tier economic experts</a> recommended increasing the royalty rates collected by the provincial government, Premier <b>Ed Stelmach</b> has <a href="http://www.energy.alberta.ca/About_Us/1293.asp">cut back</a> the amount of resource royalties that are collected. The <a href="http://www.pembina.org/media-release/1984">Pembina Institute</a> responded by pointing out that "Albertans, the owners of the province's oil and gas resources, were completely left out of the process of reviewing Alberta's royalty rates."davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-56340450507816072132010-03-13T14:02:00.004-07:002010-03-13T14:36:07.936-07:00closing inner city schools in edmonton.The threat of <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/01/27/edmonton-proposed-school-closures-consultation-report.html">proposed school closures</a> in inner city Edmonton has once again riled opposition MLAs into a frenzy on the floor of the <a href="http://www.assembly.ab.ca/">Legislative Assembly</a>. Declining student enrollment has led to Edmonton Public School Board to propose the closure of 11 inner city schools in January 2010 (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delton,_Edmonton">Delton</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastwood,_Edmonton">Eastwood</a>, John A. McDougall, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCauley,_Edmonton">McCauley</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwood,_Edmonton">Norwood</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkdale,_Edmonton">Parkdale</a>, Spruce Avenue, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capilano,_Edmonton">Capilano</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_Place,_Edmonton">Fulton Place</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Bar,_Edmonton">Gold Bar</a> and Hardisty). It is difficult not to sympathize with <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/03/10/edmonton-parkdale-school-closure-meeting.html">the pleas</a> of these MLAs' constituents, but each time that an opposition MLA rises to demand an answer from the Minister of Education about these closures the issue gets more muddied.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/2662505/story.html"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OHzHEDAhJUk/S5v1JqIwSPI/AAAAAAAABCM/wTA7e1wnErY/s320/school+closure+maps.jpg" /></a></div>For the purpose of this blog post, I am going to ignore the politically charged and conspiracy driven accusations of opposition MLAs and focus on specific comments from two Edmonton MLAs:<br />
<br />
<b>Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood</b> MLA <b><a href="http://www.brianmason.ca/">Brian Mason</a></b>:<br />
<blockquote>"many schools in the inner city are in danger of being forced to close as the number of schools in Edmonton’s suburbs expand."</blockquote>The proposed school closures have very little to do with the provincial government or the Department of Education and more to do with how our cities have grown over the past forty years. <a href="http://www.epsb.ca/trustees/index.shtml">Edmonton's Public School Trustees</a> are ultimately responsible for the fate of these schools and the reality is that young families are not moving into the inner city in the numbers needed to keep these schools operating. They are moving to the suburbs and to the outlying municipalities in the Capital region, which have experienced unbridled urban sprawl in recent decades. The reality is that there is a market demand for single-dwelling residential properties (contributed to by both cost and the desire to have a detached home with a yard).<br />
<br />
Having grown up in one of Edmonton's outlying communities, I can testify that it was a great environment to be raised. As someone who has lived in the urban core since moving to Edmonton, I know that there are some areas that I would not want to raise my children. This said, continued urban sprawl is not a solution to Edmonton's growth challenges. The further our city sprawls, the more expensive it will be to provide the kind of services that are idealized. Urban sprawl is unsustainable.<br />
<br />
<b>Edmonton-Gold Bar</b> MLA <b><a href="http://www.hughmacdonald.com/web">Hugh MacDonald</a></b>: <br />
<blockquote>"If the city of Edmonton increases population density in the central neighbourhoods as planned, we will need the student spaces now being considered for closure."</blockquote>Inner city communities, like <a href="http://www.albertaave.org/">Alberta Avenue</a>, have taken exceptional steps to challenge stereotypes and create more family friendly environment in their neighbourhoods. New residential and commercial development in downtown Edmonton as well as <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/03/08/edm-city-centre-airport-redesign.html">the development of the City Centre Airport lands</a> over the next 20 to 30 years could create an inner city renaissance that could breath new life into Edmonton's inner city schools. <br />
<br />
If Edmonton's urban core does witness a population density increase that attracts more young families, it is very likely that these school buildings, could be available to be reopened. As far as I am aware, it is undetermined what would be done with these proposed closed schools. <b><a href="http://thebigblockofcheese.wordpress.com/">Kevin Kuchinski</a></b> has <a href="http://thebigblockofcheese.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/schools-for-rent/">written a blog post</a> on the potential usages for these schools if closed.<br />
<br />
Well-funded special interests like the <a href="http://www.katzgroup.ca/">Katz Group</a> have been focusing their energies on convincing Edmontonians that the urban core would <a href="http://www.revitalizedowntown.ca/">be revitalized</a> through the <a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/mobile/iphone/opinion/opinion/Katz+Group+sense+entitlement+arena+built/2548814/story.html">public funding of a new arena</a>. A new arena could have some economic benefits to the downtown core, but it does not address the larges societal issues facing the core or how our cities are growing. If urban sprawl is unsustainable, what are our municipal leaders doing to create an inner city that is friendly and welcoming to young families? Urban sprawl is the root cause of the school closures decision facing our elected School Board Trustees.<br />
<br />
When School Trustee and City Council candidates start knocking on doors before the <a href="http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal-elections.aspx">October 18, 2010</a> elections, Edmontonians who care about the future of our inner city neighbourhoods should remember that the school closures are not the result of a nefarious political agenda, but a result of how we have let our city to grow.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.com19