I do have a bit of a beef with the start of your post. Not everyone is taking bribes. The problem when you say something like that is that you "both sides" the issue and then make it normal or acceptable because "why should we care if one party is taking bribes because everyone is taking bribes....".
But it is not true.
If our memory reaches back far enough, there was a whole thing ~12 years ago when some letters leaked from one of the big developers saying they hate Nenshi because he refused to take their bribes and allow them to do what they want. People would bag on Nenshi for all kinds of reasons but you couldn't say he was corrupt or took bribes.
I would happily support the most arrogant guy who constantly acted like he was the smartest guy in the room if I could be confident that he wasn't owned by corporate interests.
This is the punchline of the new class war. You have Corporatists and then you have Populists.
- The Conservatives and the Liberals are both Corporatists who will "drive the economy" and "unleash our companies" with the vague promise that the money will trickle down through job creation and stuff. These parties are the best funded because of their support from corporations and rich people.
- The NDP (and Green) are still trying to be parties for the people (true populists) and thus they are less well funded because they do not have the big rich donors and they rely heavily on grassroots donations and volunteers.
If you want to stop the cycle of corruption, vote for the party who will prioritize you over a faceless corporation.
I agree a lot with your post, it's not that every person is taking bribes but there are enough decision makers, moves and shakers that are. This is where the corruption comes into play though. I think we in Canada sometimes are very naive to corruption with our officials, thinking it doesn't happen to the same level as it does in corrupt countries. It happens in similar degrees but we have the economy to mostly hide it, other countries don't.
The examples I used are very suspicious with very high credibility but in that case we are talking about a few hundred million in spending, that is a rounding error for AB healthcare budget. There are other examples of clear conflicts of interest, very suspicious dealings with Dynalife labs amongst one of them. Problems, problems, problems and then it was a $100 million buyout or something and things got magically better. Recent deals at AHS for things like food services, cleaning and laundry services and more look very suspicious.
Well if Smitty were reading my posts she'd also probably take me seriously, applaud my logic and make me Minister of Education (and Forests).
In fairness considering her lack of understanding as to why books she didn’t intend to ban ended up needing to be banned as a result of the ministerial order issued by her government, it’s entirely plausible that she can’t actually read.
In fairness considering her lack of understanding as to why books she didn’t intend to ban ended up needing to be banned as a result of the ministerial order issued by her government, it’s entirely plausible that she can’t actually read.
The more you know…
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I agree a lot with your post, it's not that every person is taking bribes but there are enough decision makers, moves and shakers that are. This is where the corruption comes into play though. I think we in Canada sometimes are very naive to corruption with our officials, thinking it doesn't happen to the same level as it does in corrupt countries. It happens in similar degrees but we have the economy to mostly hide it, other countries don't.
The examples I used are very suspicious with very high credibility but in that case we are talking about a few hundred million in spending, that is a rounding error for AB healthcare budget. There are other examples of clear conflicts of interest, very suspicious dealings with Dynalife labs amongst one of them. Problems, problems, problems and then it was a $100 million buyout or something and things got magically better. Recent deals at AHS for things like food services, cleaning and laundry services and more look very suspicious.
I absolutely agree that there are problems, especially in Alberta. The UCP are openly corrupt (running a massive cabinet, giving themselves raises, allowing more expensive gifts, allowing donations from corporations, reducing transparency of their expenses) and then they are also hiding a massive amount of corruption that is just coming to light in all of the AHS scandals.
What it says to me is that we need a better system of ethics enforcement in our governments. The UCP didn't like the ethics commissioner so they fired him and installed a patsy who would clear them of all wrongdoing. To me that is the opposite of how things should be.
The ethics commissioner should be an impartial role that is 100% independent of the elected party.
I am tempted to say that the ethics commisioner should be appointed by CSIS and take it out of the hands of the politicians.
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I absolutely agree that there are problems, especially in Alberta. The UCP are openly corrupt (running a massive cabinet, giving themselves raises, allowing more expensive gifts, allowing donations from corporations, reducing transparency of their expenses) and then they are also hiding a massive amount of corruption that is just coming to light in all of the AHS scandals.
What it says to me is that we need a better system of ethics enforcement in our governments. The UCP didn't like the ethics commissioner so they fired him and installed a patsy who would clear them of all wrongdoing. To me that is the opposite of how things should be.
The ethics commissioner should be an impartial role that is 100% independent of the elected party.
I am tempted to say that the ethics commisioner should be appointed by CSIS and take it out of the hands of the politicians.
Most people don't know it's also in the CPC governing documents to put the ethics commissioner (among others) underneath parliament as well. It was one of many reasons I couldn't vote for them but you can see all these MAGA parties are using the same playbook.
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I agree a lot with your post, it's not that every person is taking bribes but there are enough decision makers, moves and shakers that are. This is where the corruption comes into play though. I think we in Canada sometimes are very naive to corruption with our officials, thinking it doesn't happen to the same level as it does in corrupt countries. It happens in similar degrees but we have the economy to mostly hide it, other countries don't.
The examples I used are very suspicious with very high credibility but in that case we are talking about a few hundred million in spending, that is a rounding error for AB healthcare budget. There are other examples of clear conflicts of interest, very suspicious dealings with Dynalife labs amongst one of them. Problems, problems, problems and then it was a $100 million buyout or something and things got magically better. Recent deals at AHS for things like food services, cleaning and laundry services and more look very suspicious.
Others have pointed out here that the UPC is particularly bad for corruption, with their treatment of ethic commissioners, hiring of friends/families/doners... and problematic sole sourcing practices, especially as it relates to the hiring of companies without relevant experience.
And it's also been pointed out that like him or hate him, Nenshi has proven himself to be frustrating un-corrupt to the point that the corrupting influencers in our our politics openly complained about him and campaigned against him.
Given that, I am wondering if you can caveat your statement? By saying while there is a corruption problem in much of Canadian politics, but that Albertans will have a choice of someone who that does not apply to.
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Seems to be whenever the federal government provides something for citizens, the UCP's response is, "How can we get the money instead?"
Seriously, people, if you want to give Danielle Smith and the UCP all your money, just empty your bank account. Stop voting for them and forcing the rest of us to fund their schemes as well.
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Smith posted this...
Hard work pays off in Alberta. We lead the country in average earnings amongst all provinces, paired with low taxes and relatively affordable homes. The Alberta Advantage is alive, and our government will keep driving down everyday costs so families keep more of every paycheque.
I really want her to list all the ways they are driving down everyday costs so I can celebrate those grand achievements.
Smith posted this...
Hard work pays off in Alberta. We lead the country in average earnings amongst all provinces, paired with low taxes and relatively affordable homes. The Alberta Advantage is alive, and our government will keep driving down everyday costs so families keep more of every paycheque.
I really want her to list all the ways they are driving down everyday costs so I can celebrate those grand achievements.
she often forgets to mention:
"...And a very high unemployment rate"
Smith posted this...
Hard work pays off in Alberta. We lead the country in average earnings amongst all provinces, paired with low taxes and relatively affordable homes. The Alberta Advantage is alive, and our government will keep driving down everyday costs so families keep more of every paycheque.
I really want her to list all the ways they are driving down everyday costs so I can celebrate those grand achievements.
I would also love to see this. Maybe she's referring to uncapping insurance and electricity rates to create competition and lower prices*.
It could also be neglecting our education and healthcare workers. Less nurses & teachers = cost savings!**
Let's not also forget that receiving gifts, bribes, golden parachutes and free entertainment is also a great way to drive your expenses down and income up!***
*lower prices may not be seen in yours or your children's lifetime, but rest assured, they are coming.
**most of these cost savings come through a life expectancy decrease due to a lack of proper healthcare and education
***only available to those in cabinet positions
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