Why Trudeau’s reversal on electoral reform is so risky

This past week, Canada’s prime minister announced an about-face on a major campaign promise -- electoral reform. Sadly, he barely blinked as he explained his reasons for betraying voters. Meanwhile, the world was spellbound as President Donald Trump proceeded to honour his campaign promises…one-by-one. Such is the sad, confused state of democracy in North America …

Everyday sexism is the toughest battle, but one worth fighting

Women should not be denied representation, sold into slavery or prevented from voting simply because of their gender. These are examples of issues involving basic human rights that most of us would not dream of challenging. There is a Universal Declaration of Human Rights to settle most of these fundamental questions. This, of course, does not …

Redux: Inspiring a disillusioned electorate

This is a repost of another blog entry written in the context of the provincial election. I'm revising it slightly in light of the Municipal Election happening now in Alberta. See the original post here. If there's one thing that unites most, if not all politicians, it's the ongoing bafflement about how to motivate an …

Fools rushing in? Legislating social media without understanding it first

The Texas Tribune is reporting today that legislators in the state have  introduced a "bevy of bills" relating to social media. According to the article, the bills stem from "concern about privacy and safety." Most of the proposed bills sound like steps in the right direction, but legislators need to tread carefully here. Social media is …

POLL of Calgary-Centre websites: Give feedback to candidates on their websites

UPDATED NOVEMBER 11, 2012: I'm a little late adding NDP candidate Dan Meades to this poll! I don't know about you, but I am pretty tired of candidates who don't listen to their constituents or respond to their requests for information. It seems that politicians want to get elected by telling you as little as …

Hodson: A trashing of everything that has made our community the success it is today

Okotoks Councillor Laurie Hodson has shared his speaking notes from the historic vote where Okotoks council voted to set aside its internationally-renowned sustainability framework. Hodson voted against the motion, but the motion was passed (see my previous blog post and more official background on the decision here). Here is a slightly abridged version of his comments …

The bizarre end of an era for Okotoks sustainability

Early indications were that the council vote today in Okotoks was not going to go well. Councillors Laurie Hodson and Stephen Clark were strong in their commitment to Okotoks' sustainability model--a globally recognized, award-winning approach to community development based on the concept of "living within your means." But both were worried and as we know …

Miss Cranky Pants: Calgary Liberals try to feel the momentum

Calgary federal Liberals gathered last night at Fort Calgary for a fundraiser for the upcoming by-election in Calgary-Centre. The event was advertised on Facebook as “Feel the Momentum.” After sitting through the evening’s festivities, feeling the momentum was a bit of a challenge for this cranky Liberal. Despite an enthusiastic and reinvigorated riding association board …

Miss Cranky Pants: The problem with the middle

Facing increasingly polarized political positions, some members of the Liberal Party of Canada seem to be lobbying for a campaign that specifically brands Liberals as being in the “middle.”  The centre may be a place to govern, but it is not the campaign messaging that will help the party regain relevance. Here are five reasons …

Dissent not destruction: Give reason a chance

Protest is an essential part of any democracy. Rioting and destruction of property isn't. What are the dynamics of a demonstration and what can we learn from it? At a recent protest against election fraud held here in Calgary represented an opportunity to learn a few things about how to maintain civil discourse. Balancing act …