Columns

St. Albert’s budget process reminds me of the old story The Emperor’s New Clothes. In that tale, a pair of crafty tailors sell the emperor some ‘magic clothes’ that can only be seen by ‘wise’ people.

When the federal Liberals governed Canada, Albertans were often frustrated by what they saw as pork-barrelling, a lack of transparency in government, few checks on the prime minister’s powers, and the demonizing of people with dissenting views.

In the 19th century, China was subjected to unequal treaties at the barrel of a gun. This week, Canada will finalize an unequal treaty with China, at the option of the prime minister. The treaty will not make us a colony of China.

Here we go again – another review of the province’s financial criteria.

A recent trip with the grandchildren to Disneyland has renewed my lifelong love affair with America and Americans.

Back in 1966, I took a step that had a significant beneficial impact on my future – I applied for a Canadian passport.

There has been no shortage of books about Muslims since Sept. 11, 2001. Many of them have warned that recent waves of immigration have already turned countries such as France and Britain into “Eurabia.

My mother could have told you why giving the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union would produce such a predictable and deserved outpouring of derision. An aspiring writer, she took a creative writing course.

October 11, 2012 was the first UN International Day of the Girl. It was a worldwide commemoration of girls’ leadership, potential and capacity in recognition of challenges they face, including violence, oppression and poverty.

If Canada’s potential tensions with China are confined to matters such as the purchase of Nexen by the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company, CNOOC, we are the envy of the world.