Alberta Next Turns into a Ringling Brothers Three Ring Circus Act.

 The Alberta Next Panel, which Danielle Smith toured across the province last week, faced significant criticism upon its conclusion. The panel, initially presented as an opportunity to engage with Albertans and gather public input, is now perceived by many as serving primarily to advance United Conservative Party interests rather than to facilitate genuine and constructive dialogue among provincial residents.  

When facing a question about the Alberta teachers, a young Albertan had his mic cut off and then the moderator told him that he would be better served by his parents turning him over their knee.  

The Corus of boos and jeers amongst the crowd was loud and reverberated throughout the auditorium. As even those who were vigorously standing and cheering the panel at the start of the event discovered just what the Alberta Next Panels were truly about. It wasn't about listening to Albertans; it was just a mere summer-long propaganda circus to try and fix a ship that's sinking faster than the Titanic. 

The Smith Government is falling apart. The once Queen of shock radio in Alberta now looks the fool because she has been caught in a downfall that even her political spin doctors cannot retrieve her from.  

Smith, who previously promoted Alberta's strength and prosperity, now leads a province currently experiencing the highest youth unemployment rate. Combined with having the lowest minimum wage in the country, this situation has positioned NDP leader Nenshi as a prominent challenger to the premier in the upcoming election. 

Albertans are beginning to see that all the UCP talked about in the last Provincial Election was just that. With a compulsion to drag one's feet in the sand on challenging economic issues, Smith has relied on being able to focus her blame squarely on the feet of the Federal Government, and I feel certain that had the conservatives won the election, this would not have changed. 

Observers have noted that the UCP has faced criticism regarding its approach to policy and primary legislation, with some suggesting that there is hesitation to implement significant changes. Recent years under the UCP Government have been described by critics as lacking in policy direction. Many Albertans have expressed concerns about the government’s objectives, citing a perception of division within the province and uncertainty about the party's goals. 

Regardless of the circumstances, Danielle Smith appears to have exhausted her alternatives. As public disapproval grows more pronounced, her current rhetoric may prove insufficient to reverse her prospects at the polls in the upcoming election. 

 

Canadians continue to fracture themselves as the continued battle of Rhetoric Shaming and blaming replaces substantive change to drive the economy.

Canadians continue to fracture themselves as the continued battle of Rhetoric Shaming and blaming replaces substantive change to drive the economy.

Pierre Poilievre's recent remarks on grocery store taxes and related matters suggest that he may not have significantly adjusted his rhetorical approach since the election. He continues to direct criticism toward Mark Carney instead of collaborating with members from all parties to identify viable solutions for economic challenges, which reflect broader systemic issues. Over the past 36 years, both political parties and municipalities have contributed to these persistent financial problems.

Marc Carney is no saint or saviour in this either. He is about to put 55,000 postal jobs at risk while continuing to accumulate large deficits. Even more layoffs are expected as each department cuts back by up to 15 to 20 percent, and several departments across various ministries are likely to be eliminated entirely. Carney himself seems to enjoy the benefits of globetrotting around the world at taxpayers' expense, avoiding the realities of fiscal mismanagement by deflecting responsibilities solely to his cabinet.

There is a reason I left active politics years ago, choosing to earn my living by working in the service industry, pursuing journalism, or finding my way around social media, building an internet radio station, a YouTube Channel, and a major blog. This was my way of getting away from the propaganda spun not only by politicians, media bias, and, yes, the internet's misinformation system of propaganda. Blame and shame that each has had a hand in developing.

Everyone, for the most part, ignored the coming storm without finding positive and practical solutions to an economy desperately spiralling into a debt-ridden spiral and a tax base depleted and lacking the ability to continue. Until now, the blame and shame rhetorical battle has worked. Now, it is just in most of our minds, a very poor and repetitive Orwellian drama.

However, there is another group of people to take some responsibility in all this, and that is people like you and me. Blame can certainly be placed on Governments for their failures, but what about our contribution to the failed economy? That is easy and carries some merit.

Then why do I cast blame on Canadians overall? Pretty simple, we allowed ourselves to be totally seduced by the Gig economy.

This starts immediately with the post office. Yes, the post office is done. Stephen Harper attempted to end this over ten years ago, but stopped due to public outcry. There will be no public outcry this time, just a sad epitaph and memorial to another victim of the gig economy.

We want things to be immediate, convenient, and cheap. Why would you shop at a grocery store, clothing store, or even a record store when you can open your browser and click on the item you wish to purchase, and it will arrive at your doorstep the next morning or be delivered directly to your hard drive in that moment?

Ever remember walking into a McDonald's and seeing easily 13 cash registers in a line, each with an employee eagerly waiting to take your order? Now you see one till and several self-serve kiosks where you place your order manually to a significantly reduced crew preparing food.

The same applies to the supermarket industry, where cashiers were replaced with self-serve checkouts, which we gleefully used without a thought for the human cost.

Now you don't even have to go into the store - you can order what you want online and pick it up at the store, or it will be conveniently dropped off at your door.

Yes, our habits as we consume carry significant weight in today's shame and blame economy.

As storefronts shut their doors due to high overhead and a lack of traditional consumer practices, where has this left us? Now I am just as guilty as the next person of using online shopping platforms. Karen and I spend our dollars as much as possible at local farmers' markets and other small, locally owned businesses. Still, the immediacy of the gig economy has certainly caught up with us as well. Sadly, those dollars go global rather than supporting our local small businesses.

Recently, due to Trump's relationship with Canada, a Growing number of Canadians are moving away from the convenience of the global gig economy to buying and shopping local. However, it is going to take the Country as a whole, citizens and governments alike to stop the blame and shame and build constructive solutions to bring us into the twenty-second century.

Technology has shuttered a once flourishing service sector

 The complex realities of technological advancement have finally dealt a deathblow to the Canadian Post Office and the remainder of a once-flourishing service sector. The once job-filled service sector has been replaced by the very same automation that shut down the once massive assembly lines of companies like General Motors and Ford.  

The Carney Government is currently considering changes that may impact up to 55,000 Canadian postal workers. The post office, whose unions were once influential, now faces challenges to its sustainability as a crown corporation. Door-to-door delivery service is expected to be discontinued, marking a significant shift from what has traditionally been a part of Canadians' everyday lives.  

Also, there will be the frequency of delivery. Of residential services. 

Like anything else affected by technology, the ways Canadians do business have changed, and the need for a labour component continues to push traditional service sector jobs out of the marketplace. 

Following Minister Joël Lightbound's recent announcement regarding the Post Office, and Loblaws' decision to acquire several new autonomous delivery trucks for its stores, it is evident that robotics and automation are steadily transforming the Canadian service industry. This trend mirrors the technological advancements that profoundly impacted large automotive assembly lines. 

Suppose there ever was a question on anyone's mind about the negative impacts of changes in the very way our day-to-day lives exist. In that case, these two announcements should stand as a vanguard and foreshadowing of things that will ultimately continue to follow, as technological advancements improve with each passing day and more service jobs are wiped out in their wake.  

John Naisbitt, author of the 1982 book Megatrends, made these predictions years ago. It appears that few municipal, provincial, or federal lawmakers considered the underlying impact on Canadian workers. Many seemed unaware—or perhaps chose to overlook—the significant costs in human capital resulting from these technological advancements. 

For the consumer, most just enjoyed the convenience these advancements gave to us without a thought of the human cost to the equation.  

At the core of Adam Smith’s economic principles lies the investment in human capital. However, this foundational aspect has increasingly been overshadowed by substantial financial resources being allocated to technological advancements. At the same time, comparatively fewer funds are directed toward the development of human capital in capital works projects. 

Canadians, along with workers globally, have observed a consistent decline in purchasing power, while both consumer and public debt levels have continued to increase significantly. 

Observing political leaders address the extensive economic challenges suggests they may be overlooking key issues and appear unable to identify solutions to questions that have persisted since the onset of the technological boom in the 1980s. 

Technological advancement is an ongoing process that cannot be reversed. Within the private sector, corporations often prioritize maximizing profits for shareholders and CEOs, which can result in diminishing roles and reduced wages for workers. As a consequence, the stability once associated with factory employment and the middle class has increasingly declined over time. 

The squeeze that is being felt by Canadians, as well as those in the USA, has reverted to this vicious racial backlash, highlighted and mirrored by the rhetoric of not only the Carney Government but the MAGA movements, both in the USA and the Maple MAGA promoted by the Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre.  

Many stakeholders tend to assign blame to one another, apparently in an effort to distract the public from the lack of substantive solutions to the underlying issue. This issue has warranted serious attention annually since the 1980s. 

The opportunity for governmental intervention has passed, resulting in increasing unrest in public spaces as an escalating number of individuals are affected by ongoing economic stagnation and challenges in social dialogue. 

The central question is how this will conclude and what impact it will have on humanity. 

Getting A Solid Knock On the Head Did Not Change Much (THANKS NEROSUGRGERY TEAM ON 4A AT THE UOFA HOSPITAL)

 If anything, a good knock on the head proves that your perception is between where reality ends and illusion begins. Six staples and a single stitch have once again proved that my head, however hard and steadfast, comes with a limited time warranty, much like a Midas muffler or Fram oil filter guarantee.  

For the last seven days or more, I have lived a life outside my own mind as my brain begins the process of healing. The reality of the headache I was experiencing was far less amusing than that of the systematic illusions that came with my brain doing a major U-turn.

 With the use of the constitutional right to free speech draining faster than my bathwater in the States, as well as in Canada, my head actually was able to transport me to Neverland, where none of the goings on and other shenanigans could penetrate or fill my skull with nonsensical, beyond reasonable and hateful rhetorical bias for the first time in months. 

But like the guarantees, everything has an expiration date, and my healing began. Only to realise that upon awakening from my imagination, those who are responsible for our very own well-being have once again tripped from the imaginable to the delusional while I slumbered. Providing me with far more stories to share on my blog than I have hard disk space for.  

Most can see now where this all ends. But perhaps we can always imagine a far better place where harmony, democracy, and community once again become the cornerstones of a better world.  

A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, and orderlies at the University of Alberta Hospital for ensuring my brain was restored to its proper place. You’re amazing!

As Canada's jobless numbers grow higher, Canadians have every right to be upset with the Governments across the Country.

 

Carney's firm stance on maintaining the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program has attracted considerable scrutiny. Nonetheless, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also bears some responsibility, given his previous role as Minister of Employment and Social Development in the Harper Government, where he oversaw policies regarding the use and management of temporary foreign workers. If Mr. Poilievre is now committed to ending the program, it is relevant to consider his past position when he was directly responsible for its administration.

A significant factor, and likely the primary reason for Poilievre's stance, appears to be related to voting considerations and political strategy. Essentially, this approach is characterised by rhetoric rather than substantive action, even when there was an opportunity to address a programme that has had adverse effects on Canadian youth and on the millions of Temporary Foreign Workers admitted under temporary work permits.

The unemployment rate among Canadian youth aged 15 to 25 is currently estimated at approximately 15 percent. This figure rises notably when including those receiving social assistance, as well as employable youth residing with family due to discouragement or those without benefits living on the streets—groups not captured in federal statistics. The absence of data regarding these populations complicates efforts to accurately assess the overall magnitude of unemployment, which may constitute a considerably high and socially concerning figure.

Government Statistics report those of that age living in Poverty to be over 27 per cent, but the numbers are not reflective of the sheer numbers of our young people living with this burden.

Mark Carney has decided to maintain the current program, citing a shortage of Canadians available to replace Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in existing roles. Media analysts have raised concerns about ending the program and occasionally highlight that some criticisms may be shaped by bias. Within the Conservative party, a diversity of viewpoints contributes to an ongoing dialogue on this matter. At present, no alternative plan has been presented as Canada prepares to welcome 100,000 additional TFWs.

Carney, like Poilievre, is advancing his position and utilising his arguments for comparable political purposes. The Liberal Party's primary support base is located within the densely populated urban regions of the Canadian electoral landscape, particularly in areas such as The Golden Horseshoe, Montreal, and Vancouver, which feature significant immigrant and ethnically diverse populations. Discontinuing the program may be perceived by recent immigrants or individuals who have attained landed status as a critique of both immigration and cultural diversity. Given the narrow margins reflected in current polling data, only a slight shift in voter support would be required to return the House of Commons to Conservative control.

This has contributed to ongoing concerns at the provincial level regarding the long-term impact of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, particularly in relation to higher education, trades training, and access to these opportunities. Universities and colleges have grown increasingly dependent on international students. With the recent substantial decline in foreign student admissions, many institutions are now discontinuing specific programs or, in some cases, facing closure.

Access to trades training in Canada remains limited, and many positions requiring skilled tradespeople are increasingly filled by certified workers entering the country under Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) permits to support significant projects or infrastructure development. Employers often prefer this approach as it allows them to avoid long-term investments in workforce training, opting instead to bring in qualified professionals on TFW terms that typically last three years or more.

This is wrong on so many levels and does nothing but harm the opportunities of young and older Canadians who live and reside here. Again, no one is taking action on this problem, and it is intensifying, consuming an entire generation in its wake.

Canadian youth are facing significant challenges and concerns regarding the actions of all levels of government. Many Canadians, across different age groups, express dissatisfaction with how democratic institutions have served them. Questions are being raised about the conduct and decision-making of leaders such as Mr. Carney, Mr. Poilievre, and their provincial counterparts. Young people in Canada are facing challenges in integrating effectively into society, which is prompting concern about future opportunities and the country's direction for the next generation.

 

 

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As Parliament Resumes Sitting it Remains Unclear What Direction Canada Will Go

 

With everything back in place, Canadians will get their first hard look at the Carney Administration's plans for the upcoming year and into the future, where uncertainty and instability seem to reign over Carney and his Cabinet for the foreseeable future. Canadians will be watching closely at what transpires. 

This morning, he emerged from his cabinet planning and priorities meeting, telling Canadians that the budget being brought down is one of austerity and growth. If this sounds like an oxymoron to you, it is! fear not; you have not awoken to a new reality where you will somehow get both.

Carney, who is, by and large, a conservative by any other definition, is likely to do more harm than good, ultimately failing to achieve any significant recovery or major projects in the process. What he intends to do is to rob Peter to Pay Paul.

His austerity program is going to make considerable cuts to the federal public service and programs. Having seen this play out throughout Canadian History, his next act will be cutting back transfers to the provinces, downloading critical funding cuts to vital provincial programs such as Medicare.

So, the plan is to stabilise Canada by destabilising it, by clawing back transfers, and laying off people or outsourcing work customarily performed by public servants to private companies.

Now, without knowing the specifics of the budget's allocation, it might be too soon to take a shot in the dark on this. Still, considering past practice in austerity measures, the future seems almost predetermined. It is a fair question for the administration to consider just how deep they plan to cut programs, transfers, and services.

This will be a far cry from the elbows-up big show that the Liberals hijacked from the Resistance Movement cause, with its leading spokesman, former NDP member of parliament, Charlie Angus, watching both Carney and Poilievre and the twists and turns the two are going to dance together to.

Poilievre still appears to be heading down a very slippery slope, attempting to incite anger.  This time, it is the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP). Now, this program I was against from the start, it allowed for the systematic abuse of workers from other countries while taking away vital opportunities for young Canadians to develop skills and build a better future for themselves. It also allowed Provincial Governments the ability not to change minimum wages across the country to a more just living wage. Basically, it was a modern version of slavery without the whip or chains.

Last night I sat back and listened to the political pundits crying racism and the fact that Canadians would never take these jobs. Yes, I will agree with them in one part, and that is, Poilievre runs the risk of using the language that he does, of creating a racial backlash against TFWs, as well as other Canadians of ethnic origins. This is becoming increasingly evident on YouTube and other social media, as hate, described as some so-called news story, is poisoning and agitating the public at large.

Many Canadians, including younger individuals, have historically relied on these positions to achieve significant milestones, such as purchasing their first vehicle or financing their education. There is no justification for attaching stigma to these roles, as the perception of such work as inferior lacks merit. Employment at all levels holds value; however, government policy needs to ensure adequate compensation through appropriate legislation. Notably, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program was implemented, in part, to facilitate the stagnation of minimum wages, having been introduced by Jason Kenney with the involvement of Pierre Poilievre.

Yes, the program must come to an end, and those in the country must be sent back. I know it sounds mean-spirited, but according to the news report from yesterday, there are 2.9  million people here on temporary permits. Which works out to be 7.1 per cent of the population. Far too many to house and sustain without affecting Canadians and future Canadians as a whole.

For the New Democrats, it appears that they remain stuck in the realm of identity politics and have forgotten the fundamental principles that led to the creation of the CCF. Judging by the rules set down in the leadership race, those administering the NDP are not prepared to budge from this, which now holds little or no relevance in Canadians' minds. Canadians do not care if you are straight or LGBTQ+ anymore. If you need proof, attend any Pride march or festival. A more significant indication of this is the growing backlash against Alberta Smith's government's book bans in school libraries. Clearly, the Federal NDP is lost in an endless cycle of self-destruction. Don Davies could try to change this, but as an interim leader, I suspect he feels in an impossible position.  

Regardless of the results of the fall session, once all matters have been settled, it is likely that Canadians will face another election, engaging with familiar debates rather than focusing on opportunities for future progress.

What we need in his country is not hate spin doctoring or rhetorical bantering back and forth. What we need is leadership and a clear vision of what the Canada we love should strive to be in the future!