Commentary – An evening thrill
Jeff Burgar My wife has one of two voices. The first is “Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.” This happens often. If we are watching television or a movie. “Holy cow,” I will say, “What the heck gives…
All Stories
A lost economic opportunity
Joseph Quesnel,Research Associate, Frontier Centre for Public Policy,Courtesy of Troy Media. A World Heritage Site designation continues to prevent development of one of the largest cobalt and copper deposits in North America. That lack of development is denying opportunities for…
Editorial – Much wrong with new aid
Jeff Burgar In a live presentation last week, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney made his case for his government’s new “add on” grant to help Alberta business. This new grant, which may be applied for beginning in April, is on top…
Commentary – We all have mental health
Pearl Lorentzen Five out of five people have mental health. Every single one of us have emotions, a mind, and a soul [although not everyone agrees what this looks like]. How do we maintain positive mental health so that we…
Editorial – More “Do as I say”
Jeff Burgar We always say volunteers on local government boards, like museum and library and other groups that operate on taxpayer money, should be paid to attend the meetings. An argument is often made, if you want good councillors, you…
Commentary – We will get there someday
Chris Clegg It was a spirited debate Feb. 10 at the M.D. of Smoky River meeting between some councillors and climate change co-ordinator Emily Plihal. Councillor Donald Dumont, it is fair to say, is not the biggest fan of climate…
Editorial – A living history lesson
Jeff Burgar Bill Murray fans enjoy his old movies! Ghostbusters holds up well. Caddyshack is great and of course, Groundhog Day is an annual favourite when Feb. 2 rolls around. It being the season, and seeing it was on many…
Commentary – Down the rabbit hole with very weird words
Joe McWilliams Words can lead you down some strange rabbit holes. Or does it go without saying a rabbit hole is strange?How would I know? I’ve never actually been down one. Metaphorically, though. It happens often when constructing a crossword…
Editorial – Seatbelt laws took forever, too
Jeff Burgar You think something is not right in the world? Complain to your government! They will happily jump at most opportunities to pass a law against that wrongness. Naturally, depending how bad the supposed item is deemed, there might…
Commentary – Will we have more fun in 2021?
Richard Froese That’s the big question everyone wants to know as another new year is underway. Will we have more fun in 2021? What restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic will be relaxed in 2021 to allow people to gather in…
Editorial – Nothing to lose badmouthing
Jeff Burgar Last week, we wrote about different approaches to Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pat Rehn used by some local governments. The Town of Slave Lake threw Rehn under the bus. Town of High Prairie not at all. Big Lakes…
Commentary – Dumb and dumber
Jeff Burgar Although it seems like we Canadians have only two “real” political parties, Liberals and Conservatives, in fact we have more. New Democrats. Greens. Bloc. Maxine Bernier’s party, which is so famous we can’t remember its name. If Canada…
Editorial – The ice was getting thin
Jeff Burgar Are you a glass half-full person? Or the same glass half-empty? Do you believe you will attract more flies with honey than with vinegar? Decide. Then look at some municipal government councils in the region over Lesser Slave…
Commentary – Choose escape and engagement
Pearl Lorentzen Last week, Chris Clegg decried the invasion of serious causes within typical avenues of escapism. On the one hand, I agree. With COVID, social unrest, and economic uncertainty, it would be nice for former modes of escapism to…
Editorial – Too often ‘Do as I say’
Jeff Burgar Two weeks ago, you might have said, if the name came up, “Pat who?” Now? Well, he apologized for his trips out of country and his Christmas photo from Mexico, even while telling his people ‘Save Lives. Stay…