Opinions
Guest Column: ‘Just spend more’ is not sound fiscal policy
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 29th, 2017
As we pass the midway mark in the federal government’s mandate, it’s clear that the only guiding principle for fiscal policy is “just spend more.” Spending more, regardless of economic conditions, is not sound policy. It seriously risks the country’s finances and is all too reminiscent of the 1960s and ’70s, which took Canada almost ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Ezekiel is the victim, not his parents
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 28th, 2017
David and Collet Stephan are not victims. The couple paint themselves as such, following the extensive legal battle in which they were convicted last year of failing to provide the necessities of life for their 19-month-old son Ezekiel who died from bacterial meningitis in 2012. The pair were convicted by a Lethbridge jury, with David ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Drug addiction should be health issue, not criminal
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 25th, 2017
Canada is currently in the midst of an opioid overdose crisis. The two most western provinces and territories — British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories — have been hit especially hard, likely due to their relative proximity to China, where much of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is produced. According to Government of ... Read More »
1 responseSimplified tax system might be the answer for government’s embattled CRA
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 24th, 2017
We have all experienced the frustration of trying to get through to a real person in government but once we are through most of us believe the information provided is accurate. Apparently not. According to Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s report this week, more than 50 per cent of the people who called Canada Revenue Agency ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MLA Report: Good news for Alberta: All economic indicators pointing in right direction
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 24th, 2017
Alberta is forecast to see real GDP rise to a staggering 6.7 per cent — more than doubling B.C.’s predicted 3.2 per cent growth rate and more than tripling Saskatchewan’s 2.1 per cent — according to the Conference Board of Canada’s latest report released this week. This is good news for Medicine Hat as Alberta ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Time to get started on the long view of flood protection
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 23rd, 2017
It is time that Albertans put the cart behind the horse when it comes to preventing major floods in southern Alberta, but unfortunately we’re still arguing about who owns the cart. More than four years after massive, damaging and widespread floods in the province, berms are mostly in place in Medicine Hat, and other communities ... Read More »
1 responseHow much genius was lost due to abusers?
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 22nd, 2017
Forgive them their trespasses, for they are a genius. This sort of sentiment has permeated the arts, politics, academics, science, business and much more over the centuries. It’s one that has given countless so-called geniuses a carte blanche when it comes to egregious of behaviour such as pedophilia, sexual harassment, bullying, racism and much more. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!National Affairs: Veterinarian’s case underscores Canada’s weak animal cruelty laws
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 22nd, 2017
How far have we come in protecting animals? Based on money spent in the pet industry, you might be forgiven for thinking we have come a long way. Many owners spend handsomely on their dogs, cats and other pets. They feed them special diets, arrange to have them walked and, in some cases, take them ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City council should consider small tax increase instead of raising facility user fees
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 18th, 2017
City council’s public works committee put forward a number of user fee increases last week to help plug the fiscal hole left by declining natural gas revenues. This gap needs certainly needs to be filled one way or another, but user fee hikes tend to hit the worst off people the hardest and should only ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!True democratic change unlikely in Zimbabwe despite removal of Robert Mugabe
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 17th, 2017
After almost 40 years as president of Zimbabwe it looks as though Robert Mugabe will be removed from office soon, one way or another. With military forces taking over, but not calling it a coup, the surprise is the almost reverential tones of other African leaders as they speak about Mugabe’s situation. Some have referred ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!New boundaries may quiet local urban voices
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 16th, 2017
Medicine Hat: Growing mid-sized city or home for retired ranchers. An increasingly urban centre or more concerned with rural issues. Are we a big city or a small town? The answer to those complex questions depends on who you ask and the current plan to redraw the region’s electoral boundaries shows that it also depends ... Read More »
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