Opinions
Laying it Out: Can’t change minds? Then change the system
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 25th, 2020
The conversation was about a minute-and-a-half old when he uttered the words. Neither of us had met this man before, though Jeremy and I both knew his wife a little – she had stopped at the Medicine Hat News trade show booth for a quick hello and had just introduced us to her husband. We ... Read More »
8 responsesMLA Report: New decade, fresh perspective
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 24th, 2020
With the beginning of a new decade comes a fresh opportunity for new ideas and a renewed sense of optimism. As the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, I am going into the new year with a laser focus on fulfilling the promises that I made to you, my constituents, and ensuring that our government implements the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Opinion: Prying eyes, data collectors and the potential dangers
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 24th, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade This week it was announced certain liquor stores in Edmonton will require customers to scan their personal ID before being allowed to enter the store. If that doesn’t shock you, it should. We are told ID scanning is all about addressing the number of thefts. Officials interviewed by the media said daily theft is ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Opinion: Listen to the money talk
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 23rd, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant The financial situation facing local governments will be outlined today in Edmonton as the head of Alberta’s municipalities association meets with Municipal Affairs. Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita and Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu are likely to play nice at the event, but there’s growing discord between Alberta cities and the province. There’s much unsaid ... Read More »
1 responseOpinion: Requiem for $25/day childcare
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 21st, 2020
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel Let’s face it. Twenty-five-dollar-a-day childcare is dead in the water. Sure, as Minister of Children’s Services and recent Medicine Hat News contributor Rebecca Schulz was quick to remind everyone, the three-year contracts with select daycares have simply come to an end. “The terms have not changed,” she said in statement. The 22 daycares that ... Read More »
2 responsesLaying it Out: Choose each other before it’s too late
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 18th, 2020
Austerity measures and service cuts have clearly just begun, with another “ambitious legislative agenda” set to begin Feb. 25 – as if Albertans needed more proof of what the UCP’s plan is to deal with so-called financial problems. We could contemplate the true intent behind it all – a move to sabotage the public sector ... Read More »
2 responsesMLA Report: Seeking your thoughts and ideas
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 17th, 2020
The definition of the word fair: As an adjective, “in accordance with the rules or standards.” As an adverb, “without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage.” I mention this because today at 5:30 p.m. in the Grandstand room at the Medicine Hat Stampede grounds, Alberta’s Fair Deal Panel is holding our 10th meeting. Please ... Read More »
2 responsesOpinion: Politicians are failing on the carbon tax
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 16th, 2020
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@collingallant The onset of cold weather and the federal carbon tax has Albertans up in arms once again. Convincing the general public that their money is needed to achieve government policy goals is a tough row to hoe at the best of times, but near impossible when already rocky soil is frozen solid. Adding to ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Laying it Out: If you can’t beat him, make him a distraction
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 11th, 2020
All eyes on me, and I don’t know what to say. Typical. If I didn’t suffer from crippling anxiety every time more than a dozen people are looking at me, I would probably be using this space this week to thank the United Conservatives. What they have given the Medicine Hat News in a little ... Read More »
19 responsesOpinion: What are the true costs of renewable energy?
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 10th, 2020
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The accumulation of plastic waste that is polluting our environment could have been predicted decades ago, before we all embraced plastic without thinking about the possible consequences. The same could be said about our embrace of renewable energy. It may seem to be the sensible thing to do but we should be asking ourselves ... Read More »
2 responsesGuest Column: Money invested by Children’s Services must go to those who need help the most
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 10th, 2020
Re: Laying it Out: In a world of spin and lies, you can still see the truth,” Jan. 4 In response to Scott Schmidt’s opinion column, I would like to provide some clarity around the improvements we are making to the prevention and early intervention services provided to vulnerable families. I read Schmidt’s column with ... Read More »
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