March 29th, 2024

Opinions

Principles of justice should be at centre of jury selection process

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 22nd, 2018

It’s time for a shakeup of Canada’s jury selection process. Since the acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old Indigenous man, by an all-white jury earlier this year, the practice of peremptory challenges — where the Crown and defence each have the ability to automatically dismiss a certain number of ... Read More »

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MLA Report: Grateful for opportunities presented by free enterprise

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 21st, 2018

It’s mid-December and I wake up at home to a wonderful 3 C! Just one of many things I am grateful for, and it often happens in Cypress-Medicine Hat. We are always five degrees warmer than Edmonton. Canada is the fifth-largest exporter of food in the world and that of course reminds me to celebrate ... Read More »

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Arguments for pay raise may be compelling, but optics are bad

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 21st, 2018

This week Calgary councillors and the mayor accepted a pay reduction dictated by an annual automatic adjustment based on the average Alberta weekly earnings report. It works out to a 0.08 per cent decrease kicking in on Jan. 1, 2019. It is not a huge reduction; councillors will get about $90 less annually and the ... Read More »

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Dealing with heat over council pay

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 20th, 2018

There’s hardly a topic that attracts more heat than the pay level of politicians, or one which cannot be reasonably discussed on short notice. It’s ironic considering that — while nominal — there is no issue that probably deserves study, reflection and change. Medicine Hat council and the city at large finds itself in a ... Read More »

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On Huawei, China’s bullying stings, but U.S. undercutting is worse for Canada

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 18th, 2018

It’s bad, but quite predictable, that the Chinese government would lash out against Canadian citizens to express its anger about the arrest in Vancouver of a senior executive of Huawei Technologies. That’s how Beijing rolls: you offend us, we slap you right back, and to heck with the niceties of law or due process or ... Read More »

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Magazine’s honour highlights irony of assaults on the truth in the age of information

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 17th, 2018

All journalists enjoy getting recognition for their work. But by nature and tradition, they’d much rather tell the story than be the story. What motivates reporters, from Maryland to Myanmar, is not the desire for fame. It’s the hunger to break news, explain the world and hold the powerful accountable. A savvy reporter, if asked ... Read More »

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Shop local: the value of an enriched human nudge

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 17th, 2018

Chances are you’ve seen or heard some sort of promotion about the value of shopping local — especially with so many of us in gift-buying mode now. Business improvement areas, chambers of commerce and other organizations tell us when we buy from shops near home, we’re voting for our community. The logic is generally sound ... Read More »

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Scheer’s stance on migration pact a nod to Bernier supporters

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 15th, 2018

Conservative Party of Canada Lleader Andrew Scheer appears to be making a hard right pivot in the leadup to the 2019 election. Scheer is practically shrieking about globalists with his fact-free attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for signing the non-binding UN Pact on Global Migration. He claims that signing the agreement will limit Canada’s ... Read More »

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In cutting expenses, Canada’s politicians should lead by example

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 14th, 2018

There are some signs that people are no longer willing to just sit and wait for things to get better and pipelines to be built. A rally, Rally4Resources, has been planned for Sunday in Grand Prairie. “We anticipate this to be the largest pro-oil and gas rally in Canadian history, and it will also include ... Read More »

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Guest Column: Nature will take us in the end, when the time is right

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on December 14th, 2018

I signed off on two deaths this week. Both were expected — wanted even — after years of suffering. Both were peaceful and pain-free. Both patients were surrounded by their loved ones, had a chance to share last words, conjure up favourite memories, sing a special song. It was beautiful to witness. To these patients ... Read More »

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