Podcasts about public interest alberta

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Take Back Alberta supporters in the United Conservative Party arguably want to take Albertans out of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and substitute an “Alberta Pension Plan” (APP). Given its possible long-term effect on the lives of Albertans, this should have been one of the more important issues in the recent election campaign. Instead, the Premier refused to discuss it at all, and now the provincial government is spending more than 7.5 million dollars promoting the plan. This means that Albertans don't have meaningful information about the proposed new plan. The benefit structure is likely to be similar to the CPP (although probably not identical), but the risks are many … Join us to hear Brad Lafortune discuss the specifics about how the CPP works. He will also discuss what civil society, businesses, seniors, and many Albertans are doing to come together to make sure CPP is there for all Albertans – and all Canadians – for generations to come. Speaker: Brad Lafortune, Public Interest Alberta Brad has worked most of his life on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta as an advocate for worker rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. Before becoming ED at PIA, Brad served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Labour for the Alberta New Democrat government, where he helped implement Alberta's $15 dollar minimum wage and set up North America's first Coal Workforce Transition Fund. Organizing, advocacy, and political action that centers on real stories and builds power are the principles that guide Brad's work. He is committed to building diverse, inclusive, and equitable networks with Public Interest Alberta to help shape our province's future. When he's not working on campaigns or advocacy work, you can find Brad running around with his brilliant daughter Maven and their dog, Rufio.

Is leaving the Canada Pension Plan in the best interest of all Albertans – and do most of us event want to leave the safety of the CPP for the unknown of a Provincial Pension Plan? We asked Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta for his take on the controversial numbers and the response he's getting from Albertans. Continuing the conversation on the proposed APP, or Alberta Pension Plan, we asked for the thoughts of Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams. We asked the professor for her perspective on the plan - and what the road to a potential referendum might look like. It's a new invention that might just eliminate the risk of concussion in the world of sport…and it was created by a US college student. With details on this “stabilizing hood” and how it works, we got a check up with our “on-call family physician”, Dr. Ted Jablonski.

We begin with a look at the details surrounding the newly released Provincial budget. We get reaction from ‘Mount Royal University' Political Science Professor, Duane Bratt. Is the latest budget in the best public interest or just a political posturing tool for the UCP government ahead of the Spring Provincial election? We discuss with Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Finally, Artificial intelligence will forever change the way students are graded. So, how can our education system keep up with changing technology and safeguard against cheating on exams and assignments? We get the thoughts of Louis Volante, Professor of Education Governance at ‘Brock University'.

We begin with our weekly conversation Mayor Jyoti Gondek. The Mayor just returned from Los Angeles, where she attended the premier of HBO's new season of “The Last of Us” - which was shot right here in Calgary. We ask the Mayor about the impact TV and Film productions have, economically - for the city. Next week you can sign-up to take advantage of Alberta's affordability measures, but who qualifies - and do these measures go far enough? We discuss the program with Bradley Lafortune – Executive Director of ‘Public Interest Alberta'. One of the biggest names to come out of Calgary has to be Bret "The Hitman" Hart. We catch up with the wrestling hall-of-famer for his thoughts on the current ‘crop' of wrestling superstars – and why he still chooses to call Calgary home.  Finally -- ready to tackle that home improvement project this year? We speak with former CFL'er turned home renovation specialist Sebastian Clovis to get advice to help you get started – and to hear details on his latest HGTV show, “Gut Job”.

Guest:  Dr. David Este, Adjunct Professor of Social Work, University of Calgary & collaborator on We are the Roots, Jay Cameron, lawyer, litigation director, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, Dale Swampy, President of the National Coalition of Chiefs, Sarah Teich, a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and a counter-terrorism researcher, and Joel French, Executive Director  of Public Interest Alberta See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support this podcast! Alberta is the only province in the country that allows charter schools, and Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party has now removed the cap that had limited their expansion. Joel French, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, joins Team Advantage to discuss the first new charter school in Alberta in 13 years, opening about 50km from Edmonton. Why a new charter school— in the same location a public school recently closed? How does this relate to the broader changes that are happening within Alberta's public education system? Follow Joel French on Twitter @JoelFrench, and follow Public Interest Alberta's work at pialberta.org and @PIAlberta.

Kevin Bittman from Unifor 594 in Regina, Saskatchewan discusses impending lockout for Co-op refinery workers. http://www.unifor594.com/ Mike Espenell, from IBEW 2034 discusses how Brian Pallister’s cuts to Manitoba Hydro have impacted Hydro’s ability to respond to last week’s snow storm, which knocked out power for nearly 50,000 Manitobans. https://www.ibew2034.com/ Jeff Traeger, President of UFCW Local 832 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides an update on the long saga of workers at Winnipeg’s popular restaurant chain Stella’s fighting to improve toxic workplace conditions. http://ufcw832.com/node/8346 Joel French, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, discusses Jason Kenney’s minimum wage freeze, effective October 1. https://www.pialberta.org/ Also: Edmonton' Climate Strike organizer Emma Jackson sends message to oil & gas workers, Unifor Crown Corporations reach a tentative agreement with the Province of Saskatchewan after 5,000 went on a 17 day strike, and Canadian Labour Congress Staffers strike over pensions, wages, and changes to anti-harassment policy. Support CLC Workers on Strike http://iamdl78.org/clcstrike/

Alberta's minimum wage is now "frozen," which means it will slowly be eroded by inflation. How many minimum- or low-wage workers are there in Alberta, and what do they look like? Joel French, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, joins Team Advantage to examine the consequences of the wage freeze, consider who's affected, discuss the realities of low-wage housing, and think on what to do about that pesky 1%. Twitter: @JoelFrench and @PIAlberta Read PIA's report here: https://www.pialberta.org/lowwage2019 Read the CCPA's report here: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/unaccommodating Read about the 1% doing great here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-s-top-1-per-cent-saw-fastest-income-acceleration-overall-decrease-in-taxes-1.4609196

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta's Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta's Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta's Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Of all the developed countries with universal, single-payer health care systems, Canada is the only one that does not include coverage for prescription drugs. There are currently 23 different public drug and supplementary plans within Alberta alone, but they provide benefits for just 20% of Albertans. Within Canada we have a patchwork of drug coverage, with more than 100,000 different drug and supplementary plans, yet, 1 in 10 Canadians cannot afford their prescription drugs. Even if we factor in private and work plans, which cannot be relied upon, the cost of plans are expensive and copayments are cost-prohibitive. Another major shortcoming of our current patchwork system is the costly burden to our health care system, and most importantly, the human costs caused by the financial barriers to necessary and life- saving medications. This results in expensive hospitalization and ultimately, in far too many cases, death. In a 2015 Angus Reid Poll, 91% of Canadians (92% of Albertans) supported a National Pharmacare Plan. Our health care system is at the cusp of a historical expansion unmatched since the inception of Medicare. The federal government, along with their provincial counterparts, is currently in conversations as to what the implementation of a national pharmacare program would look like. It has taken decades of advocacy to reach this momentous tipping point. The speaker will argue that this is a critical moment politically and explain why Friends of Medicare supports the establishment of a single-payer national pharmacare program with universal coverage for all Canadians. Speaker: Sandra Azocar Sandra Azocar has been an advocate for a fair and equal society for more than 30 years in Alberta. Her past experience includes working as a child protection worker, and volunteer work within the Chilean community as well as the labour movement. She has served in many positions in the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) including Vice-President from 2007-2012. Sandra had also served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Medicare for 6 years prior to becoming the Executive Director in 2012. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Health Coalition, Public Interest Alberta and the Board of the Chilean Canadian Cultural Society. She is an oft-quoted, tireless advocate for the protection and improvement of the Alberta's Public health Care system. Moderator: Robert Campbell Date: Thursday, Jan 24, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Joel French, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta

Alberta's budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year's budget. Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta's children. The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system. Speaker: Joel French Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization's Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College. He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network. Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Alberta's budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year's budget. Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta's children. The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system. Speaker: Joel French Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization's Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College. He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network. Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Alberta's budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year's budget. Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta's children. The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system. Speaker: Joel French Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization's Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College. He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network. Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Alberta's budget documents show that our tax system is grossly inferior to that of every other province in the country at raising revenue. Applying the tax system of any other province to Alberta would raise us a minimum of $11.2 billion in additional annual revenue, more than covering the projected $8.8-billion deficit in this year's budget. Protecting our public services from cuts is perhaps the most important reason to fix our tax system, but there are also other good reasons to do so. Universal pharmaceutical coverage could become part of our public health-care system and would actually be a net saving for Albertans while improving the health of our population. Classroom sizes in our schools have gradually increased over time, so fixing our revenue shortage and hiring more teachers would improve the student-teacher ratio to provide higher quality education for Alberta's children. The speaker will argue that reliance on non-renewable resource revenues and the present tax regime is unsustainable. There are two clear paths in front of us and Albertans will need to choose one sooner or later. One path is massive cuts to our public services, meaning big drops in the quality and accessibility of our health-care and education systems. Alternatively, our tax system can be renovated to raise significantly more revenue by implementing a sales tax and making changes to our personal income tax system. Speaker: Joel French Joel is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta, a position he has held since 2015. He previously served as the organization's Communications Coordinator and has also served in staff positions with Friends of Medicare and former Alberta NDP Leader Brian Mason. He has a degree in Middle Eastern and African Studies and Religious Studies from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Computer Systems Technology from Lakeland College. He has worked on election campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels for progressive candidates. He also currently serves in positions that help guide the work of the Parkland Institute, the Next Up youth leadership program, and the Alberta Green Economy Network. Moderator: Shannan Little Date: Thursday, September 20, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

The legendary "Alberta Advantage". This narrative pushed an Alberta that enabled the entrepreneurial, can-do image that supposedly made the province special. Where taxation was so low, so far under the average of the rest of the country, that any hiccup in world markets for carbon based energy would create a black hole in the provincial ledger. Fear not, King Ralph Klein will defend the Alberta Advantage. By firing teachers, nurses and any other provincial employees he could find. By blowing up hospitals and not replacing them. By refusing to repair or build schools. By refusing to invest in transportation infrastructure. By refusing to collect realistic royalties for one-time natural resources. By refusing to speak the words Sales Tax. When the writing was on the wall, Ralph got out before it all hit the fan. This mythology stayed until the end of the PC Dynasty and exists to a degree in today's Alberta. The latest oil crash happened before the Notley government took the reigns. Now they take the blame for deficits that keep Alberta running with over a million more residents than Ralph's dreamland had. If Alberta had a level of revenue of the closest province to them in taxation, it would bring in over $11 billion more every year. The deficit would be gone with room to spare. Public Interest Alberta is a non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on education and advocacy on public interest issues and the spaces, institutions and services in Albertans' everyday lives. "Revenue Reno" is their campaign to bring the discussion on chronic systemic underfunding of Alberta's public services into the light. PIA Executive Director Joel French joins The View Up Here to discuss the inevitable result of not changing course and the possibilities available with commitment to them, politics be damned. https://www.revenuereno.ca/  

Joel French, executive director of Public Interest Alberta, reflects on the annual convention which wrapped up Friday in Edmonton.

With Joel French Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. 

In this conversation Joel French, executive director of non-partisan advocacy group Public Interest Alberta, discusses Premier Rachel Notley's realpolitik approach to Kinder Morgan, considers levels of enthusiasm for federal NDP leadership candidates in the province and reflects on the successes, failures and contradictions of Alberta's first NDP government .

The Alberta NDP's historic 2015 victory was a direct result of a severely dysfunctional right wing political culture in the province. Despite a combined 51% of the vote, the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties won just 30 of the 86 seats in Edmonton’s legislature. But a merger of the two parties this summer has led to rapprochement and an ongoing leadership campaign to head the United Conservative Party. Major candidates Brian Jean and Jason Kenney are currently running even in the polls and while the Kenney campaign has been light on substance, Brian Jean has released a detailed, extensive and very frightening platform outlining an extremist vision for Alberta. In this conversation, Joel French of advocacy group Public Interest Alberta discusses the leadership race and explains why the proposals in Jean's platform would be a disaster for the province.

Should the government cease providing support for private schools? Public Interest Alberta is recommending just that, Public Interest Alberta Board Chair Larry Booi joins Rob to explain why. 

Joel French, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta and Angela Pitt, MLA for Airdrie and Critic for Human Services join Angela Kokott to talk about the pros and cons of the NDP government's new $25 a day daycare. 

A recent report from the right-wing Fraser Institute unwittingly makes the case against its own findings on public funding of private education in Canada. In this conversation, Joel French, executive director of advocacy group Public Interest Alberta, expands on his recent article at Ricochet critiquing the study’s conclusions. To find out more about Public Interest Alberta and their advocacy work, go to pialberta.org.

The latest provincial budget is going to impact on many Alberta families and communities very hard. We are told that there needs to be cuts to many essential public services due to the current deficit, but when you look deeper at the budget, you see that there are many choices that the government is making that clearly do not support what matters most to Albertans. In this talk, the speaker will not only explore how the provincial budget is affecting our communities and families, but will also talk about what we can do to advocate for a better vision for Alberta. Speaker Bill Moore-Kilgannon Bill Moore-Kilgannon is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Prior to joining Public Interest Alberta, he worked in Ottawa as the Director of Campaigns and Communications of the Council of Canadians from 2001 – 2004 and he was the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta from 1997 - 2001. Earlier, Bill was the coordinator of the Global Visions Festival from 1992 – 1997 and he also makes documentary videos (most recent production is a video about the music, art and theatre of street children in Nicaragua). Bill studied Canadian and Latin American history, political science and economics at the University of Alberta and l”Unversité de Sherbrooke, and speaks French and Spanish. To compliment his well rounded work experiences, Bill has lent a hand fighting forest fires in Alberta.

The latest provincial budget is going to impact on many Alberta families and communities very hard. We are told that there needs to be cuts to many essential public services due to the current deficit, but when you look deeper at the budget, you see that there are many choices that the government is making that clearly do not support what matters most to Albertans. In this talk, the speaker will not only explore how the provincial budget is affecting our communities and families, but will also talk about what we can do to advocate for a better vision for Alberta. Speaker Bill Moore-Kilgannon Bill Moore-Kilgannon is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Prior to joining Public Interest Alberta, he worked in Ottawa as the Director of Campaigns and Communications of the Council of Canadians from 2001 – 2004 and he was the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta from 1997 - 2001. Earlier, Bill was the coordinator of the Global Visions Festival from 1992 – 1997 and he also makes documentary videos (most recent production is a video about the music, art and theatre of street children in Nicaragua). Bill studied Canadian and Latin American history, political science and economics at the University of Alberta and l”Unversité de Sherbrooke, and speaks French and Spanish. To compliment his well rounded work experiences, Bill has lent a hand fighting forest fires in Alberta.

The latest provincial budget is going to impact on many Alberta families and communities very hard. We are told that there needs to be cuts to many essential public services due to the current deficit, but when you look deeper at the budget, you see that there are many choices that the government is making that clearly do not support what matters most to Albertans. In this talk, the speaker will not only explore how the provincial budget is affecting our communities and families, but will also talk about what we can do to advocate for a better vision for Alberta. Speaker Bill Moore-Kilgannon Bill Moore-Kilgannon is the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. Prior to joining Public Interest Alberta, he worked in Ottawa as the Director of Campaigns and Communications of the Council of Canadians from 2001 – 2004 and he was the Executive Director of the Parkland Institute at the University of Alberta from 1997 - 2001. Earlier, Bill was the coordinator of the Global Visions Festival from 1992 – 1997 and he also makes documentary videos (most recent production is a video about the music, art and theatre of street children in Nicaragua). Bill studied Canadian and Latin American history, political science and economics at the University of Alberta and l”Unversité de Sherbrooke, and speaks French and Spanish. To compliment his well rounded work experiences, Bill has lent a hand fighting forest fires in Alberta.

Alberta appears to be moving towards a serious water crisis. Climate change is causing rapid melting of the glaciers and decreasing snowpack on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the source of most Alberta's water. Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada and this growing population is centered in the southern most, driest region of the province. Industry and agriculture continue to thirst for more water to expand their operations; but as rivers are beginning and expected to continue to decline, the water limits are becoming evident. An Our Water Is Not For Sale (OWINF) working group came together in 2010 when it became apparent the Alberta government was planning on changing Alberta's current water allocation system to a market based system. The proposed water market system could give wealthy and powerful individuals and companies better access and control over Alberta's already over allocated water resources. OWINF believes the proposed water markets would have insufficient conservation tools and would promote the use of nearly all flowing water. Furthermore, the market system gives those with the most money such as industry, including oil and gas explorations and large-scale agriculture, the ability to compete with municipalities for water. This could leave rivers and streams with very limited amounts of clean water flow. Speakers: Julia Dalman and Kevin Force Julia Dalman is currently the Environmental Intern for Public Interest Alberta working on the Our Water Is Not For Sale campaign. She has a Bsc with a major in Biology and a minor in International studies from the University of Alberta. Julia believes in community engagement and volunteer work and has a passion for gardening and cooking food believing it to be a 'gateway drug' to community engagement and activism. At U of A, Julia became a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Center on campus and is still involved now. She is also part of a youth leadership program called Next Up. Kevin Force is a water educator for the Sierra Club. Kevin has been active in student politics with the Council of Canadians University of Alberta Chapter helping to build awareness and advocacy for progressive energy, trade and water policies. Passionate about environmental and social justice, Kevin is taking his talents and expertise to community groups in Alberta, building awareness about OWINF network and how water in Alberta is affected by climate change, over-allocation and pollution, while advocating for provincial protection that prioritize water rights for human needs and future generations. He has his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Certificate of Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta.

Alberta appears to be moving towards a serious water crisis. Climate change is causing rapid melting of the glaciers and decreasing snowpack on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the source of most Alberta's water. Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada and this growing population is centered in the southern most, driest region of the province. Industry and agriculture continue to thirst for more water to expand their operations; but as rivers are beginning and expected to continue to decline, the water limits are becoming evident. An Our Water Is Not For Sale (OWINF) working group came together in 2010 when it became apparent the Alberta government was planning on changing Alberta's current water allocation system to a market based system. The proposed water market system could give wealthy and powerful individuals and companies better access and control over Alberta's already over allocated water resources. OWINF believes the proposed water markets would have insufficient conservation tools and would promote the use of nearly all flowing water. Furthermore, the market system gives those with the most money such as industry, including oil and gas explorations and large-scale agriculture, the ability to compete with municipalities for water. This could leave rivers and streams with very limited amounts of clean water flow. Speakers: Julia Dalman and Kevin Force Julia Dalman is currently the Environmental Intern for Public Interest Alberta working on the Our Water Is Not For Sale campaign. She has a Bsc with a major in Biology and a minor in International studies from the University of Alberta. Julia believes in community engagement and volunteer work and has a passion for gardening and cooking food believing it to be a 'gateway drug' to community engagement and activism. At U of A, Julia became a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Center on campus and is still involved now. She is also part of a youth leadership program called Next Up. Kevin Force is a water educator for the Sierra Club. Kevin has been active in student politics with the Council of Canadians University of Alberta Chapter helping to build awareness and advocacy for progressive energy, trade and water policies. Passionate about environmental and social justice, Kevin is taking his talents and expertise to community groups in Alberta, building awareness about OWINF network and how water in Alberta is affected by climate change, over-allocation and pollution, while advocating for provincial protection that prioritize water rights for human needs and future generations. He has his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Certificate of Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta.

Alberta appears to be moving towards a serious water crisis. Climate change is causing rapid melting of the glaciers and decreasing snowpack on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the source of most Alberta's water. Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada and this growing population is centered in the southern most, driest region of the province. Industry and agriculture continue to thirst for more water to expand their operations; but as rivers are beginning and expected to continue to decline, the water limits are becoming evident. An Our Water Is Not For Sale (OWINF) working group came together in 2010 when it became apparent the Alberta government was planning on changing Alberta's current water allocation system to a market based system. The proposed water market system could give wealthy and powerful individuals and companies better access and control over Alberta's already over allocated water resources. OWINF believes the proposed water markets would have insufficient conservation tools and would promote the use of nearly all flowing water. Furthermore, the market system gives those with the most money such as industry, including oil and gas explorations and large-scale agriculture, the ability to compete with municipalities for water. This could leave rivers and streams with very limited amounts of clean water flow. Speakers: Julia Dalman and Kevin Force Julia Dalman is currently the Environmental Intern for Public Interest Alberta working on the Our Water Is Not For Sale campaign. She has a Bsc with a major in Biology and a minor in International studies from the University of Alberta. Julia believes in community engagement and volunteer work and has a passion for gardening and cooking food believing it to be a 'gateway drug' to community engagement and activism. At U of A, Julia became a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Center on campus and is still involved now. She is also part of a youth leadership program called Next Up. Kevin Force is a water educator for the Sierra Club. Kevin has been active in student politics with the Council of Canadians University of Alberta Chapter helping to build awareness and advocacy for progressive energy, trade and water policies. Passionate about environmental and social justice, Kevin is taking his talents and expertise to community groups in Alberta, building awareness about OWINF network and how water in Alberta is affected by climate change, over-allocation and pollution, while advocating for provincial protection that prioritize water rights for human needs and future generations. He has his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Certificate of Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta.