Leaked curriculum drafts in Alberta show a desire to revive old colonial myths. To face today’s challenges, we need stories that teach how humans are related to each other and to all life forms.
Beginning in September in Alberta, an individual can apply directly to the provincial government when seeking to establish a new charter school. Here, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, March 20, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
First, the United Conservative Party lifted the cap on charter schools, and now new legislation has cut school boards out of the process to establish a charter school.
A group gathers to protest against social isolation rules of the COVID-19 pandemic in Edmonton, Alta., on April 29, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
As Canadian provinces begin to ease COVID-19 restrictions, is it an exercise of one’s constitutional rights to protest or disobey those that continue to exist?
Joe Biden has vowed to kill the Keystone XL pipeline if he is elected president in November.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alex Panetta
Canadian companies depend on the international marketplace, which is demanding cleaner energy products. Without significant change, Canada’s energy sector risks being left behind.
Universities’ funding can’t be judged against metrics such as student employment or salary outcomes over which universities have little control.
(Shutterstock)
Albertans expect a draft agreement for performance-based funding for universities — but here’s why it should be scrapped.
With Alberta schools closed, Caleb Reid, 17, and his siblings are home schooling in Cremona, Alta., shown here, March 23, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
In the face of mounting crises in Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney’s decision to cut funding intended for educational assistants is bad policy.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney updates media on measures taken to help with COVID-19, in Edmonton on Friday, Mar. 20, 2020.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)
The Conservative party’s problems with social conservatism will not be solved solely by electing a new leader. An entirely new approach is required.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Chrystia Freeland meet in Edmonton after she was named deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
If successful, Chrystia Freeland could help bolster national unity and Canada’s relationships with the U.S. and Mexico. But relentless sexist attacks against her could derail progress.
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister manages to keep the red Tories of his caucus happy and appeal to urban voters in Winnipeg in a province where far-right conservatism would not fly.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Those hoping to see from Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister the fiery right-wing political rhetoric often employed by other Conservative leaders in Canada will walk away disappointed.
Maxime Bernier, leader of the People’s Party of Canada, in Ottawa on September 4. Bernier is associated with the populist movement in Canada.
The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
In this election campaign, it would be a good idea to recognize the existence of social inequalities and to rethink the issues of redistribution and social justice without giving into populism.
More testing won’t improve math achievement. Here, Alberta premier Jason Kenney with Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education, after being sworn into office in Edmonton on April 30, 2019.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The main problem plaguing Alberta students’ math performance isn’t the current math curriculum or teacher accountability, but inequality and ballooning class sizes.
The media and politicians with a vested interest pit provinces against each other. But a study shows there are lots of differences of opinion within provinces, and geography doesn’t matter much. Here Quebec residents protest against the government’s Bill 21, which bans religious headgear, in April 2019.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Despite decades of bickering and hand-wringing, Canada continues on. National tensions, in and of themselves, are not leading us to poor policy outcomes.
By portraying himself as Guardian of Alberta, Jason Kenney easily moved from opposition leader to premier.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Jason Kenney took a well-worn path to the premiership by portraying himself as the Guardian of Alberta. But remarkably, he played this role successfully when he was opposition leader.
Carbon pricing is the most market-based means of addressing the climate crisis, yet it is strongly opposed by politicians that claim to support free markets.
Gay-straight alliance clubs have become a sign of safer schools.
Denin Lawley/Unsplash
Gay-straight alliance clubs in Alberta schools have come into Jason Kenney’s crosshairs. Here’s why that might cost him votes next week in the provincial election.
Supporters wave signs during an anti-carbon tax rally in Calgary in October 2018.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Given Alberta’s innovative spirit and its emissions-reducing results, is this a time for the province to turn its back on carbon policy and tarnish its reputation in a world transitioning to lower carbon?
Many provinces are focused on constraining the growth of teaching and staffing costs in education. Here, Ontario Premier Doug Ford with United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney, in Calgary, Oct. 5, 2018.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
In calls for dramatic action to overhaul education in the name of improvement and efficiencies, we see the impact of global trends in privatization.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, seen here walking on the front lawn of the Ontario Legislature in June, is vowing to deliver on his campaign promise to scrap the “disastrous” cap-and-trade system and fight a federal carbon tax.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Ontario and Saskatchewan are vociferously fighting the federal government’s carbon tax efforts. But rather than back down, Ottawa should embrace a simple, fair and transparent “carbon dividend.”