Tory MP's assistant fired over controversial movie tickets

This kind of slid under the radar today amidst the 'Bumbling Bernier' spectacle.

Kinda funny I thought.

The Investigation Begins...

Finally…

After years of lobbying by residents and medical observers, the unusually high levels of cancer and rare cancers in Fort Chipewyan will be investigated by the provincial and federal governments. Fort Chipewyan, located 300 km north of Fort McMurray on Lake Athabasca, had witnessed unusually high cancer rates and types in its predominately aboriginal population for more than a decade. Along with these unusual occurrences within the human population, deformities and unusual deaths were reported among the wildlife population as well. According to accounts by its residents, these events began to occur soon after oil companies began to set up operations on the southwestern tip of Lake Athabasca, upstream from Fort Chipewyan. Many speculated that oil companies were dumping waste in Lake Athabasca this resulted in the disease and death. However these accusations were downplayed or dismissed by the Alberta Progressive Conservative Government, and they also rejected any sort of thorough investigation into a potential cancer cluster in Fort Chipewyan. In fact the provincial government created its own 'report' claiming that cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan were not unusual and were similar to any other place in Alberta. They also attempted to silence independent medical experts calling for an investigation, such as Dr. John O’Connor. In recent years the issue began to receive greater national and international attention, and with new studies revealing high levels of toxins and carcinogens in Lake Athabasca and dependent wildlife, the government could no longer maintain its position. Thursday, with the federal government, the provincial government agreed to launch an investigation.

Today the Alberta Liberals revealed that in actuality, many of the concerns expressed by Fort Chipewyan residents and medical observers seemed to be true. Opposition Environment Critic David Swann revealed that Suncor, a major player in the Alberta Oil Sands, had leaked one million liters of dirty water, grease and oil into Lake Athabasca (after ducks and this, perhaps Ed should beef up the ‘Alberta Oil Sands = Environmentally Friendly’ ad campaign budget) last September, and apparently the Stelmach government did not inform the residents of Fort Chipewyan until this May - a full 8 months later. Those who have been calling for an investigation claim that this is an ongoing trend.

The investigation plans to release its report in the fall and if true, I think it will be a significant moment in Albertan and Canadian history. I’ll get into why when the report is released. In the mean time, check out the documentary below that CBC did in late 2008 for more background to the story. It’s something worth checking out. Also, props to the people of Fort Chipewyan and their supporters for winning this battle, which I’m sure was truly a David vs Goliath struggle.

Running Mates

With the Republican and Democratic Nomination races winding down, the attention now turns to who might John McCain and Barack Obama choose as their running mates. When choosing a running mate, presidential candidates look for a running mate who would be balance their ticket, offsetting their limitations.

Republican
Senator John McCain, according to pundits, would likely be looking for a running mate who would balance his age and solidify his social conservative credentials, but also one with whom he had a strong personal connection with. McCain is said to be considering between three candidates: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Nomination challenger Mitt Romney.
Jindal would definitely balance McCain's age (71) at 36 and also has strong credentials in the social conservative sphere, being elected as governor of Louisiana with a campaign in which he was strongly opposed to human stem cell research, abortions, and advocated for "intelligent design" to be taught in addition to evolution in public schools. He is also a visible minority, an Indian-American, who could also be used to represent change and a new America, countering Obama's main message. Charlie Crist is also a serious consideration with his populist appeal (The People's Governor), his popularity among African Americans ("Florida's first Black Governor") and his firm socially conservative background, not to mention his Florida connection, a key state to win in November. Romney would be a contender due to his strong showing in the nomination contest and his connections.

Democratic
Andrew Cohen's article in the Ottawa Citizen this week had a good run down of what Obama will be looking for in a running mate. According to Cohen, Obama should be seeking an older, more experienced individual from the South who has had executive decision making experience. As of now, there are many names being considered for the position, from Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius to former General Wesley Clark. Ultimately however, Obama will be looking to choose a running mate that would unite the Democratic Party and appeal to a vital demographic that he has had a problem with, blue collar white Americans.

No To Independent Duck Inquiry

This was a surprise.

Alberta's Environment Minister Rob Renner said that there would be no independent inquiry into the deaths of more than 500 ducks that became trapped after landing in a Syncrude tailings pond. The Minister also maintained his stance that the government is unable to monitor the environment, but rather would continue to rely on industry to report any such problems. This current incident was not reported by Syncrude, but came to light through an anonymous tip to the government.

Alberta's Rutherford Scholarship Expansion

Today, Alberta's Advanced Education Minister Doug Horner announced plans to allow for more high school students to receive the Rutherford Scholarship by expanding its eligibility. Currently, every Alberta high school student is eligible for the Rutherford Scholarship's $2,500 maximum if they have maintained an 80% average for grades 10, 11, and 12. This $2,500 scholarship is equivalent to roughly one semester's worth of tuition, with a full course load, at most Post Secondary Institutions within Alberta. The government plans to expand the scholarship by allowing students who have maintained an average between 75-79.9% to be eligible to receive $1,500. Overall, the province announced a $14 million dollar increase in scholarship programs for next year. This is obviously a step in the right direction in encouraging more Albertans to pursue a higher education but more needs to be done in terms of making higher education more affordable throughout a students Post Secondary career.

The Ducks

I'm sure you've heard about the story concerning the migratory ducks becoming stuck in a Syncrude tailings pond. Also, check out Alberta: Get Rich or Die Trying's view on the issue (here and here).

Thoughts on the "In & Out"

Here are some thoughts I had regarding the Conservative “In & Out” scandal:

• First of all, Harper seems to have played it completely wrong. Not just his “private meeting” with certain members of the media (and the subsequent fire escape chasing scene, which created a sense of guilt if there isn’t any actually), but more generally the strategy of attacking the credibility of Elections Canada. Personally, I don’t see this as helping the Conservatives at all. Painting themselves as victims to some giant Liberal/Election Canada conspiracy is not an argument that Canadians will readily accept, except for maybe their Conservative base (read: Alberta). Personally, I think Harper should have publicly admitted to have made a mistake and then pledge to make sure it would never happen again. It would have led to quicker end to the story and perhaps score points among the electorate for his candidness.
• Secondly, this seems to be a consistent trend among the Harper government। Anytime that the bureaucracy seems to have issues with the Conservatives, Harper has chosen to berate and discredit them, often publicly. This has occurred to bureaucrats within the Environment Ministry, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and now Elections Canada. Once again, I don’t know what the Conservatives hope to gain with this strategy but politicizing and publicly vilifying the bureaucracy (albeit certain individuals and elements), in simple terms, is BAD for democracy and the functioning of the state. In my view at least.