UK, 18+ only. Enter between 00:00:01 BST on the 15th October 2018 and 23:59:59 GMT on the 28th October 2018. To enter, reply to the promotional post (on Suzuki Cars UK's Facebook page) and state which UK Suzuki dealership you have experienced the best service in, for a chance to win 1 x iPad Air WIFI 16GB 12.9 inches (Gold). 1 entry per person.
By registering and entering into this free prize draw (the "Promotion"), individuals will be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions from Suzuki Cars UK (the "Promotor") and be bound by them and to have acknowledged the Privacy Notice below.
1. The Promotion is open to UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) residents aged 18 or over, except for anyone directly connected with the planning or administration of the Promotion, such as employees and their families, retailers, suppliers, merchants, associates, agents, clients, employees of the Promoter or its agency, Iris London Ltd. The Promotion is not open to residents of the Isle of Man or The Channel Islands.
2. Entry to the prize draw: Entry is via Facebook only, on the Suzuki Cars UK's Facebook page account. Entrants must respond/reply to the promotional post and identify the UK Suzuki dealership in which they have experienced the best service and following any other instructions given by the Promoter in the promotional post. All Entrants will be entered into a free prize draw and one winner will be selected at random. The winner will receive one iPad Air WIFI 16GB 12.9 inches in Gold (the "Prize"). We will also reward the winning dealership with their own award.
3. Incomplete entries and entries that do not satisfy the requirements of entry will be disqualified and will not be counted. Neither the Promoter nor Iris London Ltd accept any responsibility for any entries that are lost, not received or otherwise do not satisfy the criteria of the Promotion. Proof of entry does not amount to proof of receipt.
4. The Promotion is open between 00:00:01 BST on the 15th October 2018 and 23:59:59 GMT on the 28th October 2018 (the "Promotional Period"). The draw will be held on or around Wednesday 31st of October 2018.
5. Individuals will be limited to one entry each. No purchase necessary.
6. The winner will be notified by a comment via their Facebook entry asking them to direct message the Promoter to confirm eligibility. The winner must confirm acknowledgement of winning within 14 days of being contacted by the Promoter. If the winner has not confirmed by this date, the Promoter reserves the right to re-assign the prize to another Entrant.
7. The prize winner must be 18+ years of age and may be required to present valid photographic ID to receive the Prize. The winner's iPad will be sent via post to an address provided during communications following winner notification. The prize will be sent within 28 days of the winner's confirmation. The Promoter shall not be responsible if the Prize has been lost in the post or not received by the winner provided that the Promoter has taken reasonable steps to send it to the correct address given to it.
9. The winner will not be required to participate in any further publicity relating to the Promotion.
10. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are lost, delayed, corrupted, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible or fail to reach the Promoter by the closing date of the Promotional Period for any reason, including and without limitation, any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in operation or transmission, any communications line failure or for traffic congestion or any unauthorised human act.
11. Any malicious or manipulative attempt to influence the Promotion will result in disqualification. If there is any reason to believe that there has been a breach of the Terms and Conditions or incorrect, illegible, fraudulent or other invalid or improper information has been provided, or that a mechanic or entry has been entered that is not within the spirit of the Promotion, the Promoter may at its sole discretion refuse to fulfil the Prize.
12. Syndicated entries or those made using methods such as a computer macro, a script or the use of automated devices or processes are not allowed, and all such entries will be disqualified.
13. The Prize must be taken as offered and cannot be exchanged for a cash equivalent. No part or parts of the Prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions. The Prize has no cash or refund value (except when redeemed in accordance with all Terms and Conditions of this Promotion), is not for resale, has no alternative, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
14. The Promoter is not liable for any delay or failure to perform any obligation to the Entrant that is caused by any circumstance beyond its reasonable control or by any act or omission of any third party although it will always use reasonable endeavours to minimise any Entrant disappointment.
15. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held invalid by any law, rule, order or regulation of any government, or by the final determination of any court of a competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the enforceability of any other provisions not held to be invalid.
16. The Promoter, at its sole direction, reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Promotion in whole or in part at any time as well as amend, modify or alter these Terms and Conditions at any time, in whole or in part and the Promoter's decision is final and binding on all matters.
17. All conditions, warranties and representations expressed or implied by law or otherwise in relation to the prize draw are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Promoter shall be under no liability whatsoever or howsoever in connection with any loss, damage or injury which is suffered as a direct or indirect result of the offer, and the Promotion except that the Promoter makes no attempt to exclude or limit its liability for death or personal injury arising as a result of the negligence of the Promoter or for any other matter where liability may not as a matter of law be limited.
18. The Promotion is governed by English Law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.


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HomeNewsCelebrating surgical research, innovation and quality improvement
Celebrating surgical research, innovation and quality improvement
A celebration of surgical research and innovation was recently held with the combined presentation of the Harry Cumberland Travelling Scholarship and the inaugural Ray Hollings Surgical Excellence Award.
Both awards have been established through generous philanthropic donations from the surgeons they are named after. They will be offered annually to provide support for research, innovation and quality improvement.
The event was jointly hosted by the Surgical Education Research & Training (SERT) Institute and the RNSH Department of Gastroenterology.
NSLHD Chief Executive Deb Willcox acknowledged the significant contribution both Dr Cumberland and Dr Hollings made throughout their extensive surgical careers across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, and appreciation for their ongoing support and generosity to enable these prestigious awards.
Congratulations to the successful recipients, I feel incredibly proud when I think about the capability here at Royal North Shore and across the district and to be able to acknowledge people with these two awards is really quite special
Deb Willcox, NSLHD Chief Executive
Dr Bill Cumberland, son of the late Dr Harry Cumberland, and his wife Genevieve were in attendance to present the Travelling Scholarship while Dr Ray Hollings, wife Beverly and family joined online.
Dr Geoffrey Wong was the recipient of the Cumberland Travelling Scholarship for his study titled "Early recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases, clinical data to proteomic biomarker discovery." This work was under the supervision of Professor Tom Hugh,
Dr Krishna Kotecha was runner-up finalist for his study titled - Propensity score analysis on pancreatoduodenectomy patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This work was under the supervision of Clinical Professor Jas Samra and Clinical Associate Professor Anubhav Mittal.
There were two recipients for the Ray Hollings award: Dr Michael Symes (pictured above) for the Spinal and Orthopaedic Research Epidemiology Database project, and Dr David Marshman for the peri-operative blood product usage in cardiothoracic surgery project.
What others found interesting…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


, what are you seeking?
I just finished a new blog post that is sure to make a huge difference in your life. Yea, I know...chances are "quite good" that you've heard all that before.
I know I did countless times before discovering what was "truly necessary" for doing that many years ago. So have MILLIONS upon millions of others.
I can say it with conviction and certainty though simply because, so far it has assisted me and 6,797 individuals (and growing fast) in my immediate circle to finally understand what's "truly necessary" to begin getting what they want.
It may assist you too, if you're serious and have a sincere desire to be, do and/or have more in your life.
Perhaps a more accurate statement would be, it CAN and WILL assist you, regardless of who you are, if you'll allow it to.
Whether you will or whether you won't is a choice only you can make for yourself.
It addresses a common yet often overlooked reason why even those on a "conscious path" often become frustrated and "perceive" that heartfelt desires are unattainable and as a result, consistently remain a hope, wish, dream or desire that always seems to be just out of reach.
Rest assured, it's NOT because they HAVE to be.
It doesn't matter where you are currently...whether you're "seeking enlightenment" or simply have a desire that you just can't seem to make real, tangible and measurable, the information I share will, without question shed some light on things and will assist you in having more of whatever it might be that you desire for yourself.
It will that is, if you choose to internalize and "apply" what you'll discover.
You can access how I and 6797 others (so far) have achieved just that here.


text:
CHI-ANNOUNCEMENTS Archives
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Funded PhD studentship on Mobile Interventions for Mental Health
Gavin Doherty <[log in to unmask]>
Tue, 5 Jun 2018 14:19:12 -0400
School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin.
Web version: https://www.scss.tcd.ie/Gavin.Doherty/2018/06/phd-emi/
Mental and behavioural health conditions pose a major challenge to healthcare providers and society at large. It is generally accepted that mental health services are struggling to meet the needs of existing audiences as well as failing to reach large proportions of those in need. Technologies can help both to improve access to treatment, and help people to engage with treatment.
The mobile phone is also a highly available device for end users, allowing access throughout the day, and potentially providing help when they need it. While mobile phones are very useful for assessment, their real potential lies in delivering interventions when they are most needed, and most effective. This research will examine how we can intervene with the right content, encouragement, or support, in the right moment. The successful candidate will investigate the design of ecological momentary interventions (EMI) in mental and behavioural health using mobile and wearable technologies, with a focus on different strategies for user engagement, and investigate them through a series of experiments.
Supervision Team
Dr. Gavin Doherty and his team have done pioneering work in the area of technology in mental health for over 15 years, developing engaging and novel technologies that are used in the real world. This has included the development of the SilverCloud platform, which has been used to deliver human-supported mental health programmes to over 160,000 patients.
The researcher will benefit from the expertise of external supervisors Prof. Anna Cox (UCL), a leading expert in human-computer interaction and Dr. Stephen Schueller (UC Irvine), a leading expert on using Internet interventions in behavioral and mental health service delivery.
The position is funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the Adapt Centre (www.adaptcentre.ie). PhD studentship funding includes PhD annual fees (up to € 5,500 per annum for four years) and student stipend (€18,000 per annum for four years). An additional budget for training & travel costs is also provided, as well as access to ADAPT infrastructure and support.
Candidates must have (or are expected to obtain by September 2018) the equivalent of a Master's degree in one of the following fields (or related disciplines): Computer science, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Biomedical Engineering. Applicants from relevant disciplines such as Psychology, or Health Sciences will be considered if they also have the sufficient software development skills to construct working prototypes.
Our approach involves building innovative systems which are capable of being used in real clinical environments. The proposed research will require skills in interaction design, and mobile application prototyping and development in particular. Applicants should have a strong interest in human-computer interaction and m-Health. As the research will involve extensive work with stakeholders through the use of English, as well as the preparation of scientific publications, a high standard of both spoken and written English is required.
Further Information for Candidates
School of Computer Science and Statistics:  www.scss.tcd.ie
Principal Investigator    www.scss.tcd.ie/Gavin.Doherty
About Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across 24 schools and three faculties: arts, humanities, and social sciences; engineering, maths and science; and health sciences. Spread across 47 acres in Dublin's city centre, Trinity's 17,000-strong student body comes from all 32 counties of Ireland, and 16% of students come from outside the country. As Ireland's leading university, the pursuit of academic excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of the Trinity education.
The Old Library, which houses the Long Room, in Trinity is the largest research library in Ireland, with a collection of six million printed items, 500,000 maps, 80,000 electronic journals, and 350,000 electronic books. Some of the world's most famous scholars are graduates of Trinity, including writer Jonathan Swift, dramatist Oscar Wilde, philosopher George Berkeley, and political philosopher, and political theorist Edmund Burke, as well as Nobel prize-winners such as scientist Ernest Walton and writer Samuel Beckett.
Trinity College Dublin is ranked 88th in the world in the 2017/18 QS World University Ranking across all indicators.
Computer Science at TCD is ranked in the top 100 in the World (QS 2018 Subject rankings).
Trinity is in the Top 50 most innovative universities in Europe according to Reuters.
In 2017, Trinity was ranked the top university in Europe for graduate entrepreneurship for the third year in a row, according to Pitchbook's independent analysis.
Candidates should submit a cover letter together with a full curriculum vitae including details of qualifications and evidence of standard of English, and the names and contact details of 2 referees (with email addresses) to:
Name / Title: Dr. Gavin Doherty
Email Address: [log in to unmask]
Contact Telephone Number: +353 1 896 3858 (please make an appointment to call)
Date: Applications  will be assessed until the position is filled. The first call will close on the 22nd of June 2018. Interviews will take place shortly afterwards.
For news of CHI books, courses & software, join CHI-RESOURCES
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To unsubscribe from CHI-ANNOUNCEMENTS send an email to
For further details of CHI lists see http://listserv.acm.org


Ready for your Christmas decor, this sweet baby snow owl in a vintage burlap door hanger has all the right elements to usher in the season. Holly leaves, red berries, pine branches and evergreens fill the snow dusted ski boot. A traditional Christmas plaid bow with burlap and lace is tied with snowy vines around. Rustic bells on burlap hang from the bow.
Boot measures 12"H X 16"W. Finished measurements 25"H X 18"W.


However, I get a kick out of this fried rice recipe. Why? For the simple reason that I am a big chilli addict. I happened to come across a fried tomyam noodles recipe when i was surfing through some local food blogs, and decided to adapt the recipe for fried rice. As I love my food spicy, i usually throw in my favourite ingredient - the chilli padi. Sometimes I forget that I have such a high threshold for spice, that my hubby gets the brunt of it when he eats my food.
But no worries, for this recipe, the little killer chilli padis have been left out. I love the flavour of this fried rice, especially with the fragrance of the lemongrass. Seriously, what can go wrong with tom yam and seafood?
- Return the previously cooked seafood that you set aside and mix in thoroughly with the rice.
* If you are a big chilli padi fan as I am, slice 2 chilli padis and fry them together with garlic, onions and lemongrass at the start. Be warned that it can get real hot!


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Page 4 is used to create voices through additive synthesis. The voices tend to have an "electronic" sound to them.
The preceding image shows a Mode 1 voice with several harmonic profiles. In effect, this is a "side view" which shows the harmonic amplitudes varying over time. Up to 32 harmonics can be controlled.
A Mode 1 voice consists of 32 waveform segments, represented by the vertical lines in the graph area. That gives 32 points per harmonic profile. The length of time that each point sounds for is specified by a duration profile (DUR), while the overall amplitude envelope of the sound is indicated by the energy profile (ENG).
The numbers across the bottom of the image show the status of the 32 harmonics. A cross (+) below the number indicates that there is data for that harmonic (the profile is non-sero). A triangle indicates that the harmonic is currently displayed on the graph. So the image shows that harmonics 1, 2, and 6 are displayed along with the energy and duration profiles, while harmonics 3 and 12 have data but are not visible.
The JOIN/PLOT selector controls how the profiles are drawn with the lightpen. JOIN connects each point to the previously drawn one, creating a smooth curve. PLOT allows individual points to be specified without affecting the surrounding ones. The CLEAR command hides all profiles from the display, while the DELETE command hides just one. The RESET command actually sets all harmonic values to zero, while the ZERO command does that for just one profile.
Once harmonic amplitude profiles are drawn, the COMPUTE command mathematically processes them to create the waveforms for each of the 32 segments. Also, the energy profile is automatically calculated from the combined amplitudes of the harmonic profiles. If the energy profile is modified and the SCALE command is used, the harmonic profiles will all be modified accordingly.
The INTERP option controls the COMPUTE process. If INTERP is ON, each waveform segment is calculated from a mix of the harmonic profile values of the current segment and the next one. This provides a smoother sound.
The LOOP control is a very handy visual indicator of which segments are repeated when the voice is played. The start and end points can be set with the lightpen, as well as mapped to controls (on Page 7) and dynamically adjusted.
Mode 1 sounds are unique on the Fairlight CMI because they play for a fairly similar length of time, no matter the pitch. When a Mode 1 voice is played each segment is repeated a number of times, which is determined by a combination of the duration profile and the pitch. This is in contrast to sampled sounds and Mode 4 sounds, which become shorter as the pitch increases and the playback rate increases.
The following image shows a Mode 4 voice. In fact, it is the previous Mode 1 voice converted to Mode 4, and then edited slightly.
The harmonic profiles from the Mode 1 voice are compressed to the left-hand side in this image because a Mode 4 voice consists of 128 segments, in contrast to the 32 segments of a Mode 1 voice. Notice that even the loop has been visually compressed, but it will need to be re-established anyway as editing progresses. In a Mode 4 voice, the vertical divisions in the graph area represent every fourth segment.
The 1st harmonic profile has been selected for editing. This is indicated with a double line on the graph and a box around the profile number.
The ENG and DUR controls aren't available to a Mode 4 voice because the overall amplitude characteristics of the voice are controlled on Page 7 and each segment is sounded only once. Similarly, the SCALE command is not available.
Mode 4 voices use the entire 16,384 bytes of waveform memory, which is divided into 128 segments of 128 sample points each. Each segment contains one cycle (or period) of the waveform.
Mode 1 voices only use the first 32 segments, or 4096 sample points total. If a Mode 1 voice were played at CD-quality speeds it would last less than 1/20th of a second!
Although Page 4 is primarily used to create sounds with additive synthesis, it can also be used to alter sampled sounds. Sampling is usually performed into a Mode 4 voice, but if the voice is then converted into Mode 1, interesting results can be obtained.
The energy and duration profiles have an effect on a converted sample, but the individual harmonic profiles should be left empty during this process. The energy and duration profiles take effect immediately, without the need for executing the COMPUTE command. (In fact, because all of the harmonics are empty, COMPUTE would blank out the waveform!)
Some sampled voices sound rather robotic when converted into Mode 1. They have a kind of shimmering, quantized effect that is the result of stepping through the segments at a rate (determined by the duration profile) that is slower than normal.
Sounds which are slower moving and less varying (such as choirs or string pads) sometimes respond well in Mode 1, because it extends the sample and makes the "throbbing" of the loop less prominent (or at least the same duration at every pitch).
The following table summarizes the features of Mode 1 and Mode 4.
Mode 1 Mode 4
Segments used 1 to 32 1 to 128 (all)
Each segment is played depends on DUR profile once
Amplitude depends on ENG profile depends on COMPUTE results
Overall duration fairly constant inversely related to pitch
Primary purpose harmonic synthesis drawing and sampling
Previous page - Page 3: Keyboard Control


DALLAS — AT&T is experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) and combining it with software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) to figure out a better way to run its network.
Speaking on a panel at the 5G North America conference, Brian Daly, director of core network and government regulatory for AT&T, said that the company is looking at AI as a way to operate its network more efficiently by using it to make decisions that currently might require human interaction today. "We see AI combined with SDN and NFV as a way to provide us with efficiencies that may not exist today," Daly said.
But AI isn't the only breakthrough technology carriers are looking at to make their networks more efficient. Monica Paolini, founder and president of consulting firm Senza Fili Consulting, said that machine learning is also an important tool that will help operators not only understand what their networks are doing today but also help predict how their networks will respond in the future.
For example, Paolini said that many Internet of Things (IoT) applications collect a lot of data. But the problem is no one has really figured out how to make that data effective. Machine learning is a possible solution. "You can collect data to predict the future in an effective way," she said.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are quickly becoming the hot new areas of focus for many companies. Google today announced that the company has formed a new group in the Google Cloud division to push into machine learning and AI.
Google's AI efforts look similar to Microsoft's push. Microsoft in September created the AI and Research Group, which consists of more than 5,000 computer scientists and engineers that will work on products and conduct research.
Plus, IoT heavyweight GE Digital today acquired a pair of machine learning startups as a way to add more capabilities to Predix, GE's IoT platform. GE acquired Bit Stew Systems and Wise.io, both of which use machine learning to better process large sets of data.


text:
- Sat, 28 Jan 2023
Associative Heads
Educational Labs
Bio-Electric
Branch of IEEE
Branch of ACM
Compute Engineering Course Management
Machine Intelligence and Robotics
The design and development of a comprehensive intelligent autism screening system
Print The design and development of a comprehensive intelligent autism screening system
The design and development of a comprehensive intelligent autism screening system at the school of Electrical and Computer Eng. University of Tehran
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that greatly affects the life of the children with autism and their family. The early screening of this disorder is important in the therapy of autism, in allowing these children to be able to have independent life, and to reduce the pressure on these children's families and the country's health system.
Thus, the comprehensive intelligent autism screening system started last year at the school of ECE, University of Tehran. This project is sponsored by the Cognitive Sciences and Technologies Council of Iran in order to better deal with this neurodevelopmental disorder. This system consists of several individual screening systems that have been developed over several years at the school of ECE. The combination of these systems would allow better screening with higher confidence. The first version of the system has already been built and tested and the 2nd version is in development cycle.
summary-address :
Address: Address: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, North Kargar st., Tehran, Iran.
Email: info. ece [at] ece.ut.ac.ir
Phone Number: +98 (21) 88027756
Fax: +98 (21) 88013199 /+98 (21) 88633029
Postal Code: ۱۴۳۹۹۵۷۱۳۱
Post Office Box: 14395-515
© All rights reserved University of Tehran. Designed and implemented by SAIN


2003-2008 Software Architect at infojobs, which I helped migrate from ColdFusion/Windows to Java/Linux.
2012 Software Architect at Mobile Jazz, which I co-founded and where I developed for Android and iOS.
Nationalities: UK and German passport; I have lived in Hamburg, Glasgow, and Barcelona.
teamwork I enjoy the egoless team work that I experienced in infojobs and netcentric.
independent I am able to work independently and remotely. I'm accustomed to distributed teams communicating via tools like slack and skype.
research I know research from my time in Glasgow and some POC that I made as developer.
teaching I enjoy teaching. I did it in Glasgow and still do it sometimes, whether it's programming or my hobbies.
mentoring At netcentric, I was mentor for junior colleagues.
methodical rigour My colleagues often value my methodical rigour. That's why infojobs put me in charge of versioning and code review.
Java From Java 1.1 in 1997 to Java 11 in 2019. Since 1999 professionally in Java.
Java EE (server) Lots of servlets, filters, JSP, and even some EJB.
Java for Android In 2011 and 2012, I developed for Android.
HTTP, GData/Atom (ReST) I implemented clients and servers in Java and for Android.
IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse Recently, I seem to have switched from the latter to the former.
maven, sbt After shell scripts and ANT, these are better.
JUnit, ScalaTest With experience, I have come to value the peace of mind of automated tests, especially for algorithmic stuff.
Atlassian tools JIRA tickets, Confluence wiki, ... Before I program: Is there a ticket for this? Is there spec? Is there a branch?
Docker I use docker and docker-compose for repeatable environments.
git on bitbucket, github, usually with policy gitflow. I trained git beginners.
perforce I was in charge of source control at infojobs. First designing the branching policy, then enforcing it.
subversion, cvs Branching and integrating are poorly supported.
1992-1997 PhD at University of Glasgow in Computing Science. Thesis Expression Refinement under Dr J.M.Morris. A calculus for formal program construction.
1988-1992 Bachelor of Science at University of Glasgow, Combined Honours in Computing Science and Mathematics, Grade: First class. Project title: Visualisation of complex number algebra.
1992 Addison-Wesley prize for best student in computing of all years.
2019 Co-organised a one-week AEM training for beginners in netcentric Barcelona.
2018 Co-organised a two-month Academy for beginners in netcentric Barcelona, teaching AEM6.3, web technologies, and project method.
2017 Co-organised a two-month Academy for beginners in netcentric Barcelona, teaching AEM6.3, web technologies, and project method.
2017 Organised a one-month AEM Bootcamp within netcentric Medellín, preparing staff for AEM6 Business Practitioner and AEM6 Lead Developer certification.
2016 Co-organised a two-month Academy for beginners in netcentric Barcelona, teaching AEM6, web technologies, and project method.
2015 Co-organised a two-month Academy for beginners in netcentric Barcelona, teaching AEM6, web technologies, and project method.
2007 Java trainer in company infojobs, preparing staff for SUN Certified Java Associate and Programmer exam.
2000-2001 Java trainer in the company Information Highway Group (Barcelona), preparing staff for SUN Certified Java Programmer exam.
1999-2000 Java, OO, and UML trainer, in the company intec (Barcelona). I wrote and gave courses of 40 hours to external clients.
1992-1999 Tutor and Teaching assistant at University of Glasgow. I lead tutorials, set and supervised exercises in programming. Wrote and gave lectures on parallel programming and other topics.
Development and training projects, as independent freelance.
Consulting work with netcentric. Making and maintaining marketing websites, for multinational customers in the banking sector.
Consulting work with Mobile Jazz. Making Android library projects, consuming the Twitter API from iOS, among others.
Software architect at siine. I direct a team of five developers. The Android application communicates with the server via the Atom-ReST protocol. The server has a Google BigTable database.
Software architect. Generalitat de Catalunya, Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari, a government agency that controls university quality. Development of a web survey engine, substituting paper surveys. I lead a team of four people. JSP, EJB, JBoss, remote database.


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Robert Kroetsch 978-0-920897-31-7 | 324 Pages May, 1993 History, Non-Fiction
First published twenty-five years ago in Canada's centennial year, Alberta is back in print! Robert Kroetsch's wonderful storytelling and travel writing classic captures a luminous land in its golden era. This special edition has been updated for the 1990s with a lively new chapter by Robert Kroetsch; a colour photo essay by the incomparable Alberta artist and photographer Harry Savage (Alberta: A Celebration and The Best of Alberta); and an afterword by award-winning writer Rudy Wiebe. Together, they have produced an anecdotal, insightful, deeply-felt tribute to the land and people of Alberta.
"Informative and delightful reading!"
~ The Calgary Herald
"Full of humour and keen observation, Kroetsch writes with the deep love of a native son for the land and its people."
~ Canadian Books
"Fresh and original!"
~ The Edmonton Journal


Utilize direct mail to sell DuPont's Kevlar to potential manufacturers.
Kevlar thrives when it is placed in extreme environments and travels well.
Send a letter on an extraordinary trip. Create envelopes made of Kevlar. Insert a postcard that explains the wild journey that the letter had before arriving to the destination. The durability and resilience of the Kevlar fibers can then be shown directly to the potential buyer.


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Rolex Datejust and Its History
Posted by Daniel Luczak on 19th Aug 2019
The Rolex Datejust is one of Rolex's oldest watches that are still reigning in the market. Rolex introduced the watch in 1945 on its 40th anniversary and ever since that, it has played a massive role in the company's success.
It was the world's first automatic wristwatch that had a separate window on display for the date. The date changed at midnight. Rolex Datejust is popular among the masses and is available in various sizes from 28mm to 41mm in stainless steel, two-tone gold, and solid gold versions.
1945 - The Beginning
The very first Datejust was introduced in 1945 at the 40th anniversary of the company. It was named "Reference 4467". Initially, it was available in 18-Karat gold and showcased waterproof oyster case with a fluted bezel which was the Brand's signature. It had a Jubilee bracelet and became the flagship model for Rolex.
The Early 1950's
In the coming years, Datejust got upgraded with a new cyclops lens. This magnifying lens was placed directly over the date window. This feature, which was introduced in 1954, remained on the watches ever since it first appeared and became the iconic trait of the Datejust watches. Initially, the material for the crystals of the watch was acrylic, and then it changed to synthetic sapphire.
In 1955, Rolex introduced another edition of Datejust named Turn-O-Graph with a nickname of Thunderbird. It was a reward for the United States of America's Air force pilots when returning home from missions. It had a rotating Turn-o-graph bezel.
The Late 1950's
In 1957, there was another significant modification in Rolex Datejust. There was an addition of the Caliber 1065 movement. It was small, efficient and changed the design of the Datejust. In this way, there was no need for the domed case back and it produced a more streamlined design for the model.
In addition to this, another modification came up regarding Rolex Datejust. Rolex introduced a ladies' version in the late 1950s. The ladies' Rolex design is similar to that of the men's, but it differs in terms of size. The ladies' version is smaller as compared to that of men.
In 1965, Rolex brought in further updates to the Datejust watch and introduced the famous Caliber 1570 to the model.
In 1970, Rolex introduced another modified form of Rolex named Caliber 3035 by adding a quick set feature to the timepiece. Along with the technical changes, there were aesthetic changes as well in the Datejust. It was slightly thicker than previous versions.
Later, in the 1970s, Rolex introduced a quartz movement into the collection with the name Datejust Oyster Quartz Reference 17000.
In the 1980s, Rolex changed the movement to 3135; an iconic Datejust watch which is approximately similar to Caliber 3035 in dimensions. However, the addition of the sapphire crystal replacing the acrylic made it a slightly slimmer watch.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust II was released in 2009. It is 41mm in diameter, excluding the crown, and its case is more significant than the original Datejust.
Rolex released Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in 2016. The watch exists in stainless steel and two-tone stainless steel with 18K yellow or 18K "Everose Gold" bracelets along with it. This 41mm 2016 version of Datejust comes with an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet.
The Datejust 41 is identical to Datejust II as it also has a diameter of 41mm. However, the Datejust 41 has smaller indexes and a thinner bezel as compared to the Datejust II.
In 2016, Rolex also brought up the new Caliber 3235 movement which substitutes 90 percent of the parts of the Rolex's longest-running and most successful movement, Caliber 3135. Caliber 3235 has the same dimensions as 3135 but contains a new escapement, chronergy as well as other essential modifications. It also provides a seventy hours' power reserve.
Today, Datejust comes in various sizes such as 28mm, 31mmm, 34mm, 36mm, and 41mm. The watch exists in either full stainless steel, two-tone gold (Everose, yellow or white) and stainless steel, or solid gold (yellow, everose and white) case and bracelet.
The classic men's size, however, always has a case diameter of 36mm. In addition to this, there is no other line of Rolex watches that has got as many dials, bezel, bracelet, and precious metal configurations.
What Do We Have to Say?
Rolex introduces its own gold bracelets and straps for every Rolex collection. However, if you want to customize your Rolex according to your own tastes, DaLuca Straps is the place for you.
Pick a military leather watch strap or a vintage French ammo strap, it will be of the highest quality and a perfect companion for all your Rolex watches. Moreover, you can also choose from custom watch straps or hand-made watch straps for ultimate craftsmanship and finesse.
#rolex
#datejust


A severe storm regarded as an 'atmospheric river' is about to hit New Zealand. Please check with emergency authorities for pending conditions in your area. Super heavy rains and freezing winds are set to hit the South Island.
A west coast bridge has washed away as rivers reach record levels and raised water levels to new heights.
Haast, a popular south island town, has had a 100 year flood alert with some areas facing around 800mm of rainfall.


text:
176 SALLY WATER
indulgences of the lovers, as in the Tong and Scottish versions xxxii., xxxiii., and xxxiv.
(e) In considering the probable origin of the game, the first thing will be to ascertain as far as possible what ideas the words are intended to convey. Taking note of the results of the analysis, so far as they show the corruptions which have taken place in the words, it seems clear that though it is not possible to restore the original words, their original meaning is still preserved. This is, that they accompanied the performance of a marriage ceremony, and that a chief feature of this ceremony was connected with some form of water-worship, or some rite in which water played a chief part. Now it has been noted before that the games of children have preserved, by adaptation, the marriage ceremony of ancient times (e.g., "Merry ma Tansa," "Nuts in May," "Poor Mary," " Round and Round the Village "); but this is the first instance where such an important particularisation as that implied by water-worship qualifies the marriage ceremony. It is therefore necessary to see what this exactly means. Mr. Hartland, in his Perseus (i. 167-9), draws attention to the general significance of the water cere�monial in marriage customs, and Mr. F. B. Jevons, in his intro�duction to Plutarch's Roma?ie Questions, and in the Transactions of the Folk-lore Congress, 1891, deals with the subject in refer�ence to the origin of custom obtaining among both Aryan and non-Aryan speaking people. In this connection an important consideration arises. The Esthonian brides, on the morning after the wedding, are taken to make offerings to the water spirit, and they throw offerings into the spring (or a vessel of water), overturn a vessel of water in the house, and sprinkle their bridegrooms with water. The Hindoo offerings of the bride were cast into a water vessel, and the bride sprinkles the court of the new house with water by way of exorcism, and also sprinkles the bridegroom (Jevons, loc. cit., p. 345). Here the parallel be�tween the non-Aryan Esthonian custom and the Aryan Hindoo custom is very close, and it is a part of Mr. Jevons' argument that, among the Teutons, with whom alone of Aryan speaking peoples the Esthonians came into contact, the custom was limited to the bride simply stepping over a vessel of water. There is


Television has continuously proven that relationships don't need to be strictly romantic. Sometimes the strongest relationships are siblings, friends, family, and coworkers.
Whether they are running the free world, managing a publishing imprint, or just trying to survive, these relationships prove that good stories come from having another half you can lean on.
Here's our list of our favorite dynamic TV duos of 2017, in no particular order.
There hasn't been a relationship more tumultuous than that of Olivia Pope and Mellie Grant. In seven seasons of Scandal, the two have gone from wife and mistress to partners in crime.
Their relationship has culminated in Mellie holding the Oval and Olivia serving as her Chief of Staff.
Scandal may be winding down in its final season, but we hope for at least a few more scenes of these ladies drinking wine and moonshine together!
Doc and Axel share a unique bond.
At the beginning of the series, we learn that Doc's a vampire, surviving on the blood that Axel is feeding her through an IV tube and hypodermic needle. Later in Van Helsing Season 1, Doc betrays Axel as a group of survivors evacuate an irradiated military base, trapping him behind a door with a feral vampire.
Doc wrestles with the guilt of betraying a friend who has kept her alive until she discovers that Axel is alive in Van Helsing Season 2. The two follow a path in Season 2 that is full of anger and forgiveness, but it is compelling to watch and makes for great TV.
The sestras, and twins had a great year with the final season.
While Helena spent most of Orphan Black's Season 5 hiding in a convent to protect her babies, the scenes the twins share together are amazing to watch.
Orphan Black Season 5 Episode 10, the series finale, includes the birth of Helena's twins. Appropriately, the twins are delivered by Sarah and are some of the best scenes between sisters.
When you consider that Helena was once expendable, you can see just how far they've come.
There's no denying that Bellamy and Octavia Blake share a unique bond since they are the only set of siblings on The 100. Bellamy has always lived by the code of "my sister, my responsibility," but their story arc has always been more about letting go.
Nowhere is their bond more present than on The 100 Season 4 Episode 10 "Die All, Die Merrily," where Octavia enters the conclave and Bellamy throws his support behind her, especially during the moment when he stands up to Roan, certain that Octavia will gut him.
This is a crucial episode for the Blake siblings. They lost touch after Bellamy backed Pike and Lincoln was killed, but in this episode, they start to heal their relationship.
Tasha and Patterson are friends, but Blindspot Season 3 has started to also paint them as partners in crime.
Tasha and Patterson's friendship isn't the central plot of Blindspot, but their relationship speaks volumes. As Blindspot Season 3 progresses, the two have been investigating the suspicious death of a colleague named Stewart, under the codename: cuttlefish.
It's made for some promising scenes between the two women, which we hope to see develop in 2018 as the investigation progresses.
Flaca and Maritza always seemed like a package deal on Orange is the New Black.
In Orange is the New Black Season 5, the pair starts a vlog during the Litchfield prison riot. The result is a sequence that is light-hearted and enjoyable with some witty banter.
Sadly, their newfound internet fame is short-lived.
When the riot ends, they're put on different buses and separated at the end of Orange is the New Black Season 5 Episode 13. Viewers aren't quite sure what the sixth season will hold, but we can only hope these two find their way back to each other again.


What started as a basic search for numbers on missing and murdered Indigenous women has changed the path of one woman's life.
Annita Lecchesi is a PhD candidate in the University of Lethbridge's Cultural, Social and Political Thought program. Three years ago, she was looking for information on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada and the U.S. for a mapping project. But she had trouble finding complete and accurate data.
Since then, she has compiled information from missing persons websites, police records, historical archives, news articles, social media and even spoken with family members who have lost loved ones, to create an online database.
Lecchesi said she has currently logged over 3,000 cases, some reaching as far back as 1900. The database also includes information that may be missing from other sources that family and community members have shared with Lecchesi, like birth dates and if the women had children.
"This has also been kind of a process of healing for communities to be able to have a full sense of how this violence has impacted us and to create a space for families to come forward and share their stories," she said.
Lucchesi said she hopes her work will help grieving families heal and give peace to spirits.
For her, the work is also personal. She's a Southern Cheyenne descendant and a survivor of domestic violence, and she feels she too could have been among the women listed in the database.
"I like to think that if that did happen to me, I would want my story to have meaning. I would want my story to be part of the movement to make sure that it doesn't happen to other women and girls," she said.
Lucchesi said she has also been involved in discussions about legislation, largely in the U.S., and hopes increased awareness about violence against Indigenous women and girls will lead to policy changes.
"That's really exciting to see that policy makers are starting to listen to us and want to make a difference," she said.
Lucchesi noted the work can be challenging, and said updating the database has been prayerful process.
"It means that it's done with intention and love and it's not something I do casually," she said.
While no one owns the information collected in the database, she said it does need to be cared for with love and respect. It is accessible only upon request, which sometimes involves consultation with elders and families.
Lucchesi said anyone interested in accessing the database should contact her through the website.


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text:
Tag: Lloyd Snelgrove
The Redford legacy haunts Prentice Tories
4 Comments on The Redford legacy haunts Prentice Tories
Celebrating the anniversary of the 2012 Tory victory: then-Premier Alison Redford and PC MLAs Moe Amery, Wayne Cao, and Peter Sandhu. (photo from May 2013).
Most people rely on TripAdvisor or call a travel agent to book hotels for overseas trips, but it is alleged by intrepid CBC investigative journalists that former Premier Alison Redford dispatched a staffer to visit hotels and restaurants in advance of her trips to India, China, Switzerland, Washington, and Toronto for a cost of nearly $330,000.
It is not uncommon for government leaders to have advance staff, but in this case, like so many of the decisions that led to Ms. Redford's downfall, it appears to have been done in secret (the cost of the staffer and their travel was not included in the publicly available travel expenses disclosures).
If advance work was indeed required, and there are reasons why this could be the case, it is hard to understand why the Premier's Office would not simply hire the services of a consultant in the country or city Ms. Redford was planning to visit. Was it really necessary to hire a dedicated employee for this task?
In response to the allegations, former top Redford loyalist Thomas Luksazuk has called on the former premier to resign as the MLA for Calgary-Elbow, a move that is likely to occur after Jim Prentice wins the party leadership. Mr. Prentice is without a seat in the Assembly and the cash-flush Calgary-Elbow PC association could steer the new Premier through a potentially treacherous by-election.
Thomas Lukaszuk
In a fundraising email sent to supporters today, Wildrose Party president David Yager wrote that his party "will fight the by-election with every ounce of firepower we have."
Advance Cabinet Shuffle
Signalling that Jeff Johnson's troubling reign as Education Minister could come to an end in September, Mr. Prentice pledged to work "in a respectful way" with the powerful Alberta Teachers' Association.
Similar comments were made by Ms. Redford during her run for the PC Party leadership and during the 2012 election. Soon after, the PC government turned on public sector workers, threatening to legislate the contracts of teachers and public service employees and attacking their pensions. Mr. Prentice will need to follow his words with actions.
Mr. Prentice also said he will accelerate the construction of new school buildings, a promise that was originally made by Ms. Redford, but recently downplayed by Infrastructure Minister Wayne Drysdale last week. In a stunning admission, Mr. Drysdale told the media that the P3 (Public-Private Partnership) option for building the new schools was too expensive.
Wayne Drysdale
But when it comes to governance of the education system, it is not clear what role Mr. Prentice believes locally elected school boards and municipalities should play in this decision making process, as they face intense growth pressures to raise new schools and shutter others.
Another prime target for a demotion in Mr. Prentice's cabinet is Finance Minister Doug Horner, whose budget reporting structure was today the target of an open-letter from a group of retired Tory politicians.
Klein-era finance and revenue ministers Stockwell Day, Steve West, Greg Melchin, Lloyd Snelgrove, Lyle Oberg, and Ted Morton penned a letter to the PC leadership candidates urging them to return to the pre-Horner consolidated annual budget. Mr. Horner adopted a confusing new structure shortly after he was appointed to the post by Ms. Redford in 2012.
Notably missing from the list of former finance ministers was Jim Dinning, who spoke out against Mr. Horner's budget reporting in April 2014.
Tags 2014 Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership race, Alberta Budget Structure, Alberta Teachers' Association, Alison Redford, By-Election, Calgary-Elbow, Charles Rusnell, David Yager, Doug Horner, Greg Melchin, Jeff Johnson, Jennie Russell, Jim Prentice, Lloyd Snelgrove, Lyle Oberg, Moe Amery, New School Construction, Peter Sandhu, Public-Private Partnerships, Steve West, Stockwell Day, Task Force for Teaching Excellence, Ted Morton, Thomas Lukaszuk, TripAdvisor, Wayne Cao, Wayne Drysdale, Wildrose Party
Two rookies turfed from Tory cabinet.
13 Comments on Two rookies turfed from Tory cabinet.
New Tourism Minister Richard Starke, and departing cabinet ministers Stephen Khan and Christine Cusanelli.
In an unexpected move, Premier Alison Redford shuffled two rookie cabinet ministers out of her cabinet yesterday morning. Advanced Education & Enterprise Minister Stephen Khan (MLA St. Albert) and Tourism Minister Christine Cusanelli (MLA Calgary-Currie) were both appointed to cabinet in May 2012.
Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk
Mr. Khan's time in cabinet was largely seen as reserved and underwhelming. Ms. Cusanelli caused an unwelcome stir when she was forced to repay the government $10,600 for expenses made in her first five months in office, including $4,000 in airfare to have her daughter and mother join her at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. She was also given the unenviable task of defending the government's large line of hospitality expenses at the London Games.
Ms. Cusanelli's ministerial office was recently shuffled with the hiring of Chief of Staff Tammy Forbes, who previously served as the Premier's media liaison, and press secretary Andrew Fisher, who previously served as Chief of Staff.
Replacing Mr. Khan is Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk, who has been operating without an official cabinet portfolio since before last year's election. First-term MLA Richard Starke, representing Vermilion-Lloydminster, has been tapped to replace Ms. Cusanelli as Minister of Tourism.
Minister Starke's constituency has a long history of electing MLAs who later served as cabinet ministers.
First to the Tory cabinet was Lloydminster MLA Bud Miller served as the Minister of Public Lands and Wildlife in Premier Peter Lougheed's cabinet from 1979 to 1982.
Directly preceding Minister Starke was Lloyd Snelgrove, who was MLA from 2001 to 2012 and served in a number of portfolios during Premier Ed Stelmach's time in office, including a period of Minister of Finance. Citing irreconcilable differences, Mr. Snelgrove left the PC caucus to sit as an Independent MLA following Premier Redford's successful leadership bid.
Preceding Mr. Snelgrove was Steve West, who served as the constituency's MLA from 1986 to 2001 and served in a number of cabinet portfolios during Premier Ralph Klein's time in office, including Minister of Finance.
(Judging from historical trends, you might think there is a good chance that Minister Starke could one day be Minister of Finance).
Tags Alison Redford, Andrew Fisher, Bud Miller, Christine Cusanelli, Ed Stelmach, Lloyd Snelgrove, Peter Lougheed, Ralph Klein, Richard Starke, Stephen Khan, Steve West, Tammy Forbes, Thomas Lukaszuk
the great alberta election pool.
115 Comments on the great alberta election pool.
Who will run the show after April 23?
On Monday, Albertans will go to the polls in what is already being dubbed a "historic" election. The outcome is uncertain, so why not gaze into your crystal ball and enter the Daveberta and CalgaryGrit election pool. It is simple enough – predict the seat totals for each party and answer 10 bonus questions. Everyone gets 87 points minus one point for each seat you are off per party, plus two points per correct bonus question.
Robert Vollman has generously donated the following political book prize packs (shipping extra, unless we can arrange a pick-up in Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto):
1. The Bill of Rights package: One Canada (Diefenbaker), Memoirs (Trudeau)
2. The Preston Manning package: Thinking Big, The New Canada and Roots of Reform
3. The Jean Chretien package: The Friendly Dictatorship, Straight From the Heart
4. The Federalists package: A Nation Too Good to Lose (Joe Clark), Fighting for Canada (Diane Francis)
5. The Obscure Package: The Betrayal of Canada (Mel Hurtig), Navigating a New World (Lloyd Axworthy)
First choice goes to the overall winner, with the winners of the seat prediction portion and the bonus question portion also winning a book pack. So even if you are an Ontarian, like my friend Dan, with no clue what a "Ted Morton" is, never mind if he'll win his seat, you can skip the bonus questions and still be eligible for the prizes, based on a shot-in-dark seat prediction.
Contest will close as soon as the polls open Monday. Please paste your entry in the comments here or at CalgaryGrit, or e-mail your picks in to david.cournoyer@gmail.com.
Election Results Questions
Number of MLAs elected by each party (total: 87 MLAs)
Alberta Party:
Liberal:
NDP:
Wildrose:
Bonus Question
1. The constituency where the PC candidate will earn their highest percentage of the popular vote:
(2008 results here; candidate list here; top ridings last time: Vermilion-Lloydminster (Lloyd Snelgrove – not running), Battle River-Wainwright (Doug Griffiths), Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (Ed Stelmach – not running), Bonnyville-Cold Lake (Genia Leskiw), Strathmore-Brooks (Arno Doerksen), Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills (Ray Danyluk))
2. Will PC MLA Ted Morton be re-elected in Chestermere-Rockyview?
(Morton won with 57% of the vote last time, but 308.com projects 22-point Wildrose win)
3. Will Premier Alison Redford be re-elected in Calgary-Elbow?
(Redford beat the Liberals by 3% last election, and 308.com projects her to beat the Wildrose by 3%)
4. Will Liberal Party leader Raj Sherman be re-elected in Edmonton-Meadowlark?
(As a PC, Sherman defeated the Liberals 54% to 30% in 2008)
5. What will the highest vote percentage for the Alberta Party be in a riding? (points if you're within +/- 5%)
(Polls show them under 5% province-wide, but they've targeted a pair of Edmonton constituencies, including the one in Q7)
6. Will either Allan Hunsperger ("gays burn in hell") or Ron Leech ("being white is an advantage") win their seat?
(308.com projects Hunsberger to lose, but has Leech in a virtual dead heat)
7. Who will be elected in Edmonton-Glenora?
(Candidates: Sue Huff AP, Bruce Miller Lib, Ray Martin NDP, Heather Klimchuk PC, Don Koziak WR; 2008 vote: PC 40%, Lib 39%, NDP 15%, WR 2%)
8. Which party leaders will announce plans to resign within 48 hours of the vote?
(Alison Redford PC, Danielle Smith WR, Raj Sherman Lib, Brian Mason NDP, Glenn Taylor AP)
9. How many of the 3 senate positions will the Wildrose Party win?
(They're running 3 candidates, the PCs are running 3 candidates, the Greens have 1 candidate, and there are 6 independents; full list here)
10. Who will get more votes – Liberals or NDP?
(current polls have them effectively tied)
Tags Alison Redford, Allan Hunsperger, Arno Doerksen, Brian Mason, Bruce Miller, Danielle Smith, Don Koziak, Doug Griffiths, Ed Stelmach, Genia Leskiw, Glenn Taylor, Heather Klimchuk, Lloyd Snelgrove, Raj Sherman, Ray Danyluk, Ray Martin, Robert Vollman, Ron Leech, Sue Huff, Ted Morton
alberta politics: stormy waters ahead.
29 Comments on alberta politics: stormy waters ahead.
A Sun News Network commissioned poll looks good for the Wildrose Party and bad for the Progressive Conservatives.
Global leaders were shocked yesterday when a new poll commissioned by QMI-Sun News Media showed Danielle Smith's Wildrose Party has made significant headwaters against the governing Progressive Conservatives.
There are serious questions being raised about the results of this poll, which make me question the results. For example, the regional breakdown of party support includes only 81 respondents surveyed from southern Alberta, which results in an unreliably high 11% margin of error (via @calgarygrit). The optimistic results for the Wildrose Party, which already receives daily enthusiastic editorial support from right-wing Sun media, leads me to take with a grain of salt any political polling produced by this media network.
Most legitimate polls, including those conduced by Leger Marketing and Environics, have shown the Tories with 45%-55% support province-wide and the three main opposition parties – Wildrose, NDP, and Liberals – grouped together in the mid-teens. A number of recent polls, including one conducted by Return on Insight, have produced results suggesting that the Wildrose Party has begun to break from the pack of opposition parties, which is not unbelievable at this point.
Update: Dan Arnold and David Climenhaga have shared their views on these polls.
Nervous Tories
Recent heavy-handed actions by Premier Alison Redford suggest that the establishment of the 41-year governing party is beginning to worry about their electoral fortunes.
The release of negative radio ads (which were tame in my mind) suggests that the Tories are feeling pressure to hit back at harsh criticism by the Wildrose Party about new laws limiting blood alcohol levels to 0.05%.
Suspending all Legislative and Government committee pay for PC MLAs was a reaction to wide-spread criticism of an absent committee. The drastic move may also have been a shot across the bow of unhappy PC backbench MLAs and former cabinet ministers, who some insiders say have been sowing discontent towards their party's new direction. The departure of former Finance Minister Lloyd Snelgrove, who now sits as an Independent MLA and will not be seeking re-election, is one example of the tensions between Premier Redford and loyalists of the former Premier.
It is not difficult to imagine some Tories expressing discomfort with Premier Redford's move to discipline her former leadership competitor Gary Mar. The majority of the current PC MLAs supported Mr. Mar's leadership bid in 2011.
The PCs are deliberately focusing their attacks on their largest perceived threat, the Wildrose Party, ignoring the current official opposition Liberals. Premier Redford's appeal to political moderates has led to more than a few prominent Liberal supporters migrating to the PC Party, including two-term Lethbridge-East MLA Bridget Pastoor who crossed the floor to the PCs in November 2011. As Alberta's dominant big tent political party, the Tories will naturally benefit from neutralizing any potential centrist opposition while trying to push the other opposition parties to the ideological fringes.
Promise kept?
Email inboxes across the province yesterday were treated a to the "bing" signalling a new PC Party online newsletter touting Premier Redford's fulfilled promise to hold a "Full judicial inquiry into queue jumping." Of course, the decision to allow the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA), led by a retired judge, to investigate allegations of queue jumping is a pretty loose interpretation of an actual "Full judicial inquiry".
To quote Premier Redford's leadership campaign email newsletter from June 14, 2011 (ASCENT: Alison Redford's Campaign Newsletter Issue 7):
"Albertans want answers regarding the allegations of queue jumping by wealthy and well-connected people. Alison also wants answers. This week, she became the first candidate to call for a full judicial inquiry into queue-jumping."
Created in 2002 as a result of the Report of the Premier's Advisory Council on Health, the mandate of the HQCA is to "promote patient safety and health service quality." Of course, resistance by politicians to holding a real judicial inquiry is not surprising. Real judicial inquiries are uncontrollable and politically dangerous, just ask former Prime Minister Paul Martin how his judicial inquiry worked out for him.
Tags Alison Redford, Bridget Pastoor, Dan Arnold, Danielle Smith, David Climenhaga, Gary Mar, Lloyd Snelgrove, Paul Martin
alberta election candidate update – january 2012.
6 Comments on alberta election candidate update – january 2012.
With an election fast approaching, Alberta's political parties are busy nominating candidates across the province. Here is a regional breakdown showing where candidates have been nominated and some of the recent updates.
Nominated Alberta Election candidates by region (January 16, 2012)
Airdrie: Former Airdrie Mayor Linda Bruce and current Alderman Kelly Hegg are seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination.
Banff-Cochrane: Real Estate broker Jon Bjorgum, Canmore Mayor Ron Casey have Rob Seeley have joined businessman John Fitzsimmons and Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride in the contest for the PC nomination on January 28, 2012. The Liberal Party nomination is scheduled to take place on January 26, 2012.
Bonnyville-Cold Lake: The Wildrose Party is searching for a candidate to replace Chuck Farrer, who has withdrawn his candidacy. Mr. Farrer was nominated in October 2010.
Norm Kelly
Calgary-Currie: Lawyer Norm Kelly has been acclaimed as the Alberta Party candidate.
Calgary-Glenmore: Linda Johnson will face lawyer Byron Nelson for the PC nomination. The constituency is currently represented by Wildrose MLA Paul Hinman, who was elected in a 2010 by-election.
Calgary-Hawkwood: Sumita Anand has joined declared candidates Farouk Adatia, Jason Luan, Chris Roberts, Kumar Sharma, and Doug Stevens in the PC nomination contest.
Calgary-McCall: It is a full house in the PC nomination contest on January 21, 2012 with 10 candidates having entered the race. Candidates include Khandaker Alam, Deepshikha Brar, Afzal Hanid, Amtul Khan, Jamie Lall, Aslam Malik, Ravi Prasad, Muhammad Rasheed, Jagdeep Sahota, and Jangbahadur Sidhu.
Calgary-Mountain View: Lawyer Cecilia Low was acclaimed as the PC candidate. This constituency has been represented by Liberal MLA David Swann since 2004.
Calgary-Northwest: First reported on this blog, former cabinet minster Lindsay Blackett will not be seeking re-election. Sandra Jansen announced yesterday that she will be seeking the PC nomination. Ms. Jansen is a former news anchor for Global Television and has served as Communications Manager for Premier Alison Redford's Southern Alberta Office since late last year.
Calgary-Shaw: The Alberta Party will be holding a nomination meeting on January 30, 2012. At this time, Brandon Beasley is the only declared candidate.
Calgary-West: Allan Ryan and former Calgary-McCall MLA Shiraz Shariff have joined Calgary Police Sergeant Mike Ellis and Ken Hughes.
Nicole Martel
Edmonton-Centre: Urban Development Institute executive director Nicole Martel is seeking the PC nomination scheduled for January 24, 2012. Ms. Martel was the federal Liberal candidate in Edmonton-East in the 2006 election and a candidate for the Liberal nomination in Edmonton-Centre in 2008.
Edmonton-Ellerlise: Past Public School Board candidate Tina Jardine has withdrawn her name as the NDP candidate for personal reasons.
Edmonton-Gold Bar: Dennis O'Neill was acclaimed as the Alberta Party candidate.
Edmonton-Mill Woods: Despite bizarre nomination shenanigans, the PCs will hold their nomination meeting on January 28, 2012. Candidates include Ron Randhawa, Sohail Qadri, and controversy-prone MLA Carl Benito.
Edmonton-Riverview: Taleb Choucair, Edmonton Police Officer Steve Young, and former Public School Trustee Bev Esslinger are seeking the PC nomination on January 27, 2012.
Edmonton-South West: Allan Hunsperger is the nominated Wildrose candidate. Matt Jeneroux and Tofael Chowdhury are competing in the PC nomination scheduled for January 30, 2012. Mr. Choudhury was a candidate for the federal Liberal nomination in Edmonton-Strathcona in 2008.
Doug Faulkner
Fort McMurray-Conklin: Former Wood Buffalo Mayor Doug Faulkner was acclaimed as the Wildrose candidate. Mr. Faulkner was a federal PC candidate in the 2000 election and federal Liberal candidate in the 2004 election. Councillor Don Scott was acclaimed as the PC candidate.
Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo: Andrew Highfield has joined declared candidates Mike Allen, Nick Sanders, and Jeff Thompson in competing for the PC nomination scheduled for January 28, 2012.
Lethbridge-East: Lethbridge County Reeve Lorne Hickey is challenging Liberal-turned-Tory MLA Bridget Pastoor for the PC nomination scheduled for January 26, 2012.
Medicine Hat: Darren Hirsch and Linda Rossler are seeking the PC nomination. The constituency is currently represented by 17-year MLA Rob Renner, who is not seeking re-election.
Red Deer-North: Well-known local historian Michael Dawe is seeking the Liberal nomination scheduled to be held on January 19, 2012.
Sherwood Park: Six candidates are vying for the PC nomination on January 21, 2012 to replace outgoing MLA Iris Evans. Declared candidates include Matthew Bissett, County Councillor Brian Botterill, Helen Calahasen, Murray Hutchinson, former Mayor Cathy Oleson, and local PC organizer Susan Timanson. Ms. Calahasen is the sister of long-time Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen.
Vermilion-Lloydminster: Dr. Richard Starke was acclaimed as the PC candidate to replace outgoing MLA Lloyd Snelgrove.
Senator-in-Waiting Election
Former PC Member of Parliament Douglas Fee has joined the PC nomination contest, to be held on February 10 and 11. Mr. Fee served as the MP for Red Deer from 1988 to 1993.
Tags Afzal Hanid, Alison Redford, Allan Hunsperger, Allan Ryan, Amtul Khan, Andrew Highfield, Aslam Malik, Bev Esslinger, Brandon Beasley, Brian Botterill, Bridget Pastoor, Byron Nelson, Carl Benito, Cathy Oleson, Cecilia Low, Chris Roberts, Chuck Farrer, Darren Hirsch, David Swann, Deepshikha Brar, Dennis O'Neill, Don Scott, Doug Faulkner, Doug Stevens, Douglas Fee, Farouk Adatia, Helen Calahasen, Iris Evans, Jagdeep Sahota, Jamie Lall, Jangbahadur Sidhu, Jason Luan, Jeff Thompson, John Fitzsimmons, Jon Bjorgum, Kelly Hegg, Ken Hughes, Khandaker Alam, Kumar Sharma, Linda Bruce, Linda Johnson, Linda Rossler, Lindsay Blackett, Lloyd Snelgrove, Lorne Hickey, Matt Jeneroux, Matthew Bissett, Michael Dawe, Mike Allen, Mike Ellis, Muhammad Rasheed, Murray Hutchinson, Nick Sanders, Nicole Martel, Norm Kelly, Paul Hinman, Pearl Calahasen, Ravi Prasad, Richard Starke, Rob Renner, Rob Seeley, Ron Casey, Ron Randhawa, Sandra Jansen, Shiraz Shariff, Sohail Qadri, Steve Young, Sumita Anand, Susan Timanson, Taleb Choucair, Tina Jardine, Tofael Chowdhury, Truper McBride
rookie photos of alberta mlas retiring in 2012.
11 Comments on rookie photos of alberta mlas retiring in 2012.
With an election expected to be held in the next few months and a new Premier setting a new tone, many long-time and not-so-long-time Members of Alberta's Legislative Assembly have decided that now is time to retire or look for greener pastures.
The nineteen MLAs not seeking re-election are former Premier Ed Stelmach, Ken Kowalski, Iris Evans, Ron Liepert, Mel Knight, Barry McFarland, Janis Tarchuk, Richard Marz, Lloyd Snelgrove, Rob Renner, Hugh MacDonald, Kevin Taft, George Groeneveld, Dave Taylor, Harry Chase, Broyce Jacobs, Ken Allred, and Art Johnston. Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Johnston were defeated in nomination contests in their constituencies.
Rumours circulating suggest that other long-time MLAs are also considering retirement, including Yvonne Fritz and Dave Hancock.
The departures are not limited to MLAs. Yesterday, Liberal Communications Director Brian Leadbetter announced that he will be leaving after a year in the position.
Some of the retiring politicians have spent a decade or more in office, so before the writ is dropped I thought it would be fun to take a look at what some of them looked like in their younger years in office.
Ed Stelmach, MLA for Vegreville-Viking (1993-2004), Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (2004-2012), Premier (2006-2011)
Ken Kowalski, MLA for Barrhead (1979-1993), Barrhead-Westlock (1993-2004), Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock (2004-2012)
Iris Evans, MLA for Sherwood Park (1997-2012)
Rob Renner, MLA for Medicine Hat (1993-2012)
Barry McFarland, MLA for Little Bow (1992-2012)
Kevin Taft, MLA for Edmonton-Riverview (2001-2012)
Janis Tarchuk, MLA for Banff-Cochrane (1997-2012)
Hugh MacDonald, MLA for Edmonton-Gold Bar (1997-2012)
Richard Marz, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (1997-2012)
Tags Art Johnston, Barry McFarland, Brian Leadbetter, Broyce Jacobs, Dave Hancock, Dave Taylor, Ed Stelmach, George Groeneveld, Harry Chase, Hugh MacDonald, Iris Evans, Janis Tarchuk, Ken Allred, Ken Kowalski, Kevin Taft, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Richard Marz, Ron Liepert, Yvonne Fritz
ken kowalski chooses retirement over death in office.
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Retiring Speaker Ken Kowalski
He once told Albertans that he would "die in office" rather than retire and collect his gold plated severance package, but this week Speaker Ken Kowalski opted for retirement instead of the afterlife. The long-time MLA announced yesterday in a letter to the Progressive Conservative Party that he would not be seeking re-election in the Spring 2012 provincial election. He was in August 2011.
Speaker Kowalski is the longest serving MLA in the Assembly and was first elected in a 1979 by-election in the Barrhead constituency. His absence will undoubtably lead to a hotly contested PC nomination in Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock. Hoping to capture the seat from the Tories is Wildrose candidate and former Alberta Report publisher Link Byfield, who has been on the hustings for more than a year.
Upon his retirement, Speaker Kowalski is expected to collect $1,271,600 in transition allowance, and it is suspected that he may also collect $54,000 per year from the now-defunct MLA pension that was dissolved in 1992. His retirement announcement takes place before a review of MLA salaries and benefits, led by retired Justice John Major, can take place.
This MLA pay review initiated by Premier Alison Redford may succeed in forcing generational change in the PC caucus by prompting the retirement of a number of stodgy former Tory cabinet ministers, including Sherwood Park MLA Iris Evans, Grande Prairie-Smoky MLA Mel Knight, Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Lloyd Snelgrove, Banff-Cochrance MLA Janis Tarchuk, and current Finance Minister and Calgary-West MLA Ron Liepert.
Tags Alison Redford, Iris Evans, Janis Tarchuk, John Major, Ken Kowalski, Link Byfield, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Ron Liepert
alberta election candidate update – december 2011.
9 Comments on alberta election candidate update – december 2011.
The list of candidates nominated across the province continues to grow as we get closer to an expected Spring 2012 election.
Nominated Alberta election candidates by region. December 8, 2011
The sudden burst of retirement announcements by Stelmach-era cabinet ministers has prompted a flurry of nomination activity in constituencies that could be considered Tory strongholds (where winning the PC nomination is typically the toughest fight):
Banff-Cochrane: Mayor Truper McBride is expected to enter the PC nomination contest in this mountain/foothills constituency today. Current PC MLA and former cabinet minister Janis Tarchuk announced this week that she will seek re-election, though some political watchers expect the former cabinet minister to retire when the next election is called.
Calgary-West: The Calgary Herald reported last night that Finance Minister Ron Liepert will not be running in the next election. Minister Liepert was first elected in 2004.
Grande Prairie-Smoky: Grande Prairie County Reeve Everett McDonald is seeking the PC nomination. The constituency is currently represented by MLA and former cabinet minister Mel Knight, who is not seeking re-election.
Retiring! Iris Evans
Sherwood Park: Long-time PC MLA and former cabinet minister Iris Evans will retire when the next election is called. Ms. Evans was first elected as MLA in 1997, defeating Liberal MLA Bruce Collingwood by over 300 votes. Matthew Bissett has announced his intentions to seek the PC nomination.
Vermilion-Lloydminster: Dr. Richard Starke is seeking the PC nomination, which is being left vacant by retiring MLA and former cabinet minister Lloyd Snelgrove.
Aside from the constituencies represented by retiring former cabinet ministers, here are other updates to the list of declared and nominated election candidates:
Calgary-Buffalo: The NDP are expected to acclaim Rebecca Eras as their candidate on December 13
Calgary-Cross: The NDP are expected to acclaim Reinaldo Conterras on December 13. Mr. Conterras replaces previously nominated candidate Preet Sihota, who withdrew his candidacy for personal reasons.
Running? Former MLA Jon Lord
Calgary-Currie: Five prospective nomination candidates were testing the waters at a recent Meet and Greet event organized by the Calgary-Currie PC association. Potential nominees noted to have attended the event include former MLA and Alderman Jon Lord, Stefan Spargo, Chair of the Calgary International Children's Festival Charity Callahan, former Calgary-McCall constituency president Dale Galbraith, school principalChristine Cusanelli, and past-President of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association Brian Holtby.
Calgary-Glenmore: The PC nomination has been scheduled for January 28, 2012. Linda Johnson has declared her candidacy for the nomination.
Calgary-Hays: Former Alderman and recent Mayoral candidate Ric McIver defeated incumbent MLA Art Johnston to nab the PC nomination. This is the second time that Mr. Johnston, the parliamentary assistant to Premier Alison Redford, has lost a nomination contest this year. In May 2011, he was defeated by Rick Fraser in the Calgary-South East PC nomination.
Running: Cecilia Low
Calgary-Mountain View: Lawyer Cecilia Low has announced her intention to seek the PC nomination, which has yet to be officially scheduled.
Calgary-North West: The NDP are expected to acclaim Brian Malkinson as their candidate on December 13.
Edmonton-Gold Bar: Liberal Party members nominated Josipa Petrunic as their candidate earlier this week (read more about Ms. Petrunic here). The PC nomination date has been scheduled for January 25, 2012. Past candidate David Dorward is the only candidate to have declared his candidacy.
Edmonton-Whitemud: The NDP are expected to acclaim Muriel Stanley Venne as their candidate on December 13.
Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo: After circulating a rumour about a secret nomination meeting, Wildrose MLA Guy Boutilier has decided that he will seek his party's nomination in the new Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo constituency.
Leduc-Beaumont: Perennial political candidate Hana Razga is seeking the NDP nomination. Ms. Razga recently ran for Edmonton City Council in Ward 8.
Lethbridge-West: Kevin Kinahan is the nominated Wildrose Party candidate. Mr. Kirnahan was his party's 2008 candidate in Little Bow and failed to once again secure his party's nomination in that constituency last year. Most of the local Wildrose constituency association board resigned in protest following claims of irregularities in the nomination process.
Little Bow: Farmer John Kolk has announced his intentions to seek the PC nomination.
Livingstone-Macleod: PC MLA Evan Berger was acclaimed for his party's nomination. Mr. Berger was first elected in 2008.
St. Albert: First-term MLA PC Ken Allred announced yesterday that he will not be seeking re-election. Kent La Rose was the fourth candidate to join the crowded PC nomination contest in this constituency last week.
Senate: City of Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke will seek the PC nomination for Senate. City of St. Albert Alderman and former Liberal MLA Len Bracko told the Edmonton Journal that he will be running in the Senate election as an Independent candidate. Mr. Bracko was the MLA for St. Albert from 1993 to 1997. He returned to St. Albert City Council in 2001.
Sources tell me that Calgary Police Commission chairman Mike Shaikh will enter the contest for the PC nomination for Senate later this week.
Tags Alison Redford, Art Johnston, Brian Holtby, Brian Malkinson, Bruce Collingwood, Cecilia Low, Charity Callahan, Christine Cusanelli, Dale Galbraith, David Dorward, Evan Berger, Everett McDonald, Greg Krischke, Guy Boutilier, Iris Evans, Janis Tarchuk, John Kolk, Jon Lord, Josipa Petrunic, Ken Allred, Kent La Rose, Kevin Kinahan, Len Bracko, Linda Johnson, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Mike Shaikh, Muriel Stanley Venne, Preet Sihota, Rebecca Eras, Reinaldo Conterras, Ric McIver, Richard Starke, Rick Fraser, Ron Liepert, Stefan Spargo, Truper McBride
alison redford appoints gary mar's cabinet.
25 Comments on alison redford appoints gary mar's cabinet.
Tory MLAs gather for the traditional game musical chairs to choose the new Cabinet.
Do you think Gary Mar left a draft cabinet list in the Premier's Office when he was measuring the drapes? Because Premier Alison Redford found it.
We were told to expect big changes, that many "household names" would be dropped from cabinet, but as they enter their new jobs, Premier Alison Redford's cabinet looks like one that should have been made by her main leadership opponent Gary Mar.
Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Fred Horne's appointment as Minister of Health and Wellness and Ron Liepert's appointment as Finance Minister means that there will be no serious judicial inquiry into the intimidation of health care workers. Minister Liepert's promotion from Energy to Finance is surprising considering that only last week he was openly defying Premier Redford on the need for a health care inquiry. Both Mr. Horne and Mr. Liepert were strong supporters of Mr. Mar in the leadership contest and would have likely ended up in similar positions had he not been defeated on the third ballot vote on October 1.
It has yet to be seen what new powers Minister Liepert will hold as Finance Minister. Remember that in recent cabinets, the President of the Treasury Board has held considerable sway over the province's purse-strings. This could mean that 'Liepert the Hound' could turn into 'Liepert the Pup' when dealing with the current Treasury Board President and Deputy Premier Doug Horner.
A map of the constituencies represented by members of Alberta's new cabinet.
Former Finance Minister Ted Morton is moving into the Energy Minister's office, an area where he will be comfortable defending the province's record on oil sands development. New Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk is a cabinet lightweight who will have to be a quick study if he wants to survive in his new job. He and Premier Redford started things off right this afternoon with the announcement adding $100 million into the education budget today. Both Minister Morton and Minister Lukaszuk supported Mr. Mar on the final ballot of the PC leadership contest.
The appointment of Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths as Minister of Municipal Affairs could turn out to be an interesting choice. Minister Griffiths, who was defeated on the first ballot of the PC leadership contest and has never served in cabinet, comes with both inexperience and an open-mind. Despite his rural pedigree, I would not discount his ability to build relationships with the group of young municipal leaders who have been elected in recent years, including Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Edmonton City Councillor Don Iveson.
The appointment of Edmonton-Whitemud MLA and long-time cabinet minister Dave Hancock (also a Mar loyalist) as Minister of the new Human Services super-ministry is a smart choice. Minister Hancock is a seasoned govern0r who may be the only MLA who can help weave and organize this newly formed portfolio, which includes Children and Youth Services, Employment and Immigration (except for immigration), Homelessness, Alberta Supports (from Seniors and Community Supports).
Rewarded for his most (if only) significant political decision is backbench MLA Art Johnston, who was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to Executive Council (which means he gets to carry Premier Redford's briefing binder in the Assembly). Mr. Johnston was the only MLA to support Ms. Redford on the first ballot of the PC leadership vote.
Some much needed new blood around the cabinet table includes Drayton Valley-Calmar MLA Diana McQueen as Minister of Environment and Water, Calgary-Montrose MLA Manmeet Bhullar as Minister of Service Alberta, Athabasca-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson as Minister of Infrastructure, and Red Deer-South MLA Cal Dallas as Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations.
Notable cabinet ministers joining the great unwashed masses in the Tory backbenches include Sherwood Park MLA Iris Evans, Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Lloyd Snelgrove, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Luke Ouellette, Edmonton-Mill Creek MLA Gene Zwozdesky, Calgary-Cross MLA Yvonne Fritz, Calgary-Shaw MLA Cindy Ady, and Medicine Hat MLA Rob Renner. It would not be surprising to see these now backbench MLAs and others decide to collect their million dollar severance packages and not stand in the next election.
Not to be unexpected, it did not take long for the rumour mill to start suggesting what next steps these former cabinet ministers might take. If he is not retiring, one rumour I heard today suggests that Mr. Zwozdesky may seek re-election and challenge Speaker Ken Kowalski for his position in the Assembly after the next election.
Avoiding one of former Premier Ed Stelmach's first mistakes, this cabinet reaches a respectable geographical balance. Four cabinet minister each from Calgary and Edmonton and the remaining twelve spread across the province.
Tags Alison Redford, Art Johnston, Cal Dallas, Cindy Ady, Dave Hancock, Diana McQueen, Don Iveson, Doug Griffiths, Doug Horner, Ed Stelmach, Fred Horne, Gary Mar, Gene Zwozdesky, Iris Evans, Jeff Johnson, Ken Kowalski, Lloyd Snelgrove, Luke Ouellette, Manmeet Bhullar, Naheed Nenshi, Rob Renner, Ron Liepert, Ted Morton, Yvonne Fritz
alison redford's first cabinet – who's in? who's out?
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Premier Alison Redford will announce the appointment of her first cabinet at 10:00am this morning. I presented my list of predictions last week and since then we have some stronger indication of who will be appointed today and who will be joining the backbenchers this morning. We have been told to expect a significant shuffle and a smaller number of cabinet ministers.
Most of the speculation over the past few days about who will be left out of the next cabinet has been fairly obvious:
Iris Evans (Sherwood Park) – Long-time cabinet minister under Premiers Ralph Klein and Ed Stelmach. Her staff was seen cleaning our her office this week, according to CBC reporter Kim Trynacity.
Ron Liepert (Calgary-West) – Apt at picking the wrong horse in his party's leadership contests, Mr. Liepert was the strong-arm for Jim Dinning in 2006 and Gary Mar in 2011.
Lloyd Snelgrove (Vermilion-Lloydminster) – The last Finance Minister of Premier Stelmach's administration supported Mr. Mar in the leadership contest and told the Meridian-Booster that he would decline an appointment in Premier Redford's cabinet.
UPDATE: Here is the list of new cabinet ministers:
Alison Redford, QC, Calgary-Elbow Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities
Doug Horner, Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert Deputy Premier, President of Treasury Board and Enterprise
David Hancock, Edmonton-Whitemud Minister of Human Services, Government House Leader
Ted Morton, Foothills-Rocky View Minister of Energy
Verlyn Olson, Wetaskiwin-Camrose Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Deputy Government House Leader
Fred Horne, Edmonton-Rutherford Minister of Health and Wellness
Ron Liepert, Calgary-West Minister of Finance
Thomas Lukaszuk, Edmonton-Castle Downs Minister of Education
Diana McQueen, Drayton Valley-Calmar Minister of Environment and Water
Jonathan Denis, Calgary-Egmont Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security; Deputy Government House Leader
Cal Dallas, Red Deer-South Minister of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations
Evan Berger, Livingstone-Macleod Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Frank Oberle, Peace River Minister of Sustainable Resource Development
George VanderBurg, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne Minister of Seniors
Ray Danyluk, Lac La Biche-St. Paul Minister of Transportation
Jeff Johnson, Athabasca-Redwater Minister of Infrastructure
Doug Griffiths, Battle River-Wainwright Minister of Municipal Affairs
Greg Weadick, Lethbridge-West Minister of Advanced Education and Technology
Jack Hayden, Drumheller-Stettler Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Heather Klimchuk, Edmonton-Glenora Minister of Culture and Community Services
Manmeet Bhullar, Calgary-Montrose Minister of Service Alberta
Tags Alison Redford, Iris Evans, Kim Trynacity, Lloyd Snelgrove, Ron Liepert
cabinet building and the game of politics in alberta.
28 Comments on cabinet building and the game of politics in alberta.
"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."
Cersei Lannister, Game of Thrones
With the coming of a new Premier, the great game of cabinet building is underway and the politicians are jockeying for their positions. As reported by the Edmonton Journal, the competition to woo the new Queen of Alberta politics took the form of hugs and cheers at today's Tory caucus meeting, the first since Premier-designate Alison Redford won the Progressive Conservative leadership on October 1.
Geography, gender, experience, competency, and political loyalty are a few of the many factors that are taken into account when building a cabinet. The need to put a new face on the cabinet will certainly leave some veteran MLAs mispleased with the appointments, which are expected to take place next week. Two position are already assured to Doug Horner as Deputy Premier and Dave Hancock as House leader.
Idle speculation over coffee (or mead and meat if we were in King's Landing) with David Climenhaga, author of the Alberta Diary blog, led to the creation of three speculative lists of "who's in" the cabinet, "too soon to tell" what their future is, and "who's out" the next provincial cabinet.
The first two of the three groups are listed below and are our contribution to what is sure to be at the centre of debate among members of Premier Redford's transition team. The third group, which I will not list on this blog, we hope will be chaired by the always affable and cheery hopefully-soon-to-be-former cabinet minister Ron Liepert.
Who's in?
Doug Horner – Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert (Already announced Deputy Premier, could be appointed Finance Minister)
Dave Hancock – Edmonton-Whitemud (Already appointed as House Leader)
Ted Morton – Foothills-Rockyview (lock the gun cabinet, keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer)
Ray Danyluk – Lac La Biche-St. Paul (Flexed his political muscle by drawing largest vote in his constituency in the PC leadership contest)
Robin Campbell – West Yellowhead
Dave Rodney – Calgary-Lougheed
Cal Dallas – Red Deer-South (from Red Deer and not Mary Ann Jablonski)
Kyle Fawcett – Calgary-North Hill (Supported Doug Griffiths on the first ballot and Redford on the second ballot)
Yvonne Fritz – Calgary-Cross (competent cabinet minister)
Jack Hayden – Drumheller-Stettler (to satisfy the rural vote)
Cindy Ady – Calgary-Shaw (to satisfy the Mormon vote)
Jeff Johnson – Athabasca-Redwater (New blood)
Art Johnston – Calgary-Hays (rewarded for being the only MLA to support Redford on the first ballot)
Diana McQueen – Drayton Valley-Calmar (Supported Horner and is a rising star in the PC caucus)
Frank Oberle – Peace River (Stays in Solicitor General)
Verlyn Olsen – Wetaskiwin-Camrose (Justice Minister)
Luke Ouellette – Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (hugged Redford at today's caucus meeting)
Janice Sarich – Edmonton-Decore (Education Minister)
Thomas Lukaszuk – Edmonton-Castle Downs
Lloyd Snelgrove – Vermilion-Lloydminster
Doug Elniski – Edmonton-Calder (supported Redford, but has made questionable comments on women's rights)
Greg Weadick – Lethbridge-West
Len Webber – Calgary-Foothills
Manmeet Bhullar – Calgary-Montrose
Genia Leskiw – Bonnyville-Cold Lake
Lindsay Blackett – Calgary-North West
Gene Zwozdesky – Edmonton-Mill Creek (the fixer)
Will all these MLAs make into the provincial cabinet next week? Perhaps not, but it is always fun to speculate what might come next in the increasingly interesting the game of politics in Alberta…
Tags Alison Redford, Art Johnston, Cal Dallas, Cersei Lannister, Dave Hanock, Dave Rodney, David Climenhaga, Diana McQueen, Doug Elniski, Doug Horner, Frank Oberle, Gene Zwozdesky, Greg Weadick, Janice Sarich, Jeff Johnson, Kyle Fawcett, Len Webber, Lindsay Blackett, Lloyd Snelgrove, Luke Ouellette, Manmeet Bhullar, Ray Danyluk, Robin Campbell, Ted Morton, Thomas Lukaszuk, Verlyn Olsen, Yvonne Fritz
mla support in the alberta pc leadership contest (july 14, 2011)
15 Comments on mla support in the alberta pc leadership contest (july 14, 2011)
Here is a preliminary list and map of MLAs who are supporting candidates in the 2011 Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership contest. Please comment below or send me an email at david.cournoyer@gmail.com if there are additions or subtractions to be made to this list.
Map of MLA support in the 2011 Alberta PC leadership contest.
Candidate: Doug Griffiths (1 MLA)
Kyle Fawcett (Calgary-North Hill)
Candidate: Doug Horner (12 MLAs)
Ray Danyluk (Lac La Biche-St. Paul)
Wayne Drysdale (Grande Prairie-Wapiti)
Hector Goudreau (Dunvegan-Central Peace)
Jack Hayden (Drumheller-Stettler)
Jeff Johnson (Athabasca-Redwater)
Ken Kowalski (Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock)
Genia Leskiw (Bonnyville-Cold Lake)
Len Mitzel (Cypress-Medicine Hat)
Frank Oberle (Peace River)
Luke Ouellette (Innisfail-Sylvan Lake)
Dave Quest (Strathcona)
Greg Weadick (Lethbridge-West)
Candidate: Gary Mar (11 MLAs)
Naresh Bhardwaj (Edmonton-Ellerslie)
Iris Evans (Sherwood Park)
Heather Klimchuk (Edmonton-Glenora)
Mel Knight (Grande Prairie-Smoky)
Diana McQueen (Drayton Valley-Calmar)
Ron Liepert (Calgary-West)
Thomas Lukaszuk (Edmonton-Castle Downs)
Ray Prins (Lacombe-Ponoka)
Rob Renner (Medicine Hat)
George Rogers (Leduc-Beaumont-Devon)
Lloyd Snelgrove (Vermilion-Lloydminster)
Candidate: Ted Morton (10 MLAs)
Moe Amery (Calgary-East)
Carl Benito (Edmonton-Mill Woods)
Evan Berger (Livingstone-Macleod)
Jonathan Denis (Calgary-Egmont)
Doug Elniski (Edmonton-Calder)
George Groenveld (Highwood)
Broyce Jacobs (Cardston-Taber-Warner)
Dave Rodney (Calgary-Lougheed)
Tony Vandermeer (Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview)
David Xiao (Edmonton-McClung)
Candidate: Rick Orman
Candidate: Alison Redford (1 MLA)
Art Johnston (Calgary-Hays)
Tags Alison Redford, Broyce Jacobs, Carl Benito, Dave Quest, Dave Rodney, David Xiao, Diana McQueen, Doug Elniski, Doug Griffiths, Doug Horner, Evan Berger, Frank Oberle, Gary Mar, Genia Leskiw, George Groenveld, George Rogers, Greg Weadick, Heather Klimchuk, Hector Goudreau, Jack Hayden, Jeff Johnson, Jonathan Denis, Ken Kowalski, Kyle Fawcett, Len Mitzel, Lloyd Snelgrove, Luke Ouellette, Mel Knight, Moe Amery, Ray Danyluk, Ray Prins, Rick Orman, Ron Liepert, Ted Morton, Thomas Lukaszuk, Tony Vandermeer, Wayne Drysdale
a first ballot victory for gary mar?
11 Comments on a first ballot victory for gary mar?
Gary Mar's campaign bus.
First ballot voting for Alberta's Progressive Conservative leadership does not take place until September 17, but a show of force has led some politicos to begin speculating that former cabinet minister Gary Mar could be steamrolling towards a first ballot victory against his five opponents. With a flashy campaign launch, a deep war-chest, and a strong showing of support at a fundraiser attended by around 1500 supporters in Edmonton, it may not be far fetched speculation.
Attracting the endorsements of the PC Party establishment, including cabinet minister Iris Evans, Ron Liepert, Mel Knight, Lloyd Snelgrove, and Thomas Lukazsuk, as well as growing bevy of MLAs including Ray Prins and George Rogers. According to the newsletter Insight into Government, long-time Calgary Liberal fundraiser Daryl Fridhandler is supporting Mr. Mar's candidacy.
Questions that were initially raised about his connections to mismanagement while Health & Wellness Minister in the late 1990s have been swept aside by Mr. Mar's General Election-style campaign. Even the Alberta Medical Association, which has spent a considerable amount of time in the past cozying up to the Progressive Conservatives (perhaps with questionable results for its members) is promoting Mr. Mar.
His main opponents will do their best to stop Mr. Mar from rolling to a first-ballot victory. Right-wing standard bearer and former Finance Minister Ted Morton has attracted the support of Housing Minister Jonathan Denis and MLAs George Groenveld and Dave Rodney. While his campaign should not be underestimated, Mr. Morton is either on vacation or campaigning in a stealth plane. He has barely made news headlines since a highly-public row with Premier Ed Stelmach over the provincial budget led to his resignation earlier this year.
Former Deputy Premier Doug Horner is criss-crossing the province, and as the only candidate from northern Alberta (and the Edmonton region), he is likely to draw considerable regional support that Mr. Mar may find difficult to tap into. The endorsement of Lac La Biche-St. Paul MLA Ray Danyluk and more expected MLA endorsements may position Mr. Horner as the de-facto "northern opposition" to the Calgary-based Mr. Mar.
Rick Orman, a Calgary oil-man and former cabinet minister who left politics in 1993, is said to be well-funded and eating away at Mr. Morton's support. For all his good intentions, Battle River-Wainwright MLA Doug Griffiths is said to be struggling financially, which must be disappointing for the young MLAs enthusiastic supporters, which include Calgary-North Hill MLA Kyle Fawcett.
Former Justice Minister Alison Redford may be the biggest obstacle standing between Mr. Mar's and a first-ballot victory on September 17. A fellow Calgarian with considerable financial support and an aggressive campaign to distance herself from the unpopular administration of Premier Stelmach, Ms. Redford may challenge Mr. Mar for the support of moderates in the PC Party. Challenging Mr. Mar for the votes of these moderate PC members could deny him the base he needs to mount an early victory.
Tags Alison Redford, Daryl Fridhandler, Doug Griffiths, Doug Horner, Gary Mar, George Rogers, Iris Evans, Kyle Fawcett, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Ray Danyluk, Ray Prins, Rick Orman, Ron Liepert, Ted Morton, Thomas Lukaszuk
lyle oberg's wildrose jump: connecting the dots.
16 Comments on lyle oberg's wildrose jump: connecting the dots.
Danielle Smith and Lyle Oberg at last night's Wildrose fundraising dinner in Edmonton. Photo via @wmcbeath.
Twelve years after he fired Trustee Danielle Smith by dissolving the Calgary Board of Education, former PC cabinet minister Lyle Oberg announced yesterday that he was joining the Wildrose Alliance and would be introducing Ms. Smith at her party's fundraising dinner last night in Edmonton.
Attracting a high-profile Tory like Mr. Oberg is a public relations coup for the Wildrose, but it is not impossible to connect the dots that led to his decision. Mr. Oberg's wife, Evelyn, works for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Wildrose MLA Guy Boutilier and, in 2006, Mr. Boutilier was one of two PC MLAs who supported Mr. Oberg in his failed PC leadership bid (the other was Lesser Slave Lake PC MLA Pearl Calahasen).
Mr. Oberg served as Minister of various portfolios while Ralph Klein was Premier and was Finance Minister in Premier Ed Stelmach's first government from 2006 to 2008. After discovering that the real financial power rested not with the Finance Minister, but with Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove, Mr. Oberg went out of his way to publicly contradict the Premier's message on energy royalty review and a national securities regulator before announcing that he would not seek re-election in 2008.
Another former PC cabinet minister, Doug Main, was the Master of Ceremonies for last night's fundraiser.
I thought that Premier Stelmach's resignation announcement would have stemmed the flow of high-profile former PCs joining the Wildrose. I wonder who could be next?
Tags Danielle Smith, Doug Main, Ed Stelmach, Evelyn Oberg, Lloyd Snelgrove, Lyle Oberg, Pearl Calahasen, Ralph Klein