Every day she makes bad decisions which damage Albertans' future. We cannot assume she is just catering to her stupid anti-vaxxer separatist base; clearly she shares their stupid bigoted beliefs.
We need to get rid of Smith and the UCP now. They are doing too much harm.
'Surely this is not the Smith government’s intention.'
Ummm, I'm not sure about that. The UCP have shown themselves time and again to be anti-education, anti-expertise, and totally willing to subvert any policy in the name of their politics. Cutting off Alberta's ability to conduct research would be totally in their wheelhouse. See Smith's own remarks about the 'politics' of how research grants are awarded. They won't be happy until we're an ignorant backwater that only does research on fossil fuels.
Well, this is an interesting turn of events. While Ottawa does not have jurisdiction over post-secondaries it has the spending power. It can spend money on anything it wants. And the spending power is well entrenched in our constitutional system. As well, a considerable sum of money comes in federal transfers from Ottawa for basic funding of post-secondaries. This does not include infrastructure funding which post post secondaries apply for. There are also students loan and bursary programs offered by the federal government. So, post secondary education in Canada is under provincial jurisdiction, but the federal government plays a significant role and has established itself as an actor within the sector.
Danielle Smith was a public school trustee, and was removed from that position, because she caused friction, and she didn't co-operate with others. She could have entered into provincial politics, as a way to try and get even for what happened to her. Anything that doesn't fit her ideology, which is rather warped, and very backwards, will get disregarded. We all end up suffering.
Daniele Smith doesn’t care about researchers or getting results. She wants to complain about the feds and when researchers leave she’ll complain that is Trudeau’s fault too. When the funding dries up she’ll complain Ottawa hates Alberta. She wants her right wing grudge against Trudeau and doesn’t care about the harm caused. In the end this is the continued de-coupling of Alberta from confederation. Some time soon she’ll start talking about separation.
The UCP are intent on making Alberta get dumber. Education is one way they will do it, by cutting funding to it, and attacking it. Very disturbing. It's got to be hard being a teacher, or a professor in Alberta these days. I do have family members who have been in the teaching profession, and ones who still are. This includes professors. The essential elements that keep our society going, such as public education, public healthcare, and compassion for the less fortunate, are being harmed, while the most expensive boondoggles happen, with an unhealthy dose of environmental degradation, and mounting costs, are what the UCP are doing. Whomever voted for this, didn't have a clue. I don't mind another blog, because they are great to read.
I find it hard to believe this UCP government and its backers are so ignorant and suspicious of real science that they would risk losing 10 of millions of research dollars and the tremendous number of science specialists because they perceive totally incorrectly as usual that the grants are politically influenced! Yet They want to directly politically influence what they consider appropriate from their anti science, anti progressive view? Stephen Harper fired 3000 scientists because they MIGHT adversely comment or study something that he personally disagree with. Or might question his plans to make Canada a petro-state. This type of small mindlessness indicates they are not suitable leaders in a modern progressive society. The premier and her government are busy dismantling any and every independent board, commission or agency in Alberta and making the political pawns in her office, non elected non civil service responsible. TO HER. A destructive way to foster a democracy and freedom of interest and thinking.
Though it is true that the municipal elections have woefully low participation, it must be said that the Provincial Government have a level of responsibility for that result. The increased levy the Provincial Government imposes on municipal taxes reduces the local governments' ability to meet their objectives. Therefore the cities need to increase taxes to meet the citizens' requirements and then they get blamed for it.
In regards to grants, the municipal governments are not the ones making decisions about those research grants. There are independent, non Government bodies that make those decisions. They are better at analyzing the research applications that a politically ideological government of whatever type.
I wonder what makes an elected official worthy, or not worthy in your opinion?
Lisa, everything you say in the April 10th Research Funding 101 post re: how the Tri-agencies work to provide funds for research is accurate and excellent, *except*: SSHRC does not put any part of their budget aside for the 'Future Challenge Areas'. The agency is not enacting 'wokeness' via the FCAs.
Happy to explain more if you'd like, but the main point is, the Future Challenge Areas exercise was essentially a means to help Parliament (of ~2011) understand what social challenges government and federal agencies would need to be prepared for, long term, and to help SSHRC the agency explain the general value of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (as opposed to NSERC & CIHR) to politicians.
You know how to find me at the office if you'd like to discuss more 👍🏼
One difference between Quebec and Alberta is that their post secondary funding system is really robust. Basically a second layer of opportunity.
Sounds like Alberta is going to hold itself hostage again. That'll show em.
Please don't apologize for a surfeit of posts, Lisa. They are what we're here for. Keep them coming, no matter the tenor
Every day she makes bad decisions which damage Albertans' future. We cannot assume she is just catering to her stupid anti-vaxxer separatist base; clearly she shares their stupid bigoted beliefs.
We need to get rid of Smith and the UCP now. They are doing too much harm.
'Surely this is not the Smith government’s intention.'
Ummm, I'm not sure about that. The UCP have shown themselves time and again to be anti-education, anti-expertise, and totally willing to subvert any policy in the name of their politics. Cutting off Alberta's ability to conduct research would be totally in their wheelhouse. See Smith's own remarks about the 'politics' of how research grants are awarded. They won't be happy until we're an ignorant backwater that only does research on fossil fuels.
So no, I actually do think is their intention.
Totally agree with paul & Dave.
This is exactly what these goof-balls intend!
That is exactly their intention. Wake up all and listen
Madam Premier, Listen to Lisa
Well, this is an interesting turn of events. While Ottawa does not have jurisdiction over post-secondaries it has the spending power. It can spend money on anything it wants. And the spending power is well entrenched in our constitutional system. As well, a considerable sum of money comes in federal transfers from Ottawa for basic funding of post-secondaries. This does not include infrastructure funding which post post secondaries apply for. There are also students loan and bursary programs offered by the federal government. So, post secondary education in Canada is under provincial jurisdiction, but the federal government plays a significant role and has established itself as an actor within the sector.
The province can’t stop the Feds from sending the money, but they can absolutely prevent the universities from accepting and spending the money
Danielle Smith was a public school trustee, and was removed from that position, because she caused friction, and she didn't co-operate with others. She could have entered into provincial politics, as a way to try and get even for what happened to her. Anything that doesn't fit her ideology, which is rather warped, and very backwards, will get disregarded. We all end up suffering.
Daniele Smith doesn’t care about researchers or getting results. She wants to complain about the feds and when researchers leave she’ll complain that is Trudeau’s fault too. When the funding dries up she’ll complain Ottawa hates Alberta. She wants her right wing grudge against Trudeau and doesn’t care about the harm caused. In the end this is the continued de-coupling of Alberta from confederation. Some time soon she’ll start talking about separation.
The UCP are intent on making Alberta get dumber. Education is one way they will do it, by cutting funding to it, and attacking it. Very disturbing. It's got to be hard being a teacher, or a professor in Alberta these days. I do have family members who have been in the teaching profession, and ones who still are. This includes professors. The essential elements that keep our society going, such as public education, public healthcare, and compassion for the less fortunate, are being harmed, while the most expensive boondoggles happen, with an unhealthy dose of environmental degradation, and mounting costs, are what the UCP are doing. Whomever voted for this, didn't have a clue. I don't mind another blog, because they are great to read.
See also yesterday's announcement:
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=90126AA89A8C4-C354-589C-EF4D504DADF97972
David Climenhaga interprets the warped view of research held by Smith and the UCP:
https://albertapolitics.ca/2024/04/the-recovery-war-room-best-practices-if-ideologically-acceptable-but-not-necessarily-best-practices/
I find it hard to believe this UCP government and its backers are so ignorant and suspicious of real science that they would risk losing 10 of millions of research dollars and the tremendous number of science specialists because they perceive totally incorrectly as usual that the grants are politically influenced! Yet They want to directly politically influence what they consider appropriate from their anti science, anti progressive view? Stephen Harper fired 3000 scientists because they MIGHT adversely comment or study something that he personally disagree with. Or might question his plans to make Canada a petro-state. This type of small mindlessness indicates they are not suitable leaders in a modern progressive society. The premier and her government are busy dismantling any and every independent board, commission or agency in Alberta and making the political pawns in her office, non elected non civil service responsible. TO HER. A destructive way to foster a democracy and freedom of interest and thinking.
This was very informative, Lisa.
It does question motive by "President" Smith on the future of the country of Alberta?
Thank you Ken you make some interesting comments.
Though it is true that the municipal elections have woefully low participation, it must be said that the Provincial Government have a level of responsibility for that result. The increased levy the Provincial Government imposes on municipal taxes reduces the local governments' ability to meet their objectives. Therefore the cities need to increase taxes to meet the citizens' requirements and then they get blamed for it.
In regards to grants, the municipal governments are not the ones making decisions about those research grants. There are independent, non Government bodies that make those decisions. They are better at analyzing the research applications that a politically ideological government of whatever type.
I wonder what makes an elected official worthy, or not worthy in your opinion?
Dumb and Dumber, Alberta style.
Yes she is and no we do not.
Lisa, everything you say in the April 10th Research Funding 101 post re: how the Tri-agencies work to provide funds for research is accurate and excellent, *except*: SSHRC does not put any part of their budget aside for the 'Future Challenge Areas'. The agency is not enacting 'wokeness' via the FCAs.
Happy to explain more if you'd like, but the main point is, the Future Challenge Areas exercise was essentially a means to help Parliament (of ~2011) understand what social challenges government and federal agencies would need to be prepared for, long term, and to help SSHRC the agency explain the general value of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (as opposed to NSERC & CIHR) to politicians.
You know how to find me at the office if you'd like to discuss more 👍🏼