Well, here’s the first political response issued from inside Alberta soon after the speech ended: “Alberta has been the hardest hit among all Canadian provinces, and yet there was no mention of specific support in today’s throne speech.” It was an entirely predictable response from a province that has suffered low (and even negative) oil prices, record debt, and high…

Alberta conservatives are feeling a little bit more optimistic this week. They should enjoy the feeling while it lasts. On Tuesday, federal Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole revealed a new 43-member shadow cabinet that not only includes 23 members from the West but nine from Alberta. Those Alberta MPs given prominent positions include Michelle Rempel Garner (health), Greg McLean (natural…

Ok, now what? We know the Alberta government is in a fiscal mess. But we don’t know what this means for Albertans. Thanks to the fiscal update from Finance Minister Travis Toews on Thursday, we learned the Alberta government will run a $24.2 billion deficit this year, bringing the total provincial debt to $99.6 billion.

When the spring sitting of the Alberta legislature ended Wednesday morning, Premier Jason Kenney wanted to wrap things up on a positive note. But a major oilsands company, Total, apparently didn’t get the memo. As Kenney proudly itemized the government’s achievements in the marathon session “to get Albertans back to work,” Total announced more sobering news.

The good news: Alberta schools will resume in-class learning in September. The bad news: Alberta schools will resume in-class learning in September. For Alberta parents of school age children, this fall will be an emotional tug-of-war between relief at getting the kids back in school and anxiety about their safety. Not helping matters are the conflicting messages from politicians.