Canadian Crossing

Danielle Smith completes her political comeback to be Alberta's premier-designate

Those who have followed Alberta politics or read our past coverage would have difficulty imagining that Danielle Smith would ever be the premier of Alberta. Smith was in a great position to win in 2012 as leader of the Wildrose Party but lost to Alison Redford of the Progressive Conservatives.

As leader of the opposition in 2014, after she stated "there'll be no more floor crossings," Smith was one of 9 MLAs who crossed over to join the Progressive Conservatives.

So how did Danielle Smith win the leadership of the United Conservative Party in 2022, succeeding Jason Kenney as the new premier of Alberta?

In a relatively weak group of candidates, Smith finally got a majority — 53.3% — on the 6th ballot. The difference maker was the proposal for the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which essentially calls on Alberta, well, the government anyway to determine which federal laws will be recognised by the province.

Former Wildrose leader and current MLA Brian Jean was the other major contender. The other leadership candidates were independent MLA and former UCP caucus chair Todd Loewen along with 3 Kenney cabinet members and current MLAs Rajan Sawhney, Rebecca Schulz, and Travis Toews.

Smith will be the 3rd female premier in Alberta history behind Redford and former premier and current opposition leader Rachel Notley (NDP). The 2023 election will be the second time in Alberta history where women run the 2 primary parties.

Smith is not a MLA. You can still be premier and not be a MLA. Christy Clark did so for awhile in British Columbia in 2013.

Smith has a relatively short period of time to make an impact since the next provincial election will be on or before May 29, 2023. Smith said recently that if she won the UCP leadership race, she would not call an early election.

Alberta Wildrose Party comes up smaller than expected

Danielle Smith, Alberta Wildrose Party gain attention for big 'wheels,' not big ideas

Danielle Smith might consider mentioning this part of her history to be not so kind. This is part of why there was a political comeback. This was the introduction to Smith for many people inside Canada and outside the country.

She is a very different politician than Jason Kenney. Smith doesn't mind being the centre of attention. Her efforts since this incident have not gone back to this theme.

Jason Kenney to step down as UCP leader and Alberta premier

Alberta notebook: The legacy of outgoing Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Alberta dials back COVID-19 tracking to dangerous levels

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

Jason Kenney came out aggressively against a potential Alberta Sovereignty Act during the campaign. The concept of the UCP was to unite the right-wing Progressive Conservatives and the very right-wing Wildrose Party. As we've seen, this is easier said than accomplished.

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Following tonight's vote (and swearing-in ceremony), Alberta will be on its 8th premier since 2006.

Only one of them has served a full term: Rachel Notley.#YEG #YYC #ableg #abpoli

— David Boles (@DavidJBoles) October 6, 2022

Smith will be the second female premier of a Canadian province along with Heather Stefanson of Manitoba, who has been in office for almost a year. Neither Stefanson or Smith were elected.

photos credits: Calgary Herald; CanadianCrossing.com
video credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @DavidJBoles

Jason Kenney to step down as UCP leader and Alberta premier

Just before the Battle of Alberta got underway on the ice, there was another Battle of Alberta as Jason Kenney's leadership of the United Conservative Party was under review.

"Do you approve of the current leader?" Kenney got 51.4% of the vote: 17,638 said yes and 16,660 said no. The party received 34,298 ballots by the May 11 deadline.

While Kenney had said he would accept a 50%+1 total, which is not how leadership reviews are usually accepted, Kenney announced his resignation as party leader with the result.

"The result is not what I hoped for or frankly what I expected," Kenney told a gathering of supporters and volunteers.

I want to thank Jason Kenney for his public service.

There are obviously many things about which we don’t agree, but that doesn’t negate the time and sacrifice that goes into taking on the role of Premier.#ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 19, 2022

Kenney remains as party leader and premier until either an interim leader is picked for both or the party has an election to elect a new leader, who would then become premier. The next Alberta election isn't scheduled until 2023.

Brian Jean, the last leader of the Wildrose Party (2015-2017) (the UCP is the combination of the Progressive Conservatives and the farther-right Wildrose Party), would be in the catbird seat. Freshly back in the Alberta legislature in the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding since March 16. Jean ran for the UCP leadership race in 2017. That leadership race featured Jeff Callaway, a candidate that seemed to be connected to the Kenney campaign, presumably running just to attack Jean.

Danielle Smith, a former Wildrose leader who is not in the Alberta legislature, will hold a news conference Thursday to discuss her plans. This is how some remember Smith and her old party.

Alberta notebook: The legacy of outgoing Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Alberta dials back COVID-19 tracking to dangerous levels

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

No matter what your Alberta government does or does not do- you can still protect yourself by using your head. Wear a mask- social distancing- being sensible- washing your hands. We’ve come this far without any leadership- and we will continue on. #electioncannotcometoosoon

— jann arden (@jannarden) July 29, 2021

Depending on where you stand on the political landscape, there is an argument that Kenney was defeated by being "too tough" on COVID-19 restrictions. Most of the world would see Kenney's actions as being far too lenient.

Unlike Scott Moe and the Saskatchewan Party geographically off to the east, Kenney ran in skirmishes such as party gatherings when those gatherings were otherwise outlawed and taking taxpayer money to produce propaganda against potential attacks on Alberta oil.

Jason Kenney's political future on the line (Front Burner from CBC Radio)

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

Even from an objective standpoint, there was an arrogance from Jason Kenney even before he became the United Conservative Party leader. His followers might think that was hubris.

Rachel Notley's NDP took advantage of the frustration with provincial leadership to win the 2015 election. The merger of the right-wing parties was designed to thwart the NDP in the province. There was a path to set everything up well but that path was ignored due to arrogance or hubris. Now we'll see what path the party and new provincial leader will follow.

photo credits: Global News; CBC News
Twitter captures: @RachelNotley; @jannarden

Alberta notebook: The legacy of outgoing Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Rob Ford will go down in infamous history as the most remembered mayor in Canadian history. Naheed Nenshi might go down in history as lesser known but one of the best mayors in Canadian history.

Nenshi spent 11 years as mayor of Calgary, announcing he would not run again in 2021. Nenshi was known as a true independent, going so far as to wear purple, a combination of red and blue.

Calgary and Edmonton, the largest cities in Alberta, elected mayors of note. Jyoti Gondek will be Calgary's first female mayor. Amarjeet Sohi will be the first mayor of colour in the Alberta capital. Both are the first Punjabi mayors of major cities in Canada.

Gondek previously served as a city councillor in Calgary for 4 years; Sohi is a former Liberal federal cabinet member.

While Alberta is primarily rural and conservative (small c conservative), their largest cities are much more progressive (small p progressive).

The Current with Matt Galloway had a really good interview with Mayor Nenshi earlier this month on his legacy. If you have felt cynical about Canadian politics, whether that may or may not be from our political coverage, listening to Nenshi's pragmatism might make you feel more hopeful.

We wish good luck to the new mayors in the largest Alberta cities. You have a lot of amazing challenges ahead.

Alberta dials back COVID-19 tracking to dangerous levels

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

We don't enjoy focusing on the numerous mistakes of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. We would rather use space to talk more about more less cynical politicians. When the United Conservative Party came into power in 2019, Kenney had a number of ways to "fight back" against those who he felt besmirched the oil and gas industry.

Kenney took taxpayer money to launch the Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site. Instead of spending money to help those who were suffering from the cutback on oil and gas, Kenney and his cronies wanted to show the extensive foreign influence of environmental groups.

You would think Kenney would be right up front when the report was released. Just like his very long vacation in the summer of 2021, Kenney was nowhere to be found.

The $3.5 million budget produced a report that, like Seinfeld, was pretty much about nothing.  

Steve Allan, an accountant who led the inquiry, noted in the 657-page report no findings “that participation in an anti-Alberta energy campaign is in any way improper or constitutes conduct that should in any way be impugned.”

Energy minister Sonya Savage did publicly respond about the report. "So is it illegal? No."

"Was it wrong? I think the majority of Albertans would say it was wrong, and they want to know how it happened, who was involved."

The New York Times Canada Letter weighs in on the report:

The report, however, offers little support for her analysis. While it concludes that environmental campaigns had some effect on Alberta energy projects — though it does not quantify how much — the report also says: "There is no doubt that these campaigns have occurred in an environment of reduced investment in oil and gas projects, at least since 2014 when global oil prices fell by almost half and other economic factors were at play."

You can be certain that the UCP won't mention this report or the Canadian Energy Centre in the 2023 election, whether Kenney is still the premier or whether someone else is in charge of the province. Former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is the opposition leader, a rare moment when a premier has lost and remains in the legislature as a party leader.

The rhetoric and reality of the anti-Alberta energy campaigns report (Front Burner CBC Radio)

Alberta has lots of solar power and wind power, natural forms of energy. They have an educated workforce on energy issues. Playing the oil and gas card as the only card in the deck isn't going to help those who want desperately to work.

Those new big city mayors need strong, focused leadership on the provincial level and aren't getting much help. Nenshi, in particular, has been highly critical of the Kenney government.

The outside bogeyman concept might have convinced people in a more long-ago time. The Alberta people are smarter than they might appear. They are attracted to a conservative, leave us alone approach to most concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic, where Kenney has also failed on leadership, and the decline of the oil and gas industries offer challenges that don't fit neatly under that conservative umbrella.

Kenney got some "bad news" yesterday with the Justin Trudeau cabinet shuffle. Steven Guilbeault, who had been stuck as heritage minister, was shifted over to be the minister of environment and climate change.

Given that the Quebec MP once worked as a senior member of Greenpeace, Guilbeault has the background for this portfolio.

Calgary voters say no to 2026 Winter Olympics

Construction money and jobs could have been pouring into Calgary to build new facilities and revive older structures for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Calgary was the favourite before a non-binding plebiscite where 56.4% of the 40% (22.6% of registered voters) who voted said no to the Olympics.

The Saddledome, the NHL Calgary Flames home built for the 1988 Olympics, was going to be replaced by a new arena. The CFL Calgary Stampeders team was going to get a new home under the Olympic plan. Ironically, those weren't introduced into the official plan, which caused some confusion.

Even without the Olympics deal, the Calgary Event Centre is being built as a new downtown arena. Construction won't start for a few more months. There is no plan to replace McMahon Stadium, home of the Stampeders, at this point.

The 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver were considered to be rather successful.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

Alberta recently had a non-binding referendum question on equalization payments. Elections Alberta reported that nearly 62% of voters said "yes" to the equalization question. 

"Should Section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 — Parliament and the Government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments — be removed from the Constitution?"

The idea of equalization payments is that provinces doing better financially pay into a fund to help those provinces not doing as well. Alberta is one of the "haves" even with its recent financial woes.

The vote was close in Edmonton with 51.9% saying no; voters in Calgary said yes with 58.2%.

The anger against Ottawa isn't necessarily aligned with the numbers.

Symbolic gestures are fine but they don't pay the rent or put food on the table. We've seen this strategy in Ontario with Doug Ford as well as Jason Kenney in Alberta: nothing is ever our fault.

photo credit: CBC News

Alberta dials back COVID-19 tracking to dangerous levels

Hey #Alberta, get your #COVID_19 leadership from @jannarden. This is not sarcastic in the slightest. She has more of your best interests. #abpolihttps://t.co/e9GNX88T9p

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) July 29, 2021

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has had a "do the right thing but we don't want to make you do the right thing" approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even by Alberta standards, the United Conservative Party has gone too far.

The new extremely relaxed approach is in 2 stages. As of last Thursday, quarantine for close contacts will be recommended not mandatory; contact tracers will no longer notify close contacts; and asymptomatic testing will no longer be recommended.

The August 16 changes are more substantial:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, isolation is strongly recommended but not required. There will be no isolation hotels and quarantine supports.
• Testing will be available for symptomatic people for patient care decisions. After August 31, testing for COVID-19 will be available only when symptoms are severe.
• Masks will no longer be required on public transit, or in most continuing care facilities and definitely not in schools.

Someone will get to announce when the #covid_19 #pandemic is over. That person will not be @jkenney #abpoli https://t.co/KHquoEpd33

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) July 20, 2021

Kenney was the first politician anywhere to declare that the COVID-19 pandemic was over. "Such a joy to connect with Albertans during Canada’s first major event after the pandemic," referring to the 2021 Calgary Stampede.

We all want this to be over. Not just a little bit but as over as we can be about COVID-19. We have been critical about Canadian decisions, mostly on the federal level, on being too cautious. This is the other extreme.

Florida and Texas have been egregious in how poorly the tracking of COVID-19 cases have been in those states. Even those U.S. states are looking at Alberta's new rules and asking, "can we do that too?"

The "open for business" mentality has been on message since the party came into power in the spring of 2019. The message is broad ("who doesn't want to be open for business") in concept but narrow in execution. The province spent $1.5 billion, plus a $6-billion (all Canadian $) loan guarantee on the never will be finished Keystone XL pipeline. We have been critical of Justin Trudeau and the federal government buying the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion; the difference is that the expansion will get built.

The UCP government spent taxpayer money on a propaganda tool designed to intimidate journalists who are objectively covering the oil and gas beat.

It’s the obvious choice to bring the @NHL to #Edmonton.

We look forward to welcoming the league and players here to Alberta to take in the beautiful province we have to offer. pic.twitter.com/kp0iN86vCP

— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) June 22, 2020

The UCP focus is "business" if oil and gas are involved but not so much in other areas. The Kenney tourism video is a grand exception, but so mistimed since the families and players wouldn't be able to travel to the parts of Alberta, well away from Edmonton, during the pandemic.

The cruel irony in being "pro-business" is that you have to be perceived as careful about people's safety during a pandemic. Right now, Alberta isn't perceived as safe, thanks in part to these new rules.

Those "driving to Alaska" who vacationed in Alberta in 2020 felt safer than they likely would now.

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

My feed is lighting up with similar tweets. We love when people travel elsewhere in #Canada. We might need to make an exception for #cdntravel in #Alberta. https://t.co/iDI2tiUTmu

— Chad Rubel (@canadian_xing) July 29, 2021

We get the minimalist "keep government away from us" approach to the prairie areas in Canada. Objectively, this approach doesn't work during a pandemic. The best results are to do as little as possible while providing protection to its citizens. The rules should be different in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Edmonton than they are in Red Deer or Medicine Hat.

Most of the province doesn't have to deal with mass transit; hopefully, individual cities can make exceptions. As Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi noted in a recent radio interview, cities in Alberta have limited options in this area as compared to cities in Ontario.

Decisions on dealing with a pandemic need to be science-based, not relying on cynical politics.

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

Alberta's vaccination rates are mixed compared to the rest of Canada. As of July 27, 75.2% of Alberta's (12+) population has had a first dose vs. 80.6% for the country. Alberta's 63.6% of fully vaccinated is around the national average.

Saskatchewan has similar rules in place to what Alberta is doing. Nothing personal to that province, but travel to Alberta is more of a concern. As of July 30, 63% of eligible people in Saskatchewan are fully vaccinated. The delta variant has greater potential for damage among the unvaccinated.

Alberta is a beautiful place to travel. The tourism video is a small slice of what the province has to offer. Even as Americans can travel to Canada, we recommend being cautious in going to Alberta right now.

August 9 is the date fully vaccinated Americans can cross into Canada with some fine print

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

"Wear a mask- social distancing- being sensible- washing your hands." Jann Arden's advice is smart. You may stand out in a mask in Alberta but that is alright.

The beauty of Alberta will be there in subsequent years. Worth the wait can be difficult words to hear in 2021. As Alton Brown would say, "your patience will be rewarded."

Twitter captures: @canadian_xing; @canadian_xing; @jkenney; @canadian_xing
photo credit: CBC News

British Columbia and Alberta getting the smoke from U.S. West Coast wildfires

Americans aren't allowed to cross into Canada on the ground. The restrictions don't apply to American smoke coming from wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California. While the smoke stretches far into Canada, British Columbia and Alberta are getting the brunt of the smoke. The map (above) covered affected areas as of Monday in British Columbia.

We've seen the horrible damage caused by the wildfires.

Western Canada has had its share of wildfires in recent years. Some of that smoke did creep over the border into Washington state. The 2020 wildfires have produced a lot more cross-border smoke damage.

Sports have been affected by the smoke. The MLB Seattle Mariners had to forego home games in Seattle to play the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, which had eerie red skies recently due to the impact of the wildfires.

We saw proof of the smoke from the U.S. wildfires during the Montréal Impact MLS game at BC Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The game got hydration breaks at the 30th and 76th minutes because of the poor air quality. The teams play again tonight at BC Place.

The air quality is also a concern with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic for those with breathing issues, especially among the immuno-compromised. The air quality statements from Environment Canada urged people to remain indoors.

Kamala Harris, Jackie Robinson, and their association with Montreal

Looking back at when Joe Biden was in Canada

Obama Canadian Parliament speech needs to ignite significant growth in the bilateral relationship

Three Amigos summit comes to Ottawa

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

holy smokes! we are covered in smoke today🔥 hope everyone effected by these vicious wildfires is safe or has found a safe place to go. #canmore #banff #wildfires2020 @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/zyaGtkawx8

— Mariam Bocari (@MariamBocari) September 13, 2020

Climate change and the impact of wildfires would be a great topic for a Three Amigos summit with Canada, United States, and Mexico. The discussion format was alive in 2016 but hasn't been followed up since January 2017. The countries built up acrimony in negotiating what turned out to be NAFTA 2.0.

The latest chapter of U.S. tariffs against aluminum came to a temporary end after Canada was about to impose retaliatory tariffs. The U.S. got those tariffs for weeks before any response. Those retaliatory tariffs need to be instantaneous.

We would love the Schengen model in the European Union to be used elsewhere on the planet. Cooperation between countries on a continent where every country sees a benefit would be helpful in ways that don't stop at the border, such as smoke from wildfires.

The water quality of the Great Lakes is another good example. 4 of the 5 Great Lakes are bordered by Canada and the United States.

For Canadians interested in the process and for Americans living in Canada, the first presidential debate is 13 days away on September 29 in Cleveland with Chris Wallace as the moderator.

The other presidential debates will be October 15 in Miami with Steve Scully as moderator and October 22 in Nashville with Kristen Welker as moderator.

The lone vice presidential debate will be October 7 in Salt Lake City with Susan Page as moderator.

Don't hold your breath on Canada being mentioned in the debates.

Canadians can watch the debates on any over-the-air U.S. network and likely on CBC News Network and CTV News Channel.

We had hopes for the Party Lines podcast with its variation Party in the U.S.A. However, the content so far seems annoyingly centrist/neutral. Hoping Elamin Abdelmahmoud broadens the coverage to reflect the current reality.

photo credit: Environment Canada
Twitter capture: @MariamBocari

Canadian sports notebook: Toronto and Edmonton still NHL hub city options

#Canucks statement on @NHL hub city bid. pic.twitter.com/qs6v4EOO7w

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) June 25, 2020

Vancouver honourably withdrew from being a NHL hub city because, well, British Columbia considered the NHL approach on those who tested positive to be unsafe. Gary Bettman doesn't like to be told that he is wrong.

"Our advice and our direction was that if there was a positive case that arose, that we would do what we do with all cases that we have here – that we would investigate and there needed to be a contingency in case there were other people that were identified as ill," B.C. chief medical officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said. "It might mean suspension of part of a series for a period of time until that could be done."

Toronto and Edmonton on the Canadian side are still in the hunt along with Las Vegas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. 4 American markets were the first cuts earlier in the process: Pittsburgh, Dallas, Columbus, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. We originally predicted Edmonton and Las Vegas. As we've learned in the Vancouver situation, we would like Canada to get the NHL hub cities but we also want the people of Canada to be safe.

Now that Canadian cities have the green light from the federal government, Canadian NHL teams can train on Canadian soil.

The low COVID-19 rates and the even lower Canadian dollar give Canada an advantage.

It’s the obvious choice to bring the @NHL to #Edmonton.

We look forward to welcoming the league and players here to Alberta to take in the beautiful province we have to offer. pic.twitter.com/kp0iN86vCP

— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) June 22, 2020

Alberta premier Jason Kenney, already known for propaganda with the Canadian Energy Centre, introduced a video for families of NHL players coming to Edmonton. The video is lovely and full of real places in Alberta, none of which is anywhere near Edmonton. These places are near Calgary, but Calgary has the oldest arena in the NHL not the newest arena.

Edmonton would be a great choice for a NHL hub city, but not for the reasons Kenney unveiled.

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

CanadianCrossing.com NHL coverage

Alberta pitches NHL hub city without showing Edmonton (CBC News)

The Ottawa Senators went into the NHL draft with a rather good chance at the #1 pick, given that the Sens controlled the #2 best odds (its own pick) and #3 best odds (via San Jose). The Senators fell to the #3 pick (via San Jose) and #5 pick (Ottawa) while a playoff team will get the #1 pick.

Canadian Alexis LaFreniere is the consensus #1 pick. Last season, LaFreniere had 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games for Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Though the 8 playoff losing teams in the opening round get an equal chance, you have to wonder if that pick ends up with a prominent American team (Pittsburgh, Chicago). Theoretically, every Canadian team but Ottawa is eligible if they lose in the qualifying round. Perhaps the lottery was sincere, but the league doesn't have a good reputation. Pittsburgh magically ended up with Sidney Crosby after a NHL lockout. We aren't saying the NHL cheated: we are saying if the league cheated, this is exactly the scenario that would have happened.

If the NHL does not resume playing this season, the bottom 8 teams based on points percentage would be in a lottery for the top pick. Montréal and Winnipeg are the only Canadian teams in this category.

The 2020 NHL draft lottery was originally supposed to be in Montréal.

CanadianCrossing.com NBA coverage

Vinsanity has come to an end of his NBA career. Vince Carter finally retired as a NBA player after 22 seasons.

Carter was drafted by Golden State but instantly traded to Toronto for Antawn Jamison in the 1998 NBA draft. He was known as a dunk master and earned the nickname Air Canada. Carter led the Raptors to the team's first-ever playoff appearance in 2000 and first playoff series win in 2001.

Carter won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He later was traded to New Jersey in late 2004. Carter was an All-Star every season when he was with the Raptors.

Carter won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2000. The win included a 360° windmill.

Carter is the first NBA player to appear in 4 different decades in 22 seasons, also a league record. He also played for New Jersey, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Sacramento, and Atlanta.

Vince Carter became a reason for Raptors fans to get excited and made a huge impact on the history and viability of the Toronto Raptors franchise.

The Toronto Raptors have never retired a number. Carter was loved while in Toronto, booed heavily after he was traded, and eventually loved again. #15 in the rafters would look really nice.

CanadianCrossing.com MLB coverage

CanadianCrossing.com soccer coverage

We are still waiting to hear about sports on Canadian soil.

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading back to Toronto. The Blue Jays want to train and play their regular-season games in Toronto. The team has a good chance of training at Rogers Centre. The team would stay in the hotel at Rogers Centre and quarantine in that fashion similar to what the NHL might do in Canada.

The team had been in Dunedin with Florida recording extremely high COVID-19 case numbers lately. Sahlen Field in Buffalo, home of their Triple A team, could enter the mix if the Jays can't play regular season games in Toronto.

The Canadian MLS teams will play in a tournament in Orlando. Then, Toronto FC, Montréal Impact, and the Vancouver Whitecaps would have trouble playing games in their home parks or country. The NBA Toronto Raptors are playing in Orlando.

The CFL had prided itself in modern times for not having a regular season game lost to a strike or lockout. The pandemic has postponed the start of the 2020 CFL season. We aren't even sure of a season at this point.

The CFL might play in September or not at all. James Wilder Jr., who signed with Montréal, couldn't wait any longer and took a job. DaVaris Daniels, who signed with Toronto, has given CFL Commissioner Randy Ambroisie until Friday to announce plans for a 2020 CFL season.

The other leagues have plans that may or may not happen. The CFL has said "September" but otherwise has been vague.

TSN added a new show called CFL2020 running Fridays at 7:30 pm Eastern before the CFL Encore Fridays. For unknown reasons, ESPN+ hasn't picked up CFL programming via TSN during the pandemic.

For those outside Canada, you can find 2019 highlights on YouTube and discuss whether Hamilton would join the other 8 CFL teams in a 21st century championship and who should replace Chris Cuthbert as the #1 play-by-play person on CFL telecasts.

Chris Cuthbert picks Stanley Cup final over TSN, jumps to Rogers Sportsnet

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

Rogers Sportsnet did imply there would be more broadcasting changes after the Chris Cuthbert acquisition. We don't want to report a name without an official announcement but there is apparently a new free agent formerly with Rogers with NHL and CFL television experience.

Speaking of Rogers, Rogers Sportsnet One has debuted a new interview series Top of Her Game with Tara Slone. This is a show that is long overdue and Slone is an ideal host. Profiling women in sports needs to be a part of the current sports landscape.

The news release notes some of the early guests: Stephanie McMahon and Charlotte Flair of the WWE; NHL executive vice-president Kim Davis; Waneek Horn-Miller, the first Mohawk woman to compete in the Summer Olympics; Mathea Olin, Canada’s first Pan Am Games surfing medallist; and Chantal Petitclerc, Canada’s most decorated Paralympian.

The series runs on Sundays at 6:30 pm Eastern on Sportsnet One and is also available on Sportsnet Now.

Twitter captures: @canucks; @jkenney
photo credit: CBC News
video credit: YouTube/CFL

Canadian film notebook: Tax credits in Manitoba and Alberta

Like a lot of political issues we write about in Canada (health care), provinces have a lot of control. Canada is used a lot for shooting films and TV shows, many of them not Canadian. Outside of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, provinces have to battle against each other to keep their film industries viable to outside filmmakers.

Let's look at recent efforts in Manitoba and Alberta. Both governments are run by conservative parties: Progressive Conservative in Manitoba and United Conservative in Alberta.

Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox is building on an existing 30% tax credit that refunds companies on their total project costs. Cox says there will be an 8% credit for projects that use Manitoba-based production firms. Filming is an issue but so is editing and post-production positions.

The Manitoba tax credit was scheduled to expire at the end of 2019 but the Pallister Government has made the tax credit permanent.

In Alberta, the Alberta’s new tax incentive program is running into issues and criticism. The province is committing only $22 million in 2020-21, $30 million in 2021-22 and $45 million in 2022-23. The small production grant fund program will be limited to $1 million/year. Alberta had caps on the Alberta Film and Television Tax Credit, unlike other provinces.

Alberta had a credit where 30% of eligible expenses would be reimbursed. The new Alberta budget reduced that mark to 22%.

Anecdotally, the TV series Fargo left Calgary to film on the very north side of Chicago for Season 4.

Canadian film review: Maudie

Canadian film review: The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom

Nova Scotia threatens to gut tax credit that helps film and TV industries

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Nova Scotia lost business after restructuring its film and TV tax credit. The idea of a true Nova Scotia story such as Maudie being filmed in Newfoundland is truly insulting.

Even if the relatively smaller provinces keep churning with tax credits, they might lose business to other provinces. If they don't compete, they will lose business to other provinces.

Given Alberta's financial woes, they would welcome more film and TV business into the province. This characterizes the "if it's not oil and gas, it doesn't count" mentality of the Kenney Government.

Before you make this about Brian Pallister or Jason Kenney, know that Nova Scotia's premier at the time (and still premier) is Stephen McNeil, a Liberal.

NFL in Winnipeg with no starters and an 80-yard field

Governments and small businesses make money even with the film and TV tax credits. People can point to scenes and know they were filmed in Canada, even if some of those filmmakers try to hide Canada as much as possible. Filmmakers like coming to Canada. If you think they care about the nuance of Alberta vs. Manitoba, remember the Oakland Raiders punter who bought a shirt last summer that said "Winnipeg, Alberta" without a speck of irony.

photo credit: The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom film
video credit: YouTube/metropole films

Valentines Day 2020: Things we love about Canada

Valentines Day is usually about love, love of people with each other. We have had a bit of fun over the years on that topic.

This year, we want to celebrate our love for Canada that doesn't involve celebrities. We still love Canadian celebrities. Anna Maria Tremonti's new More podcast celebrates an internal push from Canadian celebrities. Our focus is on things we appreciate about Canada that are distinctly Canadian.

Newfoundland in the snow

Newfoundland has its share of storms: last month's snowscape was intense even for Newfoundland. Getting ¾ of a metre (2 ½ feet) of snow is incredible enough. The howling 150+ km winds brought a force to the island.

Stumbled across an impromptu Georgetown block party with bonfire in the middle of what should be a street. Beer and comraderie freely shared with all #nlwx #NLStorm2020 #blizzard2020 pic.twitter.com/QxUlea6rti

— Peter Cowan (@PeterCBC) January 19, 2020

How the people of Newfoundland celebrated the snow from snowboarding down the steep roads that are a part of downtown St. John's to building bonfires in the street to hang out with neighbours. Most of what we saw was from St. John's due to the limitations of covering the rest of the province during a horrible storm. You showed Canada and the world that no matter how intense the blizzard was, you would still have fun.

CBC The National

CBC The National slightly skews its numerous hosts lineup

Canada PM Stephen Harper says he prefers watching U.S. news

CanadianCrossing.com journalism coverage

Then Prime Minister Stephen Harper once bragged that he watched American news instead of Canadian news. Most Canadian TV news isn't that meaningful. CTV and Global aren't bad; they just aren't good for a country of 36 million. The National is a nightly newscast that is meaningful to Canada and the world.

You can make fun of the 4 anchor setup. You can poke fun at the ratings compared to CTV and Global (which have American TV shows as their lead-in). Night after night, the best TV newscast in Canada and the United States is The National.

Americans should appreciate that while the newscast has disappeared from cable boxes outside those areas that get the CBC, you can watch the newscast on Facebook and YouTube.

Politeness

Canada isn't always polite. Canada is often more polite, everything else being equal.

When you travel and deal with Canadians, they have a politeness that is refreshing when visiting the country. Canadians are reasonably friendly and helpful. They are polite. Do them a favour and learn a few things about Canada to show how polite you are when you visit them.

Alberta and Saskatchewan

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

They were pretty angry during the election and didn't stop being angry after the election. There will be a Wexit party on future ballots.

These provinces have felt angst from many generations of feeling underrepresented in Parliament.

The Canadian Senate is unelected. Ontario and Quebec get 24 senators each while Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan combined have 24 senators. As we saw in the 2019 election, improving the vote total in Alberta and Saskatchewan doesn't get you that many more seats in the House of Commons.

The area produces some great Canadian resources from beef to potash. Oh, there is oil as well. There are a lot of great people in these provinces. A lot of them are conservative but not in a mean way. Most might be frustrated but they aren't as angry as their elected leaders.

Harry and Meghan

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle living in Canada will be easier by staying fewer than 6 months

I know we said no celebrities. This isn't really about them. Vancouver Island is a gorgeous place in Canada. Having the (former) royals stay there will draw attention to people who otherwise might not have considered the island as a travel destination.

Americans can fly to Seattle and sail from downtown Seattle to Victoria. You can take a bus to Nanaimo and Tofino. Renting a car? Gas is more expensive because, well, Canada and being on an island.

If you are trying to "accidentally" spot the royals (with respect, of course), they are reportedly in North Saanich. That community is south of Swartz Bay, the destination from the ferry from Tsawwassen, an hour by bus to Victoria. North Saanich is also just south of the Victoria International Airport. They will likely be in Victoria and Vancouver, the latter of which is not on Vancouver Island.

If you spend your time exploring the region and/or those two cities, you will have a lovely time, even if you don't spot anyone too famous.

Parlé Francaise

You can and should go to Montréal or elsewhere in Quebec to get a French language perspective on being Canadian. You can elsewhere within Canada to get that Francaise experience: St. Boniface in Winnipeg to Acadia in New Brunswick to numerous Franco-Ontarian cities to Edmonton's French Quarter.

Donut scandals

Justin Trudeau had a scandal (gasp) because the prime minister bought donuts from Oh Doughnuts during a Liberal Party gathering in Winnipeg. On the surface, the scenario is a boss buying donuts for his team. Employees usually want the boss to buy the good donuts for the meeting. Canadians and Americans can relate to this action.

The "scandal" was that Trudeau didn't buy donuts from Tim Hortons, majority-owned by a Brazilian investment firm. Tim Hortons is Canadians in the eyes of Canada. I haven't had Oh Doughnuts but feel comfortable in saying that fresh, local donuts from a locally owned company taste better than donuts that are reheated on site (as Tim Hortons donuts reportedly are).

The "scandal" is a reminder that in a world of Brexit and a highly angry toddler, donut scandals are not a bad speed to be traveling.

National Film Board and TIFF

We were down on them for layoffs late last year. Both organisations celebrate Canadian film. They have online resources to learn more about Canadian film. The NFB allows you to watch certain films within Canada and even outside Canada. The TIFF site has more about Canadian films shown in the festival, the list of Rising Stars, and so much more.

Coolness of Canadian celebrities

This story is about Ryan Reynolds and his generosity.

During the whole Peloton ad saga, Reynolds decided to "save" the Peloton wife (actor Monica Ruiz) and gave her a safe space in an ad for his Aviation American Gin brand.

You could cynically argue that Reynolds was trying to take advantage and increase awareness of his gin brand. Ruiz was concerned about being typecast. Reynolds tapped into the concerns people had over the Peloton ad and gave a break to a fellow actor who needed one.

2019 Valentines Day: Our love for Sandra Oh

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

If your Valentines Day is not going the way you want it to go, planning a trip to Canada can be a way to distract you.

video credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @PeterCBC
photo credit: me; Aviation American Gin

Jason Kenney, Alberta United Conservative Party launch Canadian Energy Centre propaganda site

So the War Room website is a bunch of stories presented as news but with no bylines. Top hits include 'Alberta father irked by charity group that targets fossil fuel industry' and 'Say What? University of Alberta prof says we all need to calm down' #ableg https://t.co/yEXbz5zRCc

— Kevin Maimann (@TheMaimann) December 11, 2019

The Canadian Energy Centre sounds like a charming think tank near a small, human-made lake. The beige-sounding name is actually Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's "war room" for propaganda designed to fight stories they don't like on the oil industry.

The operation is set up as a private corporation, yet funded with taxpayer money. The provincial budget consists of $20 million via the province's new carbon tax and $10 million per year diverted from the government's existing advertising fund. If the Canadian Energy Centre were using 100% private money, we could think of better ways to use the money. Taxpayer money is in a different category for a reason.

"We're here to help raise understanding of the Canadian energy sector's value to this country and the world, through the sharing of knowledge, facts and ideas."

This is the mantra from the Web site. All but the last 8 words is a laudatory goal. The final 8 words on the surface sound good, but that is what propaganda is all about.

Canadian journalism notebook: The risk of taking money from government

As we reported earlier this year, the concern was that this new propaganda site would hire journalists from Postmedia, the newspaper chain that is majority-owned essentially by American hedge funds. Postmedia hired Nick Koolsbergen, Kenney's former chief of staff. Postmedia owns the 4 largest newspapers in Alberta: Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, Calgary Herald, and the Calgary Sun.

The good news and bad news is there are no bylines. Good in that specific journalists aren't sacrificing their professional integrity; bad in that we don't know who is sacrificing their professional integrity.

A seemingly neutral topic in a story about greenhouses for growing vegetables is secretly a way to promote the use of natural gas.

The "Say What?" article Kevin Maimann noted in his tweet is a bunch of one-sided talking points: Dr. Lianne Lefsrud, Assistant Professor of Engineering and Risk Management "found these terms can ramp up the rhetoric. Her research shows, for example, 'articles that mention tar sands consistently use more alarming language than articles containing oil sands.'" Alarming to people who prefer to use the term "oil sands" instead of "tar sands."

Journalism 101 would also point out that using a single source (Dr. Lefsrud) in a story would never be allowed.

CanadianCrossing.com journalism coverage

These stories can and will be used to justify certain points. The idea that the stories are "published" will lend false credibility, hence the beige Canadian Energy Centre name.

Journalists and editors are normally accountable, hence putting names on stories and often allowing for comments on stories. The Canadian Energy Centre does none of those things. The organisation is being run by failed UCP candidate Tom Olsen, who lost in the Calgary-Buffalo riding. Olsen's reported salary is $195,000 per year.

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP

CanadianCrossing.com Alberta coverage

The people of Alberta have a story to tell. Boom and bust cycles and the impact on their lives. Tell those stories.

Tell the stories about not taking advantage of other forms of energy (wind, solar, etc.) that Alberta has that is more consistent than the boom and bust cycles. Tell the stories about 40 years of conservative government that didn't plan for a rainy day for those bust cycles. Tell the stories about sending raw bitumen through pipelines instead of refining them in Alberta, a process that is better for the environment and guarantees good jobs in Alberta. Tell the stories about environmental damage from pipelines that get buried in the press.

Tell the stories about how your government tried to make you feel better about oil and gas and spent $30 million/year to produce misleading stories.

Propaganda won't further the conversation outside Alberta. If you live in Alberta, propaganda might make you feel better but that won't put food on your plate. Even if you think propaganda is the right way to go, your government is overcharging you.

Albertans deserve a real dialogue over their concerns. Propaganda is an insincere internal monologue.

photo credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @TheMaimann

The rhetoric of division in Canada reveals a lack of understanding

"I've never seen the country so divided."

We heard this conservative talking point ad nauseam thanks in part to the parroting of the line by Canadian journalism. Those who repeat it know nothing about Canadian history.

The battle over the Constitution in 1982. The Meech Lake Accord in 1987. Quebec referenda (referendums?). Getting the single-payer health care system implemented. The FLQ in Quebec during the Quiet Revolution. Conscription during World War I and World War II.

The phrase means that Alberta and Saskatchewan are angry. No one asks the Atlantic provinces if they are angry. Manitoba is west but is usually ignored. British Columbia is west but too far west.

Alberta under Rachel Notley was upset and angry but Notley didn't use her power as premier to yell and make threats. British Columbia did hear a threat but a measured one.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who was hiding harder and longer than Doug Ford (Ontario) during the 2019 election, popped his head out of the gopher hole to rabble along with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Yes, Alberta and Saskatchewan are angry. Their leaders are angrier. Other places in Canada are also angry. The people, not the leaders, have every right to be angry.

That anger deals with affordability, not feeling like they are being heard in the process, a lack of understanding for what they are going through in their lives. As much as the anger is legitimate in Canada, the idea that Justin Trudeau is completely to blame is shameful. The problems Canada has had were there long before 2015 and will remain for some time.

Justin Trudeau wins second term as Canada PM but in a minority government

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Like the United States, Canada often pokes fun at different regions of the country. Assumptions are made about those from British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Alberta. Some are accurate, others are tired cliches.

Americans not from California will poke fun at those from California. They will also help them out when earthquakes and wildfires happen. The difference is Americans visit California and Florida, and Texas and New York. Canadians are often frustrated because they really don't know each other. Canadians find traveling within their own country rather difficult.

Canadian airport fees have been rather high. In 2015, Canada was ranked 130th out of 138 countries in this realm, according to the World Economic Forum's Travel And Tourism Competitiveness Report. If Canadians are driving across the border to fly out of U.S. airports, they aren't flying back to other Canadian cities.

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

While the Canadian dollar is weaker than the U.S. dollar and certain political concerns make traveling to the United States more problematic, Canadians still make those trips. Miami offers better weather and cheaper NHL ticket prices.

If you live in Ottawa, an airplane ticket to New York is cheaper than a trip to Calgary and a lot more tempting. If you can fly to London or Paris cheaper than to go to Halifax, guess where the luggage is going.

Canadians do drive longer distances and can see their country by car. The gas prices make that kind of a trip rather prohibitive unless relatives are involved.

Spending time in another part of Canada is helpful in terms of increased tourism and word of mouth. As an example, I've been to Calgary, Lake Louise, Banff, and Edmonton in an Alberta trip a few years back. I have lovely anecdotal stories and a few strange ones from that trip. Those memories shape my reflection of Alberta.

I've also been to the Atlantic provinces and have driven in each of them, which brings more enhanced memories of 110 km speed limits and watching out for potential moose crossings.

Canadians I talk to marvel at how much of Canada I have seen. While I haven't been able to travel as much lately, I have lots of great travel stories about Canada.

An American who travels from Des Moines to New York City might poke fun at the Big Apple but also has memories and a connection to a place where they have been.

Canada election 2019: Getting the vote out on Election Day

We praised Andrew Scheer's idea of meeting with premiers to eliminate provincial trade barriers. Scheer had noted that some Canadian businesses find trading with the U.S. and Europe easier than with their fellow provinces.

You might not like British Columbia but you might like the province if they get to drink wine from the province. Opening up trade and travel barriers will help the financial bottom line of the provinces and give a better impression of each other.

Justin Trudeau needs to meet with the premiers. The premiers need to be open and work with the prime minister without the rhetoric of anger and threats.

The regions of Canada will still squabble over equalization payments and how best to process a national pharmacare system. Ontario wine, Alberta beef, Nova Scotia lobster, and Quebec beer will help toast the differences and similarities.

map credit: Ezilon.com