Blogs

rabble blogs are the personal pages of some of Canada's most insightful progressive activists and commentators. All opinions belong to the writer; however, writers are expected to adhere to our guidelines. We welcome new bloggers -- contact us for details.
Blog - David Suzuki December 15
Image: NASA/Unsplash
We have the power to create a brighter future
David Suzuki | It bears repeating that getting back to "normal" isn't good enough. "Normal" means a global economy fuelled by overconsumption.
Blog - rabble.ca's staff blog December 15
Who are the rabble rousers to watch in 2021?
Maya Bhullar, Kim Elliott | We want to hear from you. What are the organizations that inspire you? Who are the activists leading progressive change? Who are the rabble rousers to watch in 2021?
Blog - Alberta Diary December 15
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Jason Kenney defends 'charter rights' of anti-maskers months after blasting Wet'suwet'en land defenders
David J. Climenhaga | Ten months ago, Conservatives everywhere were howling at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his response to Wet'suwet'en solidarity actions. Now, some are defending anti-mask protesters.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 14
Image: Jason Kenney/Twitter
Jason Kenney's embarrassing 'energy war room' turns one year old
David J. Climenhaga | The Canadian Energy Centre stumbled out of the starting gate on December 11, 2019, and has been little more than an embarrassment since.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 14
Premier Jason Kenney with his "letter from Santa." Image: Screenshot of Facebook video
New Zealand eyes cautious border reopening while Calgary crowd protests COVID-19 restrictions
David J. Climenhaga | Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's bizarre holiday message might have been cute if almost 700 people hadn't died from COVID-19.
Blog - The Views Expressed December 11
Image: jagmeetsingh/Instagram/Screenshot
Federal NDP could help axe Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project
Svend Robinson, Robert Hackett, Tom Sandborn | The NDP should present a motion at an upcoming opposition day that calls on the government to cease TMX construction and end other corporate welfare to fossil fuel industries.
Blog - The Views Expressed December 11
Image: Agung Raharja​/Unsplash
Personal copyright protections could reform Pornhub
Stacey Hannem, Christopher J. Schneider | Sweeping changes are necessary to protect survivors within a rapidly changing technological environment. Such changes could be achieved with personal copyright protection.
Blog - The Views Expressed December 11
Image: Joel Muniz​/Unsplash
Mutual-aid organizing for food security puts solidarity over charity
Jade Guthrie | Mutual aid projects care for the people made vulnerable by unequal conditions, while also advocating for changes to dismantle the systems that produce that vulnerability in the first place.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 11
Image: Macau Photo Agency/Unsplash
Why did China's government detain Kovrig and Spavor from among 300,000 Canadians?
David J. Climenhaga | Soon after Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested by the RCMP two years ago, Chinese state security officers arrested two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 10
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Jason Kenney's ineffective pandemic strategy mirrors his failure to support clean energy
David J. Climenhaga | With focus on Kenney's hesitant response to COVID-19, some observers have overlooked the fact that his management of the economy and energy sector hasn't been much better.
Blog - Taking Sides December 9
Image: Chris Yang/Unsplash
'Biosurveillance' can threaten human rights
Philip Lee | Canada should not introduce so-called "immunity passports," because they would create "a novel kind of biological divide between the haves and have-nots."
Blog - Alberta Diary December 9
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces tougher COVID-19 measures at yesterday's news conference. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Will Jason Kenney risk fracturing his right-wing coalition by enforcing new COVID-19 measures?
David J. Climenhaga | The Kenney government sharply changed course yesterday and announced much tougher lockdown measures that have the potential to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Blog - David Suzuki December 8
Image: Mike Marrah/Unsplash
It's time for Canada to address environmental racism
David Suzuki | The absence of a legislative mandate or governance structures to address environmental racism in Canada is a blind spot that must be remedied.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 8
Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw at yesterday's daily COVID-19 briefing. Image: Screenshot of Alberta government video
Current measures insufficient to reduce COVID infections, Alberta's top doctor admits
David J. Climenhaga | "If the goal is to bring our numbers down, we will need additional measures to be able to do that," said Dr. Deena Hinshaw at the daily pandemic briefing.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 7
Dr. Stephen Duckett. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Australian state's four-point plan to eliminate COVID-19 worked -- but Alberta did the opposite
David J. Climenhaga | As the Victorian state government was accepting the recommendations of a former AHS CEO, the United Conservative Party government of Premier Jason Kenney was doing the opposite on every count.
Blog - The Views Expressed December 4
Image: British Columbia Emergency Photography/Flickr
Explosive report reveals RCMP's toxic culture of racism, misogyny and homophobia
Pam Palmater | The RCMP, and federal and provincial governments have known about the long-standing and widespread problems of racism, misogyny, homophobia and violence within the RCMP for many decades.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 4
Image: Kārlis Dambrāns​/Flickr
Canada should quit stalling and send Meng Wanzhou home now
David J. Climenhaga | It was evident as soon as Meng was arrested in Vancouver two years ago that participating in this charade was not in Canada's interest.
Blog - The Views Expressed December 3
RCMP sign in Surrey, B.C. Image: Waferboard/Flickr
RCMP body cameras will not increase accountability or provide transparency
Christopher J. Schneider | Any further expenditures on police body-worn cameras should cease until the public has clear information on how the cameras will definitively contribute to transparency and accountability.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 3
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Alberta government's pandemic mishandling draws criticism from overseas -- and the Starship Enterprise
David J. Climenhaga | "Star Trek" actor William Shatner called the Jason Kenney government's refusal to activate the federal government's COVID Alert app "bizarre and dangerous."
Blog - Alberta Diary December 2
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. Image: Screenshot of Alberta Legislature video/YouTube
Leaked modelling forecasts Alberta intensive care units will be packed by mid-December
David J. Climenhaga | Alberta's NDP Opposition revealed yesterday Alberta Health Services case modelling projects about 775 Albertans will be in hospital with COVID-19 in just two weeks.
Blog - KAIROS Witness December 2
Participant of Wi'am: Palestinian Conflict Transformation Centre. Image: KAIROS Canada
Women peace-builders call for a voice at the table despite threats and lock downs
Jane Thirikwa | The pandemic has been particularly cruel to women, disproportionately impacting their wellbeing and safety, not only in Canada but also abroad.
Blog - David Suzuki December 1
Image: Samuel Ferrara/Unsplash
Pandemic second wave highlights urgent need to rediscover the fundamentals of life
David Suzuki | This next decade will be critical if we're to rediscover balance with the natural world. By 2030, we'll have a good sense of whether we're on track.
Blog - Brent Patterson December 1
Protesters outside of Parliament. Image: Koozma J. Tarasoff
Economic update signals continued commitment to half-a-trillion dollars for the military
Brent Patterson | Massive increase in military spending and purchase of new warplanes to continue despite Canada's record-high deficit.
Blog - Alberta Diary December 1
Calgary's Rockyview General Hospital, one of the sites where doctors are being asked to ration oxygen. Image: Wikimedia Commons
With pandemic rampaging in Alberta, Calgary hospitals face oxygen rationing
David J. Climenhaga | Alberta Health Services is rationing the use of medical oxygen supplies in three major Calgary hospitals -- Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre and Rockyview General Hospital.
Blog - Alberta Diary November 30
Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu. Image: David J. Climenhaga
United Conservative Party government behaves as though Rachel Notley's NDP is still in power
David J. Climenhaga | Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu seems to have become the Kenney government's main spokesperson responsible for attacking the NDP.
Blog - Alberta Diary November 27
Premier Jason Kenney at a news briefing. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Kenney government spins premier's meddling in pandemic response as tale of betrayal by leaker
David J. Climenhaga | CBC scoop shows how Alberta pandemic response has been guided more by political pressure and right-wing ideology than science and expert advice. A witch-hunt for the leaker will be launched.
Blog - Alberta Diary November 26
Former Alberta politician and envoy to Washington D.C. Gary Mar in 2018. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Veteran Alberta politician says likely only Trudeau can save Jason Kenney's Keystone XL pipe-dream
David J. Climenhaga | If incoming U.S. president Joe Biden nixes Keystone XL, as is widely expected, Alberta will be out billions and Kenney will be left with egg on his face.
Blog - Council of Canadians' blog November 26
Cuban doctor administers a vaccine in Haiti in 2010. Image: United Nations Photo/Flickr
Cuba's medical internationalism during the pandemic deserves a Nobel Peace Prize
Rick Arnold, Council of Canadians | Since March 2020, Cuba has sent 52 medical teams to 39 countries to buttress often shaky health-care systems where the poor and marginalized are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
Blog - Alberta Diary November 25
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Image: Alberta Newsroom/Flickr
Alberta replaces half-measures with slightly tougher half-measures to fight pandemic
David J. Climenhaga | Public health policy in Alberta appears to be guided by business lobby groups, not the chief medical officer of health.
Blog - Alberta Diary November 24
Retiring Alberta Liberal leader David Khan. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Two bright lights in Alberta politics announce their departure
David J. Climenhaga | Alberta Liberal Leader David Khan, 46, announced his departure on Sunday. Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, 42, announced his yesterday morning.

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