May 13, 2025

Alberta alienation is real and dangerous. We are essentially a colony within federation, treated with disdain by both major parties: by the Liberals because they have virtually no seats here, and the Conservatives because they take our support for granted and have no competitors.

While Premier Danielle Smith advocates for antagonizing the federal government, there is a much more democratic and durable solution: proportional representation.

In the last election, the Conservatives won 34 seats in Alberta, the Liberals only two and the NDP one. Those are pretty stark numbers. But consider that the Conservatives only garnered 65 per cent of the total vote share, yet they secured around 92 per cent of the seats.

The Liberals garnered about 30 per cent of the total votes, but secured only five per cent of the seats. If you think the math seems off here, you’re right. And many of those Liberal voters, I bet, would have supported the NDP in a more representative system. That means you have 35 per cent of people in Alberta with no representation. Now that is alienation.

Say that you are happy that Liberal and NDP voters are isolated. Fair enough. But our current first-past-the-post electoral system hurts those on the right as well. Someone might wish to vote for the People’s Party, but why would they, if they know there is no way this party will earn a seat and represent them in Ottawa?

And why would a Conservative MP in Ottawa care about those more right-leaning voters? They know they have Alberta locked up, their real prize is Ontario and Quebec. They have virtually no incentive to represent Alberta’s interests in parliament.

We have an epic opportunity in Battle River- Crowfoot: ask Pierre Poilievre whether he supports proportional representation. My guess, he doesn’t, not because it is not fair, but because it will loosen his party’s grip on power. In this, he is no different than Justin Trudeau. I would gladly give Poilievre my vote, if he fights for electoral reform to give everyone in Alberta a voice.

Tony Scott,
Drumheller   
 

May 6, 2025

I almost called my older sister the other day. A dual citizen, she lives in busy mid-town Manhattan, west side, her home since 1970. Having the right aggregate of personality plus, a ruthless organizer, the gifted schmoozer who won’t take no for an answer, she contracts out as a special events coordinator. To her, nothing worth her attention exists outside of New York City. And like, I totally get it (pretend i’s a city).

I called her after the second plane hit the south tower. And in the chilling depths of COVID-19. She was stunned at the first and terrified of her fragility at the second. Born five years apart, there was no cultural scaffolding to bridge the divide, epochal shifts being the only real connect. Given the evisceration of her 401 (k), I figure it’s her turn to call me.

Americans have always been part of our national Dream. During their revolution, War of 1812, underground railway, gold rushes, civil war, Vietnam war and Trump 1 and 2, Canada provides a safe haven for dissenting Americans of all stripes. Their prolific tap roots, sunk deep by pioneers, their Canadian American progeny (est. population one million) entwined and indiscriminate of any border line.

I should get up early on Sunday (everyday can’t be Sunday) and give her a call. I know she’ll be at home with a fresh press of dark roast, reading the NY Times on her tab and listening to Yuja Wang rock a Steinway. It’s been way too long for us and there’s a lot to catch you up on. I love you, Sis. May God shelter her with His love and keep this lioness close to His side.

Andy Stephen,
Heisler

May 6, 2025

I would like to share with you my experiences since moving to Camrose 25 years ago. I chose Camrose because it was beautiful, had a lake, plenty of walking paths, trees, parks and it was clean. It reminded me of my home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

I will share some of them, I will not mention names, but you will recognize your friends and neighbours.
My realtor helped me find the perfect home within my budget. I then needed a contractor and found one of the best. He understood my projects and he and his helpers had fun getting the job done. I was also treated to a home-made, hot meal as we worked.

I decided one day to venture out for the perogy supper at the church, which I saw in The Booster. I got lost, but approached an elderly couple as they were getting into their car. I asked if they could help me and of course they said yes. They invited me into their house, read the paper and then gave me directions and said welcome to Camrose.

I then needed paint, supplies and visited the paint store where friendly helpful service was given. I chose blinds as well and another friendly person later treated me to a Freddy Fender song at my first Jaywalkers’ Jamboree.

I did some work at the CRE and had the best manager/boss ever. I also did yard work and housework, learned so much about plants from my clients.

My house painter and his family became my family. My house took on a new look, my pup also found friends.

The movers that I chose were helpful, friendly and did a professional job.

Over the years, I met neighbours who shared time, meals, helpful information over the COVID-19 time. I was able to share time with their teenagers and have baking sessions and lots of laughs.

We have a neighbour who would offer to drive us to the airport over the years, his response was “that’s what neighbours do.”

Recently, due to hospital stays these neighbours, friends and children all supported and helped by driving me to appointments, running errands and just being there for me.

I would like to end this by letting the people of Camrose know that you are “the best of the best” to share your kindness with others.

Darlene Brash,
Camrose  

May 6, 2025

As a parent of two young children and a family physician who provides reproductive care from contraception to supporting folks with unplanned pregnancy, I commend the Camrose Public Library for their valuable work providing sexual educational resources for children.

Thank you to Jakob Weisser for opening space for this vital conversation in your Letter to the Editor on April 22.

Parents are our children’s primary guide to learning about sex and ideally this happens through many small conversations and teachable moments. Commonly these opportunities arise unexpectedly, whether on TV, radio, Internet, conversations between kids or at the library. As parents, the most important thing we can do is remain open for our kids to ask us any question. If your child is curious about a book that doesn’t feel age appropriate, a simple answer might be “this book contains information about changes your body will make when it grows older” or “this is a book about sex; I am an important teacher for you about sex and can share more information to answer your questions on our drive home.” Providing simple, accurate answers  provides our kids with the information they need and keeps sex and bodies from being shameful or silenced.

Our library has an excellent collection of books on bodies, puberty, sex, and gender, allowing families to choose the ones most fitting for their kids at different ages. As parents, we always have a role in helping our kids select books that support their learning in alignment with our values, no matter the content. Sex is a normal, healthy part of being human and research shows kids who talk with their parents openly about sex are more likely to wait until they’re older to start engaging in sex and take steps to prevent pregnancy when they do eventually start.

For parents looking for further support on navigating conversations with our kids, resources include Yes, Your Kid by Debbie Herbenick, Sex Positive Talks to Have with Kids by Melissa Carnagey, as well as the website sexpositivefamilies.com.

Thank you to the Camrose Public Library for providing opportunities for parents to be active participants in our children’s sexual education with relevant, age appropriate resources and to The Booster for providing space for public discourse and conversation.

Dr. Charley Boyd,
Camrose