Opinions
Let’s Chat: Volunteering has its benefits
By Linda Tooth on January 28th, 2026
Have you ever wondered what drives people to volunteer? Why do people give their time and energy to causes without receiving any sort of monetary payment in return? We seem to be so driven towards money and getting paid for services we offer that we may have forgotten about the benefits volunteering offers not only ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MLA Report: Building economic bridges: Why PNWER matters for Cypress-Medicine Hat
By Justin Wright on January 28th, 2026
When constituents see headlines about MLAs traveling to conferences, it’s fair to ask: why? What does this mean for our community? This month, I want to explain an important international partnership that directly benefits southeastern Alberta-the Pacific Northwest Economic Region, known as PNWER. PNWER is an economic development organization that brings together five U.S. states ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!From the Editor: A health crisis by design
By Scott Schmidt on January 24th, 2026
It has been 977 days since the 2023 general election in Alberta, which means it’s been 887 days since Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government promised to have fixed the health-care system. For someone with experience in media – and someone who once crossed a picket line to keep the Calgary Herald flowing – you’d think ... Read More »
3 responsesEconomics 101: Trends in Canadian population growth, housing
By Eric Van Enk on January 24th, 2026
Happy New Year and hope everyone enjoyed a much-needed break over the holidays! This week’s chart will be interesting to readers in the Medicine Hat area as well as other smaller cities as it highlights that population growth is shifting from Canada’s largest cities (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver shown in the chart on the left) ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: 13 is my lucky number
By Linda Tooth on January 21st, 2026
I have learned when you start to share your life experiences it is important to follow through and keep sharing even if you are tired and not sure you have the energy to do it. So, to those people who have approached me asking how my partner is doing or are wondering and have not ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: Books about animals, it does not get any better
By Linda Tooth on January 14th, 2026
As we know, communication in all forms is something I love reading, talking, and writing about. So, when a friend suggested the novel Unsaid by Neil Abramson for our book club, I was intrigued. By definition, unsaid according to Merriam Webster is defined as something that is “not spoken aloud.” Abramson, a lawyer in New ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Mansoor’s Musings: Lessons of Bondi Beach should not be ignored
By Mansoor Ladha on January 2nd, 2026
I was deeply saddened to learn of the massacre of 15 Jews at Bondi Beach, Australia. On the first night of Hannukah, more than 1,000 people had gathered to celebrate, some dancing and banging drums when two individuals opened fire on a crowded group. The incident devastated and shocked not only the Jewish community, but ... Read More »
2 responsesNoteworthy: Time to put the computer away for a little while
By Bruce Penton on December 31st, 2025
We’ve all heard the age-old ha-ha about not eating yellow snow, but did you know that eating snow of any colour can be trouble? A typical snowflake has a lot of jagged edges to it, says a story on Axios.com, and when it falls through the atmosphere, it collects “more airborne pollution particles.” A variety ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Economics 101: Lessons from the dot-com bubble
By Eric Van Enk on December 27th, 2025
The dot-com bubble burst in March of 2000 when historically high stock market valuations (Price to Earnings ratios) combined with declining earnings growth for companies that comprise the U.S. stock market. This week’s chart examines the relationship between stock market valuations (12-month forward Price to Earnings ratio in blue) and earnings growth for the S&P ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: From our house to yours
By Linda Tooth on December 24th, 2025
I remember growing up and the importance Christmas was for my family. Grandparents would travel from Moose Jaw to Medicine Hat to spend time with us, my youngest brother sneaking down the stairs to see what Santa had left for us and a turkey dinner with home-made stuffing that was amazing. I think the best ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: What’s in a name? And which side will it attract?
By Bruce Penton on December 24th, 2025
There’s little doubt the formation of the newly named Progressive Tory Party of Alberta will be responsible for vote-splitting at the next provincial election, but the question is: Will it split the right or the left vote? Back in 2015, the existence of the Progressive Conservative Party and Wildrose definitely caused a split in the ... Read More »
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