Editor, The Times:
I've just returned from Edmonton after a stay of three weeks.
The feeling I get there is a profound relief that Alberta is no longer dominated by the Calgary petro-thugs and their cohorts in the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
At this moment there is a meeting between government, oil executives, environmentalists and other interested parties. This is the first time in Alberta's history this has happened. Even some more moderate right-wing Chamber of Commerce types have expressed a sneaking admiration for the Notley government's cautious approach to Alberta's affairs.
But then this is the real world – not one inhabited by neo-con idiots who, after the financial collapse of 2007-2008, the great corporate scandals Enron, et al, the financial fall down in much of the European Union, are flailing around trying to find some examples of success for their version of so-called free market capitalism.
As Gwynne Dyer has pointed out in one of his recent columns, with the recent problems in the Chinese stock market, the scandals in Malaysia and Indonesia there appears to be a 'Perfect Storm' on the globe's horizon in the financial world.
Perhaps these right-wing neo-cons should look over their shoulders or in the mirror instead of ranting on about immediate demise of Notley's Alberta NDP government.
One never knows what scary things might lurk out there!
Dennis Peacock
Clearwater, B.C.