With the completion of the Limestone Dam in 1990, with its large and low-cost generation capacity, the future outlook for meeting Manitoba’s electricity needs at low cost looked very positive. But, thirty years later, instead of Manitoba Hydro’s finances strong and...
Manitoba shows no sign that its policies will be able to maintain the working population, while, over time, returning to annual balanced budgets and cutting taxes to keep the private sector that is here now. This dismal prediction is partially drawn by observing the...
Brian Pallister likely knows that his time as Premier of Manitoba, now still leading a solid majority government, is coming to an end. Fortunately for Pallister, his party and Manitoba, if he retires soon, by bringing in a new PC leader he could be remembered for...
Circa 1915 Winnipeg was frequently described as a second Chicago, a serious transportation hub with a bustling private economy. In 1921 it was the third-largest city in Canada. In the 1960s Winnipeg was western Canada’s corporate headquarters city. Today Winnipeg is...
The indictment of former U.S. president Donald Trump for crimes invented by his political opponents is the most egregious example yet seen of the weaponizing of the law. The United States is now full of examples. However, in Canada, we also see the law being...
OTTAWA, REGINA - Last week, two things happened that could have profound impacts on natural resources development in Saskatchewan. One is a hint the federal government might want to take control of natural resources away from the provinces, and the other is the...
Successful private companies benefit from having effective boards of directors. They protect the interests of shareholders - the company’s owners - by hiring and supervising top management, establishing performance standards, and setting management pay. Boards also...
Graham Lane Despite innumerable inquiries, claimed reforms and repeated apologies, Canada’s indigenous situation remains unsettled, tragic and almost incalculably expensive. Mired in misery, far too many aboriginal people and communities remain trapped in dire...
Graham Lane In an op-ed in the Winnipeg Free Press (September 26th), Gerry Chidiac accepted without reservation the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) findings, which uncritically condemned past residential schools. The TRC Report (on the History of Indian...
Graham Lane Canada has had 150 years to deal with a clash of civilizations between a pre-existing indigenous population and a massive influx of, initially, Europeans. With newcomers quickly out-numbering the indigenous population, spreading into lands occupied by...
Graham Lane Recently we have had worrisome news from Northern Manitoba. From the troubles of the Port of Churchill and its rail line, a scare from the Pas’ major employer and thoughts of moving the aboriginal-run casino, to continued plans to shut down parts of the...
With announcements coming as regular as church bells ringing on a Sunday morning, it is clear that regardless of reason, risk and ratepayers' pocketbooks, the Selinger NDP government will push Manitoba Hydro into a potentially devastating expansion. With the Clean...
If you hoped for a balanced budget or a serious break on your taxes in the March 6 budget, you were disappointed. As to the budget itself, the government's increasing reliance on Crown corporations to pay its bills, along with its methods of reporting and accounting,...
Is it still possible to hold future electricity rate increases to the rate of inflation? Following nine years of rate increases well above the rate of inflation, Manitoba Hydro's $30-billion plus plan includes increasing electricity rates by four per cent every year...
Premier Greg Selinger has announced more future export sales of Manitoba Hydro's electricity to American utilities. His spin reminds me of the old adage: When something seems too good to be true, watch out! With his latest announcement, the line between the NDP...