Alberta
JK Rowling defends Central Alberta politician against LGBT activist: ‘Bully’
From LifeSiteNews
J.K. Rowling stated, ‘It never seems to occur to them that there’s no bigger indicator of not being a woman than trying to bully people into agreeing you’re a woman.’
Famed U.K.-based author J.K. Rowling recently got involved in local Canadian politics, defending a conservative politician in Alberta for refusing to bend to the demands of an LGBT activist.
The incident concerns Alberta Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jennifer Johnson. In the lead-up to the 2023 election, she was a member of the ruling United Conservative Party (UCP) but was kicked out of the party by Premier Danielle Smith after audio surfaced of her comparing transgender ideology in schools to adding feces to baked goods.
Despite being kicked out of the UCP, Johnson won her seat by a wide margin running as an independent.
Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Jennifer Johnson
On Tuesday, a video began to circulate on X showing an exchange between Johnson and biological male “Victoria Bucholtz,” who goes by the stage name “Karla Marx.”
Because of her past comments, Johnson recently agreed to meet with LGBT groups from her local community, via video conference, who wanted to speak with her about their “concerns.”
In the video, Bucholtz asked Johnson directly, “Will you state on the record right now ‘trans women are women?’”
In reply, Johnson said, “No, I want to have some time to think on that.”
The incident drew the attention of Rowling, who posted a link of the video observing, “You don’t even need to turn up the sound.”
Honestly, you don't even need to turn up the sound. https://t.co/IwgYPfnZ8o
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 17, 2024
“It never seems to occur to them that there’s no bigger indicator of not being a woman than trying to bully people into agreeing you’re a woman,” she wrote in another post.
Rowling observed that what Bucholtz, in speaking with Johnson, is doing, is the “equivalent of beginning a conversation on climate change with ‘unless you agree the earth is flat, I’m leaving.’”
Danielle Smith not behind meeting with Johnson and activist 
LifeSiteNews was given information from a well-connected member of the UCP, who asked to not be named, that many MLAs in the party support Johnson and want her back in the party.
While Premier Danielle Smith has not yet let Johnson back into the UCP, she is reportedly warming up to the idea.
Johnson made it clear that contrary to rumors, it was not Smith who ordered her to attend the meeting with Bucholtz.
In a statement on Facebook Wednesday, Johnson said she needed to set things straight regarding her meeting with the pro-LGBT groups.
“This statement addresses the meeting between me, Jennifer Johnson, the Independent MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka, and the Lacombe Pride Society, Ponoka Pride Society, Central Alberta Pride Society, and multiple others. These societies requested a meeting with me, and I was happy to meet with them and hear their concerns as my constituents. I looked forward to a respectful and informative meeting with them,” she wrote.
Johnson said that the meeting was at the request and arranged by a “constituent of the Lacombe-Ponoka riding, and I was happy to accept their invitation to meet.”
“Danielle Smith, her office, and the UCP caucus and party were in no way involved in or aware of this meeting and, contrary to speculation, this meeting has nothing to do with my future as an Independent Member of the Legislature.”
Johnson said that she “supports” the work of Smith and her UCP government and looks “forward to working with all Members of the Legislature in the fall session on the Parental Rights legislation and other important bills.”
Rowling in recent years had to be on the defensive for saying gender-confused men who claim to be a woman are in fact men.
Earlier this year, Smith announced strong pro-family legislation that strengthens parental rights, protects kids from life-altering so-called “top and bottom” surgeries, as well as other extreme forms of transgender ideology.
Despite these steps, Smith still holds views at odds with social conservatives, telling Jordan Peterson that conservatives must embrace homosexual “couples” as “nuclear families.”
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance
Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.
After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.
Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.
“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”
“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”
Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.
Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.
Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.
In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.
Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.
By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.
“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
- A 2023 report by MNP shows
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