Business of the Year Awards
And Money Flowed in the Streets….
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Cha
rles Dickens was a masterful writer with a superb grasp of the human psyche. In his Christmas Carol, which has been retold thousands of time since its original publication, he captured the penultimate human tragedy and richness: gratitude and thankfulness leads to an overflowing heart.
However, in this time in our world while every medical officer and professional is running the Covid 19 marathon, internet and news channel surfers are digesting every chart and update hungrily, and business men and women are looking to an uncertain future post crisis, people are discovering what is truly valuable.
We have witnessed the dismantling of sports empires worldwide-the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, PGA tours and other professional sports are now on pause for the 2020 season. Our entertainment industry, in addition to seeing Harvey Weinstein charged with sexual assault is also shut down worldwide. Business empires, so powerful in previous months are now powerless to resist falling sales and changing trend.
The gods of this world are now neutered, powerless, crownless and less significant everyday.
While public gatherings have been outlawed in numbers over 15, and social distancing has replaced conversation and relationships, families are spending more time together and hobbies are on the rise. I would venture to say that more people have never read so many books, or cooked so many cookies, or binged on Netflix or have been engaged with video entertainment than ever before.
On the positive side, crime rates are down. People are home so thieves are less likely to find empty homes.
The porn industry has shut down.
Houses are cleane
r, and early spring cleaning is occurring.
Income tax season, while lengthened, will be less stressful for people.
Afternoon naps are now fashionable again.
People of faith can now find (or make) time to pray, read, and watch sermons and seminars online.
Music is more likely being played from all decades more often.
And then we consider the plight of the rich and entitled, when Covid 19 or any disease/condition enters their homes and robs them of health and a sense of well being…
Earlier today on whatsapp, a picture was posted with a quote from Sidhu, but it could also be from Ecclesiastes as well…
The richest people in Italy threw the money on the road and said, “This did not work in our bad times, we cannot save our loved ones, we cannot save our children, what is the use of this wealth? There is a lesson for those who value money more than humanity …. humbleness
Ecclesiastes 1: 1-4 states that, in the words of the teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem that”
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.”
In Italy, where Covid 19 has claimed thousands of victims, where a country is held hostage by something so small and insignificant, they have realized that no matter how much money they have, no matter now much power they have, that it cannot save their lives.
Their money, once a symbol of wealth and stature, now blows down empty city streets, rolling and curling in response to slight breezes and great gusts. Passers by walk by, pick up Euro every now and then and gaze upon the piles of powerless and valueless currency that pales in comparison to the greatest treasure of all: faith, humanity, health and humility.
Alberta
Premier Jason Kenney shares photos of the Keystone XL pipeline crossing the Canada US border.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces that shovels are in the ground in Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of the United States on the Keystone XL pipeline expansion.
On Saturday, the day after Alberta premier announced at a press release that after the province made a $1.1 billion dollar equity investment in the Keystone XL pipeline, that shovels were already in the ground. Jason Kenney shared pictures on social media pictures of the pipeline crossing into the United States along the Saskatchewan border.
Keystone XL pipeline construction shows progress as it crosses the border into the United States from Saskatchewan
A long with the initial investment to get the pipeline project going again, the province will also provide an additional $4.2 billion in loan guarantees to help developer TC Energy start construction immediately. Kenney has said that the government had been negotiating with the company for months, and that no private sector bidders were ready to finance the project at this time. “In other words,” Kenney has said, “without this investment by Alberta, the pipeline would not be built.”
The project when completed, “in the spring or summer of 2023 will connect Canada’s oil sands with refineries in the United States. The pipeline is critical to the long-term future of Alberta’s oil industry, which has maxed out its capacity to bring oil to foreign markets using rail. Cars and existing pipelines. The Keystone XL pipeline will carry 830,000 barrels per day south from Alberta to a number of locations in the states.
Aside from announcing that, “construction is well under way” Kenney also added, “Our historic investment in getting a major pipeline built, creating good, high paying jobs – one of the reasons was to get work moving now in this construction season and throughout 2020.”
Alberta faces a long road to an economic recovery once the country can get past the Covid- 19 pandemic, Kenney is staying positive, “This investment will create 7,000 jobs, directly and indirectly here in Alberta this year alone. We believe that Alberta’s government will receive back at least 30 billion dollars in additional royalties and other revenues because of the additional shipments that Keystone XL will make possible.”
From organizers of the ITU World Triathlon
With the health and safety of our athletes and community our top priority, and based on the directive from Alberta Canada’s chief medical officer of health, the organizers of the 2020 World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton are announcing that the Grand Final that was scheduled for August 17-23, in Edmonton, Alberta will unfortunately not take place in 2020.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw clarified this Thursday, saying: “mass gathering restrictions currently in place also apply to all summer events or festivals in Alberta.
Those restrictions prohibit gatherings of more than 15 people and require people gathered in groups of fewer than 15 to maintain a distance of two metres from one another”.
The Edmonton organisers, Triathlon Canada and World Triathlon want to share their deep disappointment that this event will not be able to take place as planned, despite all efforts from all the parties involved, but absolutely understand that the current global situation with the COVID-19 outbreak make it impossible for the event to happen at this stage.
World Triathlon, along with the Edmonton Organizing Committee, the City of Edmonton and all stakeholders and the community partners will continue to work closely together to find new options for the event to take place in the future, when it is safe to do so.
Our hearts and thoughts remain with our many front-line workers and those affected by this global crisis.
Updated summer rules for gathers over 15 cancels most events till September.
- PANDAMNIT! Alberta cancels festivals & gatherings over 15 people till September
- ‘Very difficult:’ 2020 Calgary Stampede cancelled in light of COVID-19 pandemic
- CANCELLED! Stages go dark: 2020 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival cancelled
- The “Streets” are cancelled, Festival to try and go to online performances
- Alberta suspending Camping reservations until May 19th
- Dr. Hinshaw defends decision to cancel large outdoor events for the summer – Alberta COVID-19 Update
- Differing COVID-19 orders a challenge for boundary city of Lloydminster
Ottawa’s avalanche of spending hasn’t helped First Nations
COP 29 leaders demand over a $1 trillion a year in climate reparations from ‘wealthy’ nations. They don’t deserve a nickel.
Five Government Programs That Musk’s Government Efficiency Agency Could Put On The Chopping Block
It’s time to supersize charitable tax credits, not political ones
Alberta activates contingency mail delivery plan
MAiD In Alberta: Province surveying Albertans about assisted suicide policies
Alberta Emergency Alert test: Wednesday at 1:55 PM
-
Alberta1 day agoPremier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system
-
Business2 days agoCBC’s business model is trapped in a very dark place
-
Alberta1 day agoAlberta’s fiscal update projects budget surplus, but fiscal fortunes could quickly turn
-
Business1 day agoBroken ‘equalization’ program bad for all provinces
-
Censorship Industrial Complex2 days agoCongressional investigation into authors of ‘Disinformation Dozen’ intensifies
-
Alberta2 days agoAlberta government announces review of Trudeau’s euthanasia regime
-
Alberta1 day agoAlberta fiscal update: second quarter is outstanding, challenges ahead
-
Business1 day ago‘Context Of Chemsex’: Biden-Harris Admin Dumps Millions Into Developing Drug-Fueled Gay Sex App