Rick Spence

A Contagion of Confidence

The Plot to Save (Eastern) Canada

With an estimated 30,000 Ontarians pulling up stakes last year and moving to Alberta, it was clear something had to be done.
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Before there was $50-a-barrel oil or fluoride in the water, western Canadians waited breathlessly for news from the East. Whether it was the first radio broadcasts (brought to you by the CNR), political tidings from Ottawa or the latest fashions from the Eaton’s catalogue, Toronto and Montreal set the pace and the West did its best to keep up.
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Hello to Nova Scotia

“Boss, I have bad news,” Brad said carefully. “We’re all out of laser toner.”

“Can we get some in before the client presentation this afternoon?” asked Ms. Burtfield.

“No chance,” said Brad. “It can’t arrive here from Halifax till tomorrow.” >

Help Is On Its Way

For years, the spectre of shortage loomed. Pundits warned that Alberta could not exploit this vital resource forever. But now it’s done, and even Peter Lougheed has said that the provincial government wasn’t ready.
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Who Are You Calling Bumpkin?

Urban business “dragons” still can’t take agriculture seriously. Their loss >

Getting Down with Gilligan

A recent issue of Entertainment Weekly ranked the top 50 sidekicks in popular culture. No. 1 was Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson’s second banana, and runner-up was Batman’s junior partner, Robin the Boy Hostage. In a sidebar story, the magazine launched the next big drinking game.
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Now that the West is In

On April 4, the same day a chagrined Ralph Klein agreed to step down early, Jim Dinning cancelled a speaking engagement in Toronto. The former Alberta treasurer had agreed to join a panel to discuss: “The West Is In: Now What?” But as the front-runner to succeed Klein, Dinning realized that “Now what?” had turned from a rhetorical question into a pressing personal issue. >