menu_open Columnists

Calgary Herald

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Ford: Council needs to get back to the issues that need debating

Ford: Council needs to get back to the issues that need debating

The choice? Bottled water or tap water?

yesterday 9

Calgary Herald

Catherine Ford

Varcoe: 'Herculean challenge': Industry awaits details of Ottawa-Alberta deal, as debate swirls on higher carbon price

Varcoe: 'Herculean challenge': Industry awaits details of Ottawa-Alberta deal, as debate swirls on higher carbon price

'How do we actually go from the high level language in the MOU to a concrete agreement that will actually move things forward, get projects built,...

yesterday 7

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Bell: Bike battle! Alberta demands defiant cities cough up lousy bike lane numbers

Bell: Bike battle! Alberta demands defiant cities cough up lousy bike lane numbers

Fight over bike lanes. Pretty nasty for a story lefties and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas say nobody is reading

previous day 7

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Braid: As separatist leaders bumble, Smith hopes Ottawa deal will make them irrelevant

Braid: As separatist leaders bumble, Smith hopes Ottawa deal will make them irrelevant

A subtle warning is out — hardline separatists won’t be welcome in the next UCP caucus

previous day 4

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Breakenridge: Time to turn talk into action on major projects in Canada

Breakenridge: Time to turn talk into action on major projects in Canada

It’s been just over a year since the 2025 federal election, which in many ways proved to be a catalyst for the separatist movement and debate now...

previous day 10

Calgary Herald

Rob Breakenridge

Opinion: Any new pipeline needs to contained within Canada only

Opinion: Any new pipeline needs to contained within Canada only

With the war in the Middle East threatening the global supply of oil, most Canadians appreciate the urgent need for a new pipeline to our West Coast...

previous day 10

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Bell: Done deal! Alberta and Smith win on MOU pipeline file in just a few sleeps

Bell: Done deal! Alberta and Smith win on MOU pipeline file in just a few sleeps

A deal between Premier Smith and Prime Minister Carney. Very soon. Book your seat

monday 5

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Braid: Separatist leaders hatred of Canada leads them and the province nowhere

Braid: Separatist leaders hatred of Canada leads them and the province nowhere

There is only one way Alberta leaders’ contempt for Canada makes any sense. They don’t think they need Canada because, as David Parker says, 'we...

monday 5

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Leong: Alberta government undermines it own referendum plans

Leong: Alberta government undermines it own referendum plans

Actions relating to past and future votes should leave electors asking questions of the province's methods and motives for this fall's ballot...

monday 10

Calgary Herald

Ricky Leong

Varcoe: 'The prime minister shares my urgency' — Alberta premier believes a framework largely in place on carbon pricing under energy accord

Varcoe: 'The prime minister shares my urgency' — Alberta premier believes a framework largely in place on carbon pricing under energy accord

Danielle Smith also believes Mark Carney wants to see a new oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast go forward

monday 10

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Opinion: University, community and students all have role to play in fighting Islamophobia

Opinion: University, community and students all have role to play in fighting Islamophobia

A recent media report about a threatening email sent to Muslim students at the University of Calgary is deeply unsettling — but, for many of us, not...

09.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: What mothers need this Mother's Day and why flowers are not enough

Opinion: What mothers need this Mother's Day and why flowers are not enough

This Sunday, May 10, millions of Canadian mothers will receive flowers, candles, and cards thanking them for everything they do.

09.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Bell: Danielle Smith claims win after high-stakes sit-down with Mark Carney

Bell: Danielle Smith claims win after high-stakes sit-down with Mark Carney

Premier Danielle Smith sat down with Prime Minister Mark Carney. When it was over, she was smiling

08.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Opinion: Prioritizing access to surgery is great news for Alberta patients

Opinion: Prioritizing access to surgery is great news for Alberta patients

An essential aspect of a properly functioning universal health-care system is the ability to provide patients with the care they need promptly. In...

08.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: Wildfires, tourism and our shared responsibility

Opinion: Wildfires, tourism and our shared responsibility

With the return of wildfire season in Alberta and Canada, it is interesting to look back on past seasons and consider the money and time being...

08.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

MARTIN: Court of Appeal rights a wrong in imposing tougher sentence after heinous attack

MARTIN: Court of Appeal rights a wrong in imposing tougher sentence after heinous attack

The assault of an Alberta woman two years ago was horrific. But even more shocking was the four-year sentence handed her assailant. The Alberta Court...

08.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Kevin Martin

Bell: Alberta to bring in law to rip out bike lanes and stop new ones

Bell: Alberta to bring in law to rip out bike lanes and stop new ones

Danielle Smith government ready to crack down on bike lanes with a hammer

07.05.2026 50

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Nelson: Time's running out for Nenshi as NDP boss

Nelson: Time's running out for Nenshi as NDP boss

Naheed Nenshi could still lead the NDP into the next provincial election. But the political iceberg he’s now facing is starting to take on Titanic...

07.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Chris Nelson

Opinion: Calgary tragedy means we must prevent domestic violence earlier

Opinion: Calgary tragedy means we must prevent domestic violence earlier

Calgary tragedy means we must prevent domestic violence earlier. We know what the patterns of male violence are. We need to act on them earlier to...

07.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Bell: Danielle Smith and Mark Carney lock horns Friday with Alberta on the line

Bell: Danielle Smith and Mark Carney lock horns Friday with Alberta on the line

It's official. Friday. Ottawa. Danielle Smith. Mark Carney. Get your seats early.

06.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Braid: Ottawa finally wakes up to separatist dream of easy exit from Canada

Braid: Ottawa finally wakes up to separatist dream of easy exit from Canada

Separatist leaders often make Alberta independence sound as easy as shutting the door when you head off to work. They acknowledge no legal problems,...

06.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Opinion: Answering the world's call for energy

Opinion: Answering the world's call for energy

Last week in Calgary, federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said something that everyone in the industry believes — that...

06.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Bell: Carney-Smith showdown in Ottawa but Smith knows nothing about it

Bell: Carney-Smith showdown in Ottawa but Smith knows nothing about it

Carney says he's meeting Danielle Smith in Ottawa this week but doesn't tell Smith

05.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Breakenridge: Federal investment in major projects beneficial as long as there's no resulting revenue grab

Breakenridge: Federal investment in major projects beneficial as long as there's no resulting revenue grab

Despite missed deadlines on the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding, and despite scant evidence of a government moving at a “speed and scale...

05.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Rob Breakenridge

Opinion: Fast-tracking teachers is a real solution to a real problem

Opinion: Fast-tracking teachers is a real solution to a real problem

Great programs do not happen by chance — they are built with intention.

05.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Varcoe: Slow progress on energy pact risks 'letting this opportunity pass Canada by,' oilsands producers warn

Varcoe: Slow progress on energy pact risks 'letting this opportunity pass Canada by,' oilsands producers warn

“The time to act on them is now.” says Oil Sands Alliance

05.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Bell: Alberta separatists whoop it up, Nenshi wants independence vote killed

Bell: Alberta separatists whoop it up, Nenshi wants independence vote killed

Premier Danielle Smith, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and the pro-Canada activists, the Alberta independence movement. We've got three moving parts to this...

04.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Braid: Extremism and UCP laxity collide in a massive data threat to millions

Braid: Extremism and UCP laxity collide in a massive data threat to millions

Separatists believe Canada’s standards — and many of Alberta’s — can be violated in pursuit of their cause.

04.05.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Canada and UAE: Carving new paths in a post-OPEC world

Canada and UAE: Carving new paths in a post-OPEC world

The United Arab Emirates has announced that it will no longer be a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries effective May 1. With...

02.05.2026 30

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: Alberta says it wants innovators — so why don't we recognize them?

Opinion: Alberta says it wants innovators — so why don't we recognize them?

Alberta has made meaningful progress in building an innovation-driven economy. From supporting startups to investing in technology sectors, the...

02.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Varcoe: Trump's pipeline permit opens door for more Canadian oil — where does that leave line to B.C. coast?

Varcoe: Trump's pipeline permit opens door for more Canadian oil — where does that leave line to B.C. coast?

In order to diversify Canada's market reach, West Coast access is needed says president of the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada

02.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Bell: Danielle Smith kicks Naheed Nenshi's butt again, NDP leader doesn't get it

Bell: Danielle Smith kicks Naheed Nenshi's butt again, NDP leader doesn't get it

Premier Danielle Smith up in the polls and the NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has no answers

01.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Opinion: AISH reform deja vu: Alberta is repeating a dangerous mistake

The provincial government’s proposed changes to Alberta Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) bring a sense of deja vu. In 1999, dramatic...

01.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: National wildfire strategy needed to prevent another disaster

Canada's wildfire system wasn't built for today's megafires, says author who was among thousands to flee 2016 Fort McMurray blaze

01.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Varcoe: New CEO of power generator TransAlta sees 'tremendous opportunity' in data centres amid energy pact

The federal-provincial energy accord has drawn national attention to pipelines, but attracting major investment into the burgeoning AI-focused data...

01.05.2026 30

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Bell: Calgary's Fightin' Dan McLean ready to butt heads with Nenshi as an MLA

Dan McLean, the city councillor, is entering the provincial political arena. He wants a crack at Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.

01.05.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Braid: Private data of millions of Albertans allegedly leaked for separatist campaign

Elections Alberta seems to believe the list in question was legitimately supplied to the separatist Republican Party of Alberta

30.04.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Opinion: Alberta needs to face MOU failure and what it means for the province

The failure of Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney to resolve the outstanding conditions of the 2025 MOU by April 1 deadline was...

30.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Bell: Don't be fooled! Calgary city hall boss Duckworth scores a sweetheart deal

Is anyone accountable at Calgary city hall? Apparently not

29.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Ford: Celebrity 'stunt' hijacks seriousness of Earth Day

Call up the Canadian government’s 'drought monitor.' See the map showing swaths of bright yellow strips from coast to coast indicating 'abnormally...

29.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Catherine Ford

Braid: Separatists stick with Premier Smith, for now. What happens when they lose the referendum?

Alberta’s separatist drive isn’t really a fight for the future of Canada. It’s a battle for the United Conservative Party. The latest polling...

28.04.2026 30

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Varcoe: Canadian producers say Shell megadeal for ARC 'a great sign' for gas sector

'You have a large player now signalling that they have a positive view on the Canadian gas story'

28.04.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Chris Varcoe

Breakenridge: Premier campaigning hard for her referendum questions. Will that include separation?

Premier Danielle Smith made it clear last week — she will not be a neutral observer when it comes to the referendum campaign. That, of course,...

28.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Rob Breakenridge

Opinion: Why Alberta also needs its own domestic trade offices

The federal government’s announcement on April 21 of the creation of a second Domestic Trade Commissioners Network is long overdue. It is good news...

28.04.2026 30

Calgary Herald

Carlo Dade

Braid: Farkas says downtown crime keeps business away; new police station is vital

The police station in Victoria Park closed in 2017, what followed was a lot of crime and social disorder downtown

27.04.2026 10

Calgary Herald

Don Braid

Bell: Testing out 120 km/h speed limit for Alberta divided roads starts Wednesday

Highway speed limit on divided highways. The Alberta government is trying it out on a stretch of Highway 2 near Edmonton later this week

27.04.2026 60

Calgary Herald

Rick Bell

Opinion: What a $700 screening actually costs in Alberta

When Premier Danielle Smith pointed to a $700 “comprehensive” health screening in Japan, the implication was straightforward — a wide range of...

25.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: Canada can’t diversify trade without investing in stronger global partnerships

Canada has set an ambitious goal — expand trade beyond the United States and build stronger economic ties with fast-growing markets around the...

25.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: Alberta’s AI gold rush: Who risks getting left behind?

Alberta is emerging as a North American leader in the artificial intelligence economy, aiming to attract $100 billion in data centre investment by...

25.04.2026 20

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald

Opinion: Inclusion is not something you 'earn'

Premier Danielle Smith’s recent remark — “You can earn your way into inclusion, but you can earn your way out of it, too” — reveals a...

25.04.2026 30

Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald