Dig deep into the issues raised in Democracy Derailed!

We've collected links and documents to provide background to the issues raised in the book. PDF files and external links will open in a new window. Close the window to return to the list.

CHAPTER ONE: Alberta Politics and the Culture of Power

Allende, Pinochet and the Chilean Media (PDF)
The full text of Ralph Klein's essay.

Whose words are these, anyway? (PDF)
A side-by-side comparison between Klein's essay and an online source.

CTV.ca | Klein accused of lifting info for school essay
A recap of the controversy.

Letters of support (PDF)
At the urging of Lyle Oberg, the administrations of Alberta's two largest universities write letters to the editor praising Ralph Klein's efforts as a student.


CHAPTER TWO: Blowing the Whistle

From Rhetoric to Reality: Executive Summary
Good overview of whistleblower legislation, plus an order form for the full text of this report (prepared by Keith Archer for the Parkland Institute).

Providing real protection for whistleblowers
Fact sheet on the federal government's plan to increase "protection for public-sector employees who disclose government wrongdoing."

Hansard excerpts on the bargain-basement sale of Holy Cross Hospital

Hansard excerpts concerning asbestos removal at the Holy Cross

Hansard excerpts on the Alberta Securites Commisssion scandal

Hansard excerpts concerning toxic mould at Holy Cross Hospital

Alberta's Asbestos Abatement Manual (PDF)

Wikipedia: Toxic Mould

Wikipedia: Asbestos


CHAPTER THREE: Casting Your Ballot

Calgary Ward 10 vote had 'significant irregularity': report
CBC Edmonton's overview of the Ward 10 voting scandal.


CHAPTER FOUR: Disproportional Representation

Fair Vote Canada
A multi-partisan citizens' campaign for voting system reform.

Alberta Election results, 1905-2004
Handy one-page breakdown of voting patterns in every Alberta election ever held.


CHAPTER FIVE: Under the Dome

The Great Fescue Debates of 2003
26,000 words from Hansard on the adopting of rough fescue as Alberta's official grass.


CHAPTER SIX: The Auditor General

Official site of Alberta's Auditor General
Includes "Reading Room" with PDF versions of annual and special reports.

Hansard excerpts on the Kelley Charlebois affair

Letters with Fred (PDF)
Complete text of letters exchanged between Kevin Taft and Auditor General Fred Dunn over the Kelley Charlebois affair.

Alberta says health-care cards are being abused
Canadian Press story about health-care fraud in Alberta.


CHAPTER SEVEN: The Internal Audit Committee

Alberta Corporate Internal Audit Services website
Alberta Government Internal Audit Charter (PDF)
Is CIAS trying to co-opt the function of the Auditor General? Visit the website, read the charter, and decide for yourself.

International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (PDF)
Does Alberta's CIAS live up to these standards?


CHAPTER EIGHT: Freedom of Information

FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy) website

New dark age: Alberta's Tories not ashamed of increased secrecy
Calgary Sun columnist Bill Kaufmann's analysis of Bill 20.

Right to Know Week kicks off in Alberta
Government Services Minister George VanderBurg and FOIP Commissioner Frank Work celebrate FOIP's "great success rate" -- without a hint of irony.

CHAPTER NINE: Undue Influence

Physician, regulate thyself
See Magazine takes a look at Peter Huang and other areas of conflict at the Calgary Regional Health Authority

Public Bodies, Private Parts
Executive summary of Gillian Steward's outstanding analysis of conflicts of interest at the Calgary Regional Health Authority, prepared for the Parkland Institute.

Oil in Government: Unresolved Ethical Issues Haunt Provincial Tories
Gordon Laird's article on "Tory Oil" for the Parkland Post.



CHAPTER TEN: In the Opposition

Hansard excerpts concerning giant prop lottery cheques presented by Tory MLAs


CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Public Accounts Committee

Complete Hansard transcript of the May 5, 2004 Public Accounts Committee meeting
Ralph Klein makes a rare appearance, reads scripted answers to scripted questions, and asks, "Is she calling me a liar?"

Klein questioned over travel expenses
CBC article on Klein's outburst.


CHAPTER TWELVE: The Public Affairs Bureau

Key Messages (PDF)
The front page of the Public Affairs Bureau manual, paid for by tax dollars and provided to Tory MLAs to help them consistently spout the party line..