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Discusses the current status of the Grande Alberta Paper (GAP) mill. Actions of former premier Don Getty; Moves by Finance Minister Paul Martin; Cost considerations related to the GAP; Role of the Alberta Forests Products Association.

Examines the differences in tax burdens between the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein's five speeches on Alberta's tax advantages over Ontario; Headlines in Toronto papers and praise from Ontario executives and think tanks; Central Canada as a taxpayer's nightmare; Klein's meeting with Hugh Bolton, Coopers & Lybrand; Corporations which have opened head offices or corporate divisions in Alberta; Bill 79, Ontario's employment equity legislation.

Examines the ways in which the new Canadian federal cabinet are working to establish their green credentials. Prime Minister Jean Chretien would turn B.C.'s Clayoquot Sound into a national park; Environment Minister Sheila Copps announced Ottawa would review the environmental impact of all federal taxes, subsidies and grants; Finance Minister Paul Martin's 1992 paper on redirecting national economies toward environmental sustainability through taxes; Details.

States former `Edmonton Journal' publisher Donald Babick, Linda Hughes, Tom Barrett and the paper's owner Southam Inc. of Toronto were all found guilty of criminal contempt by Justice Alexander Andrekson of the Court of Queen's Bench. Andrekson ruled that a 1990 front page story graphically describing the heinousness of Albert Stewart's murder of his common law wife interfered with his right to a fair hearing. Courts becoming increasingly severe; Recent bans; Details.

Cites the paper `Federal Government Relations With Interest Groups: A Reconsideration,' that argues the current lack of public input raises questions about whether a funded group is truly representative of Canadian society. Author William Stanbury (University of British Columbia), and three others; Four alternatives by which individual Canadians can take part in the allocation of their money; Opposition to government funding to special interests.

Examines the major restructuring that Human Resources Minister Lloyd Axworthy has offered for the Western Economic Diversification program. While some business leaders accept that restructuring is necessary, others argue Ottawa should get out of the investment business altogether. Companies WED will now target; Ottawa backing out of earlier WED pledge to Consumers' Paper Inc.; Charge the program is loser-driven.

Cites a paper by University of Alberta economist Bev Dahlby (funded by the Association of Alberta Taxpayers) which measured the cost of increased taxation on the Alberta economy specifically. How tax revenues create a disincentive to work; Tax rates (federal and provincial) on Albertans; Overall economic cost of raising additional revenue; Difficulties in justifying public expenditures through a surtax; Sales tax least equitable; How sales taxes distort the economy; Details.

Cites a background paper issued by the federal government on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (awaiting royal assent) which found the act significantly broadens Ottawa's power to block projects deemed ecologically unsound. The act also appears to enhance the federal government's ability to scrutinize projects related to the development of natural resources. Examples of Ottawa's over-reaching its constitutional powers; Details.

Examines Alberta's shiny new paper mills which are expected to cash in when prices for pulp and paper rebound next year. Shipments of pulp and paper component down; Alberta Newsprint Co. of Whitecourt breaking even by deferring depreciation costs; Campaign of then-Premier Donald Getty to lure international investors to Alberta's largely unallocated forests; Cost to taxpayers; The long-term.

Probes allegations that documents exist authorizing the Canadian National Archives to buy former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's letters, memos and notes for $1.3 million. Frenzied hunt for the alleged documents; Denial from government officials of an agreement to buy the Mulroney papers; Report by Arthur Drache, publisher of `Canadian Taxpayer'; His comments on the story.

Cites figures from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics which found that between 1986 and 1991 charges against youths for violent crimes jumped from 9,200 to 19,000. Leaked information from a federal Justice Department discussion paper on young offenders found, however, that the murder rate among youths stayed the same between 1986 and 1991. Public pressure may have triggered more charges against youths; Belief young people go unpunished; Details.

Describes the social studies program at Eckville High School, `Democracy in Action,' which last year successfully campaigned against the school's use of bleached paper. This year, the 10th grade class decided to lobby the school board for a condom machine in the school. Last week the Lacombe County School Board rejected their request. Reasons for the rejection; What the students learned; Criticism of training in special interest group lobbying.

Provides information on former Alberta Premier Ernest Charles Manning, who led the province more by example than by decree for 25 years. Papers released from Alberta provincial archives; Manning papers an open challenge to common fallacy that religious politicians are intrusive busybodies; Manning's Christianity smoothed the rough edges of ruling Social Credit party; His concern with the Quiet Revolution in Quebec; Economy of leadership. INSET: Small was beautiful, by C.S..

Speculates on the contention of Sunera Thobani, Nancy Riche and Robert Evans that release of Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell's government discussion paper, `Enabling Society,' will imperil the Tories' chances of re-election. Social policy consultants in Ottawa who have seen the paper will not reveal its contents for fear of reprisals; Indications of what is in store from former federal Health and Welfare Minister Benoit Bouchard.

Cites the working paper from the `Expert Committee on AIDS and Prisons' commissioned by the Correctional Service of Canada which recommends homosexuality among prisoners should be condoned and condoms made freely available to limit the spread of the AIDS virus. Other recommendations regarding sterilization of contraband needles; AIDS a serious problem in federal prisons; Thoughts on whether or not sexual behavior alters sexual orientation.

Looks at an upcoming general election in Alberta and discusses the views of analysts and political operatives. Ralph Klein's Progressive Conservatives; Laurence Decore's Liberals; The issue of the province's $20 billion debt; Descriptions of both campaign styles; Insinuations included in a position paper titled `Education for All'; Talk about raising Alberta's corporate and personal income taxes; More. INSETS: Down and out in Redmonton, by L.G.;The old style lingers on, by L.G..

Surveys the Alberta Stock Exchange, which has doubled in activity over the past year, trading now exceeding $50 million a week. Hottest story in surging junior oil and gas sector; Activity not going unnoticed in Montreal and Toronto; Province's juniors' need for capital.

Discusses how Canadians view peacekeeping as a necessity. Comments from Lieutenant-Colonel Sean Henry (ret.) that the benefits are exaggerated; Henry's paper in January issue of `Forum'; Canadian peacekeeping origin as a way of brokering between Russia and United States; How war-fighting capabilities of Canada's army could be destroyed; Reduction in military spending; Questions Canadian interest in peacekeeping missions; No way peacekeepers can prevent another war.

Discusses how Canada's Alberta pulp mills want to streamline the enviro-reporting system. Proposal to merge data collection for Environment Canada and Alberta Environment; Each has different reporting forms and different data; New Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act doesn't address duplication problem.

States that another battle is shaping up over trees in a large block south of Grande Prairie. Giant US-based Louisiana Pacific Corporation's plans to build $60-million oriented strand board (OSB) plant; Trees committed to Grand Alberta Paper (GAP) project; Three other companies with tree interests; Companies' plans in jeopardy; Comments from New Democrat forestry critic John McInnis; Province as having poor information on actual tree inventory; More.