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Alex Robinson

@alexmrobinson.bsky.social
639 followers 964 following 81 posts

Public service editor for @ottawacitizen.com. Send tips on Signal to alexrobinson.01

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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Treasury Board is considering stopping the public reporting of how much Phoenix is costing the government, according to an internal document obtained by @matteocimellaro.bsky.social:
ottawacitizen.com
Treasury Board official recommends end to publicly reporting Phoenix costs
An internal memo recommends move despite acknowledging that it "may be perceived as a reduction in transparency or accountability."
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Reposted by Alex Robinson
David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Ontario’s new freedom of information restrictions ‘reduce transparency by half’: theijf.org/article/onta...
theijf.org
Ontario’s new freedom of information restrictions ‘reduce transparency by half’
Researchers concerned the changes could catch on in other provinces
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 31/03/2026
NCC reaches lease deal for first Ottawa property on affordable housing land bank ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Defence Minister David McGuinty now says he was briefed immediately after an Iranian strike hit a base in Kuwait where Canadian Forces members were stationed. Earlier in the day he said he learned about the strike when he read it in La Presse, 11 days after the strike.
nationalpost.com
Defence minister now says he was informed 'immediately' after Iranian strike on base housing Canadians
David McGuinty comments after initially saying he "didn't know" until after a La Presse report on the attack on the base housing Canadians
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Library and Archives Canada is planning deep cuts to its access-to-information division in a move "which may impact the ability to fully comply with legislated requirements under the Access to Information and Privacy Acts."
theglobeandmail.com
Library and Archives planning deep cuts to access to information team, document shows
Cuts will put at risk ability to comply with access and privacy laws, department acknowledged in a document
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David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Canadian Forces investigates after video appears to show Ottawa soldier threatening women with military rifle
Canadian Forces soldier with Governor General's Foot Guards appears in uniform to threaten women with rifle
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Preliminary data suggests that Ottawa is on track to rank first in the Western Hemisphere on the Uncorrected Claim Persistence Index, a measure of how long assertions remain online after they’ve been shown to be wrong. The mayor of Ottawa might want to check it out.
ottawacitizen.com
Deachman: Let's all make up studies about how great Ottawa is
If Mark Sutcliffe wants to boast on X about entirely fabricated data, then I can make up some stuff, too. | Opinion
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PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 12/01/2026
FACT-CHECK: A new ‘quality of life study’ celebrated by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is actually sourced from a dubious eastern European website While Sutcliffe claims the new 'study' proves Ottawa is the ‘most liveable’ city in North America, experts say the Serbian website’s data is unreliable
pressprogress.ca
‘Quality of Life Study’ Celebrated by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is Actually Sourced From a Dubious Eastern European Website
Sutcliffe claims a new 'study' proves Ottawa is the ‘most liveable’ city in North America, but experts say the website’s data is unreliable
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
At least three federal departments are developing AI tools to help redact sensitive information from documents before they’re released to the public, reports Ben Andrews in his latest. Observers warn it could damage transparency in an already secretive access-to-information system.
ottawacitizen.com
Amid U.S. redaction scandal, Carney government developing AI systems to black out sensitive documents
At least three government departments are developing AI tools to help with redaction, but experts say the tech could "be a nightmare.”
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Some donations collected for Ukraine by the Mriya Report were spent on pizzas, purchases at Home Depot, as well as unauthorized payments to a convicted felon linked to Donald Trump, a former top official with the nonprofit alleges.
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 26/12/2025
Update: @ottawacitizen.com has confirmed Kìwekì Point was not damaged by a snow plow but by a "ROGUE SCHOOL BUS": "[The NCC] said that they are in contact with the police and have shared surveillance camera footage that shows 'a school bus illegally driving on the Kìwekì Point Pathway'.”
ottawacitizen.com
Kìwekì Point damage caused by school bus driving along pathway
The NCC confirmed that a rogue school bus driver drove on the path illegally causing damage to the wooden panels of the structure.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
The CRA spent $18M on 'Charlie,' a new tax information chatbot that is wrong most of the time.
nationalpost.com
The CRA spent $18M on 'Charlie,' a new tax information chatbot that is wrong most of the time
The Canada Revenue Agency paid $18 million for a chatbot the auditor general says give her team the wrong answer 66 per cent of the time.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
DND says 17 Ottawa soldiers have faced "remedial measures" for their involvement in the Blue Hackle Mafia Facebook group.
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 17/11/2025
*clears throat* pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
pressprogress.ca
Defend Canadian Journalism – Donate Form
Support Our Journalism Defence Fund PressProgress is at the centre of what could be one of the biggest, longest and most expensive media trials in recent Canadian history. A former star candidate for ...
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Internal messages between DND public servants show they were worried that a whistleblower’s appearance before a parliamentary committee in 2024 might reveal they had violated his privacy. "SHIITT," messaged one DND employee (in true Clay Davis fashion) while the hearing was happening.
ottawacitizen.com
'That's not good': How an appearance by Officer X whistleblower at committee sparked worry at DND
Records reveal officials' concerns about the testimony of navy Lt. Patrick White, and show his privacy was violated.
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David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Top soldier has second thoughts about recruiting public servants for reserves
Gen. Jennie Carignan had faced public backlash and questions about her plan to recruit public servants for Canada's reserve forces.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Subscribe to the Ottawa Citizen and read the latest scoop by @davidpugliese.bsky.social:
ottawacitizen.com
Canadian military will rely on an army of public servants to boost its ranks by 300,000
Federal public servants would be trained to shoot guns, drive trucks and fly drones, according to a defence department directive.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
The federal public service is set to shed almost 30,000 jobs by 2028-29.
ottawacitizen.com
Feds to shed almost 30,000 public service jobs: Budget 2025
Economists say the Liberal government's projected cuts could rival those of former prime minister Stephen Harper.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 03/11/2025
Introducing the Ottawa Citizen Best Public Service Workplaces 2025. We've ranked 84 federal departments and agencies from best to worst. Find out how they stack up here: ottawacitizen.com/tag/best-pub...
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Read the latest scoop by @davidpugliese.bsky.social:
ottawacitizen.com
Canadian military wants mobilization plan in place to boost reserves to 400,000 personnel
Mobilization plan would see Canadian Forces reserves increased to 400,000
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Nicholas Kohler @nicohina.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
ottawacitizen.com
Venerable Glebe Video to close after 40 years, one rental shop remains
Long housed on Bank Street, Glebe Video was known for classic, highbrow films. Movies 'n Stuff in Alta Vista is now the last game in Ottawa.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Canada’s largest public sector union has put one of its component unions under trusteeship after complaints about its president.
ottawacitizen.com
Union of National Employees put under trusteeship amid complaints about president
The union, which represents 27,000 workers, will be put under trusteeship partly due to complaints about president Alisha Kang.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Read the latest scooooop by @matteocimellaro.bsky.social:
ottawacitizen.com
Union of National Employees may be put under 'administration' amid complaints about president
PSAC will vote Friday on whether to take the step, partly due to a "number of complaints" involving UNE president Alisha Kang.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Coming public service cuts will disproportionately impact workers who are women, indigenous, racialized or live with disabilities, according to a new analysis by @policyalternatives.ca
ottawacitizen.com
Cuts will impact women and racialized public servants disproportionately, new analysis says
An estimated 59 per cent of the workers cut will be women, according to a new analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
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David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
DND official lambasts western leaders for anti-U.S. comments
Raquel Garbers accused western leaders of helping Russia and China with their “absurd anti-United States narratives.”
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
The supervisor appointed by the provincial government to run Ottawa's public school board says it's not "in his mandate" to speak to the press.
ottawacitizen.com
OCDSB supervisor says media interviews are not his mandate
Bob Plamondon has released only two public statements since the province took over the board on June 27 and he was appointed supervisor.
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Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
The mass layoffs of federal workers on Friday night swept up the top two leaders of the federal measles response team, those working on Ebola and dozens of other infectious disease experts (Gift article) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
nytimes.com
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
The head of the federal government's new Major Projects Office will earn a salary between $577,000 and $679,000 a year, according to an order in council issued last week.
cbc.ca
Head of new Major Projects Office to make north of $577K | CBC News
The head of the federal government's new Major Projects Office will earn a salary between $577,000 and $679,000 a year, according to an order in council issued last week.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 29/09/2025
Look up: Military drones to be tested over downtown Ottawa ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Look up: Military drones to be tested over downtown Ottawa
The Canadian Forces will be using downtown Ottawa to test new technologies to track mini-drones in an urban setting.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 25/09/2025
What moving from Montreal to Ottawa taught me about two very different cities ottawacitizen.com/life/moving-...
ottawacitizen.com
What moving from Montreal to Ottawa taught me about two very different cities
If Ottawa has taught me anything so far, it’s that what seems predictable can still surprise you, provided you know where to look.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 22/09/2025
How public servants can use AI responsibly ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
How public servants can use AI responsibly
A former Chief Human Resource Officer explains the risks of using AI in the federal government.
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 22/09/2025
I did a deep-dive into Ben Mulroney's extracurricular activities: At the same time as Mulroney is filling-in as host of The West Block, he is also working for two registered lobby groups and as an adviser to several companies – some of whose CEOs he's interviewed on Global News 640 Toronto radio
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
DND originally told us that its F-35 review would be done by the end of summer. According to the department, that meant Sept. 22. Well, as of 2:19 p.m. yesterday, it's fall. Still no word on what the review found or if it's even been finalized yet. Read more in @davidpugliese.bsky.social's latest:
ottawacitizen.com
Deadline comes and goes with no release of DND F-35 report
Deadline passes for release of F-35 report as Canadian government offers no explanation.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 15/09/2025
U.S. warns Canada of potential negative consequences if it dumps F-35 fighter jet ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
U.S. warns Canada of potential negative consequences if it dumps F-35 fighter jet
The review of Canada's proposed purchase of 88 U.S.-built F-35s is set to be finalized by Sept. 22.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 13/09/2025
When @fastlerner.bsky.social reported in April that the EPA was going to stop collecting greenhouse gas emissions data from most polluters, it wouldn't admit it was eliminating the requirements. Today it announced the change, saying it's "cutting unnecessary red tape" & "unleashing American energy."
propublica.org
Trump’s EPA Plans to Stop Collecting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data From Most Polluters
Climate experts expressed shock and dismay at the move. “It would be a bit like unplugging the equipment that monitors the vital signs of a patient that is critically ill,” one said.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
"What the two major political parties share is the unwillingness to confront the unpleasant realities of involuntary layoffs. Both have been peddling the illusion that attrition will painlessly deliver the smaller workforce to which they aspire." - Michael Wernick in FP this morning
financialpost.com
Michael Wernick: Caught between denial and dogma, here's a better way to downsize the public service
Unions need to admit layoffs are coming and the government should admit it needs to proactively shape the future workforce. Keep reading.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
OpenAI is trying to ague that an Ontario court doesn't have jurisdiction to hear a lawsuit by Canadian media companies that accuse the firm of breaching copyright by scraping large amounts of content:
toronto.citynews.ca
OpenAI argues Canadian news publishers’ lawsuit should be heard in U.S.
OpenAI is set to argue in an Ontario court today that a copyright lawsuit filed by Canadian news publishers involving its ChatGPT generative AI system should be heard in a U.S. courtroom instead. A coalition of Canadian news outlets which includes The Canadian Press, Torstar, The Globe and Mail, Postmedia and CBC/Radio-Canada is suing OpenAI […]
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
A new Nanos poll found 62% of Canadians were at least somewhat supportive of removing tariffs on Chinese EVs:
ctvnews.ca
Ottawa considering scrapping tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
If Canadians were in the driver’s seat, tariffs imposed by Ottawa on Chinese electric vehicles (EV) would have an easier road to the Canadian market.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 02/09/2025
What the public service risks losing in a full return to the office ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
What the public service risks losing in a full return to the office
A former executive from the federal public service writes that one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 02/09/2025
Feds give CRA 100 days to fix call-centre debacle ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Feds give CRA 100 days to fix call-centre debacle
Officials confirmed the CRA will not be given additional funding to improve services.
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Reposted by Alex Robinson
Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 28/08/2025
Feds to spend $71 billion on public servants' salaries, other costs this fiscal: PBO ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Feds to spend $71 billion on public servants' salaries, other costs this fiscal: PBO
The increase in personnel spending came despite a shrinking federal public service.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 25/08/2025
Could government watchdogs have to do more with less despite being exempt from spending review? ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Could government watchdogs have to do more with less despite being exempt from spending review?
While such offices will be spared by the spending review, some observers say it might mean requests for funding may go unfulfilled.
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Christopher Nardi @christopher.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
When the results of the latest Public Service Employment Survey landed on Dan Rogers’ desk earlier this year, the new head of Canada’s spy agency was angry. No matter how he looked at them, the results for CSIS were bleak and clear: there is a leadership trust crisis nationalpost.com/news/politic...
nationalpost.com
Canada's spy agency has a leadership trust crisis. The new boss says that's unacceptable
Earlier this year, new CSIS director noted that trust in senior leadership is low, the amount of red tape is seen as too high and less than half of surveyed employees would recommend working at CSIS.
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David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Path cleared for Canada to take part in Trump’s 'Golden Dome' missile shield
Canadian officials told their American counterparts that roadblock's to joining Trump's Golden Dome missile defence system had been lifted.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 06/08/2025
Meet the 24-year-old Ottawa software engineer who runs a MAGA bot ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-...
ottawacitizen.com
Meet the 24-year-old Ottawa software engineer who runs a MAGA bot
The bots were created to flood X with pro-MAGA messages, attracting attention from Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 05/08/2025
Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken ottawacitizen.com/news/byward-...
ottawacitizen.com
Deachman: The ByWard Market is both beautiful and broken
Curious to see how the Market changes during the day and night, Bruce Deachman wandered its streets and alleyways for 24 consecutive hours.
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David Pugliese @davidpugliese.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Military commander steps down as investigation into Cameron Highlanders social media posts continues
Military commander steps down as investigation into Cameron Highlanders social media posts continues
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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Hi, yes, g'morning. This is awkward. But targeting a reporter - hi! - with surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Globe and Mail reporter targeted by online campaign, photographed surreptitiously in public settings
An anonymous X account posted photos of Alberta reporter Carrie Tait and described her movements as she reported on a health authority controversy
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Ottawa Citizen @ottawacitizen.com · 21/07/2025
Will the retirement age ever drop for new public servants? ottawacitizen.com/public-servi...
ottawacitizen.com
Will the retirement age ever drop for new public servants?
Government workers hired after 2013 can’t retire with a full pension until 60. An expert explains why and what you can do now.
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Alex Robinson @alexmrobinson.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Late last year, the federal government banned public servants from accessing certain streaming services like Netflix on work devices. Internal documents show DND was the department with the highest volume of streaming in Sept. 2024 at over 3 terabytes. PSPC was second and the PCO was third:
cbc.ca
Government blocked streaming sites for public servants as a 'people management issue,' documents show | CBC News
Although streaming services like Netflix and Prime weren't straining the government's network bandwidth, federal officials decided to block them because they were perceived to be a "people management"...
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