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Denise Balkissoon

@balkissoon.bsky.social
8.1K followers 215 following 591 posts

Executive editor @thenarwhal.ca. Still hate gum. The lakes, they are Great. (Illo by Andrea Bell, from The Leak, a kid's graphic novel about a girl that does environmental journalism!)

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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 18h
Let's celebrate more journalists! Cornell Sun reporter Cereese Qusba was apparently 20! when she started investigating. She was determined to break and own the story, she did and she is, and it is pretty fkg impressive. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/n...
nytimes.com
Students at Cornell Daily Sun Pursued Sexual Assault Case for Two Years
The student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun, covered the allegations of rape at a fraternity house since they were first made in 2024 and led the reporting on the case.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 18h
The rise of neo-Nazi "active clubs" in Canada, and the grotesque act of intimidation one pulled at Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc reserve earlier this week, is upsetting. Thankfully, this country also has whistleblowers and journalists who aren't letting them exist uninterrogated www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Former soldier exposes how Canadian white supremacist group recruits members | CBC News
Second Sons Canada describes itself as a "men's nationalist club" dedicated to fitness and preserving Canada's heritage, but a former military member who attempted to join the group says he only learn...
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Residential schools were a tool Canada used to steal Indigenous land. These Narwhal stories explore that connection, and efforts to rebuild relationships between Indigenous communities and the places they come from, to strengthen their cultures and their futures. thenarwhal.ca/tag/truth-an...
thenarwhal.ca
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
We now have just 36 of these Lake Ontario totes left! Become a member of The Narwhal, and support environmental journalists who always knew the lakes were Great and worthy of our attention ... and care.
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 28/09/2026
More than 38,000 residential school survivors testified to the abuse they experienced as children. Next September, Canada plans to destroy their records.
thenarwhal.ca
Canada plans to destroy thousands of residential school testimonies. These women are trying to save them
The 38,000 testimonies are the largest body of evidence about children’s experiences in these institutions. Journalist Connie Walker and lawyer Kimberly Murray say losing it would mean losing history — both painful and illuminating
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
RIP to the Mighty Sparrow ... 2026 continues to take the wrong ones. 💔🇹🇹 I interviewed him in 2010 about his advice for hopeful calypso monarchs www.thestar.com/news/gta/car...
thestar.com
Caribana: Advice for future Calypso Monarchs
In advance of Saturday night’s competition, calypso greats and previous winners offer their advice and tips.
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Jen St. Denis @jenstden.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A super concerning meeting of white nationalists in advance of Truth and Reconciliation day cfjctoday.com/2026/09/27/a...
cfjctoday.com
Apparent white nationalist gathering spotted on Tkʼemlúps reserve Sunday
TK'EMLUPS - A post on social media appears to show a group of masked individuals gathered on the Tkemlps te Se...
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hey Toronto, still figuring out who to vote for? @thelocal.to has once again published a Candidate Tracker for the municipal election, offering bios and platforms for *every single candidate* running. thelocal.to/candidate-tr... Yay non-profit service journalism! 🤓
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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It's time to stop letting a small number of white American journalists who write airport books about scary diseases set the policy frame for pandemics. And it's unbelievably galling to do it - and this is always how it happens - in the middle of an ongoing Ebola virus epidemic.
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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This narrative is part of a broader one that places the blame for pandemic risk on the Global South, and demands that they think less about how colonialism has entrenched poverty and denied them vaccines, and think more about how to responsibly manage their rainforests and wildlife populations.
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 23/09/2026
When Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government proposed overhauling environmental assessments and major project approvals last spring, they were warned against centralizing power and infringing on Indigenous Rights. Critics say Bill C-39 does just that.
thenarwhal.ca
Canadians warned Carney not to sideline scientists. Bill C-39 does just that, critics say
When the Liberals proposed overhauling major project approvals, the public worried it would concentrate power and infringe on Indigenous Rights. Now, pipelines and nuclear development will be reviewed by an energy agency, instead of environmental
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Imagine if last night's Toronto mayoral debate channeled this energy
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Okay @rwarnica.bsky.social, I'm glad I'm not the only one that was like "Chris... Alexander? Is annoying me? Least?"
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Hi Toronto, any ideas on where/how an east end person without a car can donate a nice twin duvet? The family shelter nearest us didn't respond to an email.
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Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Tell me again how good and important A.I. is for human flourishing? Between this and the killer drones, I’m struggling to find the pro-human balance. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
nytimes.com
At DraftKings, AI Targets the Gamblers Likeliest to Lose (Gift Article)
Data science helps determine who receives betting incentives, but the company has resisted using similar technology to protect gamblers at risk of addiction.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I would say "going to make a person planning meetings across four timezones cry" (it me)
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The Narwhal is a member of the Great Lakes News Collaborative, co-publishing journalism about this beloved freshwater ecosystem with partners in the U.S. These relationships need to last past this political moment. Can you support us? You'll get a cool tote! give.thenarwhal.ca/member/?camp...
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
A Halifax lawyer says an RCMP policy change that means officers are no longer required to wear name tags on their uniforms while on duty poses a threat to police accountability and transparency. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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Elaine Anselmi @elaineanselmi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Despite current tensions, Canada and the U.S. have actually had a pretty incredible partnership when it comes to cleaning up the Great Lakes. Here's an example of that: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-lake...
thenarwhal.ca
Once polluted by industry, a Lake Superior bay is now in the clear
For decades, Canada and the U.S. have had an agreement to clean up the most polluted sites on the Great Lakes. Nipigon Bay is one of the success stories
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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
CARNEY SIGNS HISTORIC TAR SANDS FOR TAPENADE DEAL ON WHIRLWIND EUROPEAN TOUR
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Toronto Star @thestar.com · 17/09/2026
Newly released records show how Project South investigators ultimately unfurled one of the biggest police corruption scandals in Toronto's history, uncovering alleged ties to organized crime, drug dealing among officers, casual bribe-taking and frequent misuse of police databases.
thestar.com
Hidden cameras, bribes and drug sales: Inside Toronto’s unsealed police corruption files
A thwarted assassination attempt of a Toronto jail official helped break open one of the biggest police corruption scandals in the city’s history.
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Katie Hyslop @kehyslop.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
cheknews.ca/bc-conservat...
cheknews.ca
B.C. Conservatives hire private investigator to investigate CHEK’s Rob Shaw along with current, former MLAs
B.C.’s Opposition Conservative party hired a private investigator to target its critics, including current and former MLAs, as well as CHEK News’ political correspondent.
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Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Me this week noting the gender balance of these crowds It’s always odd to me that so many men spend their professional lives in spaces that are 90% male and it feels normal and un-noteworthy to them
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 11/09/2026
This week, we published two huge investigations, both possible because people trusted us to handle sensitive information with care. When we use confidential sources or report on leaked documents, we take the responsibility seriously. Here’s what that looks like: thenarwhal.ca/trust-us-wit...
thenarwhal.ca
How – and why — to share confidential tips with Narwhal journalists
AI data centres, pipelines, trade wars: our reporters dig deeper than headlines — because sources trust us to pursue investigations the public has the right to know about. Here’s why you can keep leaking information to us, securely
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
You know who cares about Lake Ontario - and Huron, Michigan*, Erie and Superior - every day? Us guys at @thenarwhal.ca. Support non-profit environmental journalism in Canada! Some of it about the great Great Lakes! Get a cool tote! Today! give.thenarwhal.ca/member/?camp... (*save her, she's trapped)
A promo asking you to become a member of The Narwhal, join today to get the royal blue tote pictured here that says "Lake Ontario"
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 12/09/2026
A leaked document obtained by @drewanderson.bsky.social has led to political backlash in Alberta over moves the doc says could raise electricity and gas prices. It's all to spur data centre and oil & gas growth. Read more, and see excerpts from the document, here: thenarwhal.ca/alberta-oppo...
thenarwhal.ca
Alberta’s alleged push for more AI data centres, oil and gas, sparks outrage | The Narwhal
‘For her foreign billionaire friends’: Opposition leader accuses Danielle Smith of possibly raising energy bills for AI data centres. Here’s a peek at the leaked doc he’s talking about
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 11/09/2026
The Narwhal is hiring! We're looking for our first-ever director of philanthropy to lead our revenue strategy and fundraising operations. And we're seeking a development coordinator to support the day-to-day operations of our membership program. More details on both positions in the thread ⤵️
thenarwhal.ca
Work with us | The Narwhal
Jobs, hiring updates, fellowships, freelancing opportunities and opinion submission guidelines for our environment and energy coverage.
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 11/09/2026
This week, @thenarwhal.ca published two stories using information from sources we aren’t naming publicly. It’s not a decision we made lightly. We only keep names confidential when we believe the information is in the public interest. And we really believe that about these stories. Post continues⤵️
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Big morning for big Prairies stories in our little newsroom! Banger scoop from @drewanderson.bsky.social: a leaked govt doc indicates Alberta is considering taking over its natural gas system from private companies to woo data centres and increase oil & gas production. thenarwhal.ca/alberta-ai-d...
thenarwhal.ca
Leaked doc suggests Alberta has sprawling plans to pave the way for AI data centres, more oil production
Rewriting laws, creating Crown corporations that could rival TC Energy, building new natural gas pipelines and increasing prices for consumers: what a leaked document says about Alberta’s AI data centre and oil push
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 10/09/2026
Former and current staff at Ontario’s Ministry of Environment tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social and @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social that Bill 5, and the death of the Endangered Species Act, left them powerless in protecting at-risk species. “We were essentially silenced.”
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Navneet Alang @navneetalang.com · 08/09/2026
ICMYI over the weekend:
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Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Seems very pointed that Angela Davis did this. www.wlrn.org/npr-breaking...
wlrn.org
I don't think I had $10 in the bank: Angela Davis remembers Gloria Steinem's allyship
Activist and author Angela Davis remembers her friend Gloria Steinem, and discusses intersectional feminism today.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
For the Star, I wrote about Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem and all the wise women that show us how to survive tough times, stand up for others and dismiss fools. To mourn and celebrate them, sign up to be a badass old lady, emphasis and pride on 👵🏾👵🏾👵🏾👵🏾👵🏾! www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...
A photo of Gloria Steinem with a raised fist
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Gloria Steinem now? The original feminist journalist with good hair? 💔 The accessibility humour and energy of her writing was, and is, important still.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Toronto police issued 1,277 parking tickets to vehicles parked in a bike lane during a road safety blitz. CBC chose to go with 324 tickets to ebikes and scooters as a headline. And I clicked, so maybe it was a good decision? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Toronto police issue over 300 tickets and warnings in 2-week crackdown on e-bikes and scooters | CBC News
Toronto police issued hundreds of tickets and warnings relating to micromobility devices, like e-bikes and e-scooters, over a two-week campaign this month, according to early data.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A data centre is proposed for the ocean between Maine and NB. It would use up to 50 tidal turbines to generate electricity for underwater AI computing and cooling. The proponent is Deepgreen Western Passage; Peskotomuhkati people say it threatens the waters they rely on. www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
cbc.ca
Peskotomuhkati leaders in Canada, U.S., concerned over underwater AI data centre proposal | CBC News
A company's proposal for an underwater AI data centre off Eastport, Maine, is facing opposition from Peskotomuhkati leaders in Canada and the United States who say the project could threaten waterways...
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Anil Dash @anildash.com · 26/08/2026
So Meta will always choose to pay, rather than to fight, because then it doesn't have to change. The initial investigation by the FTC into Facebook's abuse of its users was *SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO*, and that one also ended in a settlement. After which, they... went back to abuse their users.
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Anil Dash @anildash.com · 26/08/2026
Their tactic, which they have done over and over again for more than a decade, is simple: * Get caught violating privacy and trust * Say that it was an accident or mistake * Wait long enough for people's attention to drift, and ship the abusive feature anyway They have done this _dozens_ of times
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Mia Sato @miasato.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
After settling with states in court and agreeing to impose a bunch of limits on how teens use its platforms, Meta is asking its competitors TikTok and YouTube to do the same. lol about.fb.com/news/2026/08...
Through this agreement, we have set out a path toward industry-wide commitments to further empower parents by introducing:

A two-hour daily time limit
Turning off access to our apps at night as a default
No notifications during school hours
Clear prompts and notifications to teens every 15 minutes of continuous screen time
New parental supervision controls, so parents can decide how their teens use our apps
We want to ensure teens benefit from this new industry standard, but we cannot do it alone. These protections will only be truly effective if we work with our peers — TikTok and YouTube — to put the same measures in place.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
If the NYT were truly objective, all these insistently skeptical stories would instead focus on haircut analysis, like when a new political force emerged around 2015
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Cool, now do adults: Meta reaches $16.7B US settlement over social media harms to children www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
cbc.ca
Meta reaches $16.7B US settlement over social media harms to children | CBC News
Meta reached a settlement during a California federal trial in a case regarding claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies ha...
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Punjabi farmers in Peel have thriving organic farms - and TikToks. "The farming tradition once passed primarily through generation to generation can now reach thousands through a phone. Those screens are, perhaps surprisingly, bringing people back onto the land ...." thenarwhal.ca/ontario-bram...
thenarwhal.ca
Brampton farms offer Punjabi families a taste of home | The Narwhal
Farmers are amassing TikTok followers and real-life visitors, bringing their knowledge from India to Canadian farmland
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Not Dolly 😭
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Jenny Lee Shee @jennyleeshee.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Thanks to Doug Ford and Paul Calandra, 80,000 elementary educators have to order classroom supplies from Staples this year instead of from their school boards. I decided to do a little comparison shopping for school supplies many of us will have to order over the course of a school year. 🧵 #OntEd
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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A private arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to rehire @karenattiah.bsky.social who was fired in September over her social media posts about the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/b... The Post had said her posts harmed “the integrity” of the organization.
nytimes.com
Washington Post Ordered to Rehire Fired Columnist Karen Attiah (Gift Article)
An arbitrator ordered the newspaper to reinstate Karen Attiah, who was fired after posting about “white men who espouse hatred and violence” following Charlie Kirk’s killing.
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Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The US has bombed at least 223 people to death in boats in less than a year. It killed two more this morning. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
nytimes.com
U.S. Military Kills 2 People in Attack on Boat in Pacific
The United States has killed at least 223 people since its campaign of boat strikes began nearly a year ago.
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
"One of the main effects of tariffs within the U.S., economists say, has been to cause a massive transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class to the wealthy and well-connected corporations." www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Yesssssssss new blood new blood
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 22/08/2026
If you eat oysters, you’ve definitely had one from P.E.I. For two years, however, disease has decimated the world-famous molluscs. As the industry fights to survive, the community is still hopeful. “P.E.I. is going to solve this.” thenarwhal.ca/pei-oyster-c...
thenarwhal.ca
A disease devastated P.E.I. oysters. Can this seed offer hope? | The Narwhal
P.E.I.’s world-famous oysters are in peril. Scientists are working to create a new resistant breed; a seed from Maine could offer hope
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Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The RCMP will review a call from First Nations chiefs in Albert for a criminal treason investigation into Danielle Smith and the UCP for calling a referendum on separation. Wheeeee! www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
cbc.ca
Mounties reviewing First Nations' call for treason probe into Alberta premier, UCP | CBC News
Canada's top Mountie has written to First Nations leaders in Alberta, confirming the RCMP will review the chiefs' call for a criminal treason investigation into the province's premier and governing pa...
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