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Ben Atkinson, PhD

@benatkinsonphd.bsky.social
628 followers 596 following 2.5K posts

PhD Economics with 25+ years in public, private, and academic sectors. Currently with MBA Research and Deciduous Corp. Primary expertise in International Economics and Industrial Organization, including transport and retail gasoline.

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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 29/09/2026
Populist leaders depend heavily on popularity. When it collapses, so does their claim to speak for “the people.” Their base sees them as less useful, and they lack a broader coalition to fall back on. So they rig the game to keep playing, further fueling democratic backsliding.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Joel Wood 🇨🇦 @joelwwood.bsky.social · 16h
Super Intelligence
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 29/09/2026
You first, fuckfaces.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Ximena González @ximenaka.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I wonder how Albertans manage to recognize immigrants everywhere they go…
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 7h
I have also included links to several other good readings on the subject. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/another-va...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Another Valuable Study from An Actual *Expert* on Potential Economic Effects of Alberta Separation
I have also included links to several other good readings on the subject.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Kent Fellows @gkfellows.bsky.social · 16h
Worth noting: MacDonald's first attempt a establishing a Canadian Pacific Rail line STARTED in 1873 (when he and other officials were bribed as part the Pacific Scandal). Final construction wasn't completed until 1886. 13 years, not 4. Then, as now, the delays were political and regulatory.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The authors of the studies which do not draw pictures of rainbows and unicorns in the margins have staked their already *proven* reputations by *identifying* themselves. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/when-it-co...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
When It Comes to Assessing the Effects of Alberta Separation, “Trust the Experts”
The authors of the studies which do not draw pictures of rainbows and unicorns in the margins have staked their already *proven* reputations by *identifying* themselves.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“...Pierre Trudeau once said that living next to the United States was like ‘sleeping with an elephant.’ These days, it feels more like sharing a bed with someone who has a loaded gun under their pillow and an empty bottle of whiskey on the dresser.” www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/29/o...
nationalobserver.com
America still doesn't understand how deep the rift goes
Memo to our friends (and yes, our enemies) to the south: the problem isn’t just Donald Trump. It’s you
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“You can fight a traffic ticket in court... yet, our Charter not only allows our legislators the absolute power to override basic rights, it grants the power to deny any opportunity to fight...those violations. ...Trumpian, in how it bullies the powerless." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Canadians must not stand for the notwithstanding clause’s pre-emptive use
Legislatures have used the Charter’s override function to shield laws that violate basic freedoms from the scrutiny of courts. It’s legal – but is it just?
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“But when it comes to a choice between largely anonymous separatists – their work bolstered by AI, which is never a good sign – and Alberta’s top experts on a question as portentous as the effects of separating from Canada, that choice is no choice at all.” www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: When weighing Alberta’s future, trust the experts
The separatists have released a host of documents, but we don’t know enough about who’s behind it
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
My research for this newsletter also helps me be more productive at my “day job”, so subscriber support generates valuable positive externalities! wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/upcoming-a...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Upcoming Articles on Walls and Bridges and A Request for Further Topic Recommendations
My research for this newsletter also helps me be more productive at my “day job”, so subscriber support generates valuable positive externalities!
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
We absolutely *do* need to reduce our dependence on the U.S., but running into the arms of the Chinese government is not the right approach to doing so. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/a-must-rea...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
A Must-Read from One of the “Two Michaels”
We absolutely *do* need to reduce our dependence on the U.S., but running into the arms of the Chinese government is not the right approach to doing so.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The use of property controls in grocery markets has bugged me for more than half my life, so I am very pleased with recent news coming from the Competition Bureau. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/some-very-...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Some Very Good News Regarding Competition in Grocery Markets
The use of property controls in grocery markets has bugged me for more than half my life, so I am very pleased with recent news coming from the Competition Bureau.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Theo Moudakis @theomoudakis.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Please enjoy my cartoon in today's Toronto Star
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Randy Boswell: “...Jason Kenney...told the CBC that the Dominion Society’s mission is ‘clearly un-Canadian, and it needs to be called out. People like me, who are on the right of centre of Canadian politics, have a special obligation to do that.’“ www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/25/o...
nationalobserver.com
Citizens must stand firm against new group touting mass deportation, supremacy of ‘Heritage Canadians’
Free speech? Sure. People are free to put up posters on utility poles expressing their views and promoting their causes — and other people offended by the vile messaging and the polarizing mission beh...
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Kent Fellows @gkfellows.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Political parties should pick leaders the way Econ departments pick department heads: Anyone ambitious enough to want the job is disqualified and everyone else gets together and bullies the least objectionable person into agreeing to lead until someone better comes along or they burn out.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Kudos to Carney for correctly arguing our need to reduce the global dominance of the U.S. dollar. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/prime-mini...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Prime Minister Carney Defies Demands from Critics to “Attempt to Kick the Football Again”
Kudos to Carney for correctly arguing our need to reduce the global dominance of the U.S. dollar.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“In the wake of another painful, difficult outcome, the Democratic Party has completed its review of Charlie Brown’s most recent failed attempt to kick the football." ... “To be clear: Charlie Brown must attempt to kick the football again.” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/cha...
mcsweeneys.net
“Charlie Brown Must Stay the Course”: A Football Kick Autopsy Report by the Democratic Party
“The central lesson of this cycle is not that Charlie Brown should stop trusting Lucy. It is that Charlie Brown must do a better job explaining why trusting ...
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I see Mike Jamieson is a separatist. “Calgary city council voted Tuesday in support of a statement on national unity, ahead of an Alberta referendum on separation this fall." ... “Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson was the only councillor to vote in opposition.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Calgary city council approves national unity statement ahead of Alberta referendum | CBC News
After city councillors were divided about whether it was the city's place to wade into a debate on Alberta separation, a motion from the mayor affirming Calgary's place as a vital part of the province...
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Mikal Skuterud: “As our economic future becomes increasingly uncertain in the face of a trade war and rapid technological change, it is more important than ever to prioritize facts over easy narratives.” financialpost.com/opinion/read...
financialpost.com
Opinion: Trump says Canada has 'Big Unemployment.' The data tell a different story
Mikal Skuterud takes a deeper look at Statistics Canada's labour force survey data. Find out more.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Dr Lindsay Tedds @lindsaytedds.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
FAFO www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
CEO who posted about wearing 'Lake America' sweatshirts to Halifax is no longer CEO | CBC News
The Michigan tourist who recently went viral over a Facebook photo where she and three family members appeared to be wearing "Lake America" sweatshirts has parted ways with her employer.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“In a 12-to-two vote, council chose the alignment that would see trains travel at street level down 10 Avenue S.W., with the line ending at a station between 1 and 2 Street S.W.” globalnews.ca/news/1206841...
globalnews.ca
Green Line LRT surface route through downtown Calgary finalized by city council - Calgary | Globalnews.ca
The Green Line LRT alignment would make way for trains to travel at street level down 10 Avenue S.W. with the line ending at a station between 1 and 2 Street S.W. in downtown.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This appears to be good news. www.canada.ca/en/competiti...
canada.ca
Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Sobeys’ parent company Empire to address grocery property controls - Canada.ca
Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Sobeys’ parent company Empire to address grocery property controls September 22, 2026 – GATINEAU, QC, Competition Bureau
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Stop laughing, I am serious. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/could-dona...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Could Donald Trump Be the Greatest Opponent of Climate Change?
Stop laughing, I am serious.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Haha! “...Freedom Fest, the MAGA-backed event set to feature...‘musician’ Kid Rock, is cancelled yet again. ...Kentucky Republican and festival organizer Eric Deters nixed the event due to incredibly low VIP ticket sales—only six of them, to be exact.“ metalinjection.net/news/another...
metalinjection.net
Another Kid Rock Festival Gets Cancelled Due to No One Buying Tickets - Metal Injection
Freedom Fest, the MAGA event set to feature Kid Rock this Saturday, has been cancelled due to incredibly low ticket sales.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
RIP Pye Dubois. “Pye Dubois, the Canadian lyricist and poet most famous for his work with Rush and Max Webster, and later with Max Webster frontman Kim Mitchell, has died at the age of 77.” www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
loudersound.com
Canadian lyricist and Rush collaborator Pye Dubois dead at 77
Pye Dubois worked with Max Webster and on several Rush songs including Tom Sawyer
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“...video taken from Edmonton’s Chinatown in recent weeks has revealed a tangible example of the concept in which provincial corrections officers are seen to be literally downloading recently incarcerated people onto the pavement and then driving away.” edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
edmontonjournal.com
Keith Gerein: A UCP government posturing on public safety shouldn't be dumping inmates onto Chinatown streets
Video from Edmonton’s Chinatown has shown corrections officers dumping recently incarcerated people onto the street with no supports.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Theo Moudakis @theomoudakis.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Please enjoy my cartoon for Thursday's Toronto Star
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Will their desperate moves work out for them, or will their voters smell blood in the water and eat them alive? wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/desperate-...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Desperate Politicians Doing Desperate Things
Will their desperate moves work out for them, or will their voters smell blood in the water and eat them alive?
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“This rush to blame a climate policy — and tax — that doesn’t exist rather than an American administration that’s openly hostile to Canada’s economic interests and national sovereignty perfectly encapsulates the state of the federal Conservative Party...“ www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/23/o...
nationalobserver.com
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives can’t wait to buy Trump’s bullshit
Donald Trump's latest economic threat involves replacing Canada's potash with imports from Belarus. The official opposition decided to blame ... the carbon tax?
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Kent Fellows @gkfellows.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Happy Fall Everyone
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
In today's episode of "That's Not How Causation Works", Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) argues Trump's trade war is legally justified by how Canada *reacts* to it. nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com
Carney government's retaliation may weaken the legal case against Trump's tariffs, think tank argues
The Carney government’s latest round of counter-tariffs may weaken the legal case against the Trump tariffs.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 23/09/2026
I'm in Alberta. Our guy's on meth and season 8.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It is extremely rare for me to give Smith credit for anything, but I gave it when she did *not* give cut gas taxes. Now she has gone and ruined it, so I have to take that credit back. Her knowledge of Economics is back to nil. www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
ctvnews.ca
Alberta suspending fuel taxes amid high oil prices
The Government of Alberta is suspending provincial fuel taxes until the end of the year.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Black Cloud Six @blackcloudsix.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Why? Why do major outlets continue to report his bullshit as if it’s real? One word could help this headline: “Trump *claims*…”
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Black Cloud Six @blackcloudsix.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Holy McFuck does he suck at this. He ain’t gettin’ potash from Lukashenko. It’s almost impossible, yet he thinks this is giving him some sort of leverage over us. It’s almost laughable,
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney isn’t quite the film to watch in order to learn the specifics of modern Canadian electoral campaigns, but it does offer a gist of historical sentiments and contextualises a changing of the guard.” faroutmagazine.co.uk/matthew-rank...
faroutmagazine.co.uk
Matthew Rankin - ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney’ movie review
'Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney' is an absurdist political documentary that satirises Canada's most notorious prime minister. Read more about it here.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Danielle Smith is wrong. There is no obligation for the leader of any political party to take the idiots seriously, much less respect them. That is why they are called “leaders” and not “followers”. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Danielle Smith denies watering down government messaging on independence question
Alberta Premier disputes social media post by UCP president which claims she is trying to appear neutral
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Well. Proof that Peter MacKay doesn't know fuck all about nothin' "ignoring the baiting and barking from the U.S. administration is the only way back to the bargaining table and a chance to reset the trade talks" ca.news.yahoo.com/peter-mackay...
ca.news.yahoo.com
Peter MacKay: Mark Carney must ignore Trump's baiting and get back to the table
Without U.S. support our biggest adversaries would be posing a much bigger threat to Canadian interests
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I find it quite ironic that nearly every article or blog post about the evils of AI Data Centers use an AI generated image of a fictional interior of a Data Center.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Spoiler: the net benefits promise to be very positive. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/potential-...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Potential Trade Creation and Trade Diversion Effects on the Canadian Economy Due to Strengthening Ties with the European Union
Spoiler: the net benefits promise to be very positive.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 21/09/2026
What's happening in Alberta is even more batshit than I ever thought. Danielle Smith is a dangerous psychopath, and the AB separatist movement largely exists because COVID broke far-right brains, and is led by Christo-fascist religious white nationalists, relying on dark money. 2/n
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
There is no rake these guys won't step on.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 21/09/2026
Of all the failures to actually elbows up against our enemy, the USA, not putting export tariffs on potash is probably the biggest one.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Targeting American tourists is probably a bad idea, but also, I do have a 'fuck them sideways' knee-jerk reaction right now. But this, this is delicious, Burns described himself as a "Trump Republican." "I've spent over a million dollars in buying these camps up here" “I guess I'd have to sell"
cbc.ca
'Just plain panic': Fears mount as N.B. considers restricting U.S. hunters, anglers | CBC News
Hunters and anglers from the United States as well as New Brunswick outfitters say they were caught off guard by the province's move to possibly "restrict" hunting and fishing licences in response to ...
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This plan might (unintentionally) threaten the Alto high-speed rail line. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/potential-...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Potential Environmental and Competitive Effects of the Carney Government’s Airport Privatization Plan
This plan might (unintentionally) threaten the Alto high-speed rail line.
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“Gayatri Sakharkar has invented a substitute for agricultural plastic film that leaves no toxic trace because it is made from orange and pineapple peels. This 15-year-old, Grade 10 student from Calgary won silver in the 2026 Canadian Youth Science Fair...“ www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/o...
nationalobserver.com
A Calgary teen turned fruit peels into a plastic-free farming solution
Gayatri Sakharkar has invented a substitute for agricultural plastic film that leaves no toxic trace because it is made from orange and pineapple peels. She is a 15-year-old, Grade 10 student from Cal...
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Reann Gasper must be kicking herself for giving up her seat! “A 14th MLA, Reann Gasper, gave up her seat in the riding of Abbotsford-Mission to allow Ms. Findlay to run there in a byelection.“ www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigns as B.C. Conservative leader after weeks of party turmoil
Four-month tenure marked by departure of MLAs and calls for her to step down
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Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
We should not complain about being prosperous. We should also view our situation as paying into an insurance plan to protect ourselves from future tragedies. wallsandbridges.substack.com/p/alberta-te...
wallsandbridges.substack.com
Alberta Tends to Pay More into Confederation Than It Gets in Return. That Is a *Good* Thing. (REPOST)
We should not complain about being prosperous. We should also view our situation as paying into an insurance plan to protect ourselves from future tragedies.
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Reposted by Ben Atkinson, PhD
Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
An emotional Premier Danielle Smith recounted historic indignities entirely within the Province's existing jurisdiction to solve. This is "The feds made us do nothing to help Albertans!" bullshit.
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