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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦

@daveberta.bsky.social
6.4K followers 291 following 1.4K posts

🇨🇦🌾🏔️ Proud Canadian and proud Albertan. Writing and podcasting about Alberta politics, elections and history since 2005. 🤠 Subscribe: Daveberta.Substack.com

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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
The Progress Report @theprogressreport.ca · 3h
The Alberta chapter of the Canadian Bar Association has published an analysis of Premier Smith's nine referendum questions. They find that most of these proposals would invite immediate court challenges, and several of them are not legally clear at all.
cbaalberta-referendum-analysis.com
CBA Alberta Referendum Analysis
CBA Alberta Referendum Analysis
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 15h
🇨🇦 Calgary City Council, Innisfail Town Council, Strathcona County Council have become the latest municipalities to endorse Alberta remaining in Canada ahead of the October 19 referendum, and Jasper Mayor Richard Irelandpublished a video endorsing Alberta remaining in Canada.
daveberta.substack.com
Alberta referendum 2026: Tracking who's who in the separation debate
A list of pro-Canada and Alberta independence supporters in the October 19, 2026 referendum
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
According to Brown’s poll, 52% of Albertans surveyed said they were very impressed with Carney and only 26% said they were not at all impressed. Only 30% of Albertans surveyed said they were very impressed with Danielle Smith and 51% said they were not at all impressed with her job as Premier.
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 28/09/2026
Finding reliable, non-partisan information about this fall's referendums in Alberta can be difficult. I tried my best at a townhall this afternoon. Here are my notes. drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/making-sen...
drjaredwesley.substack.com
Making Sense of Alberta’s Referendums
A Voter’s Guide
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
According to Brown’s poll, 52% of Albertans surveyed said they were very impressed with Carney and only 26% said they were not at all impressed. Only 30% of Albertans surveyed said they were very impressed with Danielle Smith and 51% said they were not at all impressed with her job as Premier.
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
2276
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
EDMONTON JOURNAL (Sept 27, 1986): Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said Friday he called Pembina riding demonstrators "separatists" because they insulted him first by calling him a "frog.”
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Recent bursts of community opposition to proposed AI data centre projects in Grande Prairie, Olds, Rocky View County, and Sturgeon County suggest that skepticism of these projects spans the partisan divide, something that feels increasingly rare in today’s politics. This is an issue to watch.
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
New column: There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics. Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi 🇨🇦👀 daveberta.substack.com/p/theres-not...
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
0208
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Recent bursts of community opposition to proposed AI data centre projects in Grande Prairie, Olds, Rocky View County, and Sturgeon County suggest that skepticism of these projects spans the partisan divide, something that feels increasingly rare in today’s politics. This is an issue to watch.
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
14711
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
New column: There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics. Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi 🇨🇦👀 daveberta.substack.com/p/theres-not...
daveberta.substack.com
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics
Mark Carney’s broad approval dwarfs Danielle Smith and Naheed Nenshi
0208
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 25/09/2026
Although Policy Options published an article from an author with an apparently AI-generated headshot and whose articles sound like they were also generated by AI, I appreciate their transparency here and also sharing additional details about the deceptive behaviour of this "Daniel Robson" character
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Les Perreaux @perreaux.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A cautionary tale for my editor friends (and probably many others in this new world.) Why Policy Options removed an article published under the name Daniel Robson policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/09/dani...
policyoptions.irpp.org
Why Policy Options removed an article published under the name Daniel Robson
Policy Options removed an article after concerns about the contributor’s identity could not be resolved. Here is what happened and why.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
ProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026
NEW: ProPublica’s Jake Pearson lost $10,000 mimicking the betting patterns of a problem gambler on DraftKings to test the company’s “responsible gaming” safeguards. One week in, he was invited to become a VIP — and faced little pushback as he spiraled.
propublica.org
I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.
Amid growing public health concerns, operators like DraftKings have touted “responsible gaming” tools and prompts. But as I went off the deep end, I found they were no match for the incentives and pro...
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Greg McLean @gregmcleanyyc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Asked about Alberta's referendum & why Conservatives want a strong AB in a strong Canada, with colleague MP Dane Lloyd, I noted Albertans' legitimate frustrations, but Ottawa should treat Alberta fairly through meaningful policy change not separation. #calgarycentre #yyc #cdnpoli #AlbertaReferendum
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Edmonton-Manning’s Heather Sweet and Calgary-Glenmore’s Nagwan Al-Guneid are the 4th and 5th NDP MLAs to announce they won’t run for re-election next year. Sweet was first elected in the NDP’s 2015 sweep and Al-Guneid was one of the high quality Calgary candidates recruited by Notley in 2023.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
He’s back, again. Fresh off of last year’s run for mayor, former MP Rahim Jaffer is now running for the UCP nomination in Edmonton-North West. The riding is currently represented by NDP MLA David Eggen, a longtime MLA who was first elected in 2004. rahimjafferucp.ca
rahimjafferucp.ca
Rahim Jaffer for the UCP nomination in Edmonton-North West
Only UCP members pick the candidate. Get your membership in about 2 minutes and vote for Rahim.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
👀🗳️New Janet Brown voting intention poll Alberta-wide NDP 41% UCP 41% Calgary NDP 44% UCP 37% Edmonton NDP 46% UCP 38% Rest of Alberta UCP 48% NDP 31% www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Danielle Smith’s popularity dips as her party now tied with NDP in support: poll | CBC News
The Janet Brown Opinion Research Poll for CBC News suggests 41 per cent of respondents would vote for the UCP if an election were held today, while 41 per cent would vote for the NDP.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“People are feeling more comfortable with Alberta’s role in Canada, more comfortable with Ottawa, more comfortable with the prime minister.  “And all of those things seem to have caused a slight dip in the proportion of Albertans ready to vote to separate,” said pollster Janet Brown.
cbc.ca
With time running out, new poll suggests Alberta separatism support is slipping | CBC News
With a little more than three weeks to go until the Oct. 19 referendum, a new poll done for CBC News suggests support for separation has softened since spring.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
UCP members are currently voting to rank policy proposals to be debated at the party’s AGM in November. This policy supporting Alberta’s independence from Canada is one of the proposals currently in the ranking process and could be debated at the AGM regardless of the Oct 19 referendum results.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Danielle Smith’s very rough week. The UCP loss in Calgary-Shaw and the thin end of the separatist wedge: daveberta.substack.com/p/danielle-s...
daveberta.substack.com
Danielle Smith’s very rough week
The UCP loss in Calgary-Shaw and the thin end of the separatist wedge
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Lizette Tejada @lizettendp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"Tejada described the questions as discriminatory and pretending to solve a problem that doesn’t exist." daveberta.substack.com/i/217174790/...
daveberta.substack.com
Danielle Smith’s very rough week
The UCP loss in Calgary-Shaw and the thin end of the separatist wedge
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
UCP members are currently voting to rank policy proposals to be debated at the party’s AGM in November. This policy supporting Alberta’s independence from Canada is one of the proposals currently in the ranking process and could be debated at the AGM regardless of the Oct 19 referendum results.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Danielle Smith’s very rough week. The UCP loss in Calgary-Shaw and the thin end of the separatist wedge: daveberta.substack.com/p/danielle-s...
daveberta.substack.com
Danielle Smith’s very rough week
The UCP loss in Calgary-Shaw and the thin end of the separatist wedge
1226
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“For far too long a patchwork of policies have impeded both our shared public safety, the public interest of taxpayers, and economic attractiveness in the Capital region.” Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz shares his thoughts on pooling resources and policing in a today’s guest column.
daveberta.substack.com
Michael Janz: It’s time for a regional approach to public safety
Edmonton City Councillor argues it’s time to start pooling revenue and pooling protection in the Capital region.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Michael Janz @michaeljanz.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If you don’t read the @daveberta.bsky.social substack what are you doing? daveberta.substack.com/p/michael-ja...
daveberta.substack.com
Michael Janz: It’s time for a regional approach to public safety
Edmonton City Councillor argues it’s time to start pooling revenue and pooling protection in the Capital region.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Andy Grabia @agrabia.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We're entering slumlord behaviour with the university at this point. #UAlberta #yegheritage
uniteforthepipes.wordpress.com
Gutted: U of A hiding damage done to Convocation Hall
Edmontonians deserve to know the details regarding the current condition of the Memorial Organ and Convocation Hall. Plywood hoarding currently blocks access to Convocation Hall. Photo taken on Sep…
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Orlagh O’Kelly @orlaghokelly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Really quite remarkable that after he diverted almost 20 million of First Nation trust money macleans does a puff piece on him apple.news/AMos2v7ssQb2...
apple.news
The Man Who Wants to Break Up Canada — Maclean’s
Jeffrey Rath jump-started Alberta’s dormant separatist movement. Now the country is about to face a moment of reckoning that he helped engineer.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
“For far too long a patchwork of policies have impeded both our shared public safety, the public interest of taxpayers, and economic attractiveness in the Capital region.” Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz shares his thoughts on pooling resources and policing in a today’s guest column.
daveberta.substack.com
Michael Janz: It’s time for a regional approach to public safety
Edmonton City Councillor argues it’s time to start pooling revenue and pooling protection in the Capital region.
1186
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Jeromy Farkas @jeromyyyc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We are proud Albertans. We are proud Canadians. And Calgary is stronger as part of a united Canada. Thank you to my Council colleagues for supporting this motion and sending a clear message about Calgary’s future.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I stopped by Calgary-Klein MLA Lizette Tejada’s referendum town hall. With about 70 people in attendance, the crowd was heavily pro-Canada and raised a lot of concerns about the lack of clarity in the government’s 10 questions and the confusing voting process, and what happens after October 19.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It’s candidate tracking on steroids. Good luck, @cdnelxnstracker.bsky.social !
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
My friend Andy Grabia wrote today’s guest column about the decision by the University of Alberta administration to remove the historic Memorial Organ located in Convocation Hall and why the Alberta government should intervene to preserve this important war monument. @agrabia.bsky.social
daveberta.substack.com
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember
Canada is under attack, from within and from without. Saving an organ at the University of Alberta is one way to fight back.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
🇨🇦 Innisfail Town Council and Strathcona County Council are the latest municipalities to endorse Alberta remaining in Canada head of the October 19 referendums. daveberta.substack.com/p/tracking-w...
daveberta.substack.com
Tracking who's who in the Alberta separation referendum debate
A list of pro-Canada and Alberta independence supporters in the October 19, 2026 referendum
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
doctormurg.bsky.social @doctormurg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember daveberta.substack.com/p/andy-grabi...
daveberta.substack.com
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember
Canada is under attack, from within and from without. Saving an organ at the University of Alberta is one way to fight back.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Karen Klassen @kklassen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember daveberta.substack.com/p/andy-grabi... "Since it is actually Minister Boitchenko’s responsibility under the AHRA to determine the historical status and designation of the Memorial Organ, not the university’s, this is a dereliction of duty."
daveberta.substack.com
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember
Canada is under attack, from within and from without. Saving an organ at the University of Alberta is one way to fight back.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Brent Robinson @okotokslawyer.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A good post. I tend to give more leniency to leaders to listen to the reasons and trade offs for these types of changes. I’d highly recommend Andy’s blog post on those reasons as a companion piece to this. The reasons don’t sound very legitimate. uniteforthepipes.wordpress.com/2026/08/26/p...
uniteforthepipes.wordpress.com
Part II: The big why
Demolition of the Administration Building (1957), August 17, 2026. “When infrastructure has reached the end of its functional life, which is typically 50 years, a decision must be made to either re…
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A compelling guest column from @agrabia.bsky.social on @daveberta.bsky.social substack
daveberta.substack.com
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember
Canada is under attack, from within and from without. Saving an organ at the University of Alberta is one way to fight back.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
My friend Andy Grabia wrote today’s guest column about the decision by the University of Alberta administration to remove the historic Memorial Organ located in Convocation Hall and why the Alberta government should intervene to preserve this important war monument. @agrabia.bsky.social
daveberta.substack.com
Andy Grabia: A Fight To Remember
Canada is under attack, from within and from without. Saving an organ at the University of Alberta is one way to fight back.
1218
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 16/09/2026
I recently worked with Abacus Data on a poll of Albertans. Today we are releasing the 3rd of 5 reports. It looks at leader impressions and how people would vote in a provincial election. The topline vote numbers: 🔵 UCP: 52% 🟠 NDP: 39% 🟢 TORY: 6% 🧵...
UCP / NDP / Progressive Tory support:

All decided voters: 52/39/6

Calgary: 49/41/8

Edmonton: 38/52/7

Small cities/bedroom communities: 58/33/<6

Rural: 67/24/<6

Men: 58/32/8

Women: 44/46/<6

18-to-29: 44/44/9

60 and older: 54/39/<6

Remain voters: 33/55/8

Commence separation process voters: 88/<6/<6
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Andy Grabia @agrabia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We’ve started putting together a list of musicians, veterans, heritage advocates, politicians, faculty, prominent alumni and others who are opposed to the removal of the Memorial Organ in Convocation Hall. Many thanks to all who have signed! #yegheritage #ualberta
uniteforthepipes.ca
Save the memorial organ at convocation hall
101 years. Don't let the music die.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Polling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Alberta separatism continues to struggle, with nearly 7-in-10 Albertans saying they would vote to stay in Canada
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🟧🗳️ It is impossible not to interpret the NDP win in the Calgary-Shaw by-election as a backlash by Calgary voters against Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta separation referendum. daveberta.substack.com/p/wow-just-w...
daveberta.substack.com
Wow! Just wow. NDP’s Kyle Campbell wins Calgary-Shaw by-election.
South Calgary voters backlash against Danielle Smith’s separation referendum
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 15/09/2026
I recently worked with Abacus Data on a poll of Albertans, probing deeper into the separation debate. Today we are releasing the 2nd of 5 reports. This one looks at vote intentions: 🟢 64% Remain ⚫ 24% Commence separation process 🤷 9% Undecided 💨 3% Would skip question This varies by region. 🧵...
Chart showing remain/commence vote Alberta-wide at 64/24
Calgary: 71/19
Edmonton 78/16
Small cities & bedroom communities: 59/32
Rural areas: 46/31
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Ben Atkinson, PhD @benatkinsonphd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Dave Cournoyer: "It is impossible not to interpret the Calgary-Shaw by-election results as a backlash by Calgary voters against Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta separation referendum." daveberta.substack.com/p/wow-just-w...
daveberta.substack.com
Wow! Just wow. NDP’s Kyle Campbell wins Calgary-Shaw by-election.
South Calgary voters backlash against Danielle Smith’s separation referendum
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Seat totals in Alberta’s Legislative Assembly after the Calgary-Shaw by-election: 🟦 UCP 47 🟧 NDP 39 🟨 Tory 1
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
If every riding in Alberta swung away from UCP and toward NDP as much as they did on this by-election night, this would be an NDP-run province.
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Imbroglior @dkfoster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This seems like it should be bigger news outside of Alberta.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🟧🗳️ It is impossible not to interpret the NDP win in the Calgary-Shaw by-election as a backlash by Calgary voters against Premier Danielle Smith’s Alberta separation referendum. daveberta.substack.com/p/wow-just-w...
daveberta.substack.com
Wow! Just wow. NDP’s Kyle Campbell wins Calgary-Shaw by-election.
South Calgary voters backlash against Danielle Smith’s separation referendum
25312
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Wow. Just wow. The Calgary-Shaw by-election was supposed to be a sleepy race and an easy win for the United Conservative Party but it ended up being a nail-biter with a surprise NDP win. daveberta.substack.com/p/wow-just-w...
daveberta.substack.com
Wow! Just wow. NDP’s Kyle Campbell wins Calgary-Shaw by-election.
South Calgary voters backlash against Danielle Smith’s separation referendum
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