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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 🇨🇦
PBE 🇨🇦 @lookupkipp.bsky.social · 7h
"Law exists downstream of politics." This is Smith et al to a tee. daveberta.substack.com/p/a-classic-...
daveberta.substack.com
A classic: Danielle Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act is all about creating a political crisis
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Ann Petersen-Kane @anniegirl.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There’s nothing like a Janet Brown poll to shake up Alberta politics 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
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Karen Klassen @kklassen.bsky.social · 5h
A classic: Danielle Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act is all about creating a political crisis daveberta.substack.com/p/a-classic-... "The big thing to remember about the Alberta Sovereignty Act is that it isn’t designed to be a good law. It’s designed to create a political crisis."
daveberta.substack.com
A classic: Danielle Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act is all about creating a political crisis
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 16h
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now, days ahead of the October 19 separation referendum, can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy that Danielle Smith promoted before and during her campaign for the United Conservative Party leadership in 2022.
daveberta.substack.com
A classic: Danielle Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act is all about creating a political crisis
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 16h
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now, days ahead of the October 19 separation referendum, can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy that Danielle Smith promoted before and during her campaign for the United Conservative Party leadership in 2022.
daveberta.substack.com
A classic: Danielle Smith’s Alberta Sovereignty Act is all about creating a political crisis
So much about what is happening in Alberta right now can be traced back to the Free Alberta Strategy
34821
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
David Coletto @davidcoletto.bsky.social · 17h
16% of Albertans would support Alberta joining the United States as a state. 75% would oppose it, including 66% who strongly oppose. From our Alberta Referendum Study, fielded Sept 4-7.1
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New from me: separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath has asked a court to withdraw additional funds frozen during a legal dispute with two First Nations former clients. The court said no, pending full disclosure of his assets. edmontonjournal.com/news/jeff_ra...
edmontonjournal.com
Court shoots down Alberta separatist lawyer's bid to withdraw more frozen funds
Alberta separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath has lost a bid to withdraw additional cash frozen by a court during his legal fight with two ex-clients.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 03/10/2026
Oh wow In May, I reported Alberta separatists were using an app developed by GOP operatives with ties to US ambassador Pete Hoekstra @theglobeandmail.com now reports the same operatives flew to Calgary on a private jet for a secret meeting with separatist leaders: pressprogress.ca/alberta-sepa...
The pitch began with a prayer.
On an afternoon in late January, Mitch Sylvestre, the leader of Alberta's most prominent separatist organization, gathered with three of his lieutenants in a boardroom not far from the executive hangars at the Calgary International Airport, where private jets shuttle in and out of the city away from prying eyes.
It was a few hours before thousands of Albertans would gather near the city centre at a rally to launch the separatist campaign. But this meeting, convened behind closed doors a half-hour drive away, was invite only.
The Alberta Prosperity Project chose the location to accommodate its guests, Republican political strategists from Michigan who helped Donald Trump win the state in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The American delegation travelled to Calgary to sell them on software developed for Republicans to get out the vote - and how it could be used to wrench Alberta from Confederation.
"They were young Christians. Capable, intelligent people," Mr. Sylvestre said. "We prayed before we started the meeting.""There is no secrecy'
One of the key figures behind the Michigan software company has expressed strong views on Alberta.
On July 1, Mr. Born wrote on social media: "On this Canada Day, I hope this is the last year Alberta is part of Canada." He has also called for U.S. annexation of the province.
A hunter, outdoorsman and commercial real estate agent in Grand Rapids, Mr. Born is the stepson of J.C. Huizenga, a wealthy Republican donor and founder of National Heritage Academies, a network of conservative charter schools in the U.S.
Mr. Wierda is the nephew of Erik Prince, who founded and ran the private military contractor Blackwater before it was sold to investors in 2010, and Betsy DeVos, the education secretary during Mr. Trump's first term.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Every accusation is a confession.
Trump trade adviser says Canada will 'pay even more dearly' if 'you interfere' in U.S. midterms
Peter Navarro said Canadian lobbyists should 'get the hell out of our country'
-CBC, Sep 29 2026
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Eric Dyck @ericdyck.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Eric drawing of Danielle Smith sulking in the dark in her Generalissimo of Trucknuttia costume. Behind her is a silhouette of an aide in the doorway. Smith asks “Who was it? Her again?”.

Aide: “Yes. Carrie Tait, ma’am.”
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Howdy! Alberta separatists + American Republicans. Read all about it. --> www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By Nathan VanderKlippe, Grant Robertson, and friend.
theglobeandmail.com
The elephant in the room
Alberta separatists have gone to D.C. offering fresh water and oil in exchange for American support – and Republican operatives have provided tactical assistance inside the province
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Miriam Rycroft was a ministerial chief of staff during the Alberta NDP’s time in government and worked as Director of Tour and Scheduling in Premier Rachel Notley’s office. She was President of the Edmonton-Glenora NDP CA in 2024.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This story, about the links between the top Alberta independence social media account and a well known separatist leader that I did with @jeffyates.bsky.social, has been pretty well read today. There have also been some common questions, so I'm going to add my 2 cents! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
It’s the biggest Alberta separatist account on the internet. It shares DNA with a movement leader | CBC News
The account Rise of Alberta is anonymous and drives four times as much engagement as the next most popular account.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Support for separation certainly didn’t show up in the 2015 provincial election. The *one* separatist party candidate in that year’s election got a whopping 72 votes (Glen Dundas in Strathmore-Brooks).
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
But aside from his quarrel with Bowen, which was really an extension of his quarrel with the federal government, I believe Aberhart was a monarchist.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Bowen spent a month living in Government House after Aberhart closed it because the LG refused to leave until Aberhart signed an order in council forcing him to move out (even though the telephone, water and electricity was already cut off).
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
LG John Bowen used his reserve power to withhold royal assent until a Supreme Court ruling on 3 Social Credit bills. So, in 1938, Aberhart retaliated by evicting Bowen from his official residence, removing his official car, and defunding his secretarial staff. Bowen remained LG until 1950.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Andrea DeKeseredy @andiewinnipeg.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New piece in the University of Alberta paper on the administration’s recklessly cruel decision to slash 100% of funding to affiliated child care centres on campus The effects continue. They refuse to budge despite the harm. “Have you dropped out, yet?” thegatewayonline.ca/2026/10/the-...
thegatewayonline.ca
The effects of the defunded on-campus child care - The Gateway
Campus child care was defunded by the U of A leaving student parents struggling and the university’s dedication to ACB is nowhere to be found.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you work at a print shop or plant that produced these door hangers or know something about who produced them, contact me in confidence at journalismtips@protonmail.com.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Alberta separatists who dream of separation are lately trying to persuade voters this referendum is merely about sending Ottawa a message. By me: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Alberta independence campaigners go for soft sell, even if they want a hard exit | CBC News
Pro-separation organizers argue referendum vote is just about 'leverage' with Ottawa. Are voters convinced by that pitch?
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Senator Paula Simons 🇨🇦 @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
On Parliament Hill this morning for the flag raising ceremony that will begin a day of solemn remembrance on this Truth and Reconciliation Day. It seems even more important this year, in a moment of rising residential school denialism. #cdnpoli #Canada #yow #Ottawa
An audience, dressed in orange shirts (and rain coats) sit on a foggy, slightly drizzly morning in front of a stage set up in front of the parliamentary visitors centre. In the background, one can see the construction equipment renovating Centre Block.
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Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
The Progress Report @theprogressreport.ca · 30/09/2026
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 · 29/09/2026
Yep. Here it is posted by the Jasper Local: www.facebook.com/share/v/1CHQ...
facebook.com
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🇨🇦 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
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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
Bowden looks nice these days. I like what they’ve done with their new mountains since the last time I was there.
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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
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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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