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David P Ball

@davidpball.bsky.social
3.7K followers 250 following 99 posts

Freelance reporter, podcaster, photog & editor ¶ Co-founder: Debrief Communications ¶ Formerly CBC, TorStar, AFP, Tyee ¶ CAJ+Webster awards ¶ Bylines: Globe & Mail, Le Monde, Guardian, National Post etc ¶ Tips: david@davidpball.net

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Reposted by David P Ball
De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 22h
Canada’s drug policy violates its Charter, BC Supreme Court Justice Catherine Murray ruled on Tuesday, by making it de facto illegal to run a compassion club providing tested illicit drugs. Read the full breakdown of her decision, by @godfrey.work: www.defactomedia.ca/breaking-dul...
defactomedia.ca
BREAKING: DULF founders’ trafficking charges thrown out in BC Supreme Court ruling on constitutional challenge
Justice Catherine Murray applauds Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, declares a section of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act unconstitutional
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dustin @godfrey.work · 29/09/2026
this is a huge decision. story coming for @defactomedia.ca
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 29/09/2026
Today, charges against DULF's founders were tossed out by a BC Supreme Court decision Yesterday, we covered how docs in trial evidence show Vancouver police pushed to bring those charges — even when a Crown prosecutor questioned whether it was in the public interest
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 28/09/2026
A Vancouver cop told DULF’s founders he would personally advocate for them. 2 years later, he approved the investigation that led to raids on their homes. www.defactomedia.ca/how-vancouve...
defactomedia.ca
How Vancouver police turned against DULF
Court records show the same inspector who encouraged the compassion club’s founders also approved the investigation that led to raids on their homes
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dustin @godfrey.work · 29/09/2026
BREAKING: Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx's charges are being thrown out. she said they did a public service "at considerable personal cost."
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dustin @godfrey.work · 13/07/2026
as DULF dominated the news cycle, and as they planned their high profile raid, the VPD claimed in FOI responses that no emails about DULF were sent to or from several senior officers for two of those officers, that wasn't true @defactomedia.ca www.defactomedia.ca/vpd-emails-f...
defactomedia.ca
VPD claimed no emails sent to or from senior cops about compassion club ahead of raid. That’s untrue
Freedom-of-information advocates say force's non-response likely broke BC’s transparency law — and ask if Vancouver police should undergo ‘greater scrutiny’ for public transparency
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 08/07/2026
Here are 10 stories from last week about policing, freedom of info, overdose prevention, & legal systems. Check them out in the thread below, or all together here in our latest Post Facto newsletter: www.defactomedia.ca/newsletter/p...
defactomedia.ca
POST FACTO: Hospital OD secrecy, a 'rubber stamp' police board, consumption site survives vote
13,000 paid hours for suspended cops. Police corruption tied to Olympic drug case. Class action over separatist data leak
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 03/07/2026
NEW: We now have an archive of all of our newsletters! Catch up on our weekly Post Facto recaps and our ongoing original reporting on homelessness, policing, immigration, and more www.defactomedia.ca/newsletters/
defactomedia.ca
Newsletters
Check out De Facto's newsletter archive — featuring behind-the-scenes scoops, photo essays, exclusive updates, and what we're reading on issues we cover.
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Reposted by David P Ball
De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 03/07/2026
Here are 10 stories about power, law, & institutional secrecy in Canada Every week, our Post Facto newsletter sends readers these roundups (plus our own reporting) Subscribe here to get our next one www.defactomedia.ca/newsletters/ & check out the stories from the last week of June below:
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Shannon Waters @sobittersosweet.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
"Not sustainable over the long term.” Well, the liveable planet was nice while it lasted, I guess? Cool that Carney's no longer pretending not to pander to the fossil fuel lobby 😎 www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Mark Carney abandons Trudeau-era carbon emissions targets
Canada will not hit carbon emission reduction targets set under the Trudeau government, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday, arguing that downgrading the country's climate-change ambitions is nece...
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 15/06/2026
Wow! After just a few days, we’re almost one-third of the way to our goal of gaining 400 new members to support our non-profit environmental journalism. It must be … the socks! 🧦 That's right, sign up now and get a free pair of Narwhal socks. Learn more here: thenarwhal.ca/socks-for-me...
A progress bar that is about 25% full, showing progress toward a goal of 400 new members for The Narwhal, a Canadian non-profit environmental news website.
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The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 08/06/2026
🎉 🎉 🎉 We're celebrating today after winning two gold medals at the 2026 Digital Publishing Awards, including one for best climate change coverage! Thanks to @canadamediaawards.bsky.social for spotlighting Canadian journalism. thenarwhal.ca/2026-dpa-nma...
thenarwhal.ca
The Narwhal wins gold for best climate change coverage | The Narwhal
Two golds and two silvers top an impressive showing at this year’s Digital Publishing Awards and National Magazine Awards
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
It's been ONE MONTH since we launched @defactomedia.ca Entering a new phase: Shining light on systems of power/justice in other areas—including homelessness & the war on drug users—and taking the time & planning needed to investigate followups & our next series www.defactomedia.ca/email/e0925a...
defactomedia.ca
Post Facto: Our new phase & a new weekly roundup
Police-in-schools scandal, Quebec deports parents, Gaza censorship, press from prison
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Jimmy Thomson @jameswsthomson.com · 02/06/2026
We're hiring a reporter to cover provincial affairs in Ontario — let me know if you have any questions about the role.
thenationalobserver.bamboohr.com
General Assignment Reporter- Ontario
As Canada’s National Observer’s General Assignment Reporter for Ontario, you will report on the intersection between politics and climate at all levels in Ontario. You will be on the ground, talking w...
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Harrison Mooney @harrisonmooney.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Finally, @thetyee.ca for your ears. thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
thetyee.ca
Listen Up! ‘The Tyee Podcast’ Is Now Live | The Tyee
Readers asked, and we delivered. Find it today across major streaming platforms.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
This is a great publication to support (biased coz it was my writing home for years). And amen to human not A.I.-power!
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Our newest investigation is up at @defacto-ca.bsky.social! Continuing our launch theme on immigration enforcement, photojournalist @mikegraeme.bsky.social delved deep into Bill C-12 (now passed into law) — and how migrants and rights organizations are responding www.defactomedia.ca/a-two-tier-s...
defactomedia.ca
‘A two-tier system’: Rights groups say the immigration system is built on exploitation. A new law could make it even worse
With Bill C-12 now in force, volunteers build a mobile office for migrant workers amid escalating concerns over deportations and asylum restrictions
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 14/05/2026
Zool Suleman is a long-time immigration lawyer & the executive director of BC non-profit MARU He spoke to De Facto about what our newly reported data reveal about police collaboration, Vancouver’s “access without fear” movement, & immigration detentions. www.defactomedia.ca/a-troubling-...
defactomedia.ca
‘A troubling trend’: Lawyer Zool Suleman on rising cop-immigration collaboration
Everyday contact with police, such as transit fare-checks, is getting migrants reported to the feds. Why this expert finds De Facto’s newly revealed data ‘disturbing’
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Our latest investigation, based on ATIP request from 2024, out on @defacto-ca.bsky.social today. Sign up to get the next one this week
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Harbinger Media Network @harbingermedia.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
On a new 🐙THE NORTH STATE 🐙 host @youcaughtscott.com sits down with @emmaarkell.bsky.social and @davidpball.bsky.social to talk about the new @defacto-ca.bsky.social journalism co-op and how worker-owned entities can fill the reporting gap. readthecatch.ca/launching-wo...
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Jackie Wong @jackie-wong.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Essential reading about the roots of residential school denialism today in @thetyee.ca by Emily Enns. thetyee.ca/News/2026/05...
thetyee.ca
Who’s Behind the Residential School Denialism Movement? | The Tyee
A network of retired academics and think tanks is chipping away at established truths.
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 06/05/2026
CBSA today has about as much oversight as it did in December 2013 when Vega Jiménez died in its custody. And in that past decade, more than 7,000 Metro Vancouverites have been called in to CBSA by police forces. Read the full article and stay tuned for more at defactomedia.ca
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Journalism Co-op
Interrogate power. Highlight truth.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Saddened to go back over this tragedy. Heartened that over a decade later a lot of people still care about Lucia
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Went to talk about De Facto on this journalism podcast with colleague @emmaarkell.bsky.social !
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Our first scoop has dropped at @defacto-ca.bsky.social! We have more waiting in the hopper, sign up to get them as soon as they're released! (and thank you to our incredible, generous, excited community of new subscribers!)
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 04/05/2026
De Facto’s debut stories look at the reality of immigration enforcement in BC. After a year-plus of Canadians learning about the extremes of ICE, our work aims to show what border policing looks like north of the border Sign up to get our stories in your inbox this week www.defactomedia.ca/welcome/
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 04/05/2026
Today is World Press Freedom Day. True press freedom requires freedom of information. But in recent years, governments have shrunk access to info the public deserves, and cuts to newsrooms have shrunk the time & resources that journalists need to rigorously report that info.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
It’s #WorldPressFreedomDay My new journalism co-op @defacto-ca.bsky.social drops our 1st stories tomorrow Tonight I need help with startup/branding/website costs—so we can just focus on reporting Will you become our 50th paying subscriber & push us past $2,500? www.defactomedia.ca#/portal/
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Journalism Co-op
Interrogate power. Highlight truth.
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 02/05/2026
On Monday, we’ll publish our first stories—an investigation nearly two years in the making by our reporters @godfrey.bsky.social and @emmaarkell.bsky.social + in-depth context by @davidpball.bsky.social Don’t miss it when it lands. Sign up to get it in your inbox: www.defactomedia.ca#/portal/
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Journalism Co-op
Interrogate power. Highlight truth.
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 02/05/2026
Tomorrow is #WorldPressFreedomDay #WPFD2026. Protecting a free press truly takes a partnership: Between journalists unafraid to ask questions—and generous members of the public who believe in independent media. Together, we can interrogate power and highlight truth www.defactomedia.ca
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Journalism Co-op
Interrogate power. Highlight truth.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
In our 1st day, before we even publish anything, our supporters have offered >$2,000 for @defacto-ca.bsky.social In uncertain economic times, 40+ people showed faith in hard-hitting journalism, almost all recurring donations — pledging over $3,500 in dependable startup funding all year Thank you
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
So grateful after today's De Facto launch Within hours subscriptions to hard-hitting journalism poured in so fast I could barely keep track. And we have our first media interview On Day 1 alone ,our community of readers has gifted >$1,600, including 15 monthly donors… Thank you! defactomedia.ca
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Journalism Co-op
Interrogate power. Highlight truth.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
So proud to be part of dreaming this up with amazing award-winning co-op colleagues!!! We drop our first investigations MONDAY! Subscribe at defactomedia.ca
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
My choir Kor/Gracenote is opening for this absolutely incredible choir from Namibia on Saturday, Collective Singers! Grab a ticket for some awe-inspiring southern African singing: www.showpass.com/collective-s...
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
My choir Kor is opening for this absolutely incredible choir from Namibia on Saturday! Grab a ticket for some incredible southern African singing: www.showpass.com/collective-s...
youtube.com
Collective Singers - Omuriro
YouTube video by Collective Singers OFFICIAL
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Jen St. Denis @jenstden.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
This language was ruled unparliamentary language, @sobittersosweet.bsky.social reports bsky.app/profile/sobi...
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IndigiNews @indiginews.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
“All of these paintings were supposed to be destroyed by the instructions of that priest,” said Eugene Arcand, a MacKay survivor from Muskeg Lake First Nation. “But they’ve survived, the same as all of us have survived.” Story by Crystal Greene indiginews.com/arts/residen...
indiginews.com
Residential ‘school’ survivors reunited with childhood art, hidden for decades: ‘They’ve survived, the same as all of us’
When a priest reputedly ordered a teacher to destroy children's paintings, he instead hid them at home — now the pieces are seeing the light of day
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
My latest for @indiginews.bsky.social "First Nations rights are under threat in new ways by this government and, of course, by the provinces. We are not afraid of that, though. We are far from it."—AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
This story was an absolute delight to edit, about an incredible artist I hope more people learn about (and check out the links to her photography!)
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
A senior emails a prosecutor‘s public email to express concerns about an #ICE case on the news Homeland Security subpoenas his Google Officers arrive with printout of his email His airline bags get delayed & searched “We’re all potential targets.” www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
washingtonpost.com
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
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Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 03/02/2026
ProPublica Identifies CBP Agents Who Fatally Shot ICU Nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
democracynow.org
ProPublica Names CBP Agents Who Shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
ProPublica has identified the two Border Patrol agents who shot Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis man killed January 24 while observing immigration enforcement in the city. The outlet says the agents are J...
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
This story by @crystalgreene.bsky.social is an important angle on what’s happening south of the border now…and how it links together and impacts so many communities proud to have edited this talented reporter & s/o to photog Chad Davis (@daviss.org) indiginews.com/features/ice...
indiginews.com
Across the border, Indigenous fears spike amidst ‘U.S.’ immigration crackdown
With ICE operations, multiple First Nations warn members about travel risks — despite treaty rights. Why Indigenous communities are on the frontlines defending rights for all
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
I experienced this pressure constantly in any reporting related to Gaza. Relentless hounding to downplay the medical records as "Hamas-controlled" www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
independent.co.uk
Israeli military accepts that 71,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza for first time’
The Israeli government has spent years dismissing the Gaza health ministry’s death toll as ‘misleading and unreliable’
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A good start would be to stop gunning down ordinary people you simply disagree with and dehumanize in cold blood. Also... the ... mission itself? www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
nytimes.com
Live Updates: Trump’s Border Chief Says ‘Improvements Could and Should Be Made’ in Minneapolis
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
“The hospital became a mass casualty zone. We did not have enough of anything … The volume of casualties far exceeded the capacity … “What took place was far beyond anything the public has been told. And most of it happened in the dark” www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
Iran protest doctor: ‘In one street, I saw blood pooled in a gutter with a trail stretching several metres’ | Anonymous
I’ve worked as a surgeon in disaster zones. Nothing compares to the nightmare I saw in Iran’s hospitals when the state started shooting protesters
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Anonymous @youranoncentral.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
A US lawyer reveals the sounds coming out of the regime’s concentration camps, where women and children have been kidnapped to, their health and safety status largely unknown. You can hear them begging for help. #3E #GoodvsEvil
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Imagine what’s happening in the camps.
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David P Ball @davidpball.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Could it be that assassinating noncompliant progressive protesters is in ICE’s mission? Hence sending them to Dem-run cities where they know masses will protest Seems playbook brownshirts-to-SS transition moment (or Proud Boys>ICE). There’s always some “justification“ that in hindsight was lies
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AFL-CIO @aflcio.org · 25/01/2026
America’s unions mourn the senseless killing by federal agents of our AFGE Local 3669 union brother and VA nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti. We reiterate our call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed. bit.ly/4pVTpFO
AFL-CIO Mourns Killing of Minneapolis Union Member, Reiterates Calls for ICE to Leave Minnesota:

The AFL-CIO mourns the senseless killing of another Minneapolis resident by federal agents. Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a VA intensive care unit nurse and a member of AFGE Local 3669—a brother in our union family. Our thoughts are with Alex’s loved ones, his union siblings, and the people of Minneapolis at this devastating time. 

As tens of thousands of Minnesotans made clear peacefully and powerfully yesterday, the Trump administration’s horrific operation—and their actions aimed at stoking violence and chaos—must end. America’s unions join the call for ICE to immediately leave Minnesota before anyone else is hurt or killed. We demand local authorities conduct a full, transparent investigation that will lead to accountability for this tragic and violent act, and for Congress to use its power to hold ICE accountable.
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