IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 26/09/2026This is an insightful piece about what's happening in Britain. A cautionary tale for other jurisdictions, especially here in Alberta, Canada, where Smith's UCP is similarly trying to stoke racial politics with their referendum. 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This sounds like Ab separatists & too many UCP/Conservatives in Ab. "Both MAGA and the AfD are defined by a radicalizing sense of grievance and resentment towards a society that has been moving away from them – and by a desire to restore dominance over those they deem lesser." 100
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Alberta referendum special ballot: - Deadline to apply moved up to Sep 25 (previously Oct 9). - Threatening self declaration included by mistake, can be crossed out. That this is such a gong show is unfair, given the costs & implications. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caSome voters alarmed by self-declaration requirement on mail-in ballots for Alberta referendum | CBC NewsSome Albertans who received their mail-in ballots for the province's fall referendum say they were surprised and concerned by a self-declaration requirement on the front page of their voting package a... 010
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦David Atkinson @davidatkinsonpoet.bsky.social · 22/08/2026I recently shared a poem from this collection which prompted me to read it again The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is astonishing in its wisdom, imagery, & language ‘You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow’ #poetry #poemoftheday #SealeyChallenge 67713
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 01/08/2026"Previously, Albertans only needed their current licence or identification card and a piece of secondary identification, such as a credit card, to confirm their signature and name." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caNew integrated licences leading to longer waits at Alberta registries | CBC NewsAlberta’s new integrated drivers licences and identification cards are causing delays at registries across the province. Rolled out on July 2, the new licences and identification cards now include an ... 101
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 22/05/2026Now that Alberta is slated for a separation pre-referendum referendum, I wonder if the UCP MLAs are still congratulating themselves & their leader for keeping the UCP "united". An achievement at no expense or inconvenience to themselves or their party. 131
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Canada's O&G sector gets a ton of taxpayer $$$ subsidy for pipelines, oil wells clean up, publicly funded R&D at universities & gov labs. Now, they're trying to get out of paying the paltry industrial carbon tax? I'm tired of the never ending whining from this sector. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caIndustrial carbon price eroding Canada's competitive edge, oil and gas leaders say | CBC NewsLeaders in Canada's oil and gas sector say the industrial carbon levy would erode the country's competitive edge at a time when the world is clamouring for a reliable energy supply. 221
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 08/04/2026This article explains such a complex process well. As for the topic - it makes me hopeful that we won't be repeating the same mistakes we did with oil mining - as we move towards renewable energy. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caA first-hand look at how technology powered by bacteria is turning mine waste into critical minerals | CBC NewsA new research facility in Sudbury, Ont., is testing whether bacteria could help solve two major challenges in mining: How to source critical minerals and what to do with the waste left behind. CBC re... 000
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦David Atkinson @davidatkinsonpoet.bsky.social · 06/03/2026Sometimes the most important things we know about each other are never spoken, the things we need to say remain unsaid when we still have the opportunity to say them Then opportunity passes and doesn't return. There is a lesson in this poem by Marie Howe #poetry #poemoftheday 26914
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 28/02/2026An oddly written article on planned passport fee increase: For example, the price of a five-year passport applied for in Canada would rise to $123.24..." www.cbc.ca/news/politic... But current 5-yr fee, applied w/in Canada is $120. So... a $3.24 increase? www.canada.ca/en/immigrati...cbc.caCanadian passports are about to get more expensive | CBC NewsThe cost of a Canadian passport is about to rise and plans by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to overhaul the way it sets prices could result in them being even more expensive in the future. 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 25/02/2026Gaskell's "North & South". Man tells recently returned 18-yr old daughter that: he's quitting his job, move hundreds of kms in 2 weeks, hasn't told his wife, tells daughter to break it to mom next day (while he's out). 100
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦David Atkinson @davidatkinsonpoet.bsky.social · 21/02/2026W H Auden (1939) responding to the rise of fascism The final couplet is brutal and brilliant The juxtaposition of laughing & crying, his tears are not empathy but triggers of violence Not naming the tyrants make this feel less like history, more like prophecy #poetry #poemoftheday #AntiFascist 718567
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Reminds me of the metaphor of the two wolves. We know which one Smith's UCP feeds the most. Albertans' sense of decency is on the table. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caAlberta Premier Danielle Smith announces fall referendum on immigration, constitutional questions | CBC NewsPremier Danielle Smith wants to hold a referendum in October on measures to limit immigration to Alberta and changes she believes would give the province more rights under the Constitution. 000
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦Ian McMillan @imcmillan.bsky.social · 08/02/2026I like this poem of loss and detail by Jennifer Wong from her @ninearchespress.bsky.social collection Light Year. ‘A life so loved and rented…’ 413124
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 04/02/2026This is a nice reminder of how politics used to be, with a link to the Chretien-Harper fireside chat. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caStephen Harper calls for Liberals, Conservatives to come together in the face of Trump, separatist threats | CBC NewsFormer prime minister Stephen Harper urged the Liberal and Conservative parties to take on the challenges of our time together as the country stares down potentially two existential threats to its sov... 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 03/02/2026Watching "Murder She Wrote" reruns: I want to be aunt Jess and to have had an aunt Jess. 230
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 24/01/2026Re: Alberta separatism. Detailed report. The video interview with opposition leader Nenshi gives a good explainer on how we got here, why Smith owns a big chunk of the responsibility. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caTrump cabinet member weighs in on Alberta separatism | CBC NewsU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented Thursday on the separatist movement in Alberta — making him the highest-ranking member of the Trump administration to weigh in on the province's politic... 011
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 24/01/2026"This report is the evidence of how narrative warfare laid the groundwork – and what becomes possible when the battle for information integrity is lost." 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 12/01/2026"Innovation should serve humanity; not degrade it." We have a Minister of Women & Gender Equality & a Minister of AI and Digital Innovation. Why has neither acted on behalf of Canadians on this straightforward issue? Surely, businesses that operate in Canada are subject to our laws. 031
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Watching reruns of "Murder, She Wrote". I appreciate a whodunnit without the gore, guns, or overt violence. 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 02/01/2026The problem here with Schulz praising UCP "unity" is that this party united itself with separatists & bigots. It's not a worthy union. Staying in a marriage with an abuser is staying in a failed marriage. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caRebecca Schulz resigns from UCP cabinet, will stay in legislature until May | CBC NewsUCP Minister of Environment Rebecca Schulz announced on Wednesday that she is stepping down from her cabinet role but will continue to serve as MLA for Calgary-Shaw until May. 060
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 18/12/2025Seems to be a theme with his followers. Trump tells them they're special & deserving - diamonds in the rough. He promises that he'll change the world so his followers can take their rightful place in society. It's part of the reason for their fierce loyalty. 141
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 24/11/2025He never raised his voice. That was the worst thing... the fury of Charlie Brown... and then we discovered why. Why this Charlie Brown, who had fought with gods and demons, why he had run away from us and hidden. He was being kind... 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 22/11/2025This is what happens when people have no principles. 030
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 17/11/2025Of course social disorder needs to be addressed. But this part worries me: "...potential options to transition service to a new model or alternative location, with no further lease extensions at the current site once the existing agreement expires." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caEdmonton councillor concerned about reports of social disorder at emergency shelter | CBC NewsWard Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette wants city staff to investigate concerns related to an emergency shelter on Fort Road. 120
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 15/11/2025If physical space is available & is being improved, then why is the AbGov against student:teacher caps? ..."while the government touts an $8.6-billion plan to build and renovate more schools, there are empty rooms in her Red Deer school." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caThe Alberta government promised 3,000 more teachers. Some say that's misleading | CBC NewsWhen the Alberta government legislated a swift end to October’s provincial teachers’ strike, it pledged to pay for 3,000 more teaching positions during the next three school years. But what wasn't mad... 010
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 04/11/2025Keeping up with the UCP government's democratic transgressions can be difficult. But not impossible. Here’s a running list since Danielle Smith became premier. 🧵👇 14365243
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 04/11/2025"Recalls are meant to address breaches of trust, serious misconduct or a sustained failure to represent constituents..." - UCP MLA Pitt So, like suspending teachers' rights, questionable procurement, unexplained court settlements costing 100s of millions $$? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caSecond MLA, Angela Pitt, facing recall petition: Elections Alberta | CBC NewsA second member of the Alberta legislature is facing a citizen petition to recall her from her job. United Conservative Party MLA Angela Pitt has represented Airdrie since 2015. 150
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 03/11/2025"If there are other factors, of which the public is unaware, that led the Alberta government to offer what seems to be such a large additional payment, Alberta taxpayers deserve to know,” notes Bankes. “Did the Alberta government, for example, make promises to Atrum of which we are not aware?” 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 02/11/2025Exactly this. How can we believe that this Premier will protect Alberta's interests or that she's "fighting for Alberta", when she suspends our rights at the slightest inconvenience. 020
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 01/11/2025"Smith says her province needs to be the proponent because private industry isn't willing to commit the necessary capital for a pipeline" This will be another money hole, like the coal mines. No funding for teachers & healthcare vs. money trees for corporate welfare. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caAlberta premier ‘cannot double-talk’ about Ottawa depending on her interests: Chrétien | CBC NewsFormer Liberal prime minister Jean Chrétien is taking a swing at Alberta’s simmering separatist movement, and says Premier Danielle Smith “cannot double-talk all the time” about Ottawa depending on he... 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 27/10/2025An important point that applies to Alberta, currently under Smith's UCP, as well. 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 25/10/2025Alberta's Smith at times claims that she models our healthcare on the UK. Well, unlike Alberta, which keeps increasing barriers - the UK aims to make healthcare more accessible. 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 16/10/2025Smith, during the election, said that she would not privatize healthcare - despite the leaked video of her saying she would. But every week, she demonstrates that she is untrustworthy. People who support private or 2-tier healthcare have no idea of the costs. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caAlberta premier sparks private health care worries with recent mandate letters | CBC NewsSome of the premier’s latest mandate letters, outlining the priorities for Alberta’s health ministers, are reigniting concerns the government is paving the way for even more private delivery of health... 031
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 14/10/2025One of the potential barriers (in Alberta). Parents are given a booklet, then left to their own devices to schedule vaccines with public health clinics - not their family doctors. These places are few, and can be difficult to access. www.bbc.com/news/article...bbc.comOver 150 schoolchildren quarantined as US measles cases hit 33-year highThe children in South Carolina were unvaccinated, as were many of the 1,563 people infected in the US this year. 110
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 18/09/2025www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... Depressing if true. Do the attendees in these townhalls really represent Alberta? Why do the conclusions from these town halls differ from public opinion polls?cbc.caPacked Alberta Next Panel town hall met with praise in Grande Prairie, Alta. | CBC NewsPremier Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel, aimed at wrenching more political control from Ottawa, was spurred to take action in Grande Prairie Wednesday. 120
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Listening to Senator Smoot explain - tariffs are good actually. 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 08/09/2025www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... We should try to prevent infections in addition to hospitalizations. Even mild symptoms negatively affects productivity & can have long-term consequences. Just because hospitalizations were low in summer 2025, doesn't mean we should lower our guard.cbc.caMinister defends Alberta's plan to charge some people for COVID-19 vaccines | CBC NewsAlberta's minister in charge of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is defending the government's plan, despite criticism from some in the health-care sector about the province's decision to charge for shots... 110
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 04/09/2025Sure, listen to different perspectives - so long as our government remembers its priorities - that Canada gets to set its priorities. BUT, why isn't there anyone from labour unions speaking at this meeting? www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caProject 2025 mastermind invited to speak at Carney's cabinet meeting | CBC NewsA prominent conservative figure in American politics and the mastermind behind Project 2025 — the infamous policy blueprint that proposed a drastic overhaul of the U.S. government — will speak to Prim... 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 28/08/2025bbc.com/news/article... Note corporate & billionaire's response to Trumpism next time they push against regulations & increased taxes. He's micromanaging corporate policies (e.g. CBS) & demanding corporate/billionaire funds (essentially extra tax) & none have left the US.bbc.comTrump’s brand of US capitalism faces ‘socialist’ backlash from conservativesThe government's stake in the computer chip maker is not without precedent, but it puts Trump at odds with some conservatives. 010
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 28/08/2025So the US has a more inclusive COVID vaccine policy than Alberta?! Will Smith & the UCP change their policy? After all, they cited the US's approach to justify their decision. 000
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦amy brown @amybrown.xyz · 22/08/2025this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like 36191718726
Reposted by IGrowOld 🇨🇦WHO @who.int · 23/08/2025Don’t get played by false information. Learn how to spot and stop it before it spreads 👇 19687264
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 17/08/2025www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... For this impending failure, Smith is blaming the Feds. So, are provinces responsible for healthcare or not? The UCP is solely responsible for this debacle. No other province has placed so many barriers to vaccination.cbc.caWhat health experts are saying about Alberta's COVID-19 vaccination program | CBC NewsHealth experts, advocates and unions are sounding the alarm over Alberta's plan for paid COVID-19 shots, calling it concerning and confusing. 110
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 30/06/2025Alberta's Smith has essentially taken the choice to get vaccinated against COVID away from Albertans. Not only is she making vulnerable groups pay. People who want the vaccine have to somehow pre-order by August, through public health clinics. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caHow does Alberta's new COVID-19 vaccine policy compare to other provinces? We asked | CBC NewsAlberta's decision to reduce access to publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines so far appears to set the province on a different course than many other Canadian jurisdictions. 110
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 30/06/2025This is disappointing. We already gave in to US demands regarding border security - to no avail. Now this. It feels like an inch by inch surrender of Canadian independence. We must not forget our values and priorities, despite the bullying and gas lighting. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...cbc.caCanada rescinds digital services tax to advance trade discussions with the United States | CBC NewsThe federal government announced late Sunday evening it is rescinding the digital services tax, days after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded it gone and cut off Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. 110
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 20/06/2025The latest example of Smith's Alberta UCP government betraying our trust :( 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 20/06/2025Alberta has <5M people. The measles outbreak here only started in March. By June 19 there's already nearly 1000 confirmed cases. Yet, we've heard nothing from Alberta's UCP government. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caAlberta babies have been born with measles due to outbreaks, worrying doctors | CBC NewsAlberta's measles outbreaks have led to babies being born with congenital measles, the province has confirmed. Congenital measles can lead to severe complications, including death. 000
IGrowOld 🇨🇦 @igrowold.bsky.social · 14/06/2025If Smith and her followers would rather have U.S. values, they should move to the U.S. and leave the rest of us alone. Albertans never agreed to become the 51st U.S. state. The UCP is selling Albertans piece by piece to foreign interest groups. 000