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Brendan Kergin

@kergin.bsky.social
261 followers 753 following 461 posts

Vancouver is Awesome reporter, covering news, quirk and history.

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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
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 Brendan Kergin
Christopher Dornan @chrisdornan.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Offered without comment.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"The report, published on Monday by the DRC, put the number of cases at 8,067 ⁠⁠and deaths at ⁠⁠3,901, representing a fatality rate of 48.4 percent. People’s mistrust and anger towards government policies have become a major obstacle in limiting the outbreak since it was officially declared in May"
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 28/09/2026
Fatalities near 4,000 across the DRC as health workers battle community anger and a vaccine-resistant strain.
aljazeera.com
Ebola cases surpass 8,000 as DRC struggles to control outbreak
Fatalities near 4,000 across the DRC as health workers battle community anger and a vaccine-resistant strain.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
APTN News @aptnnews.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A white nationalist group gathered just outside the Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc reserve in British Columbia over the weekend wearing white masks and dressed in all black.
aptnnews.ca
Masked white nationalists gather on reserve in British Columbia - APTN News
A white nationalist group gathered just outside the Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc reserve in British Columbia...
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
He's going to take us all with him, isn't he? #ai #trump #trumpocalypse
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
British celebrity reality game show to shoot new season around Whistler It's a spin-off of a popular series in the U.K. www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/b...
vancouverisawesome.com
British celebrity reality game show to shoot new season around Whistler
It's a spin-off of a popular series in the U.K.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
#Vancouver jumps up to rank 35 for global sports cities The World Cup hosting gig bumped our city up in the rankings. www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/v...
vancouverisawesome.com
Vancouver jumps up to rank 35 for global sports cities
The World Cup hosting gig bumped our city up in the rankings.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Marv Beatty @marvbeatty.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A handful of images from a sunrise outing this morning. #photography
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Photos: 'One-of-a-kind 1970s-inspired mansion' hits the market for $1.8M in Chilliwack So. Much. Orange. www.vancouverisawesome.com/real-estate-...
vancouverisawesome.com
Photos: 'One-of-a-kind 1970s-inspired mansion' hits the market for $1.8M in B.C.
That's a lot of orange
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Isn't this actually how some AI services are?
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New 'revolving sushi bar' planned for Vancouver's West End
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New 'revolving sushi bar' planned for Vancouver's West End
Zumi will deliver sushi by cedar conveyor belt.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
House that mimics 'shipping containers native to Vancouver’s harbour' lists for $16M
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House that mimics 'shipping containers native to Vancouver’s harbour' lists for $16M
A large home in West Point Grey has hit the real estate market.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
'Didn’t know she was not allowed': Tesla driver parks on sidewalk during Metro Vancouver coffee run
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'Didn’t know she was not allowed': Tesla driver parks on sidewalk during Metro Vancouver coffee run
She went on to tell the police she'd dispute the ticket.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Historical Photos: What did motorcycle culture look like in Vancouver 75 years ago?
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Historical Photos: What did motorcycle culture look like in Vancouver 75 years ago?
Some of the photos are more than 100 years old!
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Time Traveller: These cats were wartime workers for North Vancouver's Burrard Dry Dock
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Time Traveller: These cats were wartime workers for North Vancouver's Burrard Dry Dock
Their filing skills may have been lacking, but they were reportedly pretty good at catching mice
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Upcoming award-winning Indigenous festival at UBC continues to grow
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Upcoming award-winning Indigenous festival at UBC continues to grow
Juno-winner Aysanabee headlines the stage, amid three days full of events.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
'Weird summer pattern': Light showers, risk of thunderstorms in Metro Vancouver forecast this week
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'Weird summer pattern': Light showers, risk of thunderstorms in Metro Vancouver forecast this week
Alternatively, it could be mostly sunny for the rest of the week, meteorologist says.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Everything you need to know about the AC/DC BC Place concert
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Everything you need to know about the AC/DC BC Place concert
For those about to rock, we salute you.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Environment Canada launches new weather warning system to address 'alert fatigue'
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Environment Canada launches new weather warning system to address 'alert fatigue'
The changes took effect today.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I wish he knew how crazy he sounds to an entire country.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Happy Halloween in IKEA...
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
28 places to watch the World Cup final in Vancouver
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28 places to watch the World Cup final in Vancouver
The World Cup final game kicks off at noon on Sunday. Where will you be?
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The last count down in Canada
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
B.C. 'preparing legal action' against OpenAI in wake of Tumbler Ridge mass shooting | CBC News
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma says the province is seeking legal options to hold OpenAI accountable for failing to notify law enforcement about "violent prompts made on its ChatGPT platform" ahead...
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Marv Beatty @marvbeatty.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
A carousel of images from my trip to #TumblerRidge last year. A beautiful part of the world I hope to get back to again. #photography
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Um, we sure this is the best route??? "The one-off test involved 10 AI-controlled “Terminator” drones on the front line of the Ukraine war. Russian soldiers were killed." www.newscientist.com/article/2529...
newscientist.com
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
A senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry told New Scientist that a test took place two years ago involving fully autonomous drones set to destroy anything in a given area, with confirmed casu...
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Today's attempt 🟪🟪🟨🟪 🟦🟦🟦🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Marv Beatty @marvbeatty.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Took a drive to #Barkerville today. There were a few maintenance people working, and others starting to rehearse for this coming season. It always seems bigger than I remember, with multiple streets and so many interesting shops. It must have been quite a place during the height of the gold rush.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Google searches for just news now include non-news. Super useful :|
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
However, it was burning itself out by the time 911 arrived. Though I'd still be concerned the restaurant could have gone up with sparks or some new area catching.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
That was the view from the hotel room. It was at the A&W just kitty corner (but a lot lower elevation). Flames got to be 30-40 ft high in my estimation. It was the shrubs that caught, there was a row between the parking lot and the drive-thru lane. Police arrived quick, firefighters soon after
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
West Kootenay roadtrip in 4 pix
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
“So many things changed so rapidly with COVID, and we're still at a point where I can't get a detailed readout of what drugs are in a patient's urine sample." “It feels that patients who struggle with addiction are still relegated to the sidelines.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
B.C. declared toxic drugs a public health emergency 10 years ago. Has it made a difference? | CBC News
Experts say they worry the province hasn’t used all the powers available that come with a public health emergency, and is leaning on public opinion rather than science to inform policy.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Is the fact a women’s league can ‘money grab’ progress?
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Ok, so what songs should go on an Artemis II playlist? So far I have: Go! - Public Service Broadcasting Space Oddity - Chris Hadfield cover Rocket Man - William Shatner cover Major Tom - Shiny Toy Guns cover Spaceman - Electric Callboy
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Well, it seems music peaked last year and I missed it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnI...
youtube.com
BABYMETAL x @ElectricCallboy - RATATATA (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
YouTube video by BABYMETAL
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The Scandinavian ones from pop culture. I don't think he's well versed on history beyond the TV show
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Simon Little 🍁 @simonplittle.ca · 27/03/2026
If you aren't going to bother to write it, why should I bother reading it?
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
In his mind he's creating an army of vikings...
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Valdez allegedly used Snapchat to talk with underage girls for "sexual exploitation." Valdez allegedly picked up one victim and took her to his home. Her mother reportedly found out, went to Valdez's home, and punched him in the face before taking her child home. local12.com/news/nation-...
local12.com
Senator's chief of staff charged with sex trafficking, child exploitation, and coercion
A senator's chief of staff was charged with child sex trafficking, child exploitation, and production of child pornography.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Times Colonist @timescolonist.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
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Fundraiser launched to save Hermann's Jazz Club from closing
The society that runs the Victoria music venue hopes to raise $450,000 by April 26.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
I love the idea that *this* US government, which has been nabbing landscapers and five year olds knows where Iranian sleeper cells are but just hasn’t gotten around to doing anything about it yet.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Part of all this is other words do go with the double ee, like reevaluate, reengage, and reeducation. And to be honest, I've never looked at the evolution-revolution etymology, but that seems odd
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I guess it would be the structure, it's re-enforce in my mind
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Photos: Big float home off remote part of Vancouver Island for sale
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Photos: Big float home off remote part of Vancouver Island for sale
It might be off the grid but it still comes with some luxury.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Gallery: Historic photos show Vancouver's Granville Street in 1880s
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Gallery: Historic photos show Vancouver's Granville Street in 1880s
From the earliest days of the city.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
5 more things you probably didn't know about food in Vancouver
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5 more things you probably didn't know about food in Vancouver
From Dad's Cookies to Conviction Kitchen to sliced bread, here are a few fun food facts.
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Reposted by Brendan Kergin
Vancouver Is Awesome @viawesome.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Raccoons like puzzles according to Vancouver researchers
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Raccoons like puzzles according to Vancouver researchers
They kept solving puzzles even though there weren't any marshmallows.
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Brendan Kergin @kergin.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I did know there were other words that fit the pattern; those two just worked out well
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