Sign in

Jason Markusoff

@markusoff.bsky.social
15K followers 607 following 1.1K posts

I write and yak for CBC in Calgary. DMs open, Signal, WhatsApp, and such jason.markusoff@cbc.ca

PostsRepliesMedia
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 22h
Alberta’s premier lavishes praise on Ottawa for how much it collaborated with the province before making new court appointments, days before Alberta’s referendum Q that proposes to constutionally overhaul the way judges are picked. (bonus, surely, that one new judge was her deputy Justice minister)
53215
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
11 days before the Alberta referendum proposing that province, not feds, appoint Alberta's high-court judges, the federal Liberal govt named Danielle Smith gov's deputy minister of justice to Court of King's Bench.
0238
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Stephen Harper has, as we've long awaited, weighed in against Alberta separatism. But man oh man, do I have to strongly quibble with him claiming sentiment was zero when he was PM. Here's a 2014 poll putting belief in separation at 23%, which is where it sits now. nationalpost.com/opinion/step...
35359142
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Superintendent Chalmers: A separatist movement?! At this time of year, at this time of day, in this part of the country, localized entirely within your federalist party's voter base?! Smith: Mm, yes. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
37623
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
In a nice saccharine gesture for fans, Georgie’s leading off today, for what's probably his last bow as a Jay. And another gift to those who are still tuning in to this accursed season: Vlad is benched.
4140
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Alberta’s provincial fuel tax going away Oct 1. Premier Danielle Smith announced temporary suspension at Calgary Chamber speech today. Weeks ago, Finance Minister Nixon said cabinet preferred giving direct rebates. Change of heart, I guess.
5152
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
“While you were off getting high with the French”
0111
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
3140
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
.... the answer is yes, many of us call them provincial borders and Lloydminster is Border City and I was over-analyzing this because (waves arms kermitically) Deleted post.
11331
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Prepare to pay up, Canadian connoisseurs of American smoked jellyfish (and non-smoked)
352
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Canada using proposed tariff list to specifically provoke @dieworkwear.bsky.social
1132
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
🎼ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux...
272
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Lot of U.S. beauty and cosmetic products getting tariffed as of Sept. 8. As if Korean skin-care wasn't already trendy enough now... www.canada.ca/en/departmen...
3339
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I featured this graphic by separatist leader Keith Wilson in my latest article, but to prevent rabbit hole distractions I cropped out the astounding AI junk on the edge of this photo. Ottawa in…. New Brunswick? And what is that building? Sure not Parliament. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
157116
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
On a family trip to BC, an Alberta family must make pilgrimage to where the next bitumen pipeline will end.
6512
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
good answers.
1150
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Responsiveness! Now there’s a “None” option on the drop-down menu. (Screenshotting a dropdown menu is a chore, don’t @ me)
2301
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This must be an older page on Alberta Transportation's website. It recommends segregated bike lanes as "your safest option while cycling."
7729
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Boy, the Alberta Transportation's new Barbaric Urban Bicycle Lanes Tip Line, and that drop-down menu sans "Other" field. www.alberta.ca/report-conce...
2218071
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We may never see the likes of him in the World Cup again
2282
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I always cry at wedding breaking news alerts
0282
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Younger one really captured my inquisitive side with his Father’s Day artwork.
8860
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I could find a woman or two or three in this crowd shot
2211417
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Group photo of UCP board members at a big pro-separation rally last fall. Four are still on the board. When the party president saw pic on Facebook, he said he regretted he couldn’t be there, too. On the separatist senior organizers in Danielle Smith’s party: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
710649
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A UCP appointees to the weird Round 2 riding boundary panel lobbied the actual boundary commission to impose a hyper-ruralized seat map for Calgary with more hybrid ridings than the widely criticized minority report. Darwin Durnie's submission, page 65-262: www.elections.ab.ca/uploads/EBC-...
2312586
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen declines to directly answer how he would vote in the separation referendum. The first minister I’ve heard dodge it, and criticize Ottawa instead. He does represent a very rural constituency, mind you.
155628
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Not all of this rail plan is long term. For instance, we could be only months away from an industry webinar for private-sector engagement!
4411
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Detail of map, with disclaimer: Note: map is conceptual and does not show exact routing or station locations, and new connections could emerge in the future.
6161
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
At the Smith government’s passenger train plan release. All aboard to 2056!
206518
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Danielle Smith's senior Calgary aide vends in several disproven 2020 US election conspiracy theories here, including noncitizen voter fraud and rigged vote machines. As part of argument for putting Canadian citizenship markers on Alberta drivers' licences.
Bruce McAllister
@McAllisterBruce
Sorry 
@SPhillipsAB
 
Requiring proof of citizenship to vote isn’t a restriction. It’s the bare minimum for real democracy. Citizenship decides who gets a say. Without upfront checks you’re inviting fraud and that’s exactly what we see when verification is weak.
Look at the pattern in the US. States that don’t require ID at the polls overwhelmingly vote Democrat. California, New York, Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, and the rest of that list. Is that a coincidence? Or does loose verification help one side?
Premier Danielle Smith gets this right. She’s making Alberta the first province with a combined card that puts citizenship proof, photo ID, and even your health number all in one secure spot at no extra cost. It streamlines services so Albertans can access student aid, health benefits, and disability supports faster without hauling around extra documents. It builds trust and directly protects elections by making sure only eligible citizens vote. Smart move that makes life easier for real Albertans while closing loopholes.
Securing elections means proof of citizenship, paper ballots only, and real scrutineers from all sides watching every step. No hackable machines that can be flipped without a trace. Anything less leaves the system open to manipulation.
So why fight basic safeguards like this card? Why frame it as some partisan attack instead of common sense? The practical result is elections that can be tainted. Do you actually want that? Because fighting every layer of verification sure looks like it.
Democracy needs paper, eyes on the count, and confirmed citizens only. No excuses.
#Alberta #DanielleSmith #ElectionIntegrity #ProofOfCitizenship #AlbertaStrong #CanadaPolitics #SecureOurVote #AlbertaFirst
What do you think Alberta? Let’s get this right for the next generation.
2913472
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
“From my standpoint, from the president’s standpoint, 51st state’s not coming back.” — US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, May 2025
65210
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
A wickedly clever post. I remain, as ever, in awe of @carrietait.bsky.social
411842
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Youtube's AI transcription having a real one during the first 10 minutes of hold music before last Friday's Danielle Smith news conference www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuM8...
2183
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Across age, gender, region, education, income level, and political affiliation, only two subsets in Alberta would vote against staying in Canada: 1) UCP voters 2) Federal Conservative voters
1916682
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Separatist leader/lawyer Jeff Rath’s open letter to Danielle Smith, demanding she “please resign”: Says she’s lost her ability to refer to herself as “Right Honourable” — which she never was in the first place. That’s a prime minister’s title, not a premier’s.
Dear Premier Smith,

A referendum to have a referendum… after two justices told you, you could call Mitch Sylvestre’s question under Section 1 of the Referendum Act is hardly decisive or honest leadership. 

On Thursday you lied to everyone in Alberta when you falsely claimed you couldn’t use either Lukaszuk’s question or Mitch’s question because of “the courts”. The courts in fact said the opposite. 

Chief Alan Adam had his picture taken SIGNING the Lukaszuk petition. How would he oppose THAT question. 

The simple fact is that you promised Mark Carney that there wouldn’t be a vote on independence this year. By stabbing 301,620 of YOUR VOTERS in the back you delivered on the promise as part of the package to sell out Alberta for a Chinese pipeline to Asia. No binary choice for Albertans as you promised. Only political sleight of hand. 

You have lost the ability to refer to yourself as “Right Honourable” . You have lost the moral authority to lead the UCP. 

Please resign. 

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey R.W. Rath
B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.(Hons.)
Foothills, Alberta
1811233
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Rollercoaster afternoon for separatists.
5569
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
HUGE: Alberta judge quashes the separatists' referendum petition, in major victory for Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Blackfoot confederation. Justice Shaina Leonard: "the Crown failed to meet its duty to consult"
18564221
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Urban nerd win: led my Jane’s Walk, “The Calgary That Could Have Been” this morn. Among the 50ish walkers, one woman brought along her original copy of the 1914 Mawson Plan that pitched Calgary as a “Vienna on the Bow.” She found it at an antique store in Aberdeen, Scotland, for £20 in the 1980s
10907
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Organizers of next week's Christian political conference that Danielle Smith is headlining has quietly changed its name from "Premier's Annual Christian Summit" to remove "premier" from it. Spot the difference!
115230
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
NEW: Separatist group behind the petition drive distances itself from separatist group ordered by court to take a list of every Alberta voter from its activism website.
196826
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
RCMP confirms they're investigating the leak of most Albertans' names/home addresses to the Centurion Project separatist group. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
1010557
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The Republican Party did not file its own year-end financial report with Elections Alberta for 2025, the first year of its existence. Cam Davies is a longtime political backroom guy.
1184
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
AI or not, it’s not even their own. Stock image a-go-go
7328
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Watch @cajournalists.bsky.social at 11 ET today… Announcing this year’s awards finalists.
092
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
…. but the first Canadian to fly to the moon without coming back… tell us more about him, please!
4413
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
This sequence of words from an Alberta gov news release. Chef's kiss.
3413
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
She's off to a farm upstate
3364
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
They've done this for other religious holidays. For Ramadan, Alberta offered translations of its official message in Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Somali.
171
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Not seen this before: Alberta produces a Hebrew-language news release for the minister's statement to mark Passover.
5151
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Watching the shadows of snowfall on a late-night walk, Calgary.
48210