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Jason Markusoff

@markusoff.bsky.social
15K followers 606 following 1.1K posts

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

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Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Make Alberta America again? The fantastic Globe crew unearths even deeper ties between Alberta separatists and Republican officials, including a pledge to give the U.S. some of our resources in exchange for backing sovereignty www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
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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Alexander Quon @alexanderquon.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Internal documents detail Ottawa's economic worries over Alberta referendum www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Internal documents detail Ottawa's economic worries over Alberta referendum | CBC News
Internal federal documents offer insights into how Ottawa is assessing the economic fallout from the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada and becoming an independent state.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Triptiks. We don’t know how good we had it.
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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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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It hasn't really shown up in any election over the last four decades, provincial, federal or mineral
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
But please, do read the piece in full for yourself. Harper might be the most widely trusted voice for an anti-separatist message in Alberta. nationalpost.com/opinion/step...
nationalpost.com
Stephen Harper: Separatism poses 'significant risk' for Alberta
Former prime minister Stephen Harper says he sees "no benefit and significant risk" for Alberta from a prolonged debate on separatism.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Certainly, vocal support for Alberta separatism had risen during Liberal regimes, at least as far back as '80s Trudeau. Mulroney getting in dampened the mood, so did Harper. But for him to claim it was zero — that's just factually off.
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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...
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Club Announcement Spurs 🤦‍♂️ @markscrivens.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
So much for the "this is a rural Alberta issue" narrative.
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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/...
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Rise of Alberta, the brash social media account-cum-swag retailer, has direct ties to a more mild-toned separatist group leader, @alexboyd.bsky.social and @jeffyates.bsky.social report: 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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Christopher Mathias @letsgomathias.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New: Chris Rufo & his co-host devoted a podcast to "The Indian Question," framing Desi people as a problem to be solved. Their "solution?" Mass expulsion. For those allowed to remain: an “assimilation hazing process” w/ instances of “vulgar, defamatory racism" talkingpointsmemo.com/news/chris-r...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Chris Rufo — Known For ‘DEI’ and ‘CRT’ Panics — Tries to Make ‘the Indian Question’ a Thing
To the degree that a “respectable” or “moderate” right exists today in...
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Gerald Butts @gmbutts.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Trump’s second presidency has hit US tourism like COVID.
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Charlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
For a long time I've wanted a sense of how trump has or hasn't interacted with chatbots (we know he posts a lot of slop sure). And this TIME anecdote about Grok arguably leading Trump into war is just extremely bracing
Since returning to office, Trump has marveled at AI’s capabilities. He is increasingly in thrall to the tech executives courting him. In December 2025, Elon Musk returned to the Oval Office for a clandestine meeting. Trump spent hours asking Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, questions about his presidency and legacy, according to an official present. At the time, Trump was ordering missile strikes against Venezuelan boats he alleged were smuggling drugs into the U.S. He asked Grok how Venezuelans would react if the U.S. captured Maduro. According to the official present, the chatbot responded that Maduro was a repressive and deeply unpopular dictator and that many Venezuelans would likely celebrate his downfall. After Trump ordered the mission to seize Maduro, the following month, celebrations broke out in the streets. Trump, according to officials, came away thinking Grok was ingenious.
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Alanna Smith @alannasmith.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Four former deans of medicine in Alberta have joined a growing chorus of critics asking Ottawa to intervene in the province’s dual-practice health care model, which allows eligible doctors to toggle between the public and private systems. #ableg #abpoli @theglobeandmail.com
theglobeandmail.com
Former deans of medicine call on Ottawa to intervene in Alberta’s dual-practice health care model
In a letter to Carney, deans from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta assert public-private model violates the Canada Health Act
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Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Unexpectedly durable piece of Justin Trudeau's legacy: publicly financed pipeline construction.
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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/...
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The ONLY demographic group with majority support for referendum's separation option is UCP voters. In breakdowns by age, income, urban/rural, religosity, education – lower than 1/3rd support for a binding independence vote in every other demo www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @joeldryden.bsky.social
cbc.ca
Poll suggests slight majority of UCP voters favour separation as party stares down ‘tough days’ ahead | CBC News
A new poll suggests the group with the highest level of support for Alberta separation is supporters of the United Conservative Party, trumping other groups, including those defined by age, religiosit...
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A Liberal prime minister, Premier Danielle Smith and Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam together at the same press conference in Fort McMurray. Signs and wonders.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Red Deer member the first MLA to say he’s voting for the independence option in referendum. Danielle Smith seems intent to abide by Jason Stephan’s stance. By Lina Elsadi: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
UCP MLA says he’s voted in favour of Alberta holding binding referendum on independence | CBC News
Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan says he has voted in favour of Alberta’s government proceeding with a legally binding referendum on separation, but adds he hopes to see Canada united if Alberta is “t...
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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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Andrea Woo @andreawoo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Update: Delta Police say two people have died in the “serious motor vehicle collision,” not related to Truth and Reconciliation walk
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Sanho Tree @sanho.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Google and Apple immediately update their maps.
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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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Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Canada already has free trade deals with the United States and Europe. The deal with the U.S. was negotiated with the current president. The U.S. is currently violating that deal with tariffs. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/29/j...
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Les Perreaux @perreaux.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
For those who were wondering « why would someone go to that trouble » in the matter of my unidentified writer. www.turkiyetoday.com/world/exclus...
turkiyetoday.com
Exclusive—Fake AI columnist dupes Canadian press to target Moroccan dissidents, and a Turkish 'middleman' - Türkiye Today
The phantom writer communicated exclusively via email and rarely phoned Canadian publications, who were oblivious until Türkiye Today unraveled the matter
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Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Albertans with Canadian flags attached to their car in 2026 and Albertans with Canadian flags attached to their car in 2021 are completely non-overlapping groups.
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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.
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Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The share of Albertans surveyed who want to deny migrants the public services they pay for is dropping. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Half of Albertans undecided on 9 non-separation questions, immigration sentiment 'softening': poll | CBC News
Albertans are divided over immigration but attitudes are “softening,” while nearly half still don’t know which way they’ll vote on the nine non-separation questions in the Oct. 19 referendum, a new po...
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Elaine Anselmi @elaineanselmi.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
My new passion is Pinterest posts with really bad ideas for reusing old books.
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Alex Boyd @alexboyd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One of my favourite interview anecdotes from the last couple of years was the government person that pointed out that reported rat sightings in Alberta are (uniquely?) unreliable because so few people in Alberta can accurately identify one. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Alberta’s self-image as world’s only rat-free region shattered by discovery of rat
Province’s rat patrol called in to investigate as town of Bowden announces discovery of dead vermin
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
To put 23% support for a Leave referendum in perspective… The separatist movement is now statistically closer to Zero than it is to a 50% popular majority. The referendum is 24 days from now. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
UCP support has plunged in Calgary and outside major cities www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... and the independence movement is now below 25% support. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... It’s Janet Brown/CBC poll time, folks!
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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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Never been a better time to be a snowbird except oh wait
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Chris Turner @theturner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
In conclusion, Alberta is a land of contrasts
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Mark Follman @markfollman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEWS: My new investigation uncovers the horrific ChatGPT history of the Tumbler Ridge school shooter. OpenAI’s chatbot fueled the shooter's violent fantasies and plans up to the day of the massacre. Chats about guns, timing of attacks, becoming infamous, and more. www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0...
motherjones.com
ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals
OpenAI’s chatbot fed the shooter’s violent fantasies and planning up to the massacre.
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Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Via Ashleigh Stewart - Rath commingled trust money and lost $3.25M of alleged First Nations money in bullion trading. $11.5M from Sturgeon Lake trust helped fund Rath firm’s Tallcree payment: receiver | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/1207056...
globalnews.ca
Global News | Breaking, Latest News and Video for Canada
Globalnews.ca – Watch and read Canada’s Breaking news plus Business, Health, Politics and World News
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André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Will Alberta’s dual-practice model reduce surgery waits — or only for those who can pay? Some warn Alberta's dual-practice model could run the risk of repeating mistakes made in Quebec, by @alexandramaej.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/health/... via @cbcnews.ca
cbc.ca
Will Alberta’s dual-practice model reduce surgery waits — or only for those who can pay? | CBC News
As provinces grapple with how to decrease wait times for surgeries, Alberta is introducing a system in which doctors can simultaneously work in public hospitals and do private care on the side — a mod...
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Agh I meant non-permanent residents. Nova Scotians are status quo!
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Was it crystal clear I meant non-permanent immigrants here, or should I delete this? Sigh, yesterday was too damned busy.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A special provincial health fee jist for non-provincial workers in Alberta, atop the taxes they pay. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta premier floats charging temporary residents $1,900 to access public health care | CBC News
The figure comes as Albertans will vote in the Oct. 19 referendum on charging certain non-permanent residents a "reasonable fee or premium" for access to Alberta's health care and education systems.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A special provincial health fee jist for non-provincial workers in Alberta, atop the taxes they pay. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta premier floats charging temporary residents $1,900 to access public health care | CBC News
The figure comes as Albertans will vote in the Oct. 19 referendum on charging certain non-permanent residents a "reasonable fee or premium" for access to Alberta's health care and education systems.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
unless you're in BC or the United States
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
you are very likely wrong.
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Glyn Bowerman @glynbowerman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Everything I read about BC politics right now is like being cornered at a party while a guy on coke badly explains season 4 of a show you’ve never heard of.
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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.
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Helen Pike @helenipike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
CBC did a transposition of votes to show the results of a Calgary-Shaw election under the Boundary commission’s new electoral maps (yes plural). We don’t know what the official map looks like just yet but this helps illustrate how a big boundary change can change thjngs youtu.be/i9tpD8VNQrs?...
youtu.be
How Alberta's new boundary maps could impact election outcomes
YouTube video by CBC News Alberta
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Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
When I first moved to Calgary in 2006, I would regularly tell people outside Alberta that things were weird but not as weird as they seemed from the outside. Now I tell people that they're weirder.
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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Food inspection. Borrowing rates. Disaster bailouts. Joining the WTO. A new report breaks down the many smaller dilemmas for a breakaway Alberta that folks might want to think about before the referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | The tangled what-ifs of Alberta separation — from trade and treaties to currency and disaster costs | CBC News
Here's some of what to expect when you're extracting the province from Canada.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Jesus Christ, this article will enrage you like nothing else
kron4.com
Tesla driver charged with murdering 2 in San Jose shows no remorse, prosecutors say
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — When Ivana Balistreri and her baby were trapped inside a “fireball,” a Tesla driver who had just crashed into the victims’ car on Highway 87 in San…
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