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Michelle Bellefontaine

@mbellefontaine.bsky.social
11K followers 816 following 60 posts

Provincial affairs reporter for CBC News based in Edmonton

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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
A truly beautfiul story from my CBC Hinton colleague Maggie Kirk. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Why does a cemetery in a Rocky Mountain ghost town have a new landline? | CBC News
At Mountain Park Cemetery in Alberta's foothills, a one-way rotary phone connects the living to the dead through the wind. The cemetery is the last thing left of the old mining town, telling the stori...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Oh this is sad. A true icon of Canadian journalism.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Elections Alberta rejected the Water Not Coal petition last week for not reaching the signature threshold. But analysis by a statistics professor raises new questions about the formula the elections agency used to verify the petition. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Questions emerge about statistical sampling used on rejected anti-coal petition | CBC News
A statistics professor raises concerns about Elections Alberta's sampling method used to verify Corb Lund's Water Not Coal petition which was deemed to be under the signature threshold last week.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
UCP MLA Scott Cyr says Wylie could always reapply for his job. The five UCP MLAs on the committee pass the motion: Cyr, Lovely, De Jong, Dyck, Petrovic. The four NDP MLAs on the committee vote it down: Sheppard, Miyashiro, Wright and Chapman.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
This morning at the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices...UCP majority introduces a motion starting a search committee for a new auditor general. NDP MLA David Sheppard says Doug Wylie wants to stay on two more years. Wylie is reviewing the allegations of inappropriate health contracting.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
I love this kid. He did well tonight and set the stage for tonight’s blowout against the Dodgers (and no doubt learned a heck of a lot about pitching when the stakes are so high!) x.com/sportsnet/st...
x.com
Sportsnet on X: "“It was an insane experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” 🥹 Trey Yesavage reflects on his first career #WorldSeries start 👏 https://t.co/BvcpucdRGA" / X
“It was an insane experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” 🥹 Trey Yesavage reflects on his first career #WorldSeries start 👏 https://t.co/BvcpucdRGA
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Excellent thread from Keith about tonight’s mayoral debate.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Sad news about one of the greats www.cbc.ca/sports/hocke...
cbc.ca
Former Canadiens star goaltender Ken Dryden dies of cancer at age 78 | CBC Sports
Ken Dryden, the Hall of Fame goaltender whose long resume in and out of hockey included six Stanley Cup victories and helping backstop Canada's generation-defining victory at the 1972 Summit Series, d...
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Reposted by Michelle Bellefontaine
Heather Campbell @thatheatherc.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
I met Ken Dryden once, in Calgary of all places. He was so kind to me, asked after my family, and was just lovely to speak with. I'm still fascinated that he was able to take time away from hockey, to complete his law degree at McGill. Unheard of today. Rest well. 🇨🇦🙏🏾 www.nhl.com/canadiens/ne...
nhl.com
The Montreal Canadiens mourn the passing of Ken Dryden | Montréal Canadiens
Hall-of-Fame goaltender won six Stanley Cups with the team
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Reposted by Michelle Bellefontaine
Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Ken Dryden has died. A Hockey Hall of Famer with the Montreal Canadiens, he won six Stanley Cups, the Conn Smythe, Calder and five Vezinas. A best-selling author, he also served in Parliament from 2004 to 2011.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Such sad news.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Big scoop from @jack-farrell.bsky.social and @reportrix.bsky.social at The Canadian Press www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government pauses ban on school library books with sexual content | CBC News
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says in an email to school boards that the government is pausing its order for the removal of books with explicit sexual content from libraries.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
AISH recipients despair over province’s changes to disability programs. “It's been made very clear that I'm a burden on this government, that they view disabled people as burdens, that we don't have any worth or value unless we're working. It’s gut-wrenching.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
AISH recipient, advocates worry about Alberta's new disability benefit program | CBC News
A new discussion guide about the upcoming Alberta Disability Assistance Program reveals that many Albertans with severe disabilities will receive lower personal benefits after the program launches nex...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
The Alberta Next panel faced a divided, sometimes hostile crowd in Edmonton last night www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Town hall to debate Alberta's future faces polarized crowd in Edmonton | CBC News
Albertans shouted at each other and at Premier Danielle Smith at the third Alberta Next town hall in Edmonton Thursday night.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Affordable housing operator HomeEd has listed the Riverdale Place townhouses for sale. Tenants are fighting back www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Low-income tenants fight sale of affordable Edmonton townhouses | CBC News
Tenants who live in affordable housing townhouses in a neighbourhood near downtown Edmonton are fighting the sale of their homes by their non-profit provider HomeEd.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
Medical providers are getting panicked calls from AISH recipients trying to comply with the province’s directive to apply for the federal Disability Tax Credit www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
AISH recipients panicked over looming provincial deadline: health providers | CBC News
Health provides say people who receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) are calling them in a panic over a letter from the province that threatens to cut their benefits if they don't...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Alberta wanted to create 1,500 affordable housing spots last year. It created a little more than half. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta gov't fell short of its affordable housing goal last year: annual report | CBC News
The provincial government completed fewer new or refurbished affordable housing units last year than the previous three years, according to figures in the Seniors, Community and Social Services Minist...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Changes coming for AISH recipients who live in community housing. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
AISH recipients in community housing will see rent hike under new Alberta regulations | CBC News
AISH recipients who live in community housing where rent is set at thirty per cent of income will soon see the amount increase by $220 a month.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Alberta politics is never boring.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Matthew Black's persistence (and an intervention by Alberta's privacy and information commissioner) led to this information finally coming to light after nearly two years.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
CBC colleague @jenleecbc.bsky.social with reaction to Alberta’s new COVID vaccine policies. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government faces mounting pushback to new COVID-19 vaccine policy | CBC News
The Alberta government continues to face fierce opposition to plans that will reduce access to publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines in the province.
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Reposted by Michelle Bellefontaine
Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 13/06/2025
“Alberta's measles surge is so dramatic, the last time case counts were higher, Calgary did not have an NHL team, O Canada was not yet the official national anthem and gasoline would set you back 24 cents a litre.”
cbc.ca
Alberta's measles outbreaks are now the worst in nearly half a century | CBC News
Alberta's measles surge is so dramatic, the last time case counts were higher Calgary did not have an NHL team, 'O Canada' was not yet the official national anthem and gasoline would set you back 24 c...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
A lovely interview on Power and Politics today with Marc Roy, former chief of staff to Marc Garneau, the groundbreaking astronaut who became a Canadian politician and cabinet minister, who died yesterday www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Marc Garneau died after 'short but very difficult battle' with cancer, former staffer says | CBC News
Marc Garneau died this week after being diagnosed with two types of cancer earlier this year, said his former chief of staff Marc Roy.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Premier Danielle Smith has called the byelections in Edmonton-Ellerslie, Edmonton-Strathcona and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills for Monday, June 23.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
This is a significant finding from Alberta’s privacy and information commissioner and confirms what many FOIP users have long suspected.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
It was an eventful day at the Alberta legislature. My colleague Janet French captures all of it here. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
United Conservative Party expels MLA who pushed for public probe of health contracting | CBC News
An MLA and former minister just removed from the United Conservative Party caucus alleges the health minister — and possibly the premier — withheld information from cabinet ministers who were deciding...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
New bill introduced yesterday. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government moves to eliminate municipal codes of conduct | CBC News
Alberta Municipal Affairs minister Ric McIver introduced a new bill Tuesday that would automatically repeal all municipal codes of conduct as soon as it is proclaimed into law.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Story from CBC colleague Sarah Reid: “Every time I try to get ahead something else happens; my rent increases, utilities get out of hand and everything costs more … there's no breaking even anymore and it's hard to live like that." -to-move-1.7495043
cbc.ca
Rent hikes intended to bring Edmonton units up to market value are forcing some tenants to move | CBC News
Substantial rent increases at a townhouse complex in an Edmonton neighbourhood are forcing some tenants out of their homes and starting a conversation about the reality that many renters are facing.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
My CBC colleague Jason Markusoff has analysis here on today’s provincial budget www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Trump tariffs and tax cut have Alberta's finance minister seeing red (ink) | CBC News
Nate Horner really didn't want a deficit. But he has one, thanks to a new threat and an old campaign pledge.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Prospect of Trump’s tariffs cast uncertainty over preparations for today’s Alberta budget www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta's $5.2B budget deficit could jump to $8.7B under worst-case tariff scenario | CBC News
Alberta is forecasting it will end the next fiscal year with a $5.2 billion deficit but that could soar to $8.7 billion under a worst-case tariff scenario outlined in Thursday’s provincial budget.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Some families with kids in daycare will be paying more when the government introduces a flat monthly fee on April 1. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Families reeling after Alberta ends child-care subsidy | CBC News
Alberta parents were caught off guard that changes announced yesterday will raise their daycare bills by hundreds of dollars a month starting  April 1.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Surveys find provincial programs to support kids and adults with disabilities are overwhelmed by demand. Families are waiting years for help, according to surveys from Inclusion Alberta. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Provincial support delays are hurting disabled Albertans and families, reports find | CBC News
Inclusion Alberta released two reports this week highlighting the problems with Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) programs.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
The future of three self-advocacy groups for Albertans with developmental disabilities is in question now that their provincial funding ends on March 31. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government axes funding for 3 disability advocacy groups | CBC News
The Alberta government has cut funding to three self-advocacy groups for people with intellectual disabilities more than a year before the expiry of their contracts.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
My CBC colleague @jantafrench.bsky.social handled the interview with Premier Danielle Smith this year. Smith discusses how she hopes to convince the incoming Trump administration to exempt Alberta oil and gas from tariffs www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
cbc.ca
Why Premier Danielle Smith agrees with Trump on border woes
Premier Danielle Smith says convincing Americans of their dependence on Alberta oil and gas is the key to staving off U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's tariff plan. In a year-end interview, Smith al...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
My year-end interview with Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi. His thoughts on Premier Danielle Smith, the bills affecting transgender youth and the threat of possible Trump tariffs on Alberta’s economy. www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
cbc.ca
Year-end interview with NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi
Naheed Nenshi discusses his first six months as Alberta NDP leader and what lies ahead in 2025.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
I love this story from my hometown so much. This initiative is a great way to remember an iconic landmark. (And yes, they’re so right about the noise the bridge made, LOL). www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Ornaments carved from scrapped Kingston bridge keep its memory and 'music' alive | CBC News
Hearts, diamonds and rings cut from the steel of the century-old LaSalle Causeway crossing are sought-after mementos for Kingstonians who miss the "Singing Bridge."
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Egale Canada and Skipping Stone are following through on their vow to challenge Alberta’s new laws affecting transgender youth and adults. It looks like they are starting with Bill 26 which curtails trans teens’ access to gender-affirming treatment and surgery. egale.ca/egale-in-act...
egale.ca
2SLGBTQI organizations and families take legal action against the Government of Alberta in response to anti-trans legislation  - Egale Canada
For Immediate Release December 7, 2024 EDMONTON – Egale Canada, Skipping Stone, and several families in Alberta, represented by lawyers from McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Egale, have initiated litigation ...
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
From @meksmith.bsky.social Red Deer’s overdose prevention site open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Jan 1 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government to cut Red Deer overdose prevention site hours ahead of spring 2025 closure | CBC News
Overdose response teams of nurses and paramedics are expected to start work on Jan. 1, 2025, according to a government court filing. Once that begins, 24-hour supervised consumption services in Red Deer will be reduced to 12 hours daily.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
This happened this afternoon www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Three bills affecting transgender Albertans pass debate, set to become law
EDMONTON - A trio of bills affecting transgender people in Alberta have passed the final stage of debate in the legislature and are set to become law.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Janet is correct. Chief Neufeld did not hold back.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Municipal leaders (and Calgary's police chief) are pushing back after province confirms plans to restrict photo radar use. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta government aims to cut photo radar sites by 70% | CBC News
The Alberta government plans to review photo radar sites in the province over the next four months in a bid to reduce the number by 70 per cent.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
from me today: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta locating new youth recovery facility next to young offenders centre | CBC News
The Alberta government is planning to set up an addiction recovery centre for youth by renovating half of the Edmonton Young Offender Centre in north Edmonton.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Jason @markusoff.bsky.social takes a look at the recent history of auto insurances reforms and whether the province’s latest changes will help drivers. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Insurance premium hikes will jolt drivers. Does promise of future savings make it all worthwhile? | CBC News
The same report that persuaded the UCP that no-fault insurance would save consumers money said a public system would save more.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Press gallery colleague Jack Farrell has this story on how the privacy commissioner has concerns about new proposed legislation that affects privacy and freedom of information
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Here is CBC colleague Janet French on Stephen Harper’s appointment as the new chair of AIMCo
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Alberta’s child and youth advocate wants the province to provide better support to young adults who age out of government care. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta must resume financial help past age 22 for former kids in care, advocate says | CBC News
Alberta's child and youth advocate is calling on the province to bring back support for young people over the age of 22 who have aged out of government care but still require financial support to make a successful transition to adulthood.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
A new report from the Office of the Alberta Auditor General is tells the province to step up and make a plan to maintain its affordable housing stock. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta lacks information, maintenance plan for affordable housing stock, auditor general says | CBC News
The Alberta government lacks information on the true state of its affordable housing stock and lacks standards and a plan for maintaining it which could hurt the health and safety of the people who live there, according to a new report from the province’s auditor general.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/11/2024
Love the starter pack idea. Thanks to @llebrun.bsky.social for compiling this list. go.bsky.app/89ZtPe4
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 09/11/2024
Hi 👋 I’m back here.
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Michelle Bellefontaine @mbellefontaine.bsky.social · 23/12/2023
"We feel terrible with the fact that we're not going to be available to house people.” Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter can’t take in families until at least March. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
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