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Canada's National Observer

@nationalobserver.com

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Canada's National Observer delivers vital reporting on the defining crisis of our time: climate change. Through rigorous investigation and compelling storytelling, we expose the forces shaping Canada's climate future. www.nationalobserver.com/newsletters

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Reposted by Canada's National Observer

My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"If your campaign is breaking your own privacy policy, or swamping your Instagram with fawning, machine-generated praise, it's your mess to clean up. The opposite impulse — to lie & attack — is not a quality voters expect of someone vying to lead Canada's largest city," writes @jameswsthomson.com.

When pressed by Habibinia to respond to CNO’s reporting, Bradford dug in.

"They're inaccurate. It's a mischaracterization. I'm surprised they published it."

It goes without saying that calling a news outlet's reporting false is a dagger to the heart. The implication that we got something wrong would give any reporter, any editor cold sweats.

Having watched White labour over every word and sentence of both investigations, it was particularly offensive to have the candidate attack his work — and our publication — so casually.

Of course we make mistakes. When we do, we issue corrections and take ownership over the failure.

But this was not one of those times. So we published a recording that should put the question of veracity permanently to bed.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 29/09/2026

When asked about our reporting of his campaign's use of a tool that rewards supporters for posting AI-generated comments, Bradford could have taken ownership. Instead, he attacked, @jameswsthomson.com writes.

nationalobserver.com

Brad Bradford owes us an apology

Given the opportunity to take responsibility for a blunder, Bradford instead channeled his inner Rob Ford, the city’s late, headline-generating, controversial mayor — and attacked the messenger.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 29/09/2026

No matter what happens in the upcoming midterm elections or even the 2028 presidential contest, Canadians will not forget how they are being treated right now — or how some Americans react when we fight back, @maxfawcett.bsky.social writes.

nationalobserver.com

America still doesn't understand how deep the rift goes

Memo to our friends (and yes, our enemies) to the south: the problem isn’t just Donald Trump. It’s you

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 29/09/2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he is prepared to use taxpayer dollars to deliver on his proposed pipeline from Alberta to Ontario within the next four and a half years.

nationalobserver.com

Doug Ford says he'll spend public money on east-west oil pipeline

Ontario’s premier sees no reason why it should take more than four years to build a 3,300 kilometre pipeline between Alberta and his province. “We just believe that it can get done,” he said.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 29/09/2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he is prepared to use taxpayer dollars to deliver on his proposed pipeline from Alberta to Ontario within the next four and a half years.

nationalobserver.com

Doug Ford says he'll spend public money on east-west oil pipeline

Ontario’s premier sees no reason why it should take more than four years to build a 3,300 kilometre pipeline between Alberta and his province. “We just believe that it can get done,” he said.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Cloe Logan @cloelogan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Chow: "His water scheme will open the door to privatization and cost people a lot more in the long run." Alexander: “Toronto Water's reserve is not over-collection. It is the money that fixes our pipes and treatment plants." #TOpoli for @nationalobserver.com

nationalobserver.com

Bradford vows to slash water bills; Chow and Alexander say it's a bad plan

Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford has committed to reducing Torontonians’ water bills by 25 per cent if elected.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 28/09/2026

Brad Bradford disputing @nationalobserver.com’s reporting: “There’s no rewards … there’s nothing” Audio recording from Brad Bradford’s campaign meeting: “There are going to be rewards … it’s a gamification of the system”

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Rory White @rorywh.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today Bradford stood up at a press conference and described our reporting as "inaccurate." "I'm surprised they published it," he said. In response, we are sharing our recording of Bradford's Zoom call that corroborates our reporting. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/28/i...

nationalobserver.com

Bradford calls CNO reporting of AI app rewards ‘inaccurate.’ Here’s the recording proving our reporting.

Canada’s National Observer has decided to publish the segment of the Zoom call that corroborates its reporting.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

Here's the recording of Bradford's remarks, and the recording of the original campaign meeting in which a volunteer with ties to the Victory App itself explained how the rewards would work.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

In a news conference today, @thestar.com reporter Mahdis Habibinia asked Bradford about the app and the rewards system. Bradford said our reporting was inaccurate, and "I’m surprised they published it."

Bradford replied that the reporting was false. “There’s no rewards, there’s no facetime, there’s nothing,” he said.

When pressed by Habibinia, he went even further, accusing Canada’s National Observer of publishing falsehoods about the existence of rewards. “They’re inaccurate. It's a mischaracterization. I’m surprised they published it,” he said.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

Today, we published a second investigation looking at a separate aspect of this app and its implications for privacy. That story is now out from behind the paywall.

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford’s campaign appears to have breached its own privacy policy

Its campaign tool, called the Victory App, was the subject of a CNO investigation last week for its use of AI to locate online discussions about Bradford. But another aspect of the app also raises que...

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

The campaign has offered several competing explanations for the AI-generated comments; at times it has said the comments are created by real people, while at others it has said they're edited by real people. Neither appears to be true.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

Our first investigation, published last week, revealed that the Bradford campaign is using the Victory App. The way it works: supporters are given "missions" that can include posting messages (generated by AI) on social media. They earn points for those activities, which may be traded for rewards.

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments

The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

We are also taking all three stories (the two investigations and today's corroboration piece) out from behind the paywall for the sake of transparency and accessibility. Barbara Streisand would be proud.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

This morning — following two investigations into Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford's use of an app that rewards supporters for posting AI-generated comments and sharing contacts — Bradford called our reporting "inaccurate." We're now releasing the recording that proves our reporting.

nationalobserver.com

Bradford calls CNO reporting of AI app rewards ‘inaccurate.’ Here’s the recording proving our reporting.

Canada’s National Observer has decided to publish the segment of the Zoom call that corroborates its reporting.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Sara King-Abadi @saraking-abadi.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Federally mandated plans for Alberta's caribou ranges are years behind schedule — and the latest drafts promise to help double oil and gas production. I dug into how the plans better reflect a decade of lobbying from the oil and gas industry, rather than the best science for caribou protection.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Sara King-Abadi @saraking-abadi.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Oil and gas companies have been lobbying for input on Alberta's caribou ranges for at least a decade. In my first story for @nationalobserver.com, I look into how plans for the threatened species have been influenced by some of the largest voices in the oil and gas industry, rather than science.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

When a supported indicated some reluctance to share all of her 2,400 contacts, a campaign volunteer repeated the instructions to mark them all by level of support. “They don't know that they're in the database,” he said earlier in the call.

Introducing Bradford’s supporters to the app on the Zoom call, Punia instructed them to give the app permission to access all of their contacts.

“Do not give it partial contact ability, give it full. And what I want to say to you guys here is, you don't need to freak out about this,” said Punia. He reassured them that only contacts they marked as known or potential Bradford supporters would be given to the campaign.

One attendee hesitated as she had over 2,400 contacts on her phone. She was instructed to give the app access to all of them and mark them one by one according to their level of support for Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

Similarly, the app itself is collecting its own data as the campaign encourages users to upload all of their phone contacts and mark the Bradford supporters among them.

Campaign refuses to explain origin of the data
Screenshots taken by Canada’s National Observer inside the Victory app show two features: “Search and Add” and “Neighbours.” The first was an open lookup, allowing users to search for people by name and view the personal information of the top 50 matching people in Toronto from the campaign’s data. This feature was removed by mid-September, before CNO first reported on the app’s usage by the campaign.

Bradford’s supporters were instructed to give the app permission to access all of their phone contacts and mark them one by one according to their level of support for him. They get five in-app coins for each personal contact they submit, and were told this would earn them “rewards.”

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 28/09/2026

The Ontario Municipal Elections Act requires candidates to get written acknowledgement from anyone they share the voters' list with. @rorywh.bsky.social was given access to the Victory App during a supporters onboarding call on Zoom. He was never asked to sign this acknowledgement.

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford’s campaign appears to have breached its own privacy policy

Its campaign tool, called the Victory App, was the subject of a CNO investigation last week for its use of AI to locate online discussions about Bradford. But another aspect of the app also raises que...

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 28/09/2026

If I’m reading this correctly, Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford’s campaign is asking volunteers to give them full access to their contact lists on their *personal* cell phones? www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/28/i...

'You don't need to freak out about this'
Introducing Bradford's supporters to the app on the Zoom call, Punia instructed them to give the app permission to access all of their contacts.

"Do not give it partial contact ability, give it full. And what I want to say to you guys here is, you don't need to freak out about this," said Punia. He reassured them that only contacts they marked as known or potential Bradford supporters would be given to the campaign.

One attendee hesitated as she had over 2,400 contacts on her phone. She was instructed to give the app access to all of them and mark them one by one according to their level of support for Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 26/09/2026

The popularity of Alberta’s United Conservative Party has fallen just weeks before the referendum on separation, according to a new poll.

nationalobserver.com

Support for Alberta’s UCP weakens ahead of October referendum

Support for the UCP has dropped to 41 per cent — the same as the NDP — as the party wrestles with its increasingly unpopular separatist stance.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Jimmy Thomson @jameswsthomson.com · 25/09/2026

CNO's @rorywh.bsky.social was invited on Metro Morning to talk about his impressive reporting on Brad Bradford's use of an app that rewards supporters for posting AI-generated comments. Check it out!

Metro Morning with Chris Glover | Live Radio | CBC Listen

Metro Morning is the audio version of Toronto's Yonge Street: a central urban artery that cuts through the heart of the city and beyond; connecting people, neighbourhoods, communities, diverse pockets...

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Seth Klein @sethdklein.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My latest column is out today in @nationalobserver.com.web.brid.gy, in which I explain how the “new climate denialism” is holding back progress in the fight of our lives, and how PM Mark Carney has become its lead practitioner. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/25/o...

nationalobserver.com

Is Mark Carney a climate denier?

This new form of denialism has our political leaders assuring us they understand and accept the warnings about climate change — but they are in denial about what this scientific reality means for poli...

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 25/09/2026

Over the last seven years, Quebec's pension fund has built what has become one of the more progressive climate-investment machines among the world's institutional investors.

nationalobserver.com

Quebec pension giant bets on 'patient capital' to build clean energy future

In 2018, Emmanuel Jaclot asked his future boss a pointed question in his own job interview: how was La Caisse’s then year-old climate-action strategy progressing? “It's coming,” came the answer. Eight...

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 25/09/2026

The RCMP's watchdog was set to release a report this week into police conduct at Fairy Creek and Wet'suwet'en. Then David Eby's sudden snap election call prevented its release.

nationalobserver.com

BC snap election stalls report on police conduct at Fairy Creek and Wet'suwet'en

Thanks to BC's snap election, Canadians won't know for at least another month whether the RCMP division that policed Fairy Creek and Wet'suwet'en protests needs reform.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Ben @bendavidsteel.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

seems bad that 23 out of 24 of these sites are still up, with incorrect election dates, right before the referendum. 11 of them are .ca domains. @cira.ca seems like you should do something about this?

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A mix of expected and unconventional attendees & sponsors at Canada’s national climate adaptation conference. Reporting from the event in Toronto for @nationalobserver.com #climate #canpoli

nationalobserver.com

Toronto climate adaptation conference brings together experts, advocates and industry to talk climate resilience

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Seth Klein @sethdklein.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

No, cyborg propaganda is not 'inevitable.' None of this is, writes @jameswsthomson.com www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/23/o...

nationalobserver.com

No, cyborg propaganda is not 'inevitable.' None of this is.

After Rory White revealed a Toronto mayoral campaign is putting AI-written comments in its supporters' mouths, political insiders were quick to dismiss it as run-of-the-mill politicking. So why does i...

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 24/09/2026

Oil and gas companies have been lobbying hard for decades to control the outcome of the process, and the plans put forth by the province suggest they have been successful.

“[These plans were] supposed to be Alberta’s big opportunity to rectify the mess we’ve made of our forests, of our landscapes,” said Russell. “And instead we’re seeing this commitment to destruction.”

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 24/09/2026

The new land-use plans — a mandatory step to figure out how to protect endangered caribou — have one goal above all, and it's not protecting caribou. It's doubling oil and gas production.

nationalobserver.com

Oil and gas ambitions outshone caribou protection in Alberta land-use planning: experts

Scientists, conservationists and legal experts say the plans, which were first mandated by the federal government in 2012 to protect woodland caribou, lack the modelling, recovery goals and science-ba...

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Jimmy Thomson @jameswsthomson.com · 23/09/2026

Political insiders have dismissed @rorywh.bsky.social's investigation of the creepy AI propaganda app being used by the Brad Bradford campaign. They say it's "inevitable." It's not.

nationalobserver.com

No, cyborg propaganda is not 'inevitable.' None of this is.

After Rory White revealed a Toronto mayoral campaign is putting AI-written comments in its supporters' mouths, political insiders were quick to dismiss it as run-of-the-mill politicking. So why does i...

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There’s an Israeli app claiming to turn a politician’s supporters into “digital fighters” by feeding them AI-generated replies for “rewards.” It was just used for the first time in Canadian politics — that we know of. I'm teaming up with @nationalobserver.com to share @rorywh.bsky.social's scoop!!

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Tasting room closures, harvest losses and abandoned contracts plagued Okanagan wineries this summer. Now some are calling for freeing inter-provincial trade to help the wine industry recover—a measure that could bring $3.6b in industry growth over the next 15 years. For @nationalobserver.com

nationalobserver.com

BC wineries barely survived wildfires. Now comes a trade war and provincial barriers

An unforgiving climate and rocky trade relations have pushed producers in Canada’s second-largest wine region, the Okanagan, to the brink of survival.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

The election's timing — one week after the municipal elections — has frustrated municipal leaders, who had asked Eby not to overlap the two out of fear the provincial vote would overshadow local elections.

nationalobserver.com

BC's Eby calls snap election as Conservative Party flails

The provincial election will be set for Oct. 24, a week after the municipal elections.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

Among some of Canada’s business leaders and elites, there seems to be a far greater appetite for surrender to Trump than among the general population.

nationalobserver.com

Canada’s business elites still seem to want us to surrender

Canadians are largely united behind their federal government's decision to stand up to Donald Trump. The business community seems decidedly less enthusiastic.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

Also, if you're not already following @rorywh.bsky.social ... come on.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Rory White @rorywh.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Looking to interview a privacy expert with knowledge of municipal elections in Ontario. Anyone know somebody?

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

ICYMI: our investigation shows Brad Bradford's mayoral campaign is the first known example in Canada to use the Victory App. The app generates talking points for supporters to use online, then rewards those users for posting them. Experts have begun calling it "cyborg propaganda."

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments

The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer leading BC's Conservative party, yet remains on the ballot in a byelection tainted by bribery accusations.

nationalobserver.com

Findlay remains on ballot after quitting as BC Conservative leader

The former leader resigned on Monday, yet remains on the Abbotsford-Mission ballot in a byelection tainted by bribery accusations.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

“Today's decision brings us one giant step closer to getting to the heart of our case: is the federal government following its own climate laws?”

nationalobserver.com

Federal Court clears way for youth climate lawsuit against federal government

Young Canadians suing the federal government over its 2030 climate plan can proceed following a Federal Court judge’s rejection of a bid to dismiss the case.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22/09/2026

The Building Canada Strong Act is landing particularly well in Alberta, where business and political leaders say it aligns with their goal of reducing barriers to oil and gas development.

nationalobserver.com

Alberta welcomes new federal fast-track infrastructure bill

Alberta’s government is welcoming the Building Canada Strong Act as the latest adjustment to major project approvals that works in the province’s favour.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Seth Klein @sethdklein.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

From shock doctrine to end-times fascism. Beautiful review by @chrishatch.bsky.social of Naomi and Astra's extraordinary new book www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/o...

nationalobserver.com

From shock doctrine to end-times fascism

What we’re experiencing is not the disaster capitalism of the past, write Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor in their new book. What’s new is the centrality of apocalyptic “end times” beliefs — one of the o...

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Rory White @rorywh.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Bradford's team told us that it is "leading the way in bringing innovation to Canadian campaigns." The technology is fully legal, and is being described by a high profile campaign as completely normal. Perhaps this is the future of Canadian local elections? www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/i...

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments

The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 21/09/2026

Smith seems determined to import America's worst political inclination of all: election denialism, @maxfawcett.bsky.social writes.

nationalobserver.com

Danielle Smith is sowing the seeds of a democratic legitimacy crisis

Forget about banning American imports. In Alberta, the government is actively importing as many aspects of their political culture as possible. The latest: election denialism.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Justin Crann @jcrann.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I may be biased, but I have to note that this story leads Monday morning's lineup in @nationalobserver.com's Climate Daily Newsletter, also including strong reporting work from Charlotte James and @sonalg.bsky.social, as well as a wonderful column from @chrishatch.bsky.social. Subscribe here:

nationalobserver.com

Canada's Climate Daily newsletter | Canada's National Observer: Climate News

Essential climate journalism at sunrise, Monday through Friday, including analysis, breaking news and must-read investigations.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Cloe Logan @cloelogan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

An Israeli app that allows political campaigns to feed supporters AI-generated arguments to use on social media has arrived in Canada. Now, @rorywh.bsky.social has revealed it's being used in Brad Bradford's Toronto mayoral election campaign.

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments

The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.

Reposted by Canada's National Observer

Rory White @rorywh.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The first mission offered coins for posting a pro-Bradford comment on Instagram: “It's honestly a relief to hear someone actually say what most of us feel – this city could be so much better. Glad you're not pretending it's all fine like the rest.” www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/21/i...

nationalobserver.com

Toronto mayoral candidate Bradford using Israeli app that feeds supporters AI-generated comments

The Victory App, a campaign tool built by the Israeli company LogiVote, prompted users to participate in a mission to post AI-written comments supportive of Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 21/09/2026

The campaign dismissed concerns raised by experts, who called this "Cyborg propaganda" by "political losers turning to AI to appear popular online."

But Bradford's team sees the app as the future of campaigning.

“The Victory App is cutting-edge campaign technology, and our campaign is leading the way in bringing innovation to Canadian campaigns,” the team told Canada’s National Observer in a written statement.

“The suggested comments and messaging function helps supporters share their views and reach out to their friends, family, and networks.

“Every comment is reviewed, edited and posted by a real supporter, from their own account, under their own name. We don't use bots or fake accounts, and we don't ask anyone to hide who they are. That's no different from a campaign handing out talking points, literature and lawn signs. It's just a faster way to do it.”

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 21/09/2026

When @rorywh.bsky.social signed up for the app after attending an information session, he received two tasks:

That first mission offered a reward for posting a pro-Bradford comment on Instagram: “It's honestly a relief to hear someone actually say what most of us feel – this city could be so much better. Glad you're not pretending it's all fine like the rest,” the app instructed us to post.

One critic had replied to Bradford's post: “Haven't you been part of the municipal government for awhile, bradbrad? You're part of the problem lol.”

To push back, LogiVote's AI system had recommended seeding a counter-narrative.

The result, generated for us to post: “So tired of hearing the same excuses from city hall, while nothing changes. Brad, you’ve actually stood up for us — don’t let them say you haven’t tried. We need someone who won’t back down.”