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NigelBankes

@nigelb.bsky.social
3.6K followers 2.6K following 2.7K posts

Grandfather; retired law prof ucalgary law; principally post on energy, resources and climate change issues; committed to advancing intergenerational equity; grateful settler on Treaty 7 lands.

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Reposted by NigelBankes
🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · 10h
"Everything about this referendum on separation and the other nine questions on the ballot – among other things they attempt to scapegoat immigrants for many of the province’s problems – is contemptible. It’s a phony, illegitimate exercise Ms. Smith has lent credibility to in order to save her job."
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: The ugly reckoning coming for Danielle Smith
The referendum, including the nine non-secession questions, is contemptible
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 15h
I am incensed by this taxpayer-funded UCP propaganda from beginning to end - from its dishonest title (how does imposing fees on immigrants make AB stronger?) to its slanted commentary (eg federal firearms laws are now "federal meddling" at 10 that needs to be trumped). 1/ #abpoli #ableg
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Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 16h
There's no one I trust with a calculator more than Trevor Tombe. And if the U of C economist says separation is going to cost us lost wages *and* higher taxes, then I believe him. More on a bleak outlook for what separation means for the average Albertan. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com
Calgary Chamber warns of economic fallout of Alberta split
Podcast Episode · The Courtney Theriault Show · September 29 · 9m
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 23h
Gotta love the particular Aussie flair for imagery: among other choice phrases, "kick him precisely in the electoral bollocks and wait for the eyes to water." #cdnpoli
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 28/09/2026
The countdown is on for a traffic-free Oxford Street. Monday 26 October marks a new chapter for the nation’s high street as it becomes pedestrianised.
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ABlawg UCalgary @ablawg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
New Post: The Province Is Dead, Long Live the State? International Legal Implications of an Independent Alberta ablawg.ca/2026/09/28...…ependent-alberta/
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Just as a reminder Trump apologists, in the last 9 months Trump has: Threatened to invade Greenland Seized the leader Venezuela Launched a war against Iran without Congressional approval. Any state in the world needs to worry about him. Except Russia of course. Putin is safe.
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I see Trump apologists getting apoplectic at this, which is pure childishness. The President of the USA openly and repeatedly threatened Canadian sovereignty and belittled Canadian independence. It would have been dereliction of duty if Carney did not consider this.
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
No to the nine. Time to repost this. HT @duanebratt.bsky.social #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
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Hazel B. 🇨🇦 @hab3261.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Immigrants Are Alberta's Advantage Premier Danielle Smith is scapegoating immigrants to hide her own failures. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli #NoToTheNine
A bold political graphic on a bright yellow background shows a raised hand with the middle finger extended. Large black text reads, “POINT HER IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BY VOTING.” On the right, red and black text reads, “VOTE OPTION 1 TO REMAIN IN CANADA” and “NO TO THE NINE OTHER QUESTIONS.” The graphic uses the raised middle finger as a humorous visual reference to directing a political figure while encouraging voters to cast their ballots.
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Tiny Beaches @tinybeaches.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Fun ride last night on @criticalmassyyc.bsky.social with @calgaryk.bsky.social @peislandergirl.bsky.social and many others! Was great to see @calgarypolice.bsky.social participating in the ride too. #yycBike #Calgary #criticalmass
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Great Insights from somebody who knows. But, as I have said before, it speaks to the need for the GoA to communicate clearly and transparently about why they adopted this regulation, what it was supposed to achieve, and why it is time-limited. #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
albertapolitics.ca
Guest post by Lorne Gibson: The voters list, scrutineers and the question of trust - Alberta Politics
Lorne Gibson has served both as Alberta’s chief electoral officer and its election commissioner. The latter position was created by the NDP Government of premier Rachel Notley in the spring of 2018 to...
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Nagwan Al-Guneid @nagwanyyc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
TODAY is the last day to order your mail in ballot. Order it right away here: specialballot.elections.ab.ca/index/8400
specialballot.elections.ab.ca
Special Ballot Request · Voter Registration Portal
voter registration election elector register
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Good for you Sean Casey. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Liberal MP says he was demoted for supporting NDP bill targeting arms export controls | CBC News
Charlottetown MP Sean Casey says he was removed from his position as parliamentary secretary to the minister of veterans affairs because he voted against the government and supported an NDP private me...
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 25/09/2026
Although Policy Options published an article from an author with an apparently AI-generated headshot and whose articles sound like they were also generated by AI, I appreciate their transparency here and also sharing additional details about the deceptive behaviour of this "Daniel Robson" character
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❤️Kai in Kanada🇨🇦 @kleinekin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Did this make any major papers? Just wondering...
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
And front right none other than David Yager thetyee.ca/News/2025/05...
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Don Iveson @doniveson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
📨 You too can skip the line & vote No to the Nine + Stay in Canada. 📬 You have until Friday to request a mail-in ballot here: www.elections.ab.ca/request-a-sp... 🚫 If you’d like more info on issues with the other separation-adjacent questions, see this @albertasvoice.ca resource: knowthenine.ca
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The most disappointing thing for me about the Sask CAs recent climate change case is the way in which it completely blows off the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and indeed the relevance of any international norms. Dykstra 2026 SKCA 99, 63 - 66 #cdnpoli #sakpoli 1/2
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Shame. #abpoli #cdnpoli
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KittyKatGirl😻🙏💞🐞 @mary1kathy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🚨 BREAKING:🚨 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “I am a woman and also a mother. I cannot stand with someone who kills innocent children.” The brave woman continued to walk around wearing a Palestinian flag around her neck in front of Netanyahu.
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Howard Breen He/Him @howardbreen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Avi Lewis Breaks Political Taboos to Demand Global Accountability for Gaza. Avi Lewis Insists Inaction Is No Longer an Option on Gaza! Makes Moral Case for Ceasefire and Accountability. www.castanet.net/news/Canada/...
castanet.net
NDP leader Lewis criticized for saying Jews 'failed to do our part' to stop Gaza war
Critics are calling out NDP Leader Avi Lewis for suggesting online that he and his fellow Jews have failed to do their part to stop Israel's carnage in the Gaza Strip.
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Had a sewer back up this afternoon in NW Calgary. Created a mess. But the good folks with the City were here in just over two hours and cleared the blockage. Huge thanks for a wonderful service. @calgary.ca @mykeatkinson.bsky.social
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PEIPolitical 🇨🇦 @peipolitical.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🔥🔥🔥👍💯🖕 Amid boos and the withdrawal of diplomats from around the world: War criminal Netanyahu speaks to empty chairs at the UN General Assembly! #cdnpoli
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The Mouthy Renegade Writer @mouthyrenegade.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Remember when we had a NORMAL president who wasn't an ill-mannered, lazy, unintelligent child rapist? Damn, I miss that.
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Reposted by NigelBankes
HuffPost @huffpost.com · 21/09/2026
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Dear Premier Smith, why float a trial balloon to your chamber friends when you're already spending millions of taxpayer $$ to promote this same question and outcome (# 4) on your divisive and nativist referendum? #ableg #abpoli 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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Larry Neufeld @larryneufeldsk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Lewis’ call for Jewish atonement elicits pro-Israel anger yvesengler.com/2026/09/22/l...
yvesengler.com
Lewis’ call for Jewish atonement elicits pro-Israel anger - Yves Engler
The hypocrisy is stunning. Those who link Judaism to Zionism are outraged a politician said Jews have “failed to do our part to stop an ongoing genocide committed in our name.” On Sunday NDP leader Av...
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Reposted by NigelBankes
Blackfoot Niitsítapi🪶🇨🇦🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️💙🌎🐾🐾🐝🦋🦅🦬🦫🐋🦆🦉🐧🐦‍⬛🐻🦊 @thoughtsnations.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The shame of the Government of Nunavut for doing this to him is appalling. Colonialism is still alive and kicking, and must be stomped out! 🪶😡💔
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Canadian In Alberta @canadianinalberta.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Thinking back to Smith's Oscar-worthy tearful performance the other day I noticed that she didn't cry when she kicked disabled Albertans off AISH Or when people died waiting for care in hospitals that she'd defunded Or when she took away teachers right to strike Because she just doesn't care #ableg
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
John A. The father of Nunavut and therefore also a father of our Confederation. He deserves better than this. I had the immense privilege and unforegetable experience of working with John A on the Nunavut project. #cdnpoli
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Ximena González @ximenaka.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
So now we’re going to use temporary workers to subsidize health care, much like international students subsidize post-graduate education? Squeeze them out of cash, then kick them out. Seems like the Canadian way.
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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Nagwan Al-Guneid @nagwanyyc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
1/ Thank you, Nicole and Butch Smith, for sharing what these past years have cost you. The Smith family raised bison and made a living near Rimbey, Alberta. I have been to their peaceful ranch and beautiful land. I saw firsthand the impact of industrial development on their stressed animals.
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Kelly Miller @sqirlgirly.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social “Alberta’s one New Democrat and three Liberal MPs replied that they would vote to remain in Canada. But 25 Conservative MPs did not respond to the question, even after followup emails and phone calls.” www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Federalists say Alberta’s Conservative MPs are missing in action as separation referendum looms
Federalist organizers charge many of Alberta's Conservative MPs have been missing in action in the fight to keep Alberta in Canada.
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Laurie Buckland @laurieinyyc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
She said she was going to travel across the province this summer, promoting Alberta staying in Canada. She hasn't done that. She went to the US on vacation instead.
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Resist 🕎🍉 @antizionistjew.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
🧵 Thread of Israelis Admitting War Crimes on Twitter (X) 1. "We felt danger, so we shot the seven-month-old baby."
"We felt danger, so we shot the seven-month-old baby."
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
👇 💯
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Edmonton Bike Coalition @yegbike.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Today marks one year since the tragic loss of Dr. Markland. We will honour his life & legacy at Critical Mass on Friday. Join us at 6pm at Ezio Farone park. www.instagram.com/stories/bike... #yegbike
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Interesting comment from Leah Trueblood on AB's "vote about a vote" approach to secession, in the course of which she points how out how the invidious term direct democracy is used to undermine the legitimacy of the judiciary. HT @amymoen.bsky.social #abpoli #cdnpoli blogs.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I agree with Welch's premise (Albertans are not a people and have no right of self determination or secession) but I'm with @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social when she says we must take the threat seriously at least to the extent of voting yes to Canada in the referendum. #abpoli #cdnpoli
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Orlagh O’Kelly @orlaghokelly.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Last but not least, Nigel Bankes report on the issue of self determination. Spoiler! Alberta ain’t a “people” on any definition. If paras 154 and 155 apply to anyone, it’s Indigenous people in. Canada! @nigelb.bsky.social Can We please Stop Repeating Wilson Unchecked ? acfn.com/submission-o...
acfn.com
Submission of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation to Cabinet Regarding the Prospect of an Alberta Independence Referendum | Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
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dawnrivard.bsky.social @dawnrivard.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Soon it will all be poison. Carney also seized the opportunity to approve..banned pesticides. Cabinet can permit use of pesticides Health Canada has determined pose unacceptable health or environmental risks, for economic reasons. Profit over health. 8/ www.canadianaffairs.news/2026/07/03/c...
canadianaffairs.news
Carney government overhauls pesticide laws with little scrutiny
A new law enables cabinet to override regulators’ decisions about pesticides. Many scientists are concerned.
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Timothy Caulfield @caulfieldtim.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
🚨 Don't believe separatists lies.👇 ZERO evidence immigrants: - increase crime (on the contrary) - hurt healthcare system (on the contrary) - hurt education system (on the contrary) - etc etc. This noise nothing more than divisive hate-mongering. thewalrus.ca/albertas-sep... via @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca
Alberta’s Separatists Are Chasing a Total Cowboy Fantasy | The Walrus
The province they describe—rural, homogeneous, under siege—bears little resemblance to reality
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This rings true to me. #ableg #abpoli
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Dizzy ★ @tindizzy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
We had a decent, honest government with Rachel Notley. But, Albertans don’t like a decent, honest governments or decent, honest people who tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Fascinating to read this line from Mitch “And we’re never going to get another Conservative government and that’s truly becoming a bigger and bigger reality.” Code for rage at the loss of white settler entitlement. #abpoli calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
calgaryherald.com
Bell: Angry Alberta separatists now on the warpath against Danielle Smith
Alberta separatists are angry and disappointed with Premier Smith as she campaigns for Alberta to remain in Canada, some are fighting back
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Jeffrey Coffman @jeffreycoffman.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
My guess: 1) None, other than denying newly formed / forming right wing parties from having access to a voters list. 2) They wouldn’t have access to the voters list, which would be essential if an election were called before Dec 31st. 3) An election will be called before Dec 31st. I hope I’m wrong!
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
From @jlisayoung.bsky.social "Some Crisis Comms Advice for Elections Alberta" I might add to this that it behooves the Premier & her ministers to be transparent about matters related to elections law. E.g., when they adopt new rules on the content of voters' lists, explain why 1/ #abpoli #ableg
lisayoung.substack.com
Some Crisis Comms Advice for Elections Alberta
It’s absolutely essential that citizens have confidence in the administration of elections.
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NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
What a brilliant post this is by my colleague @jenniferkoshan.bsky.social It has taken me six months to get to it but well worth the wait and the read. And now we just need to wait for the SCC's decisions on the matters discussed!
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Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative @y2y.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Y2Y is one of 15 finalists for the @Earthshot Prize 2026 — recognized for 30 years of reconnecting the world’s largest mountain system, from Yellowstone to Yukon. This is also recognition of our more than 800 partners. Learn about why this recognition matters: y2y.net/earthshot
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