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Charles Smith

@profsmithsask.bsky.social
3.1K followers 760 following 2.8K posts

Teaching labour politics in Treaty 6 territory, the Paris of the Prairies. Co-Editor of Labour/Le Travail. Terrible guitarist. Even worse Pianist. Proud father of twins. Blue Jays nut. Fair weather runner. Opinions are my own.

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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Studying industrial relations for as long as I have, I've learned a allot about power and negotiation. But it is always fascinating how elites within government are obsessed with 3rd party intervention to solve disputes. There is this built in hostility to workers deciding things for themselves.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It is almost as if the death penalty is immoral, wrong, a form of torture, and solves nothing.
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 01/10/2026
Throwing billions in public money behind a pipeline at a time of climate breakdown – while sweeping aside environmental protections, meaningful Indigenous consultation and workers’ right to strike – is absolutely not in the national interest.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Yeah, exactly. Which means its pure politics and designed to mitigate the separatists with the hope that the private sector will eventually jump in. Pure state capitalism at the expense of the environment and Indigenous rights.
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 01/10/2026
The oil industry is unwilling to pay for this pipeline because even they know the world is moving away from fossil fuels. This project leaves Canadians bearing all the risks of a bad investment without any of the rewards.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Yeah, if you're a Republican campaigning in deep red areas, you're exceedingly scared. They should be cooked.
theglobeandmail.com
Trump and Vance hit the campaign trail in deep-red areas ahead of midterms
Trump’s travel on Thursday to Texas and Oklahoma kicks off what the president said will be a 32-day campaign blitz leading up to Nov. 3
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
No matter how many times I do it, 5am wake ups are just not natural.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Jim, there's never no wind in the prairies ;)
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is just bloody weird. What a fool.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
So really quick question: who’s paying for this?
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Picking the most expensive power option because you know it will reward your biggest backers and because you hate renewables that much.
ckom.com
Saskatchewan unveils plan for two nuclear reactors in the northwest
The plan outlines Saskatchewan’s goal to generate at least 2,600 megawatts through nuclear energy by 2050, to ensure the province has the power needed to support its growing population and economy.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
You know what is real leverage Minister? The threat of, or the actual taking of 1) a strike vote 2) freely withdrawing labour. You've restricted both. Liberal double-speak at its finest.
cbc.ca
Unions have new leverage, not less, under Liberals' new major projects bill: jobs minister | CBC News
Though organized labour is pushing back against the Carney government's latest major projects bill — which aims to amend a controversial portion of the Labour Code — Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says uni...
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
So predictable. One thing is clear. The bourgeois care about workers when they are working, regardless of compensation, safety, or any other problem that working people face. Just work. It is shameful, but so predictable.
theglobeandmail.com
Globe editorial: Ottawa strikes a better balance on labour
The proposed changes are a sensible way to reduce economic harm from disputes
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 25/09/2026
“This is what Canadians elected us to do,” says Liberal Minister about policy never mentioned once during campaign (Podcast)
thebeaverton.com
"This is what Canadians elected us to do," says Liberal Minister about policy never mentioned once during campaign
“It was Implied!” Luke and the Panel (Ian MacIntyre and special guest Jocelyn Geddie) talk about Carney using the Trade War to govern even further to the right than Harper, Trump’s anger over Canada’s...
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The heavy hand of the Liberal government will make sure that employer interests and the national interest are one and the same. This is naked class legislation designed to punish workers who freely withdraw their labour.
ctvnews.ca
Labour bill will test limits of Canada’s power to quash strikes: experts
Labour experts say the Liberal government’s latest major legislative push will test the limits of Ottawa’s power to intervene in collective bargaining when economic interests are at stake.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
What makes moderates tick? Power, control and money. Emanuel is the very definition of the establishment and why the Democrats struggle to be relevant.
nytimes.com
Rahm Emanuel Makes His 2026 Play
The longtime Democratic insider has emerged as a behind-the-scenes force in his party’s push to win back Congress. After that, he’ll think about 2028.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
But will he have his staffers doing live interviews claiming to be him?
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Ouch. Looking awkward there BCNDP.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"If Ottawa expands its authority to end lawful strikes whenever they significantly affect the economy, it will not “modernize” labour relations as the government has suggested; it will tilt the system further in favour of corporations at the expense of workers."
theconversation.com
Canada’s proposed labour reforms could shift power away from workers in major disputes
Bill C-39 makes it easier for Ottawa to intervene when collective bargaining produces the very conflict that it is designed to manage.
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 22/09/2026
Stephen Harper’s biggest mistake was not running as a Liberal
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'm unsure what "better tools" actually means. But when you have major employer organizations calling for restrictions on workers ability to strike AND a government committed to build regardless of environmental or other restrictions, there is real concern that workers are gonna be squeezed.
ctvnews.ca
Liberals will not compromise right to strike or bargain, jobs minister vows
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says the federal government will not interfere with workers’ right to strike as Ottawa considers legal changes to improve labour relations.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
My gosh, our ability to destroy the natural environment is soul crushing.
theguardian.com
Millions of dollars in funding but still no plan: can Quebec save its caribou from extinction?
The Canadian government has committed C$25m to try to rescue the caribou in the province – but there is no agreement on how best to save the keystone species
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Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Let’s see the anti-vaxxers turn down these treatments.
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 18/09/2026
There's a reason previous Liberal governments looked at privatizing airports and didn't go through with it. Private investors don't want a stake in our public assets to make them better. They’re in it to make as much money as possible for themselves - while workers and passengers pay the price.
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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 17/09/2026
The strongest point Lewis makes here is that Carney is “out on a limb here” No one asked voters if they wanted to privatize airports. No one was talking about this. It’s unclear Liberal MPs are even on board with this It feels like a random pet issue Carney is pushing on his own out of the blue
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Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @duanebratt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The SPP did not just produce a 26 page report on the economic implications of Alberta separatism. It also has almost 200 pages in additional documentation, tables, and appendixes. You can access it here open.alberta.ca/publications...
open.alberta.ca
The economic and fiscal implications of Alberta separation - Open Government
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Polling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Do it
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I get that professional sport is hard on the body. But this guy is beyond injury prone. Like made of glass.
sportsnet.ca
Blue Jays' Anthony Santander scratched from triple-A lineup for second straight day
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Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @duanebratt.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Alberta separatists cannot be happy with the economic analysis of separation that the School of Public Policy has written. What is their rebuttal? And calling it fake news put out by a bunch of pointy headed academics is not a serious rebuttal.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
And that’s the season right there.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
In fairness, the absentee landlords have been in charge for awhile in PEI.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Under carney, everything is for sale.
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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 15/09/2026
Canada Investment Summit attendees enter raffle to win PEI

 www.thebeaverton.com/2026/09/cana...
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Canada Investment Summit, offering attendees “$2 per ticket, or $10 for an arm’s length to take home Canada’s most adorable province!”
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What’s amazing is how they’re never punished for their Janus like existence.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Gotta say, I couldn't agree more with Lewis on this. This message is needed now more than ever.
cbc.ca
NDP's Avi Lewis says Carney is selling Canadian assets to 'the captains of Wall Street' | CBC Radio
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his Investment Summit in Toronto will help diversify the economy, but NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it will only make Canada more beholden to wealthy American corporations.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I mean airline travel is already so competitive, affordable, and easily accessible with the existing duopoly of service in Canada that what could go wrong? Visionless this is.
theglobeandmail.com
Ottawa to announce steps toward opening up airports to more private investment, sources say
Two Liberal MPs briefed on the plans said the Transport Minister referenced opening up Canada’s four major airports to foreign investment
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
That is exactly what he's doing.
cbc.ca
NDP's Avi Lewis says Carney is selling Canadian assets to 'the captains of Wall Street' | CBC Radio
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his Investment Summit in Toronto will help diversify the economy, but NDP Leader Avi Lewis says it will only make Canada more beholden to wealthy American corporations.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This BlueJays team is really going to test my capacity for stress.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Well a certain, er, * economic class* of parents are doing this.
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4fuxake @blueheartedly1.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction. 👇
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Avi Lewis @avilewis.ca · 14/09/2026
Canada has binding regulations on everything from guns to butter. And none for AI. Are we going to trust people like Elon Musk & Sam Altman to regulate themselves? Or is our government going to stop cheerleading & start regulating in the public interest? It’s literally what government is for.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Besides ruling him out, this is the job of Congress. So Congress, over to you.
nytimes.com
Trump Rejects Talk of A.I. Regulation and Calls Out Anthropic’s CEO
The president again rejected calls to try to regulate the industry, even as some of its leaders are speaking more openly about the risks of rapidly developing artificial intelligence.
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pmamtraveller.bsky.social @pmamtraveller.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The New American Gothic, by Criselda Vasquez
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The Manitoba NDP has adopted the Sask Party model of essential service legislation. Pathetic anti-labour attitude.
readthemaple.com
The Manitoba NDP Has Betrayed Striking Dynacare Workers
An unnecessary request from the government has forced hundreds back to work
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Ok, but what is being promised? Lower taxation rates? Lower environmental standards? Labour rights? What is the goal of a summit that prioritizes the interests of foreign capitalists? All the political parties should get an invite to hear what the government is promising and what it is conceding.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Holy cow. This thread is an important read.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Thought it was great.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is great. But the centre left needs to be pushed and held accountable if it drifts to the right.
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Come on Sweden, kick these far-right nimrods to the dustbin of history.
theguardian.com
Sweden general election: close race as far right eyes role in government – Europe live
Country heads to the polls as latest polling shows 0.3-point gap between left and right wing blocs
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Charles Smith @profsmithsask.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The executive committee of the bourgeoisie.
theglobeandmail.com
Is Carney a closer? The Canada Investment Summit will be the ultimate test
The PM and top Canadian CEOs plan to pitch the country’s untapped potential to global investors. Will that be enough to secure billions of dollars in new deals?
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