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Lisa Johnson

@reportrix.bsky.social
4.8K followers 292 following 144 posts

Alberta provincial affairs reporter for The Canadian Press

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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
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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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
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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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 16/09/2026
If Alberta leaves Canada, it will need up to $170B and 70,000 civil servants: report nationalnewswatch.com/2026/09/16/i...
nationalnewswatch.com
If Alberta leaves Canada, it will need up to $170B and 70,000 civil…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Guthrie said support for his party is different than support for the UCP because, in his mind, Smith's party is no longer a truly conservative entity, but rather a “purely populist government.” "We do not have a conservative government, so you're not splitting anything," said Guthrie.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Alberta First Nation aims to set up safe haven for gender-affirming care Saddle Lake has set up a GoFundMe to pay for expected legal challenges and develop the health law it says it needs. It’s also trying to recruit doctors. By @reportrix.bsky.social www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Alberta First Nation wants to set up safe haven for gender-affirming care
EDMONTON - An Alberta First Nation says it aims to defy Premier Danielle Smith’s government by establishing a safe haven for gender-affirming medical care — contrary to provincial law.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Alberta's Smith to meet with U.S. officials next week amid trade war Smith’s going to Tennessee for vacay — but her office says after talks broke down last week she’s scheduled meetings with tourism officials in Dolly’s state. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Alberta's Smith to meet with U.S. officials next week amid trade war
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet with U.S. officials next week, after recently saying she wants to see Canada double down on diplomacy and avoid any
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Federal health minister Marjorie Michel warns Alberta’s plan to expand private care may violate federal law. Bill 11 allows some physicians to provide publicly covered care while offering some privately paid services, by @raisapatel.bsky.social www.thestar.com/politics/hea... via @thestar.com
thestar.com
Health minister warns Alberta’s plan to expand private care may violate federal law
Alberta’s controversial Bill 11 allows some physicians to provide publicly covered care while offering some privately paid services.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
This is such an exceptional read. I like that it made me uncomfortable about the future and reality but with really compelling writing so then I’m invited to tag along so I feel smart and I learned stuff and it feels fun. Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jeremy Appel 🍉 @readtheorchard.org · 24/06/2026
SCOOP: I obtained the itinerary and other documents relating to Edmonton police Chief Warren Driechel’s February 2026 Israel trip. @mbueckert.bsky.social of @cjpme.org says it’s “much worse than any of us expected.” open.substack.com/pub/theorcha...
open.substack.com
SCOOP: Edmonton police chief visited illegal West Bank settlements during Israel trip
Warren Driechel also met with members from an undercover unit that less than three months earlier executed two unarmed men in Jenin after they had surrendered.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Rather than say he supports remaining in Canada like other Danielle Smith ministers have, Transportation Min. Devin Dreeshen said the onus is on Ottawa to fight to keep Canada together. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Alberta cabinet minister won't say if he supports keeping province in Canada | CBC News
While other cabinet members have backed Smith's pledge to vote to stay in Canada, Devin Dreeshen avoided answering the question.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
There is no expiration date on the Alberta paper health card. As per the one health ministry that rules them all, you can use that paper puppy for a while. If you want/need a new/renewed ID card/drivers licence, that’s when your “strong and free” status becomes NOT optional, with the fee.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 05/06/2026
Alberta's Smith says law will be enforced if separation vote spurs civil disobedience nationalnewswatch.com/2026/06/05/a...
nationalnewswatch.com
Alberta's Smith says law will be enforced if separation vote spurs…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
From 2020 as “anarchy” was afoot. The bill, still on the books, was spurred by federal regs, and “the general atmosphere of lawlessness that we have seen take hold of parts of our country and much of our economic infrastructure in the past three weeks,” said Kenney at the time: l1nq.com/1ryprde
edmontonjournal.com
'Urban green left zealots': Kenney announces new law meant to curb rail blockades
On the eve of the Throne Speech and in the wake of Teck’s decision to pull out of its Frontier Mine project, Premier Jason Kenney announced legislation targeting pr…
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
“If they’re ignoring courts, ignoring the rulings, it shows to me that they are lawless,” Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi said of Smith’s UCP. Immediately brought to mind today was Kenney’s anti-protest law, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (2020): globalnews.ca/news/1189105...
globalnews.ca
Civil disobedience an option if Alberta referendum proceeds: First Nations chiefs | Globalnews.ca
Treaty 8's grand chief said First Nations will stop the referendum in any way they can, including getting in the way of industry, or, in his words, 'getting out on the highway.'
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Yeah. There’s that. There’s also some wiggle room in terms of the timeline. The Alberta government didn’t give a drop dead paper health card date. Nally expects the switch will take six years — no doubt because some people can renew driver’s licences for five years. Like now. Between now and July 2
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Lest some Albertans take this statement from the premier's office to mean it's optional ... Dear reader, it is mandatory. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Former judge — and UCP donor — tapped to chair new Alberta panel redrawing electoral boundaries UCP backbenchers claim the past donations doesn’t mean the former justice will bring partisanship to the job. By @reportrix.bsky.social: ca.news.yahoo.com/former-alber...
ca.news.yahoo.com
Former Alberta judge tapped to chair panel redrawing electoral boundaries
EDMONTON — Alberta's governing United Conservative Party has tapped a retired judge to chair the province's new political boundaries panel.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
What a colourful opinion.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Holding a separation referendum in hopes it loses and the movement withers away, eh, Premier Smith? Ask a Brit or Quebecer how that turns out. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Danielle Smith's wishful thinking: her separation vote loses, and that's the end of it | CBC News
Alberta premier and others believe the independence movement might wither after a defeat. That hasn't happened in other separatist movements.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith blames Liberal MPs, NDP leader Avi Lewis, and unnamed leaders in BC, for the national unity crisis that erupted after she announced a secession referendum: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @mattscace.bsky.social
theglobeandmail.com
Smith blames others for national unity crisis as she draws criticism from all sides
Would-be separatists talking about removing Alberta Premier as United Conservative Party Leader
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 22/05/2026
Alberta must be ‘at the centre’ of making Canada better, Carney says globalnews.ca/news/1186022... Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com
globalnews.ca
Alberta must be ‘at the centre’ of making Canada better, Carney says | Globalnews.ca
Albertans are set to go to the polls this fall to answer a series of referendum questions, including whether or not to vote — at a future date — to leave Canada.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 22/05/2026
Smith says Alberta separatists should aim to win fall vote and respect the result nationalnewswatch.com/2026/05/22/s...
nationalnewswatch.com
Smith says Alberta separatists should aim to win fall vote and…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
I'm so very pooped. @jack-farrell.bsky.social w/ reaction from Stay Free Alberta's Jeff Rath on Smith today. “I think Danielle just kicked over a hornet’s nest,” Rath said in an interview. “It remains to be seen whether she’s still premier come September.” www.timescolonist.com/national-new...
timescolonist.com
Referendum on a referendum: Albertans to vote on putting separation on another ballot
EDMONTON — Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans will be going to the polls in October to cast their vote on separation – but they won’t actually be voting on whether to separate.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
If the past is any indication, you will likely see a flood of misinformation about this, if you haven't already. Here is the #ableg committee meeting today in full: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8SA...
youtube.com
Select Special Citizen Initiative Proposal Review Committee - May 20th, 2026
YouTube video by Legislative Assembly of Alberta
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
We could see the Alberta government call a referendum tomorrow when the committee comes back at 2pm. The Lukaszuk question, you ask? From the retracted UCP release: "Albertans will be informed once Cabinet has decided whether a question will proceed to a referendum and what that question will be."
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Been covering #ableg just 'bout 7 years now and I've never seen any caucus release a statement announcing a decision before the vote. UCP caucus then said: "We would like to clarify that the previous statement was inadvertently distributed in eror (sic). Please disregard the earlier communication."
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
stevelambert.bsky.social @stevelambert.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Something from me with retirement looming: A Substack, with some advice for reporters interested in covering politics. #mbpoli substack.com/@stevelamber...
substack.com
My two cents: Advice for aspiring political reporters and their editors
Some advice to reporters who want to cover politics, from a retiring journalist
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 20/05/2026
Eight of us weigh in on the court's separatist petition ruling. thewalrus.ca/alberta-sepa...
thewalrus.ca
Can Alberta Still Separate? Experts Clash over the Landmark Court Decision | The Walrus
A cross-country panel debates one of the most consequential rulings in years
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Tight read, some intriguing forward looking analysis. Thought I had absorbed all the referendum talk this province could offer and then comes this reference to Napoleon’s plebiscites of authoritarianism. Missed opportunity for certain X accounts to make AI of Smith in Napoleonic war gear on a horse
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @duanebratt.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
When Events Demand A Flowchart open.substack.com/pub/lisayoun...
open.substack.com
When Events Demand A Flowchart
Between the court decision and the movement on the MOU, it has been quite the week in Alberta politics.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Must listen if you haven’t already - big ups to @jack-farrell.bsky.social who brings important context and facts to the discussion on the #ableg separatism court decision
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Smith: "We think that this decision is incorrect in law and anti-democratic, and we will be appealing it." Nenshi, on Smith (maybe) sidestepping and calling a ballot Q anyways: "They cannot do it without defying the law." From @jack-farrell.bsky.social www.timescolonist.com/alberta-news...
timescolonist.com
Judge quashes Alberta separation petition, Smith calls ruling 'anti-democratic'
EDMONTON — A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared "anti-democratic" by Premier Danielle ...
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
This is being overshadowed with the petition news, but Elections Alberta confirmed today it actually thinks ‘thousands’ accessed the leaked voter list, not just the 566 it sent cease-and-desist letters too last week. From me & @reportrix.bsky.social: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Scope of access to leaked Alberta voter list may be incomplete: Elections Alberta
EDMONTON - Elections Alberta says the separatist group at the centre of a massive voter information breach may not have shared the full list of individuals who accessed its public
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Late night statement hit the inbox from a lawyer for David Parker asserting Elections Alberta is pushing a false narrative about his participation in the Alberta voter list leak investigation. Here’s statement in full:
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
ICYMI: Elections Alberta received ** two ** tips that the Centurion Project may have had unauthorized access to Alberta's list of electors and twice said it did not have enough info to launch an investigation: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @mattscace.bsky.social
theglobeandmail.com
Separatist leader accused of misusing Alberta electors list refuses to co-operate with investigators
David Parker is accused of providing hundreds of supporters with access to private information belonging to 2.9 million residents
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Separatist organizer David Parker is stonewalling investigators following allegations his org misused Alberta's list of electors www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber... w @mattscace.bsky.social
theglobeandmail.com
Separatist leader accused of misusing Alberta electors list refuses to co-operate with investigators
David Parker is accused of providing hundreds of supporters with access to private information belonging to 2.9 million residents
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 09/05/2026
Another great piece from @rwarnica.bsky.social. Gift link*: www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?... *Please subscribe to the Toronto Star, the Globe, the National Observer, and other outlets. Great journalism is expensive, and democracy isn't free.
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Trying to blast through all this coverage from the Star this morning almost made me late for work. It's a must read -- all of it.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Richard Warnica @rwarnica.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Shortly before this story went to bed, a spokesman told me Sylvestre did not literally mean much of what he said. I sent his team almost 30 fact checking questions and in at least 11, the spokesman said Sylvestre was speaking rhetorically, not literally.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Scott Sinclair has rejoined Alberta's UCP caucus — not long after voting for a public inquiry into alleged gov health care corruption and criticizing the UCP for being a “separatist party.” He says he regrets that now. By @reportrix.bsky.social: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/alber...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Alberta's United Conservatives welcome back former estranged backbencher and critic
EDMONTON - A former backbench member of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus is back in the fold, a day after standing in the house to apologize for past
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Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been granted security clearance to receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, her office confirmed. From @jack-farrell.bsky.social today globalnews.ca/news/1183942...
globalnews.ca
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith granted security clearance for CSIS briefings | Globalnews.ca
Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said a safe room has been built in the legislature for Danielle Smith to receive briefings — a condition of her security clearance approval.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Alberta Premier Smith is criticizing the Opposition NDP for not telling her about a massive privacy breach involving a website after the site was demonstrated in a meeting attended by one of her caucus staffers. From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Alberta's Smith says Opposition should have warned her of voter list privacy breach
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is criticizing the Opposition NDP for not telling her about a massive privacy breach involving a website after the site was demonstrated during a
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Elections Alberta says over 550 people accessed the database with the leaked personal info of nearly 3 million people under investigation. And Alberta’s privacy watchdog now says she’ll be doing her own probe too. From me and @reportrix.bsky.social: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
More than 550 people accessed renegade voter database: Elections Alberta
EDMONTON - Alberta's elections agency said Thursday it believes 568 people accessed a voter list at the heart of a massive privacy breach involving a separatist group.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
“Get a grip man.” Premier Smith's adviser speaks about staffer at separatist meeting, Alberta voter list breach- and pushes back against NDP claims www.westernwheel.ca/alberta-news...
westernwheel.ca
Smith's adviser speaks about staffer at separatist meeting, Alberta voter list breach
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s chief of staff says a caucus staffer who attended a meeting about what was later found to be a massive data breach thought it was just about a new voter too...
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jeremy Appel 🍉 @readtheorchard.org · 06/05/2026
NEW: What I learned spending Monday outside the closed-door Alberta Christian Leadership Summit, formerly known as the Premier’s Christian Summit. thetyee.ca/News/2026/05...
thetyee.ca
I Was Barred from Smith’s Christian Summit. I’m Still Reporting on It | The Tyee
The pricey pay-for-access event featured religious and right-wing stars behind closed doors.
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Alberta UCP staff attended meeting about voter database before app was shut down UCP says staff didn’t know database wasn’t above board — NDP leader Nenshi says premier must’ve known sooner than she’s claimed. From me & @reportrix.bsky.social: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
thecanadianpressnews.ca
Alberta UCP staff attended meeting about voter database before app was shut down
EDMONTON - Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party caucus says staff attended a separatist group's virtual meeting about its website two weeks before the site became the focus of investigations ...
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Latest Janet Brown poll shows that Nenshi is ranking behind Danielle Smith, even among all the groups Notley dominated: Edmontonians, women, seniors… all except the minority of Albertans with graduate degrees. But no, NDP knives aren’t out for him: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
cbc.ca
ANALYSIS | Once a star candidate, Nenshi is losing lustre, Alberta poll suggests. Can the NDP leader recover? | CBC News
Two years in, Albertans are less impressed with Nenshi than they used to be. And Albertans of almost every type are more impressed with Danielle Smith.
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Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦 @daveberta.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Elections Alberta issued a statement this morning about the alleged inappropriate access and use of the official voters list. Very unusual that Elections Alberta would even comment on this — it shows they are taking these allegations very seriously.
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Jeremy Appel 🍉 @readtheorchard.org · 30/04/2026
SCOOP: I attended the launch of David Parker’s Centurion Project last night. I happened to step outside when an Elections Alberta investigator and the cops arrived. open.substack.com/pub/theorcha...
open.substack.com
SCOOP: Elections Alberta investigating separatists for accessing electors list
An elections watchdog investigator showed up with police to the April 29 launch of David Parker's Centurion Project to follow up on a cease-and-desist letter.
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