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Zak Vescera

@zakvescera.bsky.social
295 followers 81 following 138 posts

Reporter covering financial crime in Vancouver for @theijf.org. Ink-stained wretch, cautiously optimistic EN/FR. zak.vescera@theijf.org

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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Mark Carney wants to privatize YVR. Ten years ago, that airport's board told the federal government privatization would be an "irreversible mistake" that would ramp up costs for passengers and hurt services. More about that document we dug up here: theijf.org/article/airp...
theijf.org
Vancouver airport said privatization would be ‘irreversible mistake’ in 2016 letter
Documents from ‘Project Eagle’ raise question about federal government’s latest airport privatization bid
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Reposted by Zak Vescera
Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 25/09/2026
Canada’s anti-money laundering watchdog revoked the registration of a crypto firm with ties to the Trumps. zurl.co/btPuH
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
new dream job: guy who designs graphics for internal CSIS reports
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Canada’s financial intelligence agency has revoked the registration of a controversial cryptocurrency business linked to the Trump family. The company's former president was recently found guilty of money laundering in Rwanda. theijf.org/article/alt-...
theijf.org
Canadian financial crime watchdog deregisters crypto firm with links to Trump family
A Rwandan court also found Alt 5 Sigma guilty of money laundering, which the firm is appealing
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 24/09/2026
A shortage of ice rinks in B.C. is keeping young people out of hockey. Organizers and the NHL are talking to the government about a plan to build. zurl.co/snRxZ
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Tiny scoop: the NHL and players' association were apparently in talks with the B.C. government about a potential plan to upgrade and build hockey infrastructure in B.C. Organizers say the status quo means kids and adults alike often can't get time on the ice theijf.org/brief/bc-hoc...
theijf.org
Hockey organizations ask B.C. to fix ‘aging and inadequate’ facilities
B.C. Hockey says NHL may pitch in for government infrastructure plan
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Reposted by Zak Vescera
Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 22/09/2026
The IJF’s new database, Paper Trail, pulls together thousands of government documents to create a ‘friendlier and clearer’ path to accountability. zurl.co/6Walf
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 21/09/2026
Premier David Eby’s next campaign manager is a lobbyist whose firm represents Uber, Loblaws and other companies trying to shape government policy. zurl.co/dGqor
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De Facto Journalism Co-op @defactomedia.ca · 19/09/2026
Today at 11am PT we're launching De Facto Radio on 100.5FM in Vancouver Ep1: Canada's spy agency shares sensitive intel to corporations—with @writermjs.bsky.social & @zakvescera.bsky.social • Saturdays 100.5FM & live: coopradio.org/shows/de-fac... • Podcasts on demand: www.defactomedia.ca/radio/
defactomedia.ca
De Facto Radio
We broadcast live on Saturdays 11-11:30am PT, and podcast online
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Reposted by Zak Vescera
Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 17/09/2026
How groups tied to U.S. Atlas Network turned a fringe separatist movement in Alberta into a political threat. zurl.co/MKrCk
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 15/09/2026
Canada is turning to Sweden for lessons on building modular housing. An internal briefing note reveals Swedish builders might even be planning Canadian investments. zurl.co/pJ4K0
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Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This will be our first time at the Websters! Big congrats to @zakvescera.bsky.social, who received a whopping THREE noms this year. And I'm so happy to get a nod for my collaboration with Michelle Ghoussoub at CBC!
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Thrilled that the IJF picked up four Webster nominations. All of them collabs we did with other outlets. We're a reporting team of two (me and @bethanylindsay.bsky.social) but we get it done. Grateful to do what we do. theijf.org/article/the-...
theijf.org
The IJF gets 4 nominations for the 2026 Webster Awards
Awards celebrate outstanding journalism in B.C.
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Happy (early) Labour Day, my workplace is unionizing We want to keep making Canadian democracy better and producing amazing journalism. We believe this will help us get it done
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Some Canadian lottery corporations are lobbying governments to restrict prediction markets, arguing they are "functionally indistinguishable from gambling products" and could harm consumers theijf.org/brief/canadi...
theijf.org
Canadian lottery corporations want governments to restrict prediction markets
Provincial gaming agencies say prediction markets could harm consumers and hurt gaming profits
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A major Canadian gas company reported dozens of leaks in B.C. after the province exempted thousands of its pipelines from normal cleanup requirements. From us, @writermjs.bsky.social and the great team at @thenarwhal.ca theijf.org/article/bc-c...
theijf.org
B.C. regulator let an oil company delay pipeline cleanup. Spills followed
CNRL has reported 45 incidents since 2020, when B.C. exempted thousands of its pipelines from normal clean-up timelines
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Lil scoop: Telus asked Mark Carney to guarantee government business for their proposed data centre cluster here in Vancouver. Terms would have seen gov commit to using a certain % of the centres' capacity. Government won't say if it agreed theijf.org/brief/vancou...
theijf.org
Vancouver data centre builders asked Carney for government business
Companies asked to guarantee federal business for ‘sovereign’ centres once they’re complete in 2029
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
An audit found "exceedingly low trust" in the nomination process for Canada's top civilian honour. It also found the Order of Canada's administration process forced thinly stretched analysts to do hundreds of hours of perfunctory work every year theijf.org/article/orde...
theijf.org
Audit finds low trust, congestion in Order of Canada nomination process
Nominators complained process is a “black box” while analysts struggle with hundreds of hours of busy work, audit said
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
If you know something, be in touch. My Signal is zvescera.64
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Calgary police have used Palantir's software for 13 years. Now they're trying to replace it, citing "prohibitive costs." They won't say how much they paid Palantir. In the meantime, they're paying a U.S. military contractor to keep the system running. theijf.org/article/calg...
theijf.org
Why Calgary police are trying to ditch Palantir
Service says “prohibitive costs” of contract have sparked push for replacement
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The Canadian government's Privy Council Office noticed all of you posting about your tax dollars supporting Heated Rivalry. From a January 2026 briefing note
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Canada’s anti-money laundering watchdog believes a “substantial portion” of the country’s cash-to-cryptocurrency brokers are knowingly helping criminals launder money and evade international sanctions. theijf.org/article/cryp...
theijf.org
Crypto desks ‘knowingly’ help launder money, government report says
Intelligence report finds businesses facilitating sanctions evasion, drug dealing
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The Canadian government will buy two Palantir licenses at a cost of $7.4 million each year — a continuation of a contract they say they "inadvertently" forgot to publicly disclose. Collab with my wonderful colleague @katrinaclarke.bsky.social theijf.org/article/defe...
theijf.org
Defence department to buy Palantir software for $7.4 million each year
Government says it ‘inadvertently omitted’ to announce contract with controversial American tech company
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Today in fun briefing note trivia: CSIS asks guests to its HQ to take taxis, not Uber or other ride-share providers, out of concern the data could be stolen and used to identify people of interest. Also their paid parking only takes coins
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 24/06/2026
A major Canadian oil company is lobbying the B.C. government for potential “exemptions or extensions” to environmental regulations. zurl.co/HDBJn
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I think the french-speaking country with the red and white flag and mountainous terrain is gonna win
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Eligible Canadian journalists can now get access to all the IJF databases for free I get scoops from these all the time. You could too. Get in touch if you want help getting access theijf.org/free-access-...
theijf.org
Investigative Journalism Foundation
Public service journalism
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
An MP who helps shape Canada's AI policy appears to hold more than $10k in Palantir stock One critic says that's a “big problem” even if it doesn’t violate ethics rules Michael Guglielmin is also one of three MPs who owns $10k+ stock in Tesla theijf.org/article/gugl...
theijf.org
MP who helps shape AI, auto policy owns Palantir, Tesla stock
Critic says ownership is a “big problem” even if it doesn’t violate ethics rules
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
The Ontario government approved a medical transcription tool from a company listing testimonials from two doctors who don't seem to exist. That company is also linked to what we think is an AI-generated news site A collab with the great team at TVO theijf.org/article/adgs...
theijf.org
Medical transcription tool approved by Ontario linked to AI-generated news website
Website touts testimonials from doctors who may not exist, investigation finds
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
B.C. has hinted it may follow Ontario in banning reselling tickets for events above face value. Two large ticket resale platforms have already registered to lobby against that potential law in B.C. One hired a former MP as their consultant. theijf.org/brief/stubhu...
theijf.org
StubHub and SeatGeek lobbying after B.C. hints at banning resale price hikes
Minister said province could follow Ontario in banning reselling tickets above face value
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The Rundown @therundowntvo.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The Ontario government approved a medical transcription tool even though its website advertised what seem to be fake testimonials from nonexistent doctors. — by @ericagiancola.bsky.social (@bigiftruetvo.bsky.social) & @zakvescera.bsky.social (@theijf.org)
tvo.org
How an approved medical transcription tool is linked to an AI-generated news website | TVO Today
And its website touts testimonials from doctors who may not exist.
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
NDP Leader Avi Lewis is taking aim at a secret federal contract with the American tech company Palantir, arguing it undermines the government’s commitment to defending Canadian data. The company calls his comments "inaccurate and baseless." theijf.org/article/lewi...
theijf.org
NDP’s Lewis slams secret federal contract with Palantir
Company calls Lewis’ comments ‘inaccurate and baseless’
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Dean Beeby @deanbeeby.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Access-to-info request: PM Carney's meeting with cast/crew of 'Heated Rivalry' chock full of cabinet secrets and confidential advice. #cdnfoi #cdnpoli #broken
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
The Canadian government has spent more than $46 million on a previously secret contract with Palantir. The contract, originally worth around $14.4 million has been amended a dozen times, including to fund Palantir staff travel theijf.org/brief/canadi...
theijf.org
Canadian government spent tens of millions on secret Palantir contract
Records from the IJF’s Open By Default database reveal the government made over a dozen amendments to a contract with Palantir Canada to provide services to an elite unit of the military
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Canadian Journalism Foundation @cjf-fjc.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Read “Oil giant broke deal to deactivate thousands of pipelines and faced no penalty, documents reveal” by @zakvescera.bsky.social and @writermjs.bsky.social: theijf.org/article/cnrl... /2
theijf.org
Oil giant broke deal to deactivate thousands of pipelines and faced no penalty, documents reveal
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. promised to deactivate thousands of inactive pipelines under a special deal with B.C.’s energy regulator. Internal emails show the company failed to meet its targets.
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
In a secret internal memo, CSIS warns foreign powers may be using infrastructure investments in Indigenous communities to try and gain a foothold in Canada's Arctic. theijf.org/brief/foreig...
theijf.org
Foreign powers using deals with Indigenous communities to meddle in Arctic: CSIS briefing
A 2024 secret briefing note said infrastructure deficits in Arctic communities are creating increased opportunities for foreign investment and influence
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Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
I've spent a lot of time over the last year reading charity revocation letters from the CRA and one name keeps popping up again and again: Blake Bromley. Here's a closer look at the audits and investigations into his charities: theijf.org/article/blak...
theijf.org
40% of B.C. charity revocations linked to one retired lawyer and his associates
Blake Bromley and connected charities have faced multiple investigations
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Vancouver hosted the world's first crypto ATM. Now, Canada is banning them. The industry is calling that overreach. But law enfrocement says getting rid of these ATMs is a "no-brainer" and that they have become key tools for fraud and money laundering theijf.org/article/cryp...
theijf.org
Crypto ATM owners bristle at surprise Canadian ban
Federal government says ATMs have become tool for fraud and money laundering
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
A weird one: a private company wants the provincial gov's help to restore rail service to Vancouver Island. But their plan doesn't seem to include the foundation that actually owns the mostly-dormant rail corridor, who say they're being kept in the dark. theijf.org/brief/irc-ra...
theijf.org
Private firm wants B.C.’s support to revive Vancouver Island rail
The Island Rail Corporation is asking the B.C. government for help in obtaining and reviving rail service corridor on Vancouver Island
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Our investigation into a network laundering money for illicit cannabis found an intriguing connection to Valerian Labs, a B.C. company sanctioned by the U.S. government for importing precursors chemicals that can be used to make fentanyl. theijf.org/article/cann...
theijf.org
The curious link between illegal weed and a B.C. company accused of helping make fentanyl
A money mule washing dirty cash from illegal weed sales sent tens of thousands to Valerian Labs
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
And now: a story about raves. Last year Vancouver cracked down on indie music venues. We and the folks at the Vancity Lookout have learned that was driven by nightclubs and bars, who lobbied city councillors to have inspectors go after specific competitors. theijf.org/article/vanc...
theijf.org
City cracked down on Vancouver venues after lobbying by bar and club groups, emails reveal
Independent operators say nightlife ‘monopoly’ threatens to once again make Vancouver ‘No Fun City’
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 23/04/2026
Hundreds of websites sell weed and other drugs to Canadians openly and illegally. Why taking them down is like “whack-a-mole.” zurl.co/kgR6I
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Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 23/04/2026
A German engineering giant wants a sitdown meeting with B.C. Premier David Eby as it competes for a $20B+ federal submarine contract. zurl.co/5gZx1
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
as the ancients said, we out here fr fr
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Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Huge congratulations to my colleague @zakvescera.bsky.social for his 3 nominations! Four in total for @theijf.org!
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Fittingly, one day after 4/20, here's a story about a massive money laundering network tied to illegal online weed sales. We follow the money to Vancouver real estate, grow-ops and a company accused of helping make fentanyl. First in a series theijf.org/article/cann...
theijf.org
Inside a $156M money laundering operation tied to illegal weed
RCMP’s ‘Project Icarus’ reveals cannabis still a cash cow for organized crime
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Kate Schneider @kateschneider.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Grateful and honoured to find out that my past reporting with The Narwhal's @writermjs.bsky.social and my former @theijf.org colleague @zakvescera.bsky.social has been nominated for the Canadian Journalism Foundation's Award for Excellence in Journalism!
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Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
More great news for @theijf.org! Our collaboration with The Narwhal has been nominated for a Dr. Eric Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism. Major congratulations to @kateschneider.bsky.social, @zakvescera.bsky.social and @writermjs.bsky.social. theijf.org/article/ijf-...
theijf.org
IJF nominated for prestigious Dr. Eric Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism
Collaboration with The Narwhal on B.C.’s oil and gas regulator recognized by Canadian Journalism Foundation
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
A particularly horrible story: a B.C. woman says she lost $23 million in a series of crypto scams, many from fraudsters claiming they could help her recover the money she already lost. Authorities say such "recovery" scams are a growing problem theijf.org/article/cryp...
theijf.org
Crypto nightmare: B.C. victim lost more than $23 million in series of scams
Case illustrates how ‘recovery’ scammers prey on victims of fraud
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Zak Vescera @zakvescera.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Old point, but I think it's a huge problem how risk-averse our political culture is in Canada. In my relatively short time as a reporter I find it's notably harder to get anyone to openly express any view on, well, anything. That's a net loss for every discussion we have.
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