Harold Pliszka
@hpliszka.bsky.social
Counselling social worker, leadership consultant, builder. Founder of Reverve Counselling, & Iron Lava Consulting. HYTES co-founder & 1st ED of SWAA. | https://hpliszka.com | http://reverve.life | https://ironlava.com | http://hytes.org
"Historically in his region, Gilchrist said Indigenous people conducted low-intensity controlled burns every spring and fall, to support different habitats and maintain varying landscapes — including to deter forest overgrowth."
thenarwhal.ca/cultural-bur...
thenarwhal.ca/cultural-bur...
Cultural burning is ‘a better way’: Secwépemc firekeeper | The Narwhal
As B.C. wildfires worsen, leading Secwépemc firekeeper Joe Gilchrist says cultural burning ‘needs to be multiplied hundreds of times’
thenarwhal.ca
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Historically in his region, Gilchrist said Indigenous people conducted low-intensity controlled burns every spring and fall, to support different habitats and maintain varying landscapes — including to deter forest overgrowth."
thenarwhal.ca/cultural-bur...
thenarwhal.ca/cultural-bur...
"Amid calls for British Columbia to revisit its grizzly hunting ban, Todd Loewen, Alberta’s minister of forestry and parks, has indicated he’s considering lifting his province’s ban in response to a growing number of grizzly attacks."
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Despite a Horrific Attack, We Shouldn’t Hunt Grizzlies | The Tyee
Why a moral panic and hunting interests shouldn’t drive decisions on a complex issue.
thetyee.ca
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
"Amid calls for British Columbia to revisit its grizzly hunting ban, Todd Loewen, Alberta’s minister of forestry and parks, has indicated he’s considering lifting his province’s ban in response to a growing number of grizzly attacks."
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Banning gender affirming care ( both social and medical) from gender diverse kids and banning trans girls and women from sport while also taking the right to collective bargaining away from teachers are all "serious breaches of trust" and "gross misconduct".
"When the UCP tabled Bill 52, the Recall Act, Kenney said it would strengthen democracy by ensuring “ordinary Albertans are the boss” and that politicians “work for you every day, not just during election campaigns.”"
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
What you need to know about Alberta’s recall law
Alberta voters can now petition to remove MLAs mid-term – here’s how the Recall Act works to provide accountability in elected government.
edmontonjournal.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Banning gender affirming care ( both social and medical) from gender diverse kids and banning trans girls and women from sport while also taking the right to collective bargaining away from teachers are all "serious breaches of trust" and "gross misconduct".
The United States ambassador to Canada reminds Canadians why we really need to strengthen ties with a more diverse group of non-USA countries.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: The U.S. ambassador is a master of the diplomatic offensive
Pete Hoekstra’s bullying tone is a reminder of the need for Canada to wean itself from dependence on the U.S.
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The United States ambassador to Canada reminds Canadians why we really need to strengthen ties with a more diverse group of non-USA countries.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
William Prince's "Stand in the Joy is about breathing all this in... It doesn’t have to be something major. Little choices we make have a sort of compound interest on each other, and then you notice you’re just a little bit more joyful than you were before."
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article...
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article...
For singer-songwriter William Prince, joy is composed of many small daily choices
His new album, Stand in the Joy, celebrates embracing the good parts of life
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
William Prince's "Stand in the Joy is about breathing all this in... It doesn’t have to be something major. Little choices we make have a sort of compound interest on each other, and then you notice you’re just a little bit more joyful than you were before."
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article...
www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article...
J Kenney's UCP introduces recall legislation.
D Smith's UCP makes recall easier because citizens couldn't garner enough signatures to recall progressive Calgary mayor.
Citizens use recall legislation in effort to recall 14 UCP MLAs.
Now, D Smith is all, "not like that!"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
D Smith's UCP makes recall easier because citizens couldn't garner enough signatures to recall progressive Calgary mayor.
Citizens use recall legislation in effort to recall 14 UCP MLAs.
Now, D Smith is all, "not like that!"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
14 Alberta government MLAs are now facing recall drives. Here's how the process works | CBC News
Fourteen Alberta legislature members with Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus are facing recall petitions from constituents. Here's an explainer on the process.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
J Kenney's UCP introduces recall legislation.
D Smith's UCP makes recall easier because citizens couldn't garner enough signatures to recall progressive Calgary mayor.
Citizens use recall legislation in effort to recall 14 UCP MLAs.
Now, D Smith is all, "not like that!"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
D Smith's UCP makes recall easier because citizens couldn't garner enough signatures to recall progressive Calgary mayor.
Citizens use recall legislation in effort to recall 14 UCP MLAs.
Now, D Smith is all, "not like that!"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A UCP bill in 2019 moves control of teachers pension to Alberta's AIMCo. AIMCo lost $2-billion in 2020 due to risky investment practices. UCP introduces retroactive legislation to ban lawsuits against losses incurred by AIMCo.
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Alberta to insulate AIMCo from liability, companies from greenwashing allegations
EDMONTON - Alberta is moving to insulate its Crown investment corporation from potential legal liabilities and protect companies in the province from lawsuits accusing them of greenwashing.
www.thestar.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A UCP bill in 2019 moves control of teachers pension to Alberta's AIMCo. AIMCo lost $2-billion in 2020 due to risky investment practices. UCP introduces retroactive legislation to ban lawsuits against losses incurred by AIMCo.
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Glad to see support for continuing the Calgary Transit free fare zone from at least some of Calgary Councilors (& Mayor).
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
TD Bank pulls sponsorship of CTrain free fare zone 2 years early | CBC News
TD Bank says it has pulled its sponsorship for the free fare zone between the City Hall and Downtown West/Kerby stations in the city’s downtown core about two years early — but that doesn’t mean the z...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Glad to see support for continuing the Calgary Transit free fare zone from at least some of Calgary Councilors (& Mayor).
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"...almost a third of the 47 United Conservative members in the legislature are now engaged in the recall process, potentially threatening the balance of power in the house."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
5 more UCP legislature members facing recall, bringing total to 14 | CBC News
Elections Alberta says it has approved recall petitions against five more members of Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party caucus, bringing the total to 14.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
"...almost a third of the 47 United Conservative members in the legislature are now engaged in the recall process, potentially threatening the balance of power in the house."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Right-wing provincial governments are using notwithstanding clause more & more to shield legislation that strips rights & freedoms from groups of people in favour of the authoritarian whims of their bigoted far-right voter bases.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | Why invoking the notwithstanding clause no longer seems politically taboo | CBC News
The notwithstanding clause allows for premiers or prime ministers to override rulings on legislation that judges have determined would violate sections of the Charter. But the use of the clause, once ...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Right-wing provincial governments are using notwithstanding clause more & more to shield legislation that strips rights & freedoms from groups of people in favour of the authoritarian whims of their bigoted far-right voter bases.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"The Alberta government applies a 16.8 per cent surcharge to the [cannabis] excise duty — the highest percentage of any other province, said Armstrong."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Since legalization, Alberta has collected most cannabis tax revenue per capita of any province | CBC News
Ontario took in the greatest provincial share of revenue — $1.5 billion — with Alberta coming in second at just over $1 billion, despite having less than a third of Ontario's population.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"The Alberta government applies a 16.8 per cent surcharge to the [cannabis] excise duty — the highest percentage of any other province, said Armstrong."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Harold Pliszka
Blink and you’ll miss it. The cruelty continues with the Alberta government not indexing ADAP to infalation “instead of being pegged to the "alberta escalator" (which was the lesser of inflation of 2%), benefits are now "the amount set out or determined in accordance with the regulations."”’
November 26, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Blink and you’ll miss it. The cruelty continues with the Alberta government not indexing ADAP to infalation “instead of being pegged to the "alberta escalator" (which was the lesser of inflation of 2%), benefits are now "the amount set out or determined in accordance with the regulations."”’
Reposted by Harold Pliszka
The resistance in Alberta is inspiring. Albertans are taking the fight to 14 of Danielle Smith's elected sock puppets.
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/25/f...
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/25/f...
Five more Alberta UCP legislature members facing recall, bringing…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The resistance in Alberta is inspiring. Albertans are taking the fight to 14 of Danielle Smith's elected sock puppets.
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/25/f...
nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/25/f...
Reposted by Harold Pliszka
X’s decision to show where its accounts are based “is, theoretically, a positive step in the direction of transparency”—yet Elon Musk may have instead revealed that the platform is “just a worthless, poisoned hall of mirrors,” @cwarzel.bsky.social argues.
Elon Musk’s Worthless, Poisoned Hall of Mirrors
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
X’s decision to show where its accounts are based “is, theoretically, a positive step in the direction of transparency”—yet Elon Musk may have instead revealed that the platform is “just a worthless, poisoned hall of mirrors,” @cwarzel.bsky.social argues.
"Chris Gallaway ... Friends of Medicare, said he believes Bill 11 creates a two-tiered system similar to the American health-care system. He said people with money to pay for procedures will be able to buy better access than those who need to use the public system."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Dual health-care system with guardrails focus of new Alberta bill | CBC News
A new bill aimed at allowing Alberta physicians to practise in both private and public health-care systems will keep family doctors out of the private system — for now.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 AM
"Chris Gallaway ... Friends of Medicare, said he believes Bill 11 creates a two-tiered system similar to the American health-care system. He said people with money to pay for procedures will be able to buy better access than those who need to use the public system."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I often enjoy listening to these three songs in order (because of vibes & irony - iykyk):
1) "Ska Sucks" by Propaghandi
2) "A Message to You Rudy" by The Specials
3) "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash
1) "Ska Sucks" by Propaghandi
2) "A Message to You Rudy" by The Specials
3) "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash
November 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I often enjoy listening to these three songs in order (because of vibes & irony - iykyk):
1) "Ska Sucks" by Propaghandi
2) "A Message to You Rudy" by The Specials
3) "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash
1) "Ska Sucks" by Propaghandi
2) "A Message to You Rudy" by The Specials
3) "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash
"Jimmy Cliff, the reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get it If You Really Want..."
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-...
Video: Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant, dead at 81
Jimmy Cliff, the reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get it If You Really Want and starred in the landmark movie The Ha...
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
"Jimmy Cliff, the reggae pioneer and actor who preached joy, defiance and resilience in such classics as Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get it If You Really Want..."
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-...
"Many youth in this situation suffer in silence...
Giving youth access to gender-affirming care (GAC), on the other hand, results in much better outcomes...
That’s why I have been so disturbed to see the developments in Alberta," writes Dr. Patricia Seymour."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Giving youth access to gender-affirming care (GAC), on the other hand, results in much better outcomes...
That’s why I have been so disturbed to see the developments in Alberta," writes Dr. Patricia Seymour."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: As a physician, I see how gender-affirming care benefits youth
Alberta’s moves to restrict treatment are based in ignorance and misinformation
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"Many youth in this situation suffer in silence...
Giving youth access to gender-affirming care (GAC), on the other hand, results in much better outcomes...
That’s why I have been so disturbed to see the developments in Alberta," writes Dr. Patricia Seymour."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Giving youth access to gender-affirming care (GAC), on the other hand, results in much better outcomes...
That’s why I have been so disturbed to see the developments in Alberta," writes Dr. Patricia Seymour."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
"The Alberta government compromised the independence of the province’s health authority as it worked to sign a deal with a private laboratory testing company in 2022...
Alberta ...paid a combined $109-million to set up the system and eventually kill the deal."
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta ...paid a combined $109-million to set up the system and eventually kill the deal."
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta government undermined health authority to push lab privatization deal, A-G report finds
Report details issues throughout the procurement process including miscalculated cost savings and failures to assess Dynalife’s financial vulnerabilities
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"The Alberta government compromised the independence of the province’s health authority as it worked to sign a deal with a private laboratory testing company in 2022...
Alberta ...paid a combined $109-million to set up the system and eventually kill the deal."
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta ...paid a combined $109-million to set up the system and eventually kill the deal."
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
"What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context. Rather, it is a classic example of a solution in search of a problem," writes André Picard.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly?
What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
"What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context. Rather, it is a classic example of a solution in search of a problem," writes André Picard.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Danielle Smith and her UCP want excellent healthcare -- but only for wealthier Albertans, who can afford privatized healthcare.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
What Alberta's public-private doctor plan could mean for insurance, physician burnout, nurses and more | CBC News
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s plan to allow physicians to dabble both in the public and private systems at the same time would be a Canadian first, and has drawn mixed reaction from critics and sup...
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Danielle Smith and her UCP want excellent healthcare -- but only for wealthier Albertans, who can afford privatized healthcare.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I like this idea of tiered billing for water use in Calgary. It's unlikely to happen but I would even add that a small amount of drinking water should be available to households without charge. Also hope high water users are paying much higher - for conservation reasons.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tiered water billing, permanent outdoor watering schedules could be coming to Calgary | CBC News
Calgarians could see changes to how they’re charged for water and how often they can water their lawns as the city looks to update its water efficiency plan.
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I like this idea of tiered billing for water use in Calgary. It's unlikely to happen but I would even add that a small amount of drinking water should be available to households without charge. Also hope high water users are paying much higher - for conservation reasons.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
9 UCP MLAs "are facing recall petitions — enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature...
If enough signatures are collected and verified, a constituency-wide vote is held within 4 months to determine whether or not the MLA should be recalled..."
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
If enough signatures are collected and verified, a constituency-wide vote is held within 4 months to determine whether or not the MLA should be recalled..."
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Six more of Premier Smith’s UCP legislature members face recall petitions
Elections Alberta says six more members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are facing recall petitions, bringing the total to nine.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
9 UCP MLAs "are facing recall petitions — enough to potentially tip the balance of power in the legislature...
If enough signatures are collected and verified, a constituency-wide vote is held within 4 months to determine whether or not the MLA should be recalled..."
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
If enough signatures are collected and verified, a constituency-wide vote is held within 4 months to determine whether or not the MLA should be recalled..."
www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
"There’s no question [Alberta] Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen will make Alberta’s highways deadlier with his plan to raise speed limits in several locations," writes David J. Climenhaga.
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
The UCP Plan to Make Alberta’s Highways More Dangerous | The Tyee
The government’s plan to raise speed limits was tried in BC. Fatalities doubled.
thetyee.ca
November 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
"There’s no question [Alberta] Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen will make Alberta’s highways deadlier with his plan to raise speed limits in several locations," writes David J. Climenhaga.
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
UCP's plan for two-tier healthcare: "to allow doctors to set up a private stream for speedy quality health care for those who can afford it while letting the docs pad their private profits by billing the public system for slow and inferior treatment for the rest of us."
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Danielle Smith’s Secret Plan to Destroy Public Health Care | The Tyee
A leaked document reveals the UCP is bringing in two-tier care.
thetyee.ca
November 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
UCP's plan for two-tier healthcare: "to allow doctors to set up a private stream for speedy quality health care for those who can afford it while letting the docs pad their private profits by billing the public system for slow and inferior treatment for the rest of us."
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...