Jason Markusoff
@markusoff.bsky.social
I write and yak for CBC in Calgary. DMs open, Signal, WhatsApp, and such
[email protected]
[email protected]
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ANALYSIS | Danielle Smith reworking Alberta's everything, everywhere all at once | CBC News
The premier makes no apologies for an ambitious reform agenda. But the more a government dismantles and rebuilds, the more risk there is for road bumps, growing pains and outright mistakes.
www.cbc.ca
When you look at the totality of all the Alberta institutions and programs Danielle Smith has begun to reinvent or reshape… it’s a lot. And a lot of risk.
By me: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
By me: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta separatism: at this federal Conservative party gathering, it's a rather sensitive subject (even if people are happy to talk about it, and even sign pro-independence petitions). www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta separatism casts shadow over Conservative convention | CBC News
There’s an acute awareness and sensitivity at the Conservative Party convention to the political issue of separatism. It's now at the centre of Alberta politics, particularly within conservative circl...
www.cbc.ca
January 30, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Alberta separatism: at this federal Conservative party gathering, it's a rather sensitive subject (even if people are happy to talk about it, and even sign pro-independence petitions). www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Amber Bracken is one of Canada’s greatest photojournalists, and for the RCMP to mistake observers for participants, arrest her and prevent her from doing her vital work is a deeply dangerous precedent. This case is important for all of us.
Reminder: journalists get arrested in Canada too.
In fact, The Narwhal is in court right now challenging the RCMP for arresting photojournalist Amber Bracken. Our editor-in-chief,Carol Linnitt, testifies today and Monday, and court is open to the public if you're in Vancouver.
In fact, The Narwhal is in court right now challenging the RCMP for arresting photojournalist Amber Bracken. Our editor-in-chief,Carol Linnitt, testifies today and Monday, and court is open to the public if you're in Vancouver.
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
January 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Amber Bracken is one of Canada’s greatest photojournalists, and for the RCMP to mistake observers for participants, arrest her and prevent her from doing her vital work is a deeply dangerous precedent. This case is important for all of us.
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
January 29, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
I mean, at least when RCMP arrested photographer Amber Bracken covering a protest, the Trudeau gov didn’t direct it or gloat
Bondi says she personally directed the arrest, WH smears and cheers.
January 30, 2026 at 3:59 PM
I mean, at least when RCMP arrested photographer Amber Bracken covering a protest, the Trudeau gov didn’t direct it or gloat
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
A rough field guide to Alberta conservative political conventions, and why Poilievre’s will be more convention-al than the wilder UCP weekends. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | Why Pierre Poilievre's convention in Alberta won't be like Danielle Smith's | CBC News
United Conservative meetings have become fights for control of the party. But it's clearer who's in control at the federal Conservative event.
www.cbc.ca
January 29, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A rough field guide to Alberta conservative political conventions, and why Poilievre’s will be more convention-al than the wilder UCP weekends. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, viewed more positively than negatively in ALBERTA. Yes, the province consumed with a petition to leave Canada largely because of the Liberals.
Abacus poll:
Abacus poll:
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, viewed more positively than negatively in ALBERTA. Yes, the province consumed with a petition to leave Canada largely because of the Liberals.
Abacus poll:
Abacus poll:
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
So I emailed the business unit about this, they did some research and.... yep. Frozen juice from concentrate is gone www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
January 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM
So I emailed the business unit about this, they did some research and.... yep. Frozen juice from concentrate is gone www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
The leader of the separatist citizen initiative campaign is a UCP constituency president and a large number UCP members support Alberta separatism. This is a big part of Smith’s political base.
Premier Danielle Smith declined to denounce her province’s separatist movement just hours after B.C. Premier David Eby accused of treason those Albertans who claim to have travelled to Washington to seek political and financial backing for an independent Alberta.
#ableg #abpoli
#ableg #abpoli
Smith declines to 'demonize' separatists despite Eby's 'treason' remarks
Premier Danielle Smith declined to denounce her province's separatist movement just hours after B.C. Premier David Eby accused of treason.
edmontonjournal.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:27 PM
The leader of the separatist citizen initiative campaign is a UCP constituency president and a large number UCP members support Alberta separatism. This is a big part of Smith’s political base.
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
A reminder that Albertan independence is not popular
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Albertan Independence? Meet Reality
UCP voters are split, while NDP voters overwhelmingly oppose leaving Canada
canadianpolling.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:38 PM
A reminder that Albertan independence is not popular
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Pollara found Albertan independence at 19%
Ipsos found it at 28%
Research Co found it at 31% (Which I covered below)
All had strong majorities against independence
Read it here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/albertan-i...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
"Treason": BC Premier Eby reax to Financial Times report that separatists w/ Alberta Prosperity Project met w/ Trump officials 3x since April and will again next month seeking $500b line of credit to “bankroll the province” if independence referendum passes
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
January 29, 2026 at 5:24 PM
"Treason": BC Premier Eby reax to Financial Times report that separatists w/ Alberta Prosperity Project met w/ Trump officials 3x since April and will again next month seeking $500b line of credit to “bankroll the province” if independence referendum passes
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
I cannot tell you how much doubt was consistently directed at the Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty numbers and how much pressure was put on news organizations to couch those numbers as unreliable.
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
IDF accepts Gaza Health Ministry death toll of over 71,000 Palestinians killed in the war
Although Many International Experts Have Accepted the Health Ministry's Data as Reliable, and Even Conservative Relative to the True Death Toll, Israel Had Refused to Accept the Health Ministry's Coun...
www.haaretz.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I cannot tell you how much doubt was consistently directed at the Gaza Health Ministry’s casualty numbers and how much pressure was put on news organizations to couch those numbers as unreliable.
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Biden himself said they were fabricated!
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
A rough field guide to Alberta conservative political conventions, and why Poilievre’s will be more convention-al than the wilder UCP weekends. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | Why Pierre Poilievre's convention in Alberta won't be like Danielle Smith's | CBC News
United Conservative meetings have become fights for control of the party. But it's clearer who's in control at the federal Conservative event.
www.cbc.ca
January 29, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A rough field guide to Alberta conservative political conventions, and why Poilievre’s will be more convention-al than the wilder UCP weekends. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
“in theater” is a crazy way to describe minneapolis
Q: Can you be specific about how many ICE and CBP agents are currently operating in the state?
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
HOMAN: 3,000. There's been some rotations. They've been in theater a long time. Day after day, can't eat in restaurants, people spin on you, blowing whistles at you. But my main focus now is draw down
January 29, 2026 at 2:20 PM
“in theater” is a crazy way to describe minneapolis
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
In honor of Anton Chekhov’s birthday, I’m just going to leave this right here.
January 29, 2026 at 12:09 PM
In honor of Anton Chekhov’s birthday, I’m just going to leave this right here.
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Objectively a good name for a snowplow though
"Abolish ICE" was submitted 9,200 times for Chicago's snowplow naming contest, records show. blockclubchi.co/3ZAnDTZ
January 28, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Objectively a good name for a snowplow though
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Leger has the Liberals out to a 9-point lead over the Conservatives now. The spring election speculation is not going away any time soon. leger360.com/wp-content/u...
January 28, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Leger has the Liberals out to a 9-point lead over the Conservatives now. The spring election speculation is not going away any time soon. leger360.com/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Applebaum means this literally lol it is hanging above a picture with his granddaughter
January 28, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Applebaum means this literally lol it is hanging above a picture with his granddaughter
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
January 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
Is it a good sign when local newspapers are doing tear gas explainers
Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 26, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Is it a good sign when local newspapers are doing tear gas explainers
Reposted by Jason Markusoff
It was the NBA cancelling games that got everyone’s attention on COVID.
January 24, 2026 at 8:13 PM
It was the NBA cancelling games that got everyone’s attention on COVID.
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | The more Trump allies covet Alberta, the less popular separatism may get | CBC News
Independence movement leaders cheer on U.S. cabinet member's praise, but resist talk of Alberta becoming part of States.
www.cbc.ca
January 24, 2026 at 4:33 PM
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
He’s coming after Canada’s natural penguin preserves, and I say we just give them all to him if he drops today’s threats along with the auto and steel tariffs.
Trump one week ago: "It's a good thing for him [Carney] to sign a trade deal. If he can get a deal with China, he should do that."
Trump today: "If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A."
Trump today: "If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A."
January 24, 2026 at 4:26 PM
He’s coming after Canada’s natural penguin preserves, and I say we just give them all to him if he drops today’s threats along with the auto and steel tariffs.
when you thought you ordered a JD Vance interview but it was off some drop-shipping site based in Turkey
January 23, 2026 at 6:50 PM
when you thought you ordered a JD Vance interview but it was off some drop-shipping site based in Turkey