NigelBankes
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nigelb.bsky.social
NigelBankes
@nigelb.bsky.social
2.9K followers 2.5K following 1.8K posts
Retired law prof ucalgary law; I principally post on energy, resources and climate change issues; committed to intergenerational equity; grateful settler on Treaty 7 lands.
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nigelb.bsky.social
The full text of Wes Wark's expert opinion is available on the website of O'Kelly Law here okellylaw.ca/news/sturgeo...
A great educational resource..
Thanks to @orlaghokelly.bsky.social and the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation for making this opinion readily available.
#ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
January 18, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
thebreakdownab.bsky.social
🚨BREAKING!!!!🚨

A new affidavit by a national security expert…

Is sounding the alarm that the separatist petition is not only extremely vulnerable to foreign interference from the US…

“It is, without resorting to a crystal ball, foreseeable”

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
January 17, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by NigelBankes
jamiemackinnon.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/nige...

It will be moving & humbling if Alberta First Nations end up preventing the MAGAfication of Alberta (& the dismemberment of Canada).

If First Nations can stop the worst of the colonizers from another act of idiocy, we should all be grateful.

#ABpoli
#cdnpoli
#firstnations
nigelb.bsky.social NigelBankes @nigelb.bsky.social · 17h
As previously pointed out, there is a real risk of foreign interference in the Alberta independence initiative launched by the Alberta Prosperity Project. Counsel for Sturgeon Lake First Nation has commissioned an expert opinion from Wes Wark to document this risk. 1/ #abpoli #cdnpoli #ableg
January 17, 2026 at 9:22 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
As previously pointed out, there is a real risk of foreign interference in the Alberta independence initiative launched by the Alberta Prosperity Project. Counsel for Sturgeon Lake First Nation has commissioned an expert opinion from Wes Wark to document this risk. 1/ #abpoli #cdnpoli #ableg
January 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
When the entire staff of a publicly funded non for profit resigns on a matter of principle we must both applaud their bravery and stand in solidarity with their efforts to resist government interference.
theprogressreport.ca The Progress Report @theprogressreport.ca · 1d
The entire staff of the foundation!
jonnywakefield.bsky.social Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 1d
NEWS: the entire staff of the Alberta Law Foundation has resigned in the wake of Bill 14, which gives the justice minister more say in how the independent org operates. This is according to a board member who says she was ousted by the law society for speaking out edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...
January 17, 2026 at 2:04 AM
nigelb.bsky.social
For background on the importance of the Alberta Law Foundation and government efforts to exercise control over its funding decisions see this ABlawg post from the Spring: "Disaster in the Making"
#abpoli #cdnpoli
ablawg.ca/2025/04/28/d...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta Law Foundation sees 2 directors removed, mass resignation in wake of new government powers | CBC News
The Alberta Law Foundation's 14 staff members have stepped down from their roles a little over a month after provincial legislation was introduced that gives the justice minister more control over the...
www.cbc.ca
January 17, 2026 at 12:59 AM
nigelb.bsky.social
The UCP started to assert control, over the Alberta Law Foundation in the Spring with Bill 39. It followed that up in the fall with Bill 14. The disaterrous results are now clear for all to see
We wrote about Bill 39 here:
ablawg.ca/2025/04/28/d...
#abpoli

edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...
Alberta Law Foundation board members ousted, staff resign in wake of controversial justice bill
Moira Vane says she and another lawyer were told the Law Society of Alberta is removing them from the board of the Alberta Law Foundation.
edmontonjournal.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:27 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
Lots of dictators have offshore banks accounts to which they illegaly siphon national natural resource revenues.
Now we can add President Trump to that list - except that he siphons the natural resources revenues of another country to an a/c he controls.
#cdnpoli

www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Exclusive: US gets first $500 million Venezuelan oil deal, holding some proceeds in Qatar
The details shared with Semafor mark an initial milestone in the administration’s plan following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro.
www.semafor.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:57 AM
nigelb.bsky.social
Thanks for this; trying to follow up but the LSA's search engine (for names like Rath - and many others I have entered) seems to be broken.
How convenient.
#ableg #abpoli
January 14, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
davidaritter.bsky.social
Ahhhhh, #PedophileProtector gets under his skin?

It would be a shame if #PedophileProtector goes viral.

🤷‍♂️
grothmog.bsky.social Defender of Democracy, Life, Liberty, and Justice for All 🇺🇸 @grothmog.bsky.social · 4d
Trump took the F-150 factory tour. A worker on the line hollered, 'pedophile protector,' and Trump replied, 'fuck you,' and shot the bird at him.
#UAW 🫡
January 14, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
jonnywakefield.bsky.social
New from me: the Alberta lawyer leading the charge for separatism had a law society hearing today over his COVID-era correspondence with government and public health officials — some of whom he threatened with prosecution for “crimes against humanity” edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
Alberta separatist lawyer threatened 'war crimes,' 'murder' charges over COVID vaccine, law society claims
Separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath is challenging claims he breached professional conduct rules by writing to government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic — but admits he used "overly aggressive" lan...
edmontonjournal.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:34 AM
nigelb.bsky.social
President Trump has directed US agencies to take immediate action to withdraw from numerous multilateral & global Int’l agreements & institutions on the basis that they are “contrary to the interests” of the US. The list is staggering. The result is splendid & ugly selfish isolation.
#cdnpoli
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
glendaaus.bsky.social
We’ve just received word that other tribes in Alberta will be following suit.

Treaties are unbreakable law and the Alberta separatists can go and eat a nice shit sandwich.

#Alberta

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
First Nation suing Alberta over changes enabling separation petition | CBC News
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation is suing the Alberta government over its actions that it says allowed the Alberta Prosperity Project to start collecting signatures in support of a referendum on the province...
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by NigelBankes
givevoiceab.bsky.social
Two legacies, two very different Albertas.

Lougheed used the law to build a public shield for our rights and our healthcare. Danielle Smith is using it to dismantle them for private power.

From the Bill of Rights to the hospital floor: the Great Reversal is here.

#AbLeg #AbPoli #Cndpoli
Title: Alberta’s Healthcare: The Great Reversal—From public legacy to for-profit restructuring. Image Overview: A vertical comparison infographic titled "The Great Reversal," contrasting the healthcare legacy of Premier Peter Lougheed ("The Builder," 1971–1985) with Premier Danielle Smith ("The Dismantler," 2022–2026). Visuals: * Lougheed Side: A warm, sepia-toned illustration of a doctor showing a young boy a microscope in front of a "Medical Research" building, symbolizing public investment in future generations. Smith Side: A cold, blue-toned illustration of a wrecking ball labeled with a dollar sign smashing a public hospital, with a sign in the foreground reading "Two-Tier For Sale," symbolizing the destruction of the public core. Row 1: The Vision (1971–1985) vs. The Action (2022–2026) Lougheed: Founded the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research to turn oil wealth into permanent public brainpower and built hospitals. Smith: Fragmented Alberta Health Services (AHS) into four agencies to break public oversight and prepare the system for for-profit sale and a U.S.-style two-tier model. Row 2: Governance Lougheed (Institutional Independence): Established arm’s-length boards to protect medical research and funding from political interference. Smith (Centralized Ministerial Control): Replaced independent boards with direct power for four cabinet ministers to oversee the system. Row 3: Accountability Lougheed (Sacred Trust): Prioritized merit-based integrity to ensure that resource royalties benefited all future generations. Smith (The “CorruptCare” Scandal): Fired the AHS CEO in 2025 amid allegations of political interference in multi-million-dollar private surgical contracts. Row 4: The Law Lougheed: Strengthened the Public Core to ensure Alberta had the best universal healthcare in Canada for over 40 years. Smith: Passed Bill 11 (2025), legalizing a "Two-Tier System" where the wealthy can pay to jump the… Title: Alberta’s Constitutional Showdown: The Guardian vs. The Autocrat (1972–2026). comparison table contrasting the leadership of Premier Peter Lougheed (1972–1985) with Premier Danielle Smith (2022–2026). uses four rows to highlight a shift from protecting individual rights to expanding state power. Row 1: The Vision vs. The Practice Lougheed (Legislative Protection): Passed the Alberta Bill of Rights (1972) to fulfill the government’s obligation to protect citizens from state overreach. Smith (The Rights Override): Bill 9 (2025) used the Notwithstanding Clause (NWC) to suspend Bill of Rights protections for trans youth and gender-affirming healthcare. Row 2: Disability Rights vs. The ADAP Replacement Lougheed (Created AISH, 1979): Established Canada’s first legislated disability income program, moving support out of the discretionary welfare system. Smith (Cuts & Clawbacks, 2026): Replacing AISH with ADAP (Bill 12) to cut monthly benefits, force re-adjudication, and claw back federal disability funds from the most vulnerable. Row 3: Ending the Harm vs. Rights Suspension Lougheed (Ending Eugenics): Repealed the Sexual Sterilization Act (1972) to stop the violation of fundamental human rights and government power over the body. Smith (The Strike Breaker): Used the NWC in the 2025 Back to School Act to suspend fundamental human rights and force teachers to work against their will. Row 4: Local Democracy vs. Centralized Control Lougheed (Decentralized Power): Empowered local boards and cities to act as a democratic check, keeping power away from a centralized provincial office. Smith (The Power Grab): Passed Bill 20 and Bill 31 to seize control of local elections and grant Cabinet the power to fire elected officials. The Final Verdict: A bold quote at the bottom reads: "Peter Lougheed used the law to protect Albertans from the government. Danielle Smith is using the law to protect the government from Albertans."
January 7, 2026 at 6:52 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
Very powerful piece.
January 7, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by NigelBankes
nzpom.com
This guy has it bang on
Joachim Lykke @luhmann@hachyderm.io So when Trump decides to go get Greenland he's just going to fly in and kidnap our prime minister. Great. You have a unscrupulous and clinically insane idiot elected as your president and he wants to own the world. I have absolutely no trust in any of you Americans whether you are pronounced MAGA or if you "didn't vote for the guy": Your elected president is a megalomaniac dictator and it's your fucking responsibility to stop him
January 7, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
duanebratt.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/97434e9... Podcasters who were harassing Carrie Tait and former AHS board member Sandy Edmonstone were being paid by an Edmonton lawyer with close ties to Sam Mraiche. Probably just a coincidence.
Podcaster accused of harassing former AHS board member says he was hired by Edmonton lawyer, court records show
Legal documents identify Bryan Ward, who has acted for Sam Mraiche on multiple occasions, as the lawyer
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
clareblackwood.bsky.social
i just don't think you get to say "America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. But these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, that will never ever happen" in your election speech and then say stuff like this
lukelebrun.ca Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 11d
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney clarifies position on the United States using military force to annex Greenland:

"We stand with Denmark, we stand with Greenland, our closest partnership is with the United States, and we'll work with everybody to make sure we move forward together"
January 7, 2026 at 2:08 AM
nigelb.bsky.social
I am pleased to announce that I will steal high quality Venezuelan crude for the benefit of me, my friends, my family and my supporters.
Anything that is left will be for the Venezuelan people.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
#abpoli #cdnpoli
January 7, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Reposted by NigelBankes
tazornissen.bsky.social
What right? Except the right given by the UN Charter?

How about this?:
DECLARATION. In proceeding this day to the signature of the Convention respecting the cession of the Danish West-Indian Islands to the United States of America, the undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland. Robert Lansing. New York, August 4, 1916
January 5, 2026 at 11:37 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
A complete renunciation of international law (among other "international niceties") by the White House.
The only laws mentioned are the "iron laws" of strength, force and power - in other words back to the beginning of time when there were no laws and life was nasty, brutish and short.
#cdnpoli
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12d
Stephen Miller: "What the president said is true. The United States of America is running Venezuela ... by definition we are in charge because we have the US military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions ... for them to do commerce, they need our permission."
January 5, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Reposted by NigelBankes
sifill.bsky.social
Prompting this response:

www.cbsnews.com/news/denmark...
January 4, 2026 at 11:51 PM
nigelb.bsky.social
Jan 3, 2026 has been a dark day.
Instead of celebrating a rules-based international order I am forced to witness, once again, the exercise of raw power: Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela.
My grain of sand is insignificant when raw power is everything, law is nothing and my government is spineless.
#cdnpoli
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 AM