Rebecca Graff-McRae
@poliscirish.bsky.social
Political researcher. Deconstructor of discourses. Dancer of jigs. Spectator of spectres. Herder of hooligans.
PhD in Irish political history. QUB alum. Research manager at Parkland Institute
PhD in Irish political history. QUB alum. Research manager at Parkland Institute
Sure. My point is that the word "sovereignty" has real meanings, but now it also has a Smith meaning - i.e. an attempt to make it mean something that suits a political purpose. "A sovereign Alberta" cannot and does not exist "within Canada", no matter what title she writes at the top of the bill
February 10, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Sure. My point is that the word "sovereignty" has real meanings, but now it also has a Smith meaning - i.e. an attempt to make it mean something that suits a political purpose. "A sovereign Alberta" cannot and does not exist "within Canada", no matter what title she writes at the top of the bill
Strictly speaking, provinces are *not* sovereign territories. Provinces have devolved powers that are *borne from* a sovereign, federal parliament, and in that sense have sovereign power over devolved jurisdiction only.
February 10, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Strictly speaking, provinces are *not* sovereign territories. Provinces have devolved powers that are *borne from* a sovereign, federal parliament, and in that sense have sovereign power over devolved jurisdiction only.
"Sovereignty":
three men standing next to each other with the words you keep using that word
Alt: Inigo, Vizzini and Fezzik from the Princess Bride standing next to each other with the immortal lines spoken by Inigo: you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:54 AM
"Sovereignty":
Fun Fact: UofA's alternative to DEDI is called ACaB 🙃
“Emails obtained by CBC through an access to information request show that Flanagan’s newspaper letter was sent by the university’s government relations department to staff at the Ministry of Advanced Education before it was published.” By @emilyawilliams52.bsky.social #AbPSE #AbLeg
U of A looks to remove EDI from hiring policy | CBC News
The University of Alberta is proposing to eliminate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) from its hiring policy, a year after the school initially said it was moving away from the term.
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Fun Fact: UofA's alternative to DEDI is called ACaB 🙃
Heartbreaking and deeply, deeply wrong.
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Heartbreaking and deeply, deeply wrong.
"We don’t provide loans to the health care system or schools; we just pay for them."
For the love of all that's holy, please don't give Danielle Smith any more bad ideas.
For the love of all that's holy, please don't give Danielle Smith any more bad ideas.
The government is giving a loan to a Crown corporation that should just be a public service that we pay for because it provides an essential task that Canadians depend on.
We don’t provide loans to the health care system or schools; we just pay for them.
We don’t provide loans to the health care system or schools; we just pay for them.
Ottawa gives Canada Post a $1.01-billion loan
The federal government says it is making more than $1 billion available to Canada Post in the form of a repayable loan to help the Crown corporation.
vancouver.citynews.ca
February 8, 2026 at 5:56 AM
"We don’t provide loans to the health care system or schools; we just pay for them."
For the love of all that's holy, please don't give Danielle Smith any more bad ideas.
For the love of all that's holy, please don't give Danielle Smith any more bad ideas.
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
"Alberta is now an outlier among western provinces. British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all confirmed to CBC News that Type 58 visa holders are eligible for public health coverage in their provinces."
And the limiting health care begins.
#abpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
And the limiting health care begins.
#abpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta cuts access to health care for some temporary workers, raising concerns in the Bow Valley | CBC News
Alberta has stopped offering provincial health coverage to some people on working holiday and young professional visas, a change that came into effect earlier this year without a public announcement. ...
www.cbc.ca
February 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
"Alberta is now an outlier among western provinces. British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all confirmed to CBC News that Type 58 visa holders are eligible for public health coverage in their provinces."
And the limiting health care begins.
#abpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
And the limiting health care begins.
#abpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Important lessons in effective resistance from those on the ground in Minnesota.
"I don’t know how other people react when they get bullied, but I don’t back down when I get bullied. I fight harder. Everyone I see out here is like, What do you think—we’re gonna quit? We live here."
AUTOCRACY IN AMERICA bonus episode, from Minneapolis
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
AUTOCRACY IN AMERICA bonus episode, from Minneapolis
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Democracy Under Occupation
What we’ve learned in Minneapolis
www.theatlantic.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Important lessons in effective resistance from those on the ground in Minnesota.
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
Saturday | 10:15 Researcher Andrew Longhurst joins us to talk about Alberta’s amendments to provincial health care legislation and the dangers they pose to Medicare in Canada. @alonghurst.bsky.social @poliscirish.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #canPoli
February 7, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Saturday | 10:15 Researcher Andrew Longhurst joins us to talk about Alberta’s amendments to provincial health care legislation and the dangers they pose to Medicare in Canada. @alonghurst.bsky.social @poliscirish.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #canPoli
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has mused about cutting or limiting public services for temporary residents. It turns out that already happened last month with public health insurance www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #AbLeg #AbHealth
Alberta cuts access to health care for some temporary workers, raising concerns in the Bow Valley | CBC News
Alberta has stopped offering provincial health coverage to some people on working holiday and young professional visas, a change that came into effect earlier this year without a public announcement. ...
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has mused about cutting or limiting public services for temporary residents. It turns out that already happened last month with public health insurance www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #AbLeg #AbHealth
Ah but you could get from Bangor (Wales) to Bangor (County Down), which sets up all sorts of delightfully comic scenarios. Won't someone think of the sitcom writers?!
February 6, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Ah but you could get from Bangor (Wales) to Bangor (County Down), which sets up all sorts of delightfully comic scenarios. Won't someone think of the sitcom writers?!
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
ICYMI
The Alberta govt claims that its health care changes mirror other provinces & countries
My new @policyalternatives.ca/Parkland Institute report with @poliscirish.bsky.social busts this myth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@avisfavaro.bsky.social
#abpoli #cdnpoli
The Alberta govt claims that its health care changes mirror other provinces & countries
My new @policyalternatives.ca/Parkland Institute report with @poliscirish.bsky.social busts this myth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@avisfavaro.bsky.social
#abpoli #cdnpoli
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says | CBC News
A report that was jointly produced by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute finds Alberta's Bill 11 could pave the way for a two-tiered health-care system.
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM
ICYMI
The Alberta govt claims that its health care changes mirror other provinces & countries
My new @policyalternatives.ca/Parkland Institute report with @poliscirish.bsky.social busts this myth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@avisfavaro.bsky.social
#abpoli #cdnpoli
The Alberta govt claims that its health care changes mirror other provinces & countries
My new @policyalternatives.ca/Parkland Institute report with @poliscirish.bsky.social busts this myth
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@avisfavaro.bsky.social
#abpoli #cdnpoli
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
There’s lots to unpack here
A few reasons:
More public $ going to for-profit providers where there is poor value for money
Prov govs haven’t shifted away from the small business model of primary care that is failing us across the country— primary care must be the foundation of our health system
A few reasons:
More public $ going to for-profit providers where there is poor value for money
Prov govs haven’t shifted away from the small business model of primary care that is failing us across the country— primary care must be the foundation of our health system
A new survey suggests Canadians feel the healthcare system has deteriorated over the last decade as they increasingly struggle to access family doctors and encounter hurdles to seeing specialists.
New survey suggests Canadians feel healthcare system has deteriorated
The latest results say half of respondents reported that they either don’t have a family doctor or struggle to see the one they do have.
canadianhealthcarenetwork.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:21 PM
There’s lots to unpack here
A few reasons:
More public $ going to for-profit providers where there is poor value for money
Prov govs haven’t shifted away from the small business model of primary care that is failing us across the country— primary care must be the foundation of our health system
A few reasons:
More public $ going to for-profit providers where there is poor value for money
Prov govs haven’t shifted away from the small business model of primary care that is failing us across the country— primary care must be the foundation of our health system
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'As we watch in horror the assault on knowledge and science in the United States—the assault on truth—cuts at Statistics Canada send precisely the wrong message. We urge you to reverse course.' @policyalternatives.ca
Open letter to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, minister responsible for Statistics Canada - CCPA
Statistics Canada is a world leader and its work is at the heart of an informed democracy. Cuts to the agency must be reversed.
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:57 PM
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... 'As we watch in horror the assault on knowledge and science in the United States—the assault on truth—cuts at Statistics Canada send precisely the wrong message. We urge you to reverse course.' @policyalternatives.ca
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
As #virtualcare becomes increasingly embedded in health systems, our lit review attempts to map the evidence on private sector ownership and control of virtual care platforms.
Bottom line: evidence gaps on quality, privacy, and health system impact
Project led by Sheryl Spithoff, in @bmj.com Open
Bottom line: evidence gaps on quality, privacy, and health system impact
Project led by Sheryl Spithoff, in @bmj.com Open
Direct-to-consumer commercial virtual care: a scoping review
Objective The literature examining direct-to-consumer (DTC) commercial virtual care has expanded rapidly over the past decade. Our objective was to synthesise the nature and range of evidence on DTC c...
bmjopen.bmj.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:08 AM
As #virtualcare becomes increasingly embedded in health systems, our lit review attempts to map the evidence on private sector ownership and control of virtual care platforms.
Bottom line: evidence gaps on quality, privacy, and health system impact
Project led by Sheryl Spithoff, in @bmj.com Open
Bottom line: evidence gaps on quality, privacy, and health system impact
Project led by Sheryl Spithoff, in @bmj.com Open
Meanwhile, when there's an actual crisis as in our healthcare system, the UCP pretends it doesn't exist.
"Crisis? What crisis?"
"Crisis? What crisis?"
First, the UCP said there was an “election integrity crisis," which led to a voter ID law.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
February 5, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Meanwhile, when there's an actual crisis as in our healthcare system, the UCP pretends it doesn't exist.
"Crisis? What crisis?"
"Crisis? What crisis?"
I'm baffled as to what NN could possibly hope to accomplish with this.
February 5, 2026 at 3:03 AM
I'm baffled as to what NN could possibly hope to accomplish with this.
This ⬆️ from their PR is completely contradicted by the bill itself, much less any of the Smith govt's actions on healthcare - which directly erode & siphon resources from the public system, not strengthen it; reduce access based on need; and introduce the need to pay for medically necessary care 🙄
February 4, 2026 at 7:44 PM
This ⬆️ from their PR is completely contradicted by the bill itself, much less any of the Smith govt's actions on healthcare - which directly erode & siphon resources from the public system, not strengthen it; reduce access based on need; and introduce the need to pay for medically necessary care 🙄
Reposted by Rebecca Graff-McRae
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says | CBC News
A report that was jointly produced by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute finds Alberta's Bill 11 could pave the way for a two-tiered health-care system.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
"And the sole nominee for the 2026 FIFA Peace Prize is ... Vladimir!"
February 4, 2026 at 6:20 PM
"And the sole nominee for the 2026 FIFA Peace Prize is ... Vladimir!"
No one wants a public system that continues to limp along, under delivering care while demand & costs grow; but neither should its workforce, infrastructure, ORs and other resources be poached in order to line corporate pockets. We must remagine public healthcare thru evidence & equitable access 3/
February 4, 2026 at 3:38 AM
No one wants a public system that continues to limp along, under delivering care while demand & costs grow; but neither should its workforce, infrastructure, ORs and other resources be poached in order to line corporate pockets. We must remagine public healthcare thru evidence & equitable access 3/
The so-called "European model" countries who have had marginal success with hybrid systems have done so with strict limits on private billing, a ring-fence around the public system to preserve its capacity, and with appropriate oversight bodies. Bill 11 eschews all of those guardrails.
2/
2/
February 4, 2026 at 3:38 AM
The so-called "European model" countries who have had marginal success with hybrid systems have done so with strict limits on private billing, a ring-fence around the public system to preserve its capacity, and with appropriate oversight bodies. Bill 11 eschews all of those guardrails.
2/
2/
Final word on Bill 11:
This legslation is not designed as a parallel hybrid system in which both public and private streams are supported to deliver quality care with equal access. It is designed to bolster a for-profit healthcare market at the expense of the public system. 1/
This legslation is not designed as a parallel hybrid system in which both public and private streams are supported to deliver quality care with equal access. It is designed to bolster a for-profit healthcare market at the expense of the public system. 1/
ICYMI: The report by @alonghurst.bsky.social and @poliscirish.bsky.social, The End of Canadian Medicare? outlines in plain language 10 ways that without a sharp national response the blandly named act will undermine and likely destroy public health care in Canada. albertapolitics.ca/2026/02/albe...
Alberta’s two-tier health care bill is designed to kill public health care – a new report shows how - Alberta Politics
Despite its name, Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, is not health care legislation. The purpose of the law that was granted Royal Assent on Dec. 11 last year is to destroy public health ...
albertapolitics.ca
February 4, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Final word on Bill 11:
This legslation is not designed as a parallel hybrid system in which both public and private streams are supported to deliver quality care with equal access. It is designed to bolster a for-profit healthcare market at the expense of the public system. 1/
This legslation is not designed as a parallel hybrid system in which both public and private streams are supported to deliver quality care with equal access. It is designed to bolster a for-profit healthcare market at the expense of the public system. 1/
Never one to pull punches, this is as frank and somber as I've ever seen @djclimenhaga.bsky.social re: the fate of our healthcare system. ABns fought like hell vs Klein's 2-tier, but now we find ourselves losing the battle without even setting foot on the field.
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026... ‘“The End of Canadian Medicare?” outlines in plain language 10 ways that, without a sharp national response, the blandly named act will undermine and likely destroy public health care in Canada’ @policyalternatives.ca @alonghurst.bsky.social @poliscirish.bsky.social
How Alberta Plans to Kill Public Health Care Across Canada | The Tyee
A new law opens the door for two-tier care that would destroy medicare.
thetyee.ca
February 4, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Never one to pull punches, this is as frank and somber as I've ever seen @djclimenhaga.bsky.social re: the fate of our healthcare system. ABns fought like hell vs Klein's 2-tier, but now we find ourselves losing the battle without even setting foot on the field.