Quinn MacDonald
@quinnmacdonald.bsky.social
she/her + writer/editor + in #yyj / lək̓ʷəŋən + The Wife of Wrath @eodrollerderby.bsky.social + from nuučaan̓uuɫɁatḥ nism̓a (Port Alberni)
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Thread on what I've seen as a journalist for @thetyee.ca this week at DULF's constitutional challenge. They're arguing closing their compassion club put marginalized people at risk of overdose and death.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Been covering DULF's constitutional challenge for @thetyee.ca this week. Crown prosecutors have tried to poke lots of small holes in what founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum were doing. Nyx and Kalicum have largely defended themselves saying they were doing the best they knew how at the time.
November 29, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Thread on what I've seen as a journalist for @thetyee.ca this week at DULF's constitutional challenge. They're arguing closing their compassion club put marginalized people at risk of overdose and death.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Explainer article coming early next week.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
“prominent separatist supporter Jeff Rath received a standing ovation from the packed crowd when he asked how many of them support independence.
Smith, who countered by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, was roundly booed by delegates still standing from the ovation”
Smith, who countered by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, was roundly booed by delegates still standing from the ovation”
November 29, 2025 at 3:08 AM
“prominent separatist supporter Jeff Rath received a standing ovation from the packed crowd when he asked how many of them support independence.
Smith, who countered by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, was roundly booed by delegates still standing from the ovation”
Smith, who countered by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, was roundly booed by delegates still standing from the ovation”
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
So it wasn’t about the drugs, then? It was just about killing people? Pete Hegseth needs to be tried in The Hague. That’s more than these people got.
November 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
So it wasn’t about the drugs, then? It was just about killing people? Pete Hegseth needs to be tried in The Hague. That’s more than these people got.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Giving Alberta an exemption to the Clean Electricity Standard means the policy is DOA.
There’s no way SK isn’t asking for the same thing, as they restart coal plants.
One Canadian economy? Nope. Likely scenario is no electricity regs at all, meaning we’re back to Harper-era policy.
There’s no way SK isn’t asking for the same thing, as they restart coal plants.
One Canadian economy? Nope. Likely scenario is no electricity regs at all, meaning we’re back to Harper-era policy.
Today’s MOU between the federal government and Alberta risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy. Read our full statement ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
Federal-Alberta MOU risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy
While promised improvements to industrial carbon pricing are positive and important, other aspects of Alberta-Canada MOU will undermine policy effectiveness across the country.
climateinstitute.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Giving Alberta an exemption to the Clean Electricity Standard means the policy is DOA.
There’s no way SK isn’t asking for the same thing, as they restart coal plants.
One Canadian economy? Nope. Likely scenario is no electricity regs at all, meaning we’re back to Harper-era policy.
There’s no way SK isn’t asking for the same thing, as they restart coal plants.
One Canadian economy? Nope. Likely scenario is no electricity regs at all, meaning we’re back to Harper-era policy.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Sorry did I say six months? I meant 33 minutes
November 28, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Sorry did I say six months? I meant 33 minutes
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Meanwhile green energy projects collapsed.
"Clean energy projects cancelled since the start of Alberta's renewables moratorium could have generated more than Alberta's average total power demand (109 per cent),"
www.pembina.org/media-releas...
"Clean energy projects cancelled since the start of Alberta's renewables moratorium could have generated more than Alberta's average total power demand (109 per cent),"
www.pembina.org/media-releas...
Renewable energy project cancellations in Alberta hit alarming milestone | Pembina Institute
EDMONTON — Clean energy projects cancelled since the start of Alberta's renewables moratorium could have generated more than Alberta's average total power demand (109 per cent), according to new analy...
www.pembina.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Meanwhile green energy projects collapsed.
"Clean energy projects cancelled since the start of Alberta's renewables moratorium could have generated more than Alberta's average total power demand (109 per cent),"
www.pembina.org/media-releas...
"Clean energy projects cancelled since the start of Alberta's renewables moratorium could have generated more than Alberta's average total power demand (109 per cent),"
www.pembina.org/media-releas...
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Helpful environmental policy context for the MOU.
1. This federal-Alberta pipeline MOU is even worse than I expected. Even before we get to the pipeline:
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
November 28, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Helpful environmental policy context for the MOU.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Another night to sleep on this and I'm solidifying this take
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
After some time for reflection I think this is one of the biggest open questions that has a big impact on how much climate action we will see in Canada -
unless I'm reading this wrong (?) it doesn't say the carbon floor will be $130 by April. It says there will be an agreement by April 1/
unless I'm reading this wrong (?) it doesn't say the carbon floor will be $130 by April. It says there will be an agreement by April 1/
Where does it say $130 in April? it says they will by April agree on what the timeline and price increases are.
I would bet a very large sum of money it will not be $130 effective price in April.
I would bet a very large sum of money it will not be $130 effective price in April.
November 28, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Another night to sleep on this and I'm solidifying this take
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
There is a reason industry/govt sees a bit win in trading the regulations that would have forced real emissions reductions (oil and gas cap and CER) for vauge future carbon pricing promises that some are claiming will achieve the same 1/
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
If an armed conflict existed, these acts would constitute war crimes. Given that no armed conflict exists, the killings fall outside LOAC and require evaluation under domestic criminal law.
Based on the reporting, the conduct matches the elements of murder.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Based on the reporting, the conduct matches the elements of murder.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
If an armed conflict existed, these acts would constitute war crimes. Given that no armed conflict exists, the killings fall outside LOAC and require evaluation under domestic criminal law.
Based on the reporting, the conduct matches the elements of murder.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Based on the reporting, the conduct matches the elements of murder.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
god i cant wait for the fossil fuel era to end. even if it's because we're all sitting around in the ashes. monkey's paw whatever idc. im so over this.
As a political scientist, I think the effects on unity are some of the biggest problems with the agreement. It legitimates "Alberta" as an aggrieved party, distinct from other provinces, while treating BC and its peoples to be as issues to be managed, rather than partners in the federation.
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
god i cant wait for the fossil fuel era to end. even if it's because we're all sitting around in the ashes. monkey's paw whatever idc. im so over this.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Danielle Smith uses notwithstanding clause to declare herself premier of B.C.
Danielle Smith uses notwithstanding clause to declare herself premier of B.C.
Prime Minister Mark Carney disagrees with the concept of a premier of one province unilaterally taking over a different province but his hands are tied by his unwillingness to do anything about it.
www.thebeaverton.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Danielle Smith uses notwithstanding clause to declare herself premier of B.C.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Not the peak oil we expected but I'll take it
Clean power growth is now covering all new global demand. Solar and wind generated 635 TWh in the first nine months of this year, exceeding the 603 TWh rise in global electricity demand, and holding fossil generation flat for the year. buff.ly/zRmwAmg
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Q3 Global Power Report: No fossil fuel growth expected in 2025 | Ember
Solar and wind power grew fast enough to keep up with rising electricity demand in the first three quarters of 2025, as fossil fuel growth should be stagnated. Ember forecasts no growth for fossil…
buff.ly
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Not the peak oil we expected but I'll take it
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
This is huge. On the same day Canada announces a new tarsands pipeline and a roll back of climate policy UK announces no new oil and gas licences and a fossil fuel phase out plan. Congratulations and thank you to the UK for your leadership. And Canada?! PM Mark Carney, embarrassing. #cdnpoli
Huge news from the UK today: after UN climate talks in which there was a massive fight over language on fossil fuels, the UK government today announced that it will in fact be keeping many millions of barrels of oil & gas in the ground. Deeds rather than just words for a change! 🧵
November 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This is huge. On the same day Canada announces a new tarsands pipeline and a roll back of climate policy UK announces no new oil and gas licences and a fossil fuel phase out plan. Congratulations and thank you to the UK for your leadership. And Canada?! PM Mark Carney, embarrassing. #cdnpoli
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
November 23, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
A little pet peeve. It’s not exactly that tropical rainforests have “gone from being allies in the fight against climate breakdown to being part of the problem.” Forests lose carbon when people cut them (or via fire) and gain carbon when trees grow. It’s that the losing is outweighing the gaining.
Africa’s forests transformed from carbon sink to carbon source, study finds
Alarming shift since 2010 means planet’s three main rainforest regions now contribute to climate breakdown
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A little pet peeve. It’s not exactly that tropical rainforests have “gone from being allies in the fight against climate breakdown to being part of the problem.” Forests lose carbon when people cut them (or via fire) and gain carbon when trees grow. It’s that the losing is outweighing the gaining.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Being among the first interrogated and ultimately fired by DOGE, I certainly felt we were facing the business end of a right-wing conspiracy theory 🧵
DOGE was not a money-saving effort. It was an effort to chase down and prove right-wing conspiracy theories. They went after USAID to prove conspiracy theories about foreign aid. Then they went after SSA to, again, pursue conspiracy theories about Dems paying "illegals" to vote. 1/2
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
November 26, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Being among the first interrogated and ultimately fired by DOGE, I certainly felt we were facing the business end of a right-wing conspiracy theory 🧵
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Banning street hockey in Canada?
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
Get outside kids, enjoy the fresh air with your friends!
Just kidding, stay the F inside.
Just kidding, stay the F inside.
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Banning street hockey in Canada?
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
This isn’t about protecting kids. It’s about protecting drivers from having to think about kids.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
I'm nostalgic of having summers with no wildfire smoke.
People who care about climate change are “dreaming nostalgically about the past.” - Minister Hodgson
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
November 28, 2025 at 4:14 AM
I'm nostalgic of having summers with no wildfire smoke.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
BRITISH COLUMBIA: “First Nations along the northern coast of B.C. were quick to oppose an agreement signed today that laid the groundwork for a new pipeline through their territories.” www.cbc.ca/news/indigen... - CBC Indigenous
#ABLeg #BCPoli #CDNPoli #FirstNations #OilAndGas #Pipeline
#ABLeg #BCPoli #CDNPoli #FirstNations #OilAndGas #Pipeline
'The answer is still no': B.C. chiefs react to new pipeline agreement | CBC News
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement to make way for a new bitumen pipeline from the Alberta oilsands to the B.C. coast. 'We will use every tool in our too...
www.cbc.ca
November 28, 2025 at 4:11 AM
BRITISH COLUMBIA: “First Nations along the northern coast of B.C. were quick to oppose an agreement signed today that laid the groundwork for a new pipeline through their territories.” www.cbc.ca/news/indigen... - CBC Indigenous
#ABLeg #BCPoli #CDNPoli #FirstNations #OilAndGas #Pipeline
#ABLeg #BCPoli #CDNPoli #FirstNations #OilAndGas #Pipeline
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
People who care about climate change are “dreaming nostalgically about the past.” - Minister Hodgson
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
People who care about climate change are “dreaming nostalgically about the past.” - Minister Hodgson
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Minister Hodgson saying "it's called zoom" when asked by David Cochrane about meeting with Coastal First Nation Chiefs to hear about their concerns on short notice...... Again, good luck with that!
November 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Minister Hodgson saying "it's called zoom" when asked by David Cochrane about meeting with Coastal First Nation Chiefs to hear about their concerns on short notice...... Again, good luck with that!
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Our wee newsroom was never going to run the first Grand Bargain story, but @meyer.bsky.social and @drewanderson.bsky.social are absolutely the best at explaining what the pipeline of magical thinking means for the environment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith have signed an agreement to advance Alberta’s pipeline dreams — and weaken some pollution laws. Here’s what you need to know:
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Carney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ‘grand bargain’ isn’t just about an Alberta pipeline —it also proposes rolling back a host of climate policies
thenarwhal.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Our wee newsroom was never going to run the first Grand Bargain story, but @meyer.bsky.social and @drewanderson.bsky.social are absolutely the best at explaining what the pipeline of magical thinking means for the environment.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
I think it’s bad, actually, to play political chess with Indigenous rights.
November 27, 2025 at 11:34 PM
I think it’s bad, actually, to play political chess with Indigenous rights.
Reposted by Quinn MacDonald
Something that is easy to forget in all the "Carney is a political genius / Carney is a political naif" argle bargle is that climate policies matter. Environmental regulations matter. Getting rid of them may or may not achieve a political end — but it's guaranteed to have real-world implications.
November 27, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Something that is easy to forget in all the "Carney is a political genius / Carney is a political naif" argle bargle is that climate policies matter. Environmental regulations matter. Getting rid of them may or may not achieve a political end — but it's guaranteed to have real-world implications.