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reportrix.bsky.social
Lisa Johnson
@reportrix.bsky.social
4.7K followers 270 following 94 posts
Edmonton-based provincial affairs reporter for The Canadian Press
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Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta orders judge-led inquiry into death of man waiting for care in hospital

It’s also rolling out new system where physicians will be triaging, and even treating, people in emerg waiting rooms.

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...
Alberta orders judge-led inquiry into death of man waiting for care in hospital
EDMONTON - Alberta’s government has ordered a judge-led inquiry into the death of a man who waited for hours for care in an Edmonton hospital.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
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
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
carrietait.bsky.social
NEW: A podcaster accused of harassing a former AHS director said he was hired by an Edmonton lawyer, court docs show. That lawyer has ties to Sam Mraiche, who owns companies at the centre of Alberta's procurement controversy.

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
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 6, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jantafrench.bsky.social
Colleague Jo Horwood and I tried to find out, how many books were pulled off Alberta school shelves as a result of the gov't order? And what books were they?

Turns out, the names of the books are a secret #AbLeg #AbEd

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta school divisions remove handful of titles from shelves as new school library rules take effect | CBC News
A newly enacted provincial order on school literary materials prompted some divisions to remove a couple of dozen books from school shelves, but the names of those titles are secret.
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 3:40 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
“The chaos and confusion and exhaustion is very similar to the same confusion, chaos and exhaustion that we've seen from the government on how they've been handling the coal situation for the last six years," Corb Lund says. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta increases referendum petition fees to $25,000 — a 5,000 per cent hike
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government is hiking the cost to apply for a citizen-initiated referendum by 5,000 per cent, saying it's about making sure applicants are serious.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
December 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
nationalnewswatch.com
Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery faces recall petition nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/17/c...
Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery faces recall petition
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
nationalnewswatch.com
'Bite me': Alberta baker challenges premier's office over boycott tied to recall nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/18/b...
'Bite me': Alberta baker challenges premier's office over boycott…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:43 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
Great read from @jack-farrell.bsky.social. Out of Alberta's 19 premiers, only Smith and Social Credit leader William Aberhart have faced a citizen recall.
Aberhart blamed shadowy forces behind the scenes pulling strings to orchestrate his ouster. Weeks later, his government voted to repeal the act.
December 11, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
The bill has now passed with no further amendments — with its passage the legislature adjourned for the year.

MLAs will be back in February for a new government budget, and a first look at whether some of the now 21 recall petitions will actually lead to votes.
December 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government amends bill after chief electoral officer warns it harms trust, independence

It’s a pretty scathing letter from the elections head, and my math says gov amended bill no less than 6 hours after every MLA received it.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta government amends bill after chief electoral officer warns it harms trust
EDMONTON - Alberta's government has made last-minute changes to a bill after the province's chief electoral officer warned it would impede the independence of his office.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
December 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
reportrix.bsky.social
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/alb...
Alberta legislature passes bill invoking Charter override for fourth time
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - Alberta's governing United Conservatives stayed up into the early pre-dawn hours of Wednesday morning to pass a bill that marks the fourth time in under two
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
December 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
markusoff.bsky.social
Why Danielle Smith's government is not withstanding so many court challenges:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | UCP government keeps blocking or nixing Alberta court challenges. Why? | CBC News
From transgender policies to referendums to "conservative" party names, the Alberta UCP has stepped in where others have feared to tread.
www.cbc.ca
December 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
Everything you need to know about Justice Feasby’s ruling on the Alberta separatism question today, from @jack-farrell.bsky.social : www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Judge calls Alberta bill on referendum drives undemocratic, disrespect to rule of law
EDMONTON - An Alberta judge tasked with reviewing the constitutionality of a proposed referendum question on the province separating from Canada is calling a new government bill undemocratic, as it
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
December 6, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
carrietait.bsky.social
SCOOP: Elections Alberta investigated Sam Mraiche over allegations he made illegal political donations in 2023

www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w @tomcardoso.bsky.social
Sam Mraiche was investigated by Elections Alberta over alleged illegal political donations
Regulator says Mraiche was being investigated this year in connection to an alleged straw donor scheme
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
robsonfletcher.com
Quite the scathing 'epilogue' that Justice Feasby added to his decision, in response to legislation tabled by Alberta's UCP government just yesterday:
Judge says Bill 14 changes would 'silence the court' After arguments from lawyers representing a final group of First Nations who were granted intervenor status in the case, Feasby issued his decision from the bench Friday in the Calgary Court of King's Bench. He added what he called an "epilogue," which specifically addressed the impact of the proposed legislation. "The legal consequence of discontinuing this proceeding prior to a decision would be to silence the Court," he said. The judge called the move to change the legislation antithetical to the rule of law and democracy. "The public is entitled to the fruits of this process that has been conducted largely at their expense so that if they are asked to vote on Alberta independence, they have a tool that may help them make sense of the legal dimensions of the secession of Alberta from Canada." Feasby noted that the court case had been prioritized at the expense of other justice system participants waiting for their cases to be heard. "Alberta’s cavalier disregard for court resources and lack of consideration for the parties and First Nations intervenors who participated in this proceeding in good faith is disappointing to say the least."
December 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
meksmith.bsky.social
There is a LOT in this legislation, to the point that big changes for Alberta's legal regulator are all the way at the bottom, including:
-Law Society of Alberta can't mandate training/education beyond a specific scope
-Conduct decision appeals go to Court of King's Bench
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta legislation would change citizen referendum rules, restrict political party names | CBC News
Bill 14, introduced Thursday by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, transfers powers from the chief electoral officer to the minister when deciding whether citizen petition initiatives should proceed. It a...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
reportrix.bsky.social
Are you exhausted by the incessant MSM jerks like @_jack_farrell and @reportrix reporting on Alberta recall campaigns? Me too! Click this link below if you think journalism needs some serious, serious help. Like this if you are irritated by journalism
December 6, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Auditor general finds stalling, bad planning, big losses in devastating report on Dynalife fiasco. Remember when it took weeks to get a blood test? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #abhealth #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Auditor general finds stalling, bad planning, big losses in Dynalife report
Auditor General Doug Wylie finds faulting planing, denied evidence, big losses in Dynalife scandal.
calgaryherald.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Smith details Alberta plans to open door for doctors to work publicly and privately

From @reportrix.bsky.social:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/smith...
Smith details Alberta plans to open door for doctors to work publicly and privately
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith revealed her government's plan to introduce legislation to let doctors choose to work in the public and private health systems simultaneously.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Union for Alberta hospital workers issues strike notice; picketing to begin Saturday

From @fakihabaig.bsky.social:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Union for Alberta hospital workers issues strike notice; picketing to begin Saturday
EDMONTON - The union representing 16,000 Alberta hospital workers, including licensed practical nurses and health-care aides, says its members are set to hit picket lines this weekend.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
Reposting with addendum from the former head of the Alberta Medical Association, who flatly calls out the premier's chief of staff for spreading misinformation (Rob's not lying about the polling numbers. There is a similar spread on more than one poll):
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
You'll see a lot of different numbers bandied about on this. Not wrong, but $125 million includes other stuff like cancelled central lab that was approved by the NDP, and other sunk taxpayer $ that didn't necessarily go to DynaLife. Full report here, it's a humdinger: www.oag.ab.ca/reports/an-e...
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
picardonhealth.bsky.social
Canada expected to lose long-standing measles-elimination status on Monday, by @kkirkup.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art... via @theglobeandmail.com
Canada expected to lose long-standing measles-elimination status
If the country loses its status, public-health researchers say the return of endemic measles would carry serious health consequences
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
jack-farrell.bsky.social
"This is a milestone which should have never been crossed, and today we fight so that it won't be crossed again.”

A dispatch from me and @reportrix.bsky.social on Alberta’s student walkout in response to the government’s back to work order for teachers and the use of the notwithstanding clause.
Alberta students cut class, rally at legislature for teachers in strike-bill dispute
EDMONTON - Hundreds of students cut class Thursday to march and chant against Alberta's shutdown of a teachers strike in protests that saw Premier Danielle Smith compared to a cold-hearted,
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
reportrix.bsky.social
“What happens in Alberta will have implications for public sector labour relations across the country. Rights aren’t absolute. But using the notwithstanding clause in this way constitutes a direct attack on unionized workers,” said Larry Savage, a professor of labour studies at Brock University.
October 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM