Robson Fletcher
@robsonfletcher.com
Data journalist with CBC Calgary. Views my own and subject to change, especially in light of new evidence. 📧 [email protected]
Alberta has collected more than $1 billion in cannabis revenue.
That's the most, per capita, of all provinces and territories.
By far.
It's nearly quadruple what Quebec has collected, per person.
That's the most, per capita, of all provinces and territories.
By far.
It's nearly quadruple what Quebec has collected, per person.
Canada collected over $5.4B in cannabis tax revenue since legalization | CBC News
Ottawa and the provinces raked in more than $5.4 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the drug was legalized for recreational use in October 2018.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Alberta has collected more than $1 billion in cannabis revenue.
That's the most, per capita, of all provinces and territories.
By far.
It's nearly quadruple what Quebec has collected, per person.
That's the most, per capita, of all provinces and territories.
By far.
It's nearly quadruple what Quebec has collected, per person.
One of the reasons I love live call-in radio shows is for moments like this.
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
One of the reasons I love live call-in radio shows is for moments like this.
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
In 2001, Alberta got 80% of its electricity from coal.
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
In 2001, Alberta got 80% of its electricity from coal.
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
"What complicates the issue is the company that owns the nine fire hydrants in Swift Creek Estates doesn't believe they are actually to be used in the event of a fire."
Residents near Calgary sound alarm over fire hydrants that don't work | CBC News
A local water utility company is appealing an order to inspect and fix its fire hydrants in Rocky View County. Westridge Utilities Inc. says the hydrants are not meant to help fight fires. The county ...
www.cbc.ca
November 20, 2025 at 9:55 PM
"What complicates the issue is the company that owns the nine fire hydrants in Swift Creek Estates doesn't believe they are actually to be used in the event of a fire."
Fortune magazine interviews Instagram users who flood the platform with racist memes, Hitler references and anti-Semitic content strictly for profit.
They all say they don't care about the content, just the revenue streams they provide.
Which have ballooned since Meta's moderation policy shift:
They all say they don't care about the content, just the revenue streams they provide.
Which have ballooned since Meta's moderation policy shift:
Mark Zuckerberg’s hate-speech gamble fuels Gen Z radicalization on Instagram as millions watch Hitler speeches and Holocaust denial clips | Fortune
The hottest far-right influencer right now isn’t Nick Fuentes—it’s Hitler. And his videos are appearing next to JPMorgan and U.S. Army ads
fortune.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Fortune magazine interviews Instagram users who flood the platform with racist memes, Hitler references and anti-Semitic content strictly for profit.
They all say they don't care about the content, just the revenue streams they provide.
Which have ballooned since Meta's moderation policy shift:
They all say they don't care about the content, just the revenue streams they provide.
Which have ballooned since Meta's moderation policy shift:
The Bow River in Calgary looks really low lately.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Bow River in Calgary looks really low lately.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
A great post from @gelliottmorris.com that affirms existing PoliSci research showing that most Americans are not ideological thinkers. It also reaffirms my belief that election surveys should do more open ended questions.
Good morning. I've got a banger new post out today that develops a new method for placing voters on the left-right ideological spectrum, and adds a new, "non-ideological"/affordability axis to usual way we chart & think about US voters (esp swing voters). www.gelliottmorris.com/p/not-just-l...
Not just left vs right: Most voters think about affordability and material wellbeing, not in ideological terms
Most voters want a party that emphasizes cost of living issues and makes the world a better place. Few Americans think in solidly ideologically terms. "Moderates" are mostly non-ideological.
www.gelliottmorris.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A great post from @gelliottmorris.com that affirms existing PoliSci research showing that most Americans are not ideological thinkers. It also reaffirms my belief that election surveys should do more open ended questions.
Every so often I think about this "Starting a new position as Deceased" LinkedIn post from 2024.
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Every so often I think about this "Starting a new position as Deceased" LinkedIn post from 2024.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Eric Trump: "You can send $500 million worth of bitcoin on a Sunday night at 11pm while having a glass of wine with your wife for virtually zero fees."
November 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Eric Trump: "You can send $500 million worth of bitcoin on a Sunday night at 11pm while having a glass of wine with your wife for virtually zero fees."
General bookings for COVID-19 vaccines opened — in theory — three weeks ago in Alberta.
I still haven't been able to book any for my children.
Just tried again this morning and got hung up on again by Alberta's 811 HealthLink, with an automated message blaming "higher than expected call volume."
I still haven't been able to book any for my children.
Just tried again this morning and got hung up on again by Alberta's 811 HealthLink, with an automated message blaming "higher than expected call volume."
The only way to book COVID vaccines for young children in Alberta is by calling 811 / HealthLink.
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
General bookings for COVID-19 vaccines opened — in theory — three weeks ago in Alberta.
I still haven't been able to book any for my children.
Just tried again this morning and got hung up on again by Alberta's 811 HealthLink, with an automated message blaming "higher than expected call volume."
I still haven't been able to book any for my children.
Just tried again this morning and got hung up on again by Alberta's 811 HealthLink, with an automated message blaming "higher than expected call volume."
“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) notified PHAC that Canada no longer holds its status.
Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status once the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months.”
Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status once the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months.”
Canada loses measles elimination status | CBC
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) notified PHAC that Canada no longer holds its status.
Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status once the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months.”
Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status once the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months.”
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Working thesis: tech bros are socially maladjusted weirdos who create products assuming the rest of us are also
www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-and...
www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-and...
Meta's CTO explains why you should treat your relationships like investments
Andrew Bosworth, the CTO of Meta, said you should manage your "emotional economy" like you manage your portfolio.
www.businessinsider.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Working thesis: tech bros are socially maladjusted weirdos who create products assuming the rest of us are also
www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-and...
www.businessinsider.com/meta-cto-and...
"Conservative Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announced Thursday he is resigning from the House of Commons, according to statement shared with CBC News, a decision that comes after rumours swirled this week that he was considering crossing the floor to the Liberals."
Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announces resignation from Parliament | CBC News
Conservative Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announced Thursday he is resigning from the House of Commons, according to statement shared with CBC News, a decision that comes after rumours swirled this week t...
www.cbc.ca
November 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
"Conservative Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announced Thursday he is resigning from the House of Commons, according to statement shared with CBC News, a decision that comes after rumours swirled this week that he was considering crossing the floor to the Liberals."
Before-and-after Fox News headlines on a story based entirely on AI-generated videos they found online.
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
November 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Before-and-after Fox News headlines on a story based entirely on AI-generated videos they found online.
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
"CBC News reached out to both Premier Smith's press secretary and Service Alberta, the department that oversees motor vehicle registrations, but did not receive any response from either."
N.B. business in trademark tangle with Alberta government over licence plates | CBC News
Part of the Canadian national anthem is turning out to be a possible legal headache for the Alberta government.
www.cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
"CBC News reached out to both Premier Smith's press secretary and Service Alberta, the department that oversees motor vehicle registrations, but did not receive any response from either."
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
At 2 a.m., the Alberta legislature passed a bill that will force 51,000 teachers back to work, impose a four-year contract and use the notwithstanding clause to stave off a legal challenge and suspend teacher bargaining at the local level. It includes fines for Ts and the ATA if they defy it. #AbLeg
Striking Alberta teachers forced back to work by fast-tracked legislation, notwithstanding clause | CBC News
Bill 2 passed early Tuesday morning after a long night for lawmakers in the provincial legislature. Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced the legislation the day before.
www.cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At 2 a.m., the Alberta legislature passed a bill that will force 51,000 teachers back to work, impose a four-year contract and use the notwithstanding clause to stave off a legal challenge and suspend teacher bargaining at the local level. It includes fines for Ts and the ATA if they defy it. #AbLeg
Baseball BlueSky has the juice
October 28, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Baseball BlueSky has the juice
While we’re all watching baseball Janet is watching the Alberta legislature as the suspension of teachers’ Charter rights is pushed through in the wee hours of the morning
October 28, 2025 at 6:07 AM
While we’re all watching baseball Janet is watching the Alberta legislature as the suspension of teachers’ Charter rights is pushed through in the wee hours of the morning
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Also getting a first look at the bill (we get advanced info under embargo but not the actual text):
The notwithstanding clause would allow the govt to override the Charter, the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
You may recall UCP members pushed hard to bolster the BoR.
The notwithstanding clause would allow the govt to override the Charter, the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
You may recall UCP members pushed hard to bolster the BoR.
October 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Also getting a first look at the bill (we get advanced info under embargo but not the actual text):
The notwithstanding clause would allow the govt to override the Charter, the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
You may recall UCP members pushed hard to bolster the BoR.
The notwithstanding clause would allow the govt to override the Charter, the Alberta Bill of Rights and the Alberta Human Rights Act.
You may recall UCP members pushed hard to bolster the BoR.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
I’m watching debate live for a while. There are about 27 people watching from the public gallery of the legislative chamber. Many are wearing bright red sweaters or scarves.
The govt has time allocation motions on the order paper, which allows them to vote to limit debate at each stage to 1 hour.
The govt has time allocation motions on the order paper, which allows them to vote to limit debate at each stage to 1 hour.
October 28, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I’m watching debate live for a while. There are about 27 people watching from the public gallery of the legislative chamber. Many are wearing bright red sweaters or scarves.
The govt has time allocation motions on the order paper, which allows them to vote to limit debate at each stage to 1 hour.
The govt has time allocation motions on the order paper, which allows them to vote to limit debate at each stage to 1 hour.
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
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“Totalitarianism today begins not with the suppression of speech but with the systematic degradation of meaning…
Its goal isn’t to convince anyone of one story over another; it is to make people stop believing that any story could really be true.”
Its goal isn’t to convince anyone of one story over another; it is to make people stop believing that any story could really be true.”
Destroy the Metrics, Destroy the Truth
Trump’s decimation of public health systems isn’t about efficiency, cost-saving, or even ideology. It’s about building a world without truth or the possibility of accountability.
www.thenation.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
“Totalitarianism today begins not with the suppression of speech but with the systematic degradation of meaning…
Its goal isn’t to convince anyone of one story over another; it is to make people stop believing that any story could really be true.”
Its goal isn’t to convince anyone of one story over another; it is to make people stop believing that any story could really be true.”
Doug Ford: "My champion Wab Kinew, he's 100% behind it. Another champion, Premier Eby, as well ... total different political stripes than I am but we're all sticking together."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
October 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Doug Ford: "My champion Wab Kinew, he's 100% behind it. Another champion, Premier Eby, as well ... total different political stripes than I am but we're all sticking together."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Fun story on the "theory known as Roko’s basilisk, which holds that a future AI super intelligence would torture any human who didn’t help it come into existence."
"Now, in a twist that should please any writer, the guy who’s spearheading Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses is named Rocco Basilico."
"Now, in a twist that should please any writer, the guy who’s spearheading Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses is named Rocco Basilico."
Zuckerberg's AI Glasses Guy Is Named Rocco Basilico
The guy who's spearheading Meta's AI-powered smart glasses is named Rocco Basilico — which matches a internet theory called Roko's basilisk.
futurism.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Fun story on the "theory known as Roko’s basilisk, which holds that a future AI super intelligence would torture any human who didn’t help it come into existence."
"Now, in a twist that should please any writer, the guy who’s spearheading Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses is named Rocco Basilico."
"Now, in a twist that should please any writer, the guy who’s spearheading Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses is named Rocco Basilico."
Trump called the border
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
October 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Trump called the border
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine