Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
Recalcitrant Canadian. Political scientist at UBC in Vancouver. I research, teach and talk international relations, BCpoli, comparative democratic institutions, and contentious politics. stewartprest.ca | https://stewartprest.substack.com
Pinned
Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
· Apr 12
All of this would be hilarious if it weren't so serious.
I always appreciate @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social's tenacity in situations like this. Voters learn much from how their elected leaders respond to close questioning.
Hey all. If you would like to see this morning's interview with Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, I have attached a YouTube link below.
Thank you for watching.
youtu.be/s9Khl0T_BEA?...
Thank you for watching.
youtu.be/s9Khl0T_BEA?...
Vancouver mayor stands by city's budget
YouTube video by CBC British Columbia
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 6:08 AM
I always appreciate @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social's tenacity in situations like this. Voters learn much from how their elected leaders respond to close questioning.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded to 54 overdoses last Friday - the most in a single day in the department's history. Averaged 16 per day in May.
There has been a surge in ODs reported all across the province in the past few weeks.
There has been a surge in ODs reported all across the province in the past few weeks.
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services responded to 54 overdoses last Friday - the most in a single day in the department's history. Averaged 16 per day in May.
There has been a surge in ODs reported all across the province in the past few weeks.
There has been a surge in ODs reported all across the province in the past few weeks.
Meanwhile Vancouver's fireworks competition was just cancelled indefinitely. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 27, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Meanwhile Vancouver's fireworks competition was just cancelled indefinitely. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
We are long overdue for a conversation about regulating parties' use of private information—and about party regulation more broadly given their crucial role in our democracy. They are private actors that collectively provide crucial public goods in the form of shaping contests for power.
BC's democratic and electoral reform committee recommends requiring Elections BC to share voters' contact info (email, phone numbers) with political parties and candidates "under strict privacy guidelines"
To that I say: Ew 👎👎👎
I 1000% do not trust partisans with my personal contact info #bcpoli
To that I say: Ew 👎👎👎
I 1000% do not trust partisans with my personal contact info #bcpoli
November 27, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We are long overdue for a conversation about regulating parties' use of private information—and about party regulation more broadly given their crucial role in our democracy. They are private actors that collectively provide crucial public goods in the form of shaping contests for power.
It's a strange way to go about building national unity—agreeing with Alberta what should be built in BC without talking to BC about it.
Can't imagine the federal government taking this approach to a project that went through Ontario or Quebec.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Can't imagine the federal government taking this approach to a project that went through Ontario or Quebec.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Carney briefs cabinet on Alberta energy deal to be unveiled Thursday
Agreement could open the door for a new heavy oil pipeline to the B.C. coast
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
It's a strange way to go about building national unity—agreeing with Alberta what should be built in BC without talking to BC about it.
Can't imagine the federal government taking this approach to a project that went through Ontario or Quebec.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Can't imagine the federal government taking this approach to a project that went through Ontario or Quebec.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
I have written my first substack. duanebratt.substack.com/p/the-grand-...
The Grand Bargain
The Ottawa-Alberta Energy MOU
duanebratt.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I have written my first substack. duanebratt.substack.com/p/the-grand-...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The European Parliament m voted in favor of banning social media for people under the age of 16.
483 MEPs voted in favor while 92 voted against. If it becomes law, people will likely have to use IDs to log into their profiles, making anonymous accounts impossible.
483 MEPs voted in favor while 92 voted against. If it becomes law, people will likely have to use IDs to log into their profiles, making anonymous accounts impossible.
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The European Parliament m voted in favor of banning social media for people under the age of 16.
483 MEPs voted in favor while 92 voted against. If it becomes law, people will likely have to use IDs to log into their profiles, making anonymous accounts impossible.
483 MEPs voted in favor while 92 voted against. If it becomes law, people will likely have to use IDs to log into their profiles, making anonymous accounts impossible.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Zero means zero, except when it's world class.
I like how the City of Vancouver’s response to the new PNE Amphitheatre being triple the original budget is to say “WORLD CLASS” like the phrase is a magical amulet that excuses any sins
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Zero means zero, except when it's world class.
Vancouver council has passed the austerity budget. Sets the table for a contentious election in a year's time. vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
Vancouver City Council approves 2026 Budget with 0% property tax increase
Today, Council approved the City’s 2026 Budget, which includes a 0% property tax increase while prioritizing frontline services and continuing planned investments in critical infrastructure.
vancouver.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Vancouver council has passed the austerity budget. Sets the table for a contentious election in a year's time. vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
"Then came the killings and decapitations," is not a sentence you read in many scientific journal articles.
In addition to being a fascinating (if horrific) insight into a mostly-unknown period of European prehistory, this includes a BANGER of a quote: "I can see why all these people without heads wouldn’t be good for a community, and might be a cause for abandonment."
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Headless bodies hint at why Europe’s first farmers vanished
Wave of mass brutality accompanied the collapse of the first pan-European culture
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"Then came the killings and decapitations," is not a sentence you read in many scientific journal articles.
There's a Dave in each of us, just waiting to burst out and appall the Morley in our loved ones.
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 AM
There's a Dave in each of us, just waiting to burst out and appall the Morley in our loved ones.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The Carney government does seem to be particularly prone to actions that are premised on the idea that its authority, once declared, instantly becomes 100% effective.
It's a very "I am the boss" mentality; one often susceptible to being caught surprisised by other actors' soft and not-soft power.
It's a very "I am the boss" mentality; one often susceptible to being caught surprisised by other actors' soft and not-soft power.
Leaving BC and First Nations out of talks about a pipeline is a great way to slow any hypothetical future project.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The Carney government does seem to be particularly prone to actions that are premised on the idea that its authority, once declared, instantly becomes 100% effective.
It's a very "I am the boss" mentality; one often susceptible to being caught surprisised by other actors' soft and not-soft power.
It's a very "I am the boss" mentality; one often susceptible to being caught surprisised by other actors' soft and not-soft power.
Leaving BC and First Nations out of talks about a pipeline is a great way to slow any hypothetical future project.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Leaving BC and First Nations out of talks about a pipeline is a great way to slow any hypothetical future project.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
The inevitable risk of "streamlining" processes is that vital steps are skipped, leading to bad, often unsustainable decisions.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
I know it is now very controversial to say “go read the senate reports on Russian election interference” — but — go read the reports!
For sh*ts and giggles, break out the Mueller report too!
www.intelligence.senate.gov/2020/08/18/p...
For sh*ts and giggles, break out the Mueller report too!
www.intelligence.senate.gov/2020/08/18/p...
Report of the Select Committee on Intelligence United States Senate on Russian Active Measures Campaigns and Interference in the 2016 U.S. Election | Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
www.intelligence.senate.gov
November 24, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I know it is now very controversial to say “go read the senate reports on Russian election interference” — but — go read the reports!
For sh*ts and giggles, break out the Mueller report too!
www.intelligence.senate.gov/2020/08/18/p...
For sh*ts and giggles, break out the Mueller report too!
www.intelligence.senate.gov/2020/08/18/p...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
A reminder that this pattern of activity including the stupid handles and bio lines and emojis was catalogued in the Senate reports on Russia’s election interference in 2016 — a thing which actually happened!
Pretend Americans 🦅🇺🇸⭐️2A has been the game all along
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
Pretend Americans 🦅🇺🇸⭐️2A has been the game all along
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
A reminder that this pattern of activity including the stupid handles and bio lines and emojis was catalogued in the Senate reports on Russia’s election interference in 2016 — a thing which actually happened!
Pretend Americans 🦅🇺🇸⭐️2A has been the game all along
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
Pretend Americans 🦅🇺🇸⭐️2A has been the game all along
www.thedailybeast.com/top-maga-inf...
The real surprise would be if it hadn't, given that avoiding regulation is one of crypto's core functions. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
Ryan Wedding organization allegedly used cryptocurrency to launder drug money
U.S. prosecutors say ex-Olympian used ‘sophisticated Tether network’ to move proceeds of sprawling drug-trafficking operation
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The real surprise would be if it hadn't, given that avoiding regulation is one of crypto's core functions. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
Who could have foreseen that enabling a leader with authoritarian tendencies would produce authoritarian behaviour?
PUNCHBOWL: “.. GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term. Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
@punchbowlnews.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Who could have foreseen that enabling a leader with authoritarian tendencies would produce authoritarian behaviour?
Reposted by Stewart Prest
"Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health...[A] staffer worried that keeping quiet...would be akin to the tobacco industry...'knowing cigs were bad & then keeping that info to themselves.'"
www.reuters.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health...[A] staffer worried that keeping quiet...would be akin to the tobacco industry...'knowing cigs were bad & then keeping that info to themselves.'"
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Then this today in Punchbowl. Republicans are angry that the White House is "treating them like garbage". You can't act like you aren't worthy of any respect and then complain that you don't get respected. They are reaping what they sowed. (2/2)
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Then this today in Punchbowl. Republicans are angry that the White House is "treating them like garbage". You can't act like you aren't worthy of any respect and then complain that you don't get respected. They are reaping what they sowed. (2/2)
Reposted by Stewart Prest
A story in two parts. At the start of the Trump administration I heard from Republican Senators that they knew the outlandish people Trump was sending up for confirmation were tests of the "if you roll on this, you'll roll on everything" variety. And they rolled (1/2)
TAPPER: Dr Cassidy, RFK Jr lied to you
CASSIDY: First let me say what's most important -- vaccines are safe.
CASSIDY: First let me say what's most important -- vaccines are safe.
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
A story in two parts. At the start of the Trump administration I heard from Republican Senators that they knew the outlandish people Trump was sending up for confirmation were tests of the "if you roll on this, you'll roll on everything" variety. And they rolled (1/2)
Reposted by Stewart Prest
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
X rolled out a new feature overnight showing where accounts are based. This network of “Trump-supporting independent women” that claimed to be “real Americans” are based in Thailand.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
November 23, 2025 at 12:55 PM
X rolled out a new feature overnight showing where accounts are based. This network of “Trump-supporting independent women” that claimed to be “real Americans” are based in Thailand.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
The photos were stolen from European models & posts pushed pro-Trump lines while targeting Islam and LGBTQ people.
Maduro is an autocrat responsible for the immiseration of the Venezuelan people, but a world without international law makes no one safer and the US is blatantly violating it in its actions in Venezuela.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Maduro is an autocrat responsible for the immiseration of the Venezuelan people, but a world without international law makes no one safer and the US is blatantly violating it in its actions in Venezuela.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
So apparently this is fine but Canadian governments using advertising to share views with Americans about trade is completely inappropriate.
Got it.
Got it.
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
So apparently this is fine but Canadian governments using advertising to share views with Americans about trade is completely inappropriate.
Got it.
Got it.