Laurence Thompson
@thompsonlg.bsky.social
Grandfather, trying to leave the world a little better for my & all grandkids.
Approach to issues is on policy rather than partisanship.
🇨🇦 in Treaty 6 lands.
Focus on health, climate & Saskatchewan.
Approach to issues is on policy rather than partisanship.
🇨🇦 in Treaty 6 lands.
Focus on health, climate & Saskatchewan.
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
432 (~30%) more homeless people in Saskatoon #yxe than just one year ago.
There are more homeless people in Saskatoon than residents of most towns in Saskatchewan. Let that sink in.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Latest homelessness count in Saskatoon identifies nearly 2,000 people | CBC News
The latest point-in-time count in the city took place on Oct. 16 and tallied 1,931 people experiencing homelessness. That's roughly 30 per cent more than one year ago, when the same one-day count foun...
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
432 (~30%) more homeless people in Saskatoon #yxe than just one year ago.
“six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)”
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
Canadian Dental Care Plan reaches new milestone as Government of Canada strengthens access to oral health care
Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced that close to six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and can receive the dental care they...
www.canada.ca
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
“six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)”
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
This year's Saskatchewan budget is sinking deeper into the red, mainly due to higher health-care expenses and the cost of fighting the summer's wildfires. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #skpoli
Surplus long gone: Sask. government says budget on course for $427M deficit at year's end | CBC News
Finance Minister Jim Reiter, in a midterm update Tuesday, said the projected year-end deficit is expected to be $427 million, a major swing from the $12-million surplus predicted when the budget was i...
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This year's Saskatchewan budget is sinking deeper into the red, mainly due to higher health-care expenses and the cost of fighting the summer's wildfires. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #skpoli
In case you’re wondering what’s contributing to inflation in 🇨🇦: corporate profits after tax now almost *3 1/2* times greater than just before the pandemic (2020 Q1).
Corporate profits before taxes in Canada hit a new peak in the 3rd quarter, rising 7.6% from the 2nd quarter, StatCan reported yesterday. The previous pre-tax peak was in 2022 Q2. Telecomm profits jumped an extraordinary $10.4 billion but these were mostly one-time non-operational gains. #cdnecon
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In case you’re wondering what’s contributing to inflation in 🇨🇦: corporate profits after tax now almost *3 1/2* times greater than just before the pandemic (2020 Q1).
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
Saskatchewan respiratory disease (CRISP) report for 2 weeks to Nov 15 finally available today after technical delay. Report confirms that after summer lull COVID hospitalizations picked up sharply in early September, plateaued in October, now easing slightly. 1/
COVID-19 Situation Reports (CRISP) | COVID-19 | Government of Saskatchewan
COVID-19 surveillance information is now integrated with provincial reporting of respiratory illnesses, including influenza.
www.saskatchewan.ca
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Saskatchewan respiratory disease (CRISP) report for 2 weeks to Nov 15 finally available today after technical delay. Report confirms that after summer lull COVID hospitalizations picked up sharply in early September, plateaued in October, now easing slightly. 1/
“who is paying for the pipeline itself? Is there really a proponent lurking out there willing to pay $35- or $40-billion for a pipeline, given the uncertain state of the energy future?”
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
“who is paying for the pipeline itself? Is there really a proponent lurking out there willing to pay $35- or $40-billion for a pipeline, given the uncertain state of the energy future?”
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Once again, folks: any deal between Alberta and Ottawa that requires a) BC's approval, and b) significant support from coastal First Nations is a deal for a pipeline that will never happen.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
a man in a suit and tie is holding a pencil and says just saying
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is holding a pencil and says just saying
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Once again, folks: any deal between Alberta and Ottawa that requires a) BC's approval, and b) significant support from coastal First Nations is a deal for a pipeline that will never happen.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
“Under Mayor Charlie Clark…Saskatoon pulled off one of the most disciplined, principled financial stewardship runs in Canadian municipal history. Through…inflation, a…homeless crisis [&] the provincial government’s abdication of duty, Clark…maintained Saskatoon’s AAA credit rating”.
A Tale of Two Cities, Or Why Steady Hands Matter When Things Get Rough
How Saskatoon’s fiscal grit shamed Regina’s freefall; and why the Sask Party must take the blame for both cities and their problems.
tammyrobert.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
“Under Mayor Charlie Clark…Saskatoon pulled off one of the most disciplined, principled financial stewardship runs in Canadian municipal history. Through…inflation, a…homeless crisis [&] the provincial government’s abdication of duty, Clark…maintained Saskatoon’s AAA credit rating”.
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
the last 24 hours on X, summed up:
November 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
the last 24 hours on X, summed up:
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
❗️🇪🇺🇺🇦 The full text of the EU plan to end the war in Ukraine is published by The Telegraph
November 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
❗️🇪🇺🇺🇦 The full text of the EU plan to end the war in Ukraine is published by The Telegraph
“Canada must choose to remain a democracy before the choice is taken away.”
Part II: The Age of Disruption — Alberta's Attack on the Idea of Canada
Time to plant my flag.
Danielle Smith is the stalking horse for Trump's MAGA movement and a threat to Canadian democracy.
#ableg #bcpoli #cdnpoli
markhamhislop.substack.com/p/part-ii-th...
Time to plant my flag.
Danielle Smith is the stalking horse for Trump's MAGA movement and a threat to Canadian democracy.
#ableg #bcpoli #cdnpoli
markhamhislop.substack.com/p/part-ii-th...
Part II: The Age of Disruption — Alberta's Attack on the Idea of Canada
Democracy dies with a shrug, not a coup
markhamhislop.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:15 AM
“Canada must choose to remain a democracy before the choice is taken away.”
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Doug Cuthand, the Indigenous affairs columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post, is retiring after 35 years. Impossible to overstate what an important voice he has been in Saskatchewan.
thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu...
thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu...
Cuthand: It's not goodbye, it's 'miostus' (later)
After 34 years of writing for the StarPhoenix and Leader-Post, Indigenous affairs columnist Doug Cuthand is retiring to focus on his health.
thestarphoenix.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Doug Cuthand, the Indigenous affairs columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post, is retiring after 35 years. Impossible to overstate what an important voice he has been in Saskatchewan.
thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu...
thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Green Party of Canada 🇨🇦 -
Fact check: No, U.S. oil tankers do not pass through the Hecate Strait. Elizabeth May shows exactly why the tanker ban exists, and why protecting it matters. #cdnpoli
Fact check: No, U.S. oil tankers do not pass through the Hecate Strait. Elizabeth May shows exactly why the tanker ban exists, and why protecting it matters. #cdnpoli
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Green Party of Canada 🇨🇦 -
Fact check: No, U.S. oil tankers do not pass through the Hecate Strait. Elizabeth May shows exactly why the tanker ban exists, and why protecting it matters. #cdnpoli
Fact check: No, U.S. oil tankers do not pass through the Hecate Strait. Elizabeth May shows exactly why the tanker ban exists, and why protecting it matters. #cdnpoli
Thoughtful piece on Cowichan decision & its effect on land rights in BC:
“courts…expose the fundamental flaw in B.C.’s foundation - [in the] 19th century, representatives of the Crown ignored their own laws requiring land title to be secured by purchase or treaty.” 1/2
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
“courts…expose the fundamental flaw in B.C.’s foundation - [in the] 19th century, representatives of the Crown ignored their own laws requiring land title to be secured by purchase or treaty.” 1/2
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Cowichan Decision and Beyond: Letting Go of Zero-Sum Thinking | The Tyee
Responses to the court ruling have stoked fear about private property. There’s a more just and hopeful way forward.
thetyee.ca
November 22, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Thoughtful piece on Cowichan decision & its effect on land rights in BC:
“courts…expose the fundamental flaw in B.C.’s foundation - [in the] 19th century, representatives of the Crown ignored their own laws requiring land title to be secured by purchase or treaty.” 1/2
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
“courts…expose the fundamental flaw in B.C.’s foundation - [in the] 19th century, representatives of the Crown ignored their own laws requiring land title to be secured by purchase or treaty.” 1/2
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025...
Oddly, the Sask govt has not posted its scheduled bi-weekly respiratory disease (CRISP) report today.
November 22, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Oddly, the Sask govt has not posted its scheduled bi-weekly respiratory disease (CRISP) report today.
Saskatchewan's Auditor will review preparedness of the province's public safety agency for fighting wildfires and the province's purchase of new water bombers. The Opposition and northern community members have been calling for an inquiry into both.
Auditor to investigate Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's wildfire preparedness
REGINA — Saskatchewan's auditor says she plans to look into the preparedness of province's public safety agency responsible for fighting wildfires.
www.sasktoday.ca
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Saskatchewan's Auditor will review preparedness of the province's public safety agency for fighting wildfires and the province's purchase of new water bombers. The Opposition and northern community members have been calling for an inquiry into both.
Saskatchewan’s wind turbines appear to be putting out significantly more power relative to nameplate capacity than do Alberta’s wind turbine fleet.
Analyzing the wind capacity factor for Alberta’s 50 wind farms, and what it means for Saskatchewan
What can we really expect for output when a new wind farm, like the one proposed near Weyburn, is built? Pipeline Online digs deep into the data from Alberta's 50 wind farms to find out. When you comp...
pipelineonline.ca
November 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Saskatchewan’s wind turbines appear to be putting out significantly more power relative to nameplate capacity than do Alberta’s wind turbine fleet.
A propos Alberta’s (& other provinces) moves to privatize both financing & delivery of health services, new study reports: “a clear link between greater privatization & higher mortality rates, in terms of both the financing & the delivery of health care services.” 1/2
Mortality and health care privatization: A comparison between countries - CCPA
Privatization is deadly. Canada needs to learn from other countries and focus on public health care instead.
www.policyalternatives.ca
November 20, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A propos Alberta’s (& other provinces) moves to privatize both financing & delivery of health services, new study reports: “a clear link between greater privatization & higher mortality rates, in terms of both the financing & the delivery of health care services.” 1/2
Excellent background analysis by Andrew Picard: 🎁 1/
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly?
What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Excellent background analysis by Andrew Picard: 🎁 1/
“Carney…knows what the real impediment to a new West Coast oil pipeline actually is, & he’s unwilling to let his own government continue to stand in for it. Instead, he will let the market decide, knowing full well that it’s already made up its mind.”
I suspect there will be a lot of people lashing out at the Carney government over the MOU that's been leaked today.
I'd encourage them to read this first. The biggest hurdle in the way of a new oil pipeline to the west coast, by far, has yet to be cleared.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
I'd encourage them to read this first. The biggest hurdle in the way of a new oil pipeline to the west coast, by far, has yet to be cleared.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
Alberta’s pipeline math still doesn’t add up
The biggest obstacle standing between Alberta and its premier's repeated pledge to double oil production isn't the tanker ban, the emissions cap, or any other piece of federal legislation. It's realit...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:46 AM
“Carney…knows what the real impediment to a new West Coast oil pipeline actually is, & he’s unwilling to let his own government continue to stand in for it. Instead, he will let the market decide, knowing full well that it’s already made up its mind.”
Interesting that this news release mentions neither the cost to build the hospital or the financial arrangements with the private financiers.
We're lucky that, unlike the U.S. and Australia, we don't have private hospitals.
But Canada's biggest hospital is about to be built in Mississauga with the aid of funding from 2 American private equity funds (Plenary and the Cdn branch of Fengate)
www.pcl.com/ca/en/newsro...
But Canada's biggest hospital is about to be built in Mississauga with the aid of funding from 2 American private equity funds (Plenary and the Cdn branch of Fengate)
www.pcl.com/ca/en/newsro...
ED+PCL Healthcare Partners Reach Financial Close on The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children
www.pcl.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Interesting that this news release mentions neither the cost to build the hospital or the financial arrangements with the private financiers.
