Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 22h

We're going public today with a powerful new tool for researching, following and reporting on local governments across Canada.

It’s dragging cities and towns into the 21st century by making 550 municipalities’ public meetings easy to search, all in one place, for the first time.

Canada’s National Observer unveils a powerful tool for fighting disinformation

Civic Searchlight brings together municipal meeting transcripts from across Canada into a searchable database for the first time. It has already been used to fight disinformation, report on impact, di...

www.nationalobserver.com

7 56 83

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 1d

The BC government and Canada’s largest labour organization want Ottawa to beef up inspections of employers who hire temporary foreign workers, after our investigation revealed inspectors seldom visit the worksites they review. Find out more.

zurl.co/djQR4

#bcpoli #cdnpoli

2 2 5

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 4d

Now more than ever – facts matter. Read our Canadian independent journalism to find out what’s really going on. Sign up now to get on our email list.

zurl.co/rQ8Cb

#cdnpoli #journalism

3 4

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Brett McKay @brettmckay.bsky.social · 3d

Alberta border patrol has made just 4 arrests for illegal immigration or drug trafficking in border zone, data shows
theijf.org/alberta-bord...

Alberta border patrol has made just 4 arrests for illegal immigration or drug trafficking in border zone, data shows

Critics are raising concerns about efficiency and cost, but province says it remains committed to border patrol plan

theijf.org

6 16 42

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 6d

Environmental groups are warning that legislative and regulatory changes to fast-track majornational projects could sideline Indigenous rights, along with health and environmental protections. Read the new info we found in federal reports.

zurl.co/Z263e

#cdnpoli #FirstNations

2 9 15

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 7d

I'm aware of some misleading chatter online regarding this story about the Eric Woodward Foundation, so I'm sharing this clip from our interview where Woodward confirms his foundations have "never prepared financial statements before."

drive.google.com/file/d/1WSar...

theijf.org/eric-woodwar...

This B.C. mayor promised to use $55M in real estate for charity. Now he’s ignored an order to open the books

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward admits his non-profits didn’t file financial statements for 6 years

theijf.org

1 3

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 13d

A Canadian charity devoted to the philosophy of Ayn Rand had its status revoked by the CRA. Find out why in our latest report.

#cdnpoli
zurl.co/PLKX3

Charity promoting Ayn Rand’s philosophy has status revoked

A Canadian institute devoted to spreading the word of the polarizing American author Ayn Rand has lost its charitable status after repeated non-compliance with tax law

zurl.co

7 6 23

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 13d

When you buy an Edmonton Oilers 50/50 ticket, how much money ends up with charity? Check out our investigation to find the answer.

zurl.co/5aL6i

#abpoli #hockey

Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal

Financial statements show percentage of ticket sales available for charity has declined since raffle moved online

zurl.co

1 18 20

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 10d

With federal spending cuts looming, Indigenous-led searches for missing children are at risk of losing funding. Find out more in our latest story.

zurl.co/zhN3U
#cdnpoli #truthandreconciliation

5 4

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 12d

New from me (following a much more thorough IJF scoop): Alberta court investigating UCP donations linked to two judges: report edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...

Alberta court investigating UCP donations linked to two judges: report

Two Alberta judges appear to have made donations to the United Conservative Party while sitting on the bench, a new report claims.

edmontonjournal.com

1 4

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 15d

Today we launch our 13th public-interest database — with more than 175K appointments across the country, from judges and ambassadors to the heads of Crown corporations. Find out more.

theijf.org/new-ijf-data...

#cdnpoli #democracy

New IJF database shines spotlight on people appointed to Canada’s major public bodies

Appointments database ‘getting us closer to what we would want to see in a well-functioning democracy,’ expert says

theijf.org

3 11 24

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 16d

Our reporters @bethanylindsay.bsky.social and @brettmckay.bsky.social worked on this story.

Watch the video.

www.tiktok.com/@theijf.org/...

Exclusive: Alberta’s chief justice is investigating the conduct of two judges after we revealed evidence suggesting they gave money to the ruling United Conservative Party after being appointed to the...

TikTok video by IJF

www.tiktok.com

7 5

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Cecil Rosner @rosnerc.bsky.social · 16d

On Wednesday we will be launching a Canada-wide appointments database, making it easier to draw connections like the one revealed in this story. Watch for it at theijf.org @theijf.org

5 7

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 16d

One of the judges, Gordon Hatch, is facing a complaint for briefly jailing a 36-week pregnant woman who showed up a few minutes late for court

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 16d

New scoop at @theijf.org from @brettmckay.bsky.social and me! We've uncovered evidence to two sitting judges in Alberta donating to the United Conservatives.

Experts say this kind of partisan conduct would "undermine public confidence in the impartiality of our judges”

theijf.org/alberta-judg...

2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP

Canadian ethical guidelines say all partisan political activity must end after appointment to the bench

theijf.org

1 19 27

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 16d

New scoop at @theijf.org from @brettmckay.bsky.social and me! We've uncovered evidence to two sitting judges in Alberta donating to the United Conservatives.

Experts say this kind of partisan conduct would "undermine public confidence in the impartiality of our judges”

theijf.org/alberta-judg...

2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP

Canadian ethical guidelines say all partisan political activity must end after appointment to the bench

theijf.org

1 17 21

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 16d

Exclusive: Alberta’s chief justice is investigating the conduct of two judges after we revealed evidence suggesting they gave money to the ruling United Conservative Party after being appointed to the provincial court bench.
zurl.co/GErEQ
#abpoli

2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP

Canadian ethical guidelines say all partisan political activity must end after appointment to the bench

zurl.co

2 19 25

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 16d

The Eric Woodward Foundation, established as a non-profit in 2019, announced some donations in its first few years, then took over the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival in 2020.

But it never registered as a charity and no charitable commitments have been announced since Woodward became mayor.

Langley Mayor’s Promise to Open a Charity Is Shrouded in Secrecy | The Tyee

A registrar ordered his foundation to release its financials. The directive has so far been ignored.

thetyee.ca

2 10 26

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 19d

A businessman in Calgary is staying on the board of directors for three charities after being fined over $400,000 for breaking securities laws. Find out the details in our latest story.

zurl.co/O1ldk

#abpoli

Charities keep businessman as director after securities law violations

A Calgary businessman who was fined for breaking securities law is still a director for three Canadian charities

zurl.co

5 5

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Joseph Planta @joeplanta.bsky.social · 19d

I mean, I could share this story, but why would I?

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

I've spent a year trying to get some concrete answers about Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward's promise to transfer his real estate holdings to a charity devoted to local causes.

The B.C. registrar ordered him to share financial statements with me. He did not: theijf.org/eric-woodwar...

This B.C. mayor promised to use $55M in real estate for charity. Now he’s ignored an order to open the books

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward admits his non-profits didn’t file financial statements for 6 years

theijf.org

1 1 5

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

Now Joseph

1

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

Thanks so much, Richard!

1 1

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Pulpfiction Books @pfbvan.bsky.social · 19d

Langley lately giving Kamloops & Harrison Hot Springs a run for their money

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

I've spent a year trying to get some concrete answers about Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward's promise to transfer his real estate holdings to a charity devoted to local causes.

The B.C. registrar ordered him to share financial statements with me. He did not: theijf.org/eric-woodwar...

This B.C. mayor promised to use $55M in real estate for charity. Now he’s ignored an order to open the books

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward admits his non-profits didn’t file financial statements for 6 years

theijf.org

1 9

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

What I can tell you is that the Eric Woodward Foundation has never been registered as a charity and none of the properties were transferred to it. He says donations to charity have been made through his for-profit corp, but would not elaborate:

“I mean, I could, but why would I?”

2 6

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 19d

I've spent a year trying to get some concrete answers about Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward's promise to transfer his real estate holdings to a charity devoted to local causes.

The B.C. registrar ordered him to share financial statements with me. He did not: theijf.org/eric-woodwar...

This B.C. mayor promised to use $55M in real estate for charity. Now he’s ignored an order to open the books

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward admits his non-profits didn’t file financial statements for 6 years

theijf.org

3 12 22

Reposted by Bethany Lindsay

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · 20d

The mayor of the Township of Langley, B.C., promised to transfer $55 million in real estate to a new charity. That never happened – and now he’s ignored a government order to share financial statements with the IJF. Read the latest details in our story.

zurl.co/9LCeT
#bcpoli

3 3