Ryan Dunch
@dunchinyeg.bsky.social
Professor of Chinese history at the University of Alberta, Canada
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Danielle Smith's comments about the judiciary are among the most worrying things she's said about Alberta democracy.
Conservatives need to stand up to her. Now.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Conservatives need to stand up to her. Now.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
December 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Danielle Smith's comments about the judiciary are among the most worrying things she's said about Alberta democracy.
Conservatives need to stand up to her. Now.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Conservatives need to stand up to her. Now.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
December 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Calling this a “peace plan” is like calling a bank robbery a “balance adjustment.”
Or like telling a mugging victim:
“Good news! I’ve negotiated a settlement.
You keep the hospital bills, he keeps your wallet.”
Or like telling a mugging victim:
“Good news! I’ve negotiated a settlement.
You keep the hospital bills, he keeps your wallet.”
November 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Calling this a “peace plan” is like calling a bank robbery a “balance adjustment.”
Or like telling a mugging victim:
“Good news! I’ve negotiated a settlement.
You keep the hospital bills, he keeps your wallet.”
Or like telling a mugging victim:
“Good news! I’ve negotiated a settlement.
You keep the hospital bills, he keeps your wallet.”
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Feet on a train seat? Yeah, okay, not good behaviour. But in no way should that merit the kind of aggressive response I saw today.
If you can't talk to a kid about obnoxious but non-violent behaviour without clearly being on the verge of snapping, you should not be trusted with public safety.
If you can't talk to a kid about obnoxious but non-violent behaviour without clearly being on the verge of snapping, you should not be trusted with public safety.
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Feet on a train seat? Yeah, okay, not good behaviour. But in no way should that merit the kind of aggressive response I saw today.
If you can't talk to a kid about obnoxious but non-violent behaviour without clearly being on the verge of snapping, you should not be trusted with public safety.
If you can't talk to a kid about obnoxious but non-violent behaviour without clearly being on the verge of snapping, you should not be trusted with public safety.
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
This is what's at stake.
The UCP is not only dodging its responsibility to explain how Bill 9 is in any way proportionate or justifiable in a free and democratic society.
They are putting children at far greater risk of suicide.
The UCP is not only dodging its responsibility to explain how Bill 9 is in any way proportionate or justifiable in a free and democratic society.
They are putting children at far greater risk of suicide.
State-level anti-transgender laws increased incidents of past-year suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary young people by 7–72%
November 19, 2025 at 2:43 AM
This is what's at stake.
The UCP is not only dodging its responsibility to explain how Bill 9 is in any way proportionate or justifiable in a free and democratic society.
They are putting children at far greater risk of suicide.
The UCP is not only dodging its responsibility to explain how Bill 9 is in any way proportionate or justifiable in a free and democratic society.
They are putting children at far greater risk of suicide.
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
I am pretty sure that when Merv Leitch and Peter Lougheed first created the notwithstanding clause, they didn’t mean it to be deployed to bully and oppress literal school children. #ableg #abpoli #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Alberta #notwithstandingclause
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to shield 3 transgender bills from court challenges | CBC News
The Alberta government has tabled legislation that seeks to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of bills that affects transgender youth and adults from legal challenges.
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I am pretty sure that when Merv Leitch and Peter Lougheed first created the notwithstanding clause, they didn’t mean it to be deployed to bully and oppress literal school children. #ableg #abpoli #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Alberta #notwithstandingclause
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
The UCP has invoked the notwithstanding clause pre-emptively. Again. This time to strip the Charter rights of trans children and adults.
This is sadly and entirely predictable from a populist government bent on removing checks on its power. 🧵
drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/populism-f...
This is sadly and entirely predictable from a populist government bent on removing checks on its power. 🧵
drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/populism-f...
Populism, freedom, and democracy in Alberta (and beyond)
Lessons from my grade fiver's homework assignment
drjaredwesley.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The UCP has invoked the notwithstanding clause pre-emptively. Again. This time to strip the Charter rights of trans children and adults.
This is sadly and entirely predictable from a populist government bent on removing checks on its power. 🧵
drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/populism-f...
This is sadly and entirely predictable from a populist government bent on removing checks on its power. 🧵
drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/populism-f...
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Now do universities and colleges
Let's work together across party lines to defend the forestry sector. Because when forestry is strong, Canada is strong.
November 9, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Now do universities and colleges
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
An update on my column: Parliamentary committee drops most contentious parts of its demand for data on research funding. It now wants aggregated, not disaggregated data. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
November 6, 2025 at 2:29 AM
An update on my column: Parliamentary committee drops most contentious parts of its demand for data on research funding. It now wants aggregated, not disaggregated data. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think. A parliamentary committee is asking for researchers' personal information in what seems like an anti-DEI crusade, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think
A parliamentary committee is asking for academics’ private information on a strange anti-DEI crusade
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM
How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think. A parliamentary committee is asking for researchers' personal information in what seems like an anti-DEI crusade, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Sometimes questions are more revealing than answers.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
October 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Sometimes questions are more revealing than answers.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
The interview yesterday by Vassy Kapelos with Demetrios Nicolaides is one of those times.
Please enjoy these highlights.
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Today, I submitted 456,365 Albertans’ signatures to Elections Alberta, petitioning the Premier to do the right thing, avoid a divisive and economically harmful referendum, and allow MLAs to vote and reaffirm that Alberta’s future is in Canada.🇨🇦
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Today, I submitted 456,365 Albertans’ signatures to Elections Alberta, petitioning the Premier to do the right thing, avoid a divisive and economically harmful referendum, and allow MLAs to vote and reaffirm that Alberta’s future is in Canada.🇨🇦
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
Alberta is #ForeverCanadian
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
It just got 10% dumber.
Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
"Mate, I can't do anything but tell it to you straight. This Canada thing is literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The Canadians ran an advertisement showing Ronald Reagan being against tariffs. Guess what? Ronald Reagan was against tariffs."
October 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
It just got 10% dumber.
Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
"Mate, I can't do anything but tell it to you straight. This Canada thing is literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The Canadians ran an advertisement showing Ronald Reagan being against tariffs. Guess what? Ronald Reagan was against tariffs."
October 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Mate, I can't do anything but tell it to you straight. This Canada thing is literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The Canadians ran an advertisement showing Ronald Reagan being against tariffs. Guess what? Ronald Reagan was against tariffs."
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
The president announces an arbitrary price hike on Americans because his feelings are hurt by an ad accurately quoting Ronald Reagan’s criticism of tariffs
October 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The president announces an arbitrary price hike on Americans because his feelings are hurt by an ad accurately quoting Ronald Reagan’s criticism of tariffs
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
The Reagan address was one of those (and nobody needs permission to use it).
October 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
The Reagan address was one of those (and nobody needs permission to use it).
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Also, remember the president's weekly radio address? A public communication that was regular, focused, run through staff, and generally wasn't a vehicle for crime?
October 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Also, remember the president's weekly radio address? A public communication that was regular, focused, run through staff, and generally wasn't a vehicle for crime?
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Among all the things wrong with this, maybe it is not in the U.S. national interest for the president to make dramatic foreign policy changes in response to a TV ad?
October 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Among all the things wrong with this, maybe it is not in the U.S. national interest for the president to make dramatic foreign policy changes in response to a TV ad?
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
There was never any deal to be had anyway, so this just pulls off the façade.
Trump says all trade negotiations between U.S. and Canada ‘terminated’ over anti-tariff ad
U.S. President Donald Trump says all trade negotiations with Canada are terminated over an anti-tariff ad using a clip of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan.
www.ctvnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 3:35 AM
There was never any deal to be had anyway, so this just pulls off the façade.
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Trump is pissed about an ad that Canada recently ran in the U.S. showing Ronald Reagan talking about tariffs in 1987.
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
October 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Trump is pissed about an ad that Canada recently ran in the U.S. showing Ronald Reagan talking about tariffs in 1987.
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Not interviewed by Judge Wyant in a report that’s supposed to probe political interference into AHS
-Health Minister Lagrange
-her chief of staff
-anyone on political side other than Marshall Smith, who left premier’s office last fall
-Health Minister Lagrange
-her chief of staff
-anyone on political side other than Marshall Smith, who left premier’s office last fall
The report commissioned by the Alberta government into allegations of corruption in the health system is out and everyone should read the caveats spelled out by the retired judge at the outset to understand what's in there, and more importantly, what's not. #ableg
open.alberta.ca/dataset/35ee...
open.alberta.ca/dataset/35ee...
open.alberta.ca
October 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Not interviewed by Judge Wyant in a report that’s supposed to probe political interference into AHS
-Health Minister Lagrange
-her chief of staff
-anyone on political side other than Marshall Smith, who left premier’s office last fall
-Health Minister Lagrange
-her chief of staff
-anyone on political side other than Marshall Smith, who left premier’s office last fall
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
Former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos wrongful dismissal suit claims that she was fired for investigating conflict of interest in procurement decisions. Judge Wyant's report confirms much of her statement of claim.
October 17, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos wrongful dismissal suit claims that she was fired for investigating conflict of interest in procurement decisions. Judge Wyant's report confirms much of her statement of claim.
Released today: the report on Post-Secondary education in Alberta (commissioned by the government) #abpse
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta panel suggests new post-secondary funding model, institutional neutrality | CBC News
A panel that studied Alberta's post-secondary institutions has released its recommendations, which include replacing the funding framework, providing more assistance like grants and scholarships to st...
www.cbc.ca
October 10, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Released today: the report on Post-Secondary education in Alberta (commissioned by the government) #abpse
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ryan Dunch
The commander-in-chief is not ok.
read @radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
read @radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay
Trump put on a disturbing show for America’s generals and admirals.
www.theatlantic.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:15 AM
The commander-in-chief is not ok.
read @radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
read @radiofreetom.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...