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Justin Brake

@justinbrake.bsky.social

5K followers 130 following 46 posts

He/him. Journalist. Settler. Future ancestor. Born 338 ppm. EIC @independentnl.bsky.social 🫐 Host of The Indy Broadcast.

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Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 43m

Here's the latest on Canadians aboard Freedom Flotilla vessel the Conscience, who were taken by Israeli forces early this morning.

So far, political leaders have been silent. I also reached out to Canada's ambassador to Israel, who has not yet responded.

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 47m

“If you are seeing this video we’ve been attacked at sea & abducted by Israeli forces or forces of another country complicit in genocide of the Palestinian people," Sadie Mees of St. John's says in a video posted Wednesday. #cdnpoli #nlpoli #Gaza
theindependent.ca/news/lji/6-c...

6 Canadians, including 3 from N.L., taken by Israeli forces – The Independent

: Nimâ Machouf, Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton, Mskwaasin Agnew, Devoney Ellis and Khurram Musti Khan were the six Canadians aboard the Conscience vessel

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

Twelve out of 40 MHAs elected since 2021 are landlords, a higher percentage than most provinces and an unknown fact to most Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. #nlpoli #Election2025

Read the story from Isaac Peltz 👇
theindependent.ca/news/seismic...

Seismic shift needed to address N.L. housing crisis, experts say – The Independent

Housing is a human right in Canada, yet unchecked rent hikes, Airbnb pressure, and landlord-lawmakers have left thousands in Newfoundland and Labrador one paycheck away from homelessness

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

#Seasplainer: What three party leaders said about provincial fisheries and ocean priorities—and what they didn’t say
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/s...

N.L. parties agree we need more say on fisheries — but what about climate change? – The Independent

What three party leaders said about provincial fisheries and ocean priorities—and what they didn’t say

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

drew brown @drewfoundland.bsky.social · 1d

for part 2/2 of my "NL Politics 101" series, I survey the breadth of newfoundland history to show that the reason all the problems keep repeating is because the party system hasn't changed since the last time it broke our democracy.

it doesn't have to be this way! theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

How N.L. became the life (and death) of the party – The Independent

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

Three Newfoundlanders and 100s of others, including Canadians, are risking their lives to break Israel’s illegal and genocidal siege of Gaza. Has the Carney government abandoned its commitment to international law and its obligation to protect Canadians? #cdnpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...

The silence of Mark Carney’s Liberal government is deafening – The Independent

Three Newfoundlanders and hundreds of others, including more Canadians, are risking their lives to break Israel’s illegal and genocidal siege of Gaza. Has the Carney government abandoned its commitmen...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

Read Part 2 of Drew Brown's analysis of N.L.'s political system ahead of the 2025 provincial election on Oct. 14.
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

How N.L. became the life (and death) of the party – The Independent

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 2d

Expanding public transit in the St. John’s Metro region may seem unrealistic, but when you look at the facts and figures, it’s both reasonable and doable, writes Grant Horwood
#publictransit #yyt #MakingConnections
theindependent.ca/commentary/m...

The business case for public transit in St. John's – The Independent

Expanding public transit in the St. John’s Metro region may seem unrealistic, but when you look at the facts and figures, it’s both reasonable and doable

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 3d

In a video posted to social media after the Conscience launched on Sept. 30, Mees says she has “a duty to take action” against Israel’s genocide since the Government of Canada has made Canadians complicit #cdnpoli #Palestine #Israel
theindependent.ca/news/lji/car...

Carney government silent as Newfoundland activists headed for Gaza face likely interception by Israel – The Independent

A growing chorus of voices say it's Canada's duty to protect its own citizens, especially when they are not breaking the law

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 4d

Ahead of the provincial election, all parties agree Newfoundland & Labrador needs a stronger voice with Ottawa, but they diverge on priority areas #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/s...

Where N.L. parties stand on fisheries and ocean priorities – The Independent

Ahead of the provincial election, all parties agree the province needs a stronger voice with Ottawa, but they diverge on priority areas

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 5d

BREAKING🚨 Journalist Mario Guevara has officially been deported Friday from the United States back to his native El Salvador. This is a shameful erosion of press freedom in the U.S. — the first time that CPJ has documented this type of retaliation related to reporting.
cpj.org/2025/10/jour...

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 4d

Our N.L. Election 2025 coverage is here!

We'll be adding more issues and stories to this page ahead of the Oct. 14 provincial election. #nlpoli

If you're not already getting our free newsletter, sign up on our website.

theindependent.ca/n-l-election...

N.L. Election 2025 – The Independent

Let’s talk about the provincial election. For many, elections are the linchpin of democracy, the moment when residents of a free and democratic society collectively choose the representatives and part...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 5d

Will the N.L. Liberals’ plan to address crime actually make communities safer?

Read Anton Oleinik's analysis at The Independent DOT ca
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

Safer Communities: election promises and a bleak Liberal track record – The Independent

Will the Liberals’ plan to address crime actually make communities safer?

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 6d

Ahead of Newfoundland and Labrador's Oct. 14 provincial election, university students praise NDP policy, note PCs have ‘caved a little,’ and say the Liberals need to do a lot more to earn their vote #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/student...

Students march to legislature, protest rising cost of post-secondary education – The Independent

Ahead of the provincial election, they praise NDP policy, note PCs have ‘caved a little,’ and say the Liberals need to do a lot more to earn the student vote

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 7d

"We will rally, march to the Confederation Building, and send a clear message to our government: students can’t wait any longer for meaningful change," writes Rana Abuidris.

Read the latest in our 'State of the University' series at The Independent DOT ca
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...

Memorial University students can’t afford silence – The Independent

Why we’re taking action on Oct. 1

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 8d

‘We are deeply concerned that our students […] could be subject to illegal detention, violence, or worse,' say 150+ Memorial University students, faculty & alum who signed an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
#Gaza #cdnpoli #Palestine
theindependent.ca/news/munl-fa...

MUNL faculty, students call on Carney to protect students, alum en route to Gaza – The Independent

'We are deeply concerned that our students could be subject to illegal detention, violence, or worse.'

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

staring blankly into the abyss @ianmosby.bsky.social · 9d

I started tracking the TRC's Calls to Action in 2016 and, since Eva Jewell and I stopped writing annual reports in 2023 out of despair, things have only become more bleak.

No meaningful structural changes have been made. They were never even attempted.

A clear-eyed take from @michellecyca.com

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 9d

“We have to wonder: should we just abandon ‘reconciliation’ altogether?”
thewalrus.ca/trc-introduc...

The Stark Reality Ten Years after the Truth and Reconciliation Report | The Walrus

“We have to wonder: should we just abandon ‘reconciliation’ altogether?”

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 9d

“We have to wonder: should we just abandon ‘reconciliation’ altogether?”
thewalrus.ca/trc-introduc...

The Stark Reality Ten Years after the Truth and Reconciliation Report | The Walrus

“We have to wonder: should we just abandon ‘reconciliation’ altogether?”

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 9d

"Flourishing moves beyond the lone individual who beats the odds," writes Khadeja Raven Anderson. "It is about building communities of care, accountability, and opportunity that allow all of us to thrive." #MUN #StateOfTheUniversity
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...

From Black Excellence to Black Flourishing at Memorial University – The Independent

Excellence on its own will never keep us safe

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 11d

Rhea Rollmann looks at PC, Liberal and NDP commitments on policies that would impact gender equity and speaks with advocates about what they're looking for in Newfoundland & Labrador's 2025 provincial election #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/where-i...

Where is gender on the agenda in the N.L. provincial election? – The Independent

As party policies and platforms trickle out, community groups are watching for commitments on poverty, gender and equity issues

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 12d

Results from The Indy's #climate crisis reader survey are in!
In her latest #EnergyFutures column, Angela Antle shares responses from some of the more than 100 readers who responded. #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/e...

‘Close to panic level’: Survey respondents chime in on climate crisis – The Independent

More than 100 readers responded to The Indy’s first climate survey, and almost all share deep concerns

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

drew brown @drewfoundland.bsky.social · 12d

wherein i break down politics in newfoundland & labrador to the absolute fundamentals. as in "what do 'Left' and 'Right' even mean?" fundamentals. part 1 of a 101-level crash course in everything you (n)ever wanted to know about the unique political dynamics of canada's other Distinct Society.

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 13d

Can standard dichotomies like ‘left and right’, ‘nationalist and federalist’, or ‘populist and technocratic’ help us understand politics in the province? #nlpoli

Read Part 1 of Drew Brown's new 2-part analysis of Newfoundland and Labrador's political system.
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

Defining Newfoundland and Labrador’s political system in 2025 – The Independent

Can standard dichotomies like ‘left and right’, ‘nationalist and federalist’, or ‘populist and technocratic’ help us understand politics in the province?

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 13d

Can standard dichotomies like ‘left and right’, ‘nationalist and federalist’, or ‘populist and technocratic’ help us understand politics in the province? #nlpoli

Read Part 1 of Drew Brown's new 2-part analysis of Newfoundland and Labrador's political system.
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

Defining Newfoundland and Labrador’s political system in 2025 – The Independent

Can standard dichotomies like ‘left and right’, ‘nationalist and federalist’, or ‘populist and technocratic’ help us understand politics in the province?

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 13d

No one, including Premier John Hogan, can or will say why a gynecologist in Labrador continues seeing patients while under investigation following complaints from at least 20 women. #nlpoli

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 13d

"I asked the receptionist if he was the doctor I was scheduled to see, and she confirmed he was,” Tracy Martin told The Independent. “At that point, I told her I would be refusing the appointment."

Dr. Adolf Hamann is facing complaints from 20 patients. #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pre...

Premier says he can’t do anything about Labrador gynecologist under investigation – The Independent

At least 20 women have filed complaints with the provincial health authority and N.L. College of Physicians and Surgeons against Dr. Adolf Hamann

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 14d

Every Canadian province has readily-available public disclosures, a transparency resource commonly used by journalists and the public to monitor politicians’ potential conflicts of interest — except Newfoundland and Labrador.

Read the full story👇
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/only-pr...

Only Province in the Dark: Inside N.L.'s broken ethics system – The Independent

The NDP has vowed to overhaul the conflict-of-interest disclosure system if the party forms government

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 15d

Barbra Bardot brings her personal journey to the public stage in new St. John’s production ‘Becoming Barbra’

Read Rhea Rollmann's interview with Bardot 👇
#NLarts
theindependent.ca/news/honest-...

‘Honest storytelling’: N.L. drag icon set to unveil new show – The Independent

Barbra Bardot brings her personal journey to the public stage in new St. John’s production ‘Becoming Barbra’

theindependent.ca