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Jason Markusoff

@markusoff.bsky.social

14K followers 570 following 630 posts

I write and yak for CBC in Calgary. DMs open, Signal, WhatsApp, and such [email protected]

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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · Jan 3

When you look at the totality of all the Alberta institutions and programs Danielle Smith has begun to reinvent or reshape… it’s a lot. And a lot of risk.
By me: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

ANALYSIS | Danielle Smith reworking Alberta's everything, everywhere all at once | CBC News

The premier makes no apologies for an ambitious reform agenda. But the more a government dismantles and rebuilds, the more risk there is for road bumps, growing pains and outright mistakes.

www.cbc.ca

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Janet French @jantafrench.bsky.social · 14h

Elections Alberta has approved a citizen-initiated petition application to gather signatures in support of the proposal to end public funding to independent/private schools.

Calgary teacher Alicia Taylor says she brought it forward because it could help improve funding for public schools. #AbEd

Alberta teacher prompts petition on province's private school funding | CBC News

If high school chemistry teacher Alicia Taylor gets her wish, Albertans will vote in a referendum on whether to end public funding for independent schools.

www.cbc.ca

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Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 1d

Police in Airdrie, Alberta (just north of Calgary) say this driver hit a 17-year-old girl in a marked crosswalk, got out of the vehicle, and appeared to get upset at the teenager before driving away.

They released this video and are now trying to identify the driver.

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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 1d

Coca-Cola Coke Zero

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Duane Bratt @duanebratt.bsky.social · 1d

School body has gotten younger at MRU. Kids of faculty and students, disrupted by the teachers strike, are on campus today.

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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 2d

If it makes you feel any better, you weren't the only reader to hallucinate like that

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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 2d

Calgary’s suddenly a few years away from a population milestone planners had expected to come by mid-century. I don’t think ppl realize we’re already a 1.6M city.
By me:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

ANALYSIS | Calgary is racing to 2 million people. Will next council prepare for it? | CBC News

City's population has hit 1.6M far faster than expected. City hall will face pressure to manage continued growth and the strains that come with it.

www.cbc.ca

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Nick Tsergas @nicktsergas.ca · 2d

This made me laugh for ~40 seconds.

Vehicles registered to Ford cabinet ministers caught by speed cameras more than 20 times | Globalnews.ca

Documents obtained by Global News reveal that, over three years, vehicles registered to Ford’s cabinet minister received more than $3,300 in fines for speeding.

globalnews.ca

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ℳatt @matttomic.bsky.social · 2d

Teams that Trey Yesavage has beaten in professional baseball this year:

- Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Clearwater Threshers
- Tri-City Dust Devils
- Hartford Yard Goats
- the New York Yankees in the MLB Postseason

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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 2d

*gasp*

“Everyone thought we’d come in and there were going to be these huge costs we could cut away but there just aren’t,” said a third senior Reform cabinet member in Kent.

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LiveWire Calgary @livewirecalgary.bsky.social · 4d

Déja vu all over again? #yyc #calgary #yycvote

buff.ly/VmeXyvn

Calgary Party deploys anti-province tactics in municipal election - LiveWire Calgary

You might think the Calgary Party would be picking fights with candidates from other parties, or perhaps the independents. Nope, they want instead to go toe-to-toe with Premier Danielle Smith. Since…

livewirecalgary.com

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Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 5d

brb legally changing my name to Jason Undecided and preparing my 2029 mayoral campaign. will be a shoo-in

Polling Canada @canadianpolling.bsky.social · 5d

Calgary - Mayoral Polling:

Farkas: 16%
Gondek: 14%
Sharp: 11%
Davison: 8%
Thiessen: 4%
Clauson: 3%
Prior: 2%

Undecided: 35%

Leger / September 28, 2025 / n=490 / Online

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Jens von Bergmann @jensvb.bsky.social · 5d

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doctor eek [free link arc] (alt decorative gourd season) @absolutely-not.bsky.social · 5d

i looked at the methodology for this and it is
a. sex addiction counseling group in texas did a surveymonkey and extrapolated the results to the entire us population which is the sort of research design that earns you an ff on an intro methods class (the extra f is for extra effort), and
b. p-hacked

The Independent @the-independent.com · 6d

Nearly a third of Americans have had a ‘romantic relationship’ with an AI bot, new survey says

1 in 3 Americans have had a ‘romantic relationship’ with an AI bot, new survey says

www.independent.co.uk

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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 5d

Alberta records first measles death -- an infant -- since outbreak www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @alannasmith.bsky.social

Alberta records first measles death since outbreak

Premature baby who contracted disease in utero has died, first death associated with provincial outbreak of nearly 2,000 cases

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 6d

If you are following the story of The Pentagon's new policy, nicknamed, "you must check with us before you dream of doing any journalism," you may enjoy this update from @status.news

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 7d

More than 100 writers, journalists, and scholars call for the immediate release of Mario Guevara, the only journalist detained in the U.S. today for doing his job—and now facing imminent deportation. Share the letter and join the call to #FreeMario: pen.org/press-releas...

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Aryn Toombs @aryn.bsky.social · 8d

I have to say in all my years as a journalist, I've never heard a government employee say that a youth should be assaulted for speaking their mind.

The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 8d

At tonight’s “consultation”…

When a high school kid tried to raise concerns about the teachers strike, Bruce McAllister cut the kids mic and then suggested his parents should have beaten him more.

Listen to the clip yourself…

It’s…

Telling.

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

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Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 9d

After my August "pre-order," I got an email today to book a COVID shot, which reiterates it's ONLY available at public health clinics, not pharmacies.

The email links to a site that EXCLUDES bookings at pharmacies. 🙃

The correct link then says: "COVID-19 vaccines may be available at pharmacies" 🫠

Reminder to book your immunization appointment

This e-mail is your reminder to book your immunization appointment for the vaccine(s) you pre-ordered.

Please note: The COVID-19 vaccine is available only at public health centers. A fee may apply, and you may be turned away if you are not eligible. Please check your eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine at https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-Albertans .

Individuals eligible for both the COVID-19 (Phase 1) and influenza vaccines can start booking on September 29, 2025. Everyone else is asked to wait and book starting October 20, 2025 (Phase 2).

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT: https://bookvaccine.alberta.ca/vaccine/s/booking

This email address is not monitored so please do not reply.

Book an immunization appointment online

To book an appointment for influenza or other vaccines (excluding COVID-19) at a pharmacy, please enter your details below.

To book an appointment for COVID-19 vaccine at a public health clinic, please click here to use Connect Care.

In phase 2, vaccine is available for all other Albertans age 6 months and older depending on vaccine availability. If you are in phase 2, you can book an appointment starting October 20. There will be a $100 administrative cost.

COVID-19 vaccines may be available at pharmacies at a cost. Contact your pharmacy for availability, to learn the cost, and how to book.

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Moebius Stripper @moebiusstripper.bsky.social · 9d

This graph also highlights just how fringe the anti-vaccine position was prior to COVID

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 9d

Scary for America but “vaccines are good” is a solid wedge issue for Dems

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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 9d

SCOOP: Two senior Alberta Health Services procurement officials were also briefly directors in a numbered company linked to MHCare, a supplier that has been awarded $$$ in business, The Globe and Mail has found

By @tomcardoso.bsky.social, @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social and friend

Alberta health officials were also directors at a company linked to a supplier

Corporate filings reveal further links between Alberta Health Services procurement staff and private firms

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 11d

Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal www.stalbertgazette.com/beyond-local... Quite the scoop from @brettmckay.bsky.social

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

The foundation says Win50 is responsible for all costs related to running the raffle, including additional prizes, television and radio commercials, promotion and advertising, the raffle technology pl...

www.stalbertgazette.com

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Janet French @jantafrench.bsky.social · 11d

I’ve tried to pack a lot in here:

TL;DR
- Many AB teachers intend to vote against a contract offer
- among them is a teacher who chaired the bargaining committee until last week
- ATA internal comms says if they strike, the scale will be unprecedented; public pressure will affect outcome #AbEd

Why some Alberta teachers will vote against the latest contract offer | CBC News

Many Alberta teachers say the latest contract offer from their employers and union isn’t good enough to stop them from striking.

www.cbc.ca

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🇨🇦Tired Mama G 🇨🇦 @tiredmamag.bsky.social · 12d

Don’t read the comments in this link when you’re out in public, it is a huge tear-jerker to read about the many people were so deeply impacted by someone that many hadn’t even met.

Cailynn Klingbeil @cailynn.bsky.social · 12d

"Darren did not want a formal funeral. If you are reading this and want to honour him the way he would have wanted, do what he did every day: go outside, ride your bike, enjoy nature, and do something kind for a stranger." 💔 #yycbike #yegbike edmontonjournal.remembering.ca/obituary/dar...