Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The untold story of Canada’s only province-wide police investigation into residential school abuses

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Aug 27

Bethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · Aug 27

30 years ago, BC Mounties launched an investigation into abuse at every residential school in the province. It was the first—and last—probe on this scale.

The task force's final report was buried in the RCMP archives, until it popped up in @theijf.org's databases.

theijf.org/residential-...

Final report of the B.C. RCMP Native Indian Residential School Task Force made public for 1st time through IJF database

Migrant surveillance data no longer has to remain in Canada. That has civil liberties advocates worried

Reposted by Patti Sonntag

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Aug 7

Migrant surveillance data no longer has to remain in Canada. Why did Canada Border Services quietly make that change?

buff.ly/bE7x7ej

#cdnpoli

The Canada Border Services Agency revised a surveillance technology contract to allow foreign companies to bid on ankle monitors for migrants

Betting with someone else’s money: How gambling addiction fuels financial crime

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Aug 5

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Aug 5

What's the link between gambling addiction and fraud? We look into the story of one relentless romance scammer, and reveal how his "deplorable" crimes hint at a much larger problem.

theijf.org/gambling-add...

#abpoli

‘Deplorable’ Alberta romance scammer an example of strong link between gambling and fraud

How a CRA employee cycled through rehirings, a firing and 15 years of legal battles

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jul 30

A public servant's battle with the CRA exposes cracks in how the federal system hires, fires and rehires.

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Jul 30

A former CRA employee worked three different positions at the agency over a span of more than 15 years before getting fired, but he has fought the agency at every turn. We broke down the years-long legal proceedings.

buff.ly/cOPstPa

#cdnpoli

15 years of grievances, lawsuits and appeals reveal cracks in Canada’s public service system

Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps’ firm sues for share of $2 billion federal contract

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jul 2

A former deputy PM. A $2B pandemic federal contract. And a courtroom battle over alleged unregistered lobbying.

My latest for the IJF:

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Jul 2

Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps says her firm, Medipro Canada, is owed tens of millions of dollars for helping a medical equipment company win federal contracts during the pandemic.

theijf.org/former-deput...

BTNX says if Copps' firm lobbied on its behalf, "then it did so by illegal means"

Possible burial sites found near former Saskatchewan residential school, First Nation says

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 13

2/ This story was reported by First Nations University of Canada journalism students Brittany Boschman, Brittany Poitras, Lori Deets, Randi LaRocque, Tyrone Perreault, Jamin Mike and Hannah Scott, under the guidance of instructors Shannon Avison, myself and several others.

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 13

We are grateful to English River First Nation and the Returning Home Society for sharing their story, reported through a collaboration between First Nations University of Canada and @theijf.org

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Jun 13

Sixty “potential unmarked burials” have been found near the grounds of a former residential school in Beauval, Sask., English River First Nation announced yesterday. A group searching for missing children from the Beauval school plans to further analyze the sites.

theijf.org/possible-bur...

A search near the former Beauval Indian Residential School in northwest Saskatchewan has identified 60 “potential unmarked burials” outside the bounds of the community cemetery, says English River Fir...

Boissonnault’s former company awarded federal contract in potential conflict of interest | Globalnews.ca

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

6/ Congratulations again to everyone involved in this project, and thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

5/ Krista and also @charlesrusnell.bsky.social pushed that reporting forward while I tracked Indigenous procurement programs. By fall, that resulted in two key stories: Krista’s investigation into federal contracts tinyurl.com/3tkt5fpj & my piece on Indigenous claims tinyurl.com/3e8ee99k

Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault’s former company won a federal contract in January when he was a shareholder, potentially violating ethics laws.

Federal minister’s ties to lobbyist raise ethical concerns | Globalnews.ca

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

4/ Readers sent in tips that led us to a PPE company once owned by former MP Randy Boissonnault. @kristahessey.bsky.social joined the investigation and did great work digging into the contracts side of the story. tinyurl.com/5cdzbhbb tinyurl.com/2es95x34

The lobbyist met with high-ranking ministry staffers across federal departments, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office and the office of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia ...

Billion-dollar rapid-test contracts favoured Chinese imports over cheaper Canadian-made devices | Globalnews.ca

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

3/ The judges recognized the series exploring who benefits from federal contracting, which began with work with Jeff Semple examining billions in pandemic buying. Thank you to @caoff.bsky.social ‬ for backing my pitch for an investigative procurement beat & for shaping the series

Two COVID-19 importers participating in an initiative to help grow small Canadian businesses charged more to sell rapid tests to the federal government than Canadian manufacturers.

How Global News’ investigation into Indigenous contracting unfolded | Globalnews.ca

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

2/ It is only the second time a university has been named. Congrats Hannah Sangster, Celeste Bird, Gokce On, ‪@lfmussalem.bsky.social Emilie Wren & ‪@catzens.bsky.social‬, led by Patricia Elliott & Pauline Dakin. ‪At Global: me, Melissa Ridgen and
‪@alexboutilier.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/mr3wja9m

Reporters at Global News and researchers at First Nations University of Canada worked together to examine whether billions in federal contracts are benefitting Indigenous communities

Billions in federal contracts awarded to ‘Indigenous’ enterprises without verification | Globalnews.ca

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Jun 5

Today is the Michener Awards ceremony, the highest honour in Canadian journalism! Excited that my work on federal procurement for @globalnews.ca is nominated, including a collaboration with researchers at First Nations University of Canada & University of King's College
tinyurl.com/38m42ur2

The Canadian government mostly relied on an honour system when it awarded billions of dollars in contracts to enterprises identifying as Indigenous.

Brookfield firms seek help from Carney days after he takes office

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · May 28

The real issue, a law professor said, is a legal gap that leaves the prime minister as his own judge. If the prime minister were to violate the Conflict of Interest Act, “Mark Carney gets to decide what to do about it.”

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · May 28

Prime Minister Mark Carney is the former head of Brookfield Asset Management. But now, Brookfield-linked companies are lobbying him for help with resource development. Is the PM in a conflict of interest?

Read more to find out.

buff.ly/LgcrLtL

#brookfield #markcarney #cdnpoli

Just two days after the Liberals won the federal election, executives from companies linked to the new prime minister’s former employer, Brookfield Asset Management, began asking for his help.

Former Liberal minister’s pandemic-era role in medical supply deal renews concerns over insider access

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · May 9

Two Canadian manufacturers and an industry group are urging the lobbying commissioner to investigate Sheila Copps’ role in discussions about possible pandemic-era contracts. One importer involved later received an estimated $2 billion in federal deals.

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · May 9

Canadian medical supply manufacturers want an investigation into former Liberal minister Sheila Copps’ alleged role in helping importers land government meetings. One importer later received billions in pandemic contracts. Find out more.

buff.ly/NusiegH

#cdnpoli #pandemic

Ottawa unveiled billions in funding days before election call — targeting millions at key Alberta ridings

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · May 1

Thank you for the kind words! Honoured to be recognized #PressFreedom

World Press Freedom Canada - Liberté de la presse Canada @wpfc-lpc.bsky.social · May 1

Congrats to @pattisonntag.bsky.social for winning a #PressFreedom Award Certificate of Merit for her tenacious reporting on Indigenous procurement.

Félicitations à Patti Sonntag pour avoir remporté un certificat de mérite.

Learn more: buff.ly/qgrV5jx

#cdnpoli #WPFCLuncheon2025

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Apr 30

The federal Liberal government unveiled billions in funding — including millions for battleground ridings in Alberta — days before it called the election.

One prof says that wasn’t fair to the opposition parties. Find out more:

theijf.org/ottawa-unvei...

“It’s just yet another example of the rules of the game tilting in favour of the governing party,” professor says

Former Liberal minister worked government contacts to ply COVID contracts without registering as lobbyist

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Reposted by Patti Sonntag

Investigative Journalism Foundation @theijf.org · Apr 15

We’re thrilled to announce Patti Sonntag is joining the IJF as our eyes and ears on the ground in Ottawa! A highly decorated Canadian reporter, Patti brings extensive experience in data-driven investigations and public-interest reporting. Read the story.

buff.ly/akhqiLF

#cdnpoli #Ottawa

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Mar 31

My latest, with @christopher.bsky.social

nationalpost.com/news/politic...

Former deputy PM Copps said she had permission not to register as lobbyist with the Trudeau government. One offer was flagged as suspicious.

'Unprecedented situation': Opposition critics say Carney's leadership bid shows need for stricter disclosure rules

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Mar 1

This article has sparked some of the most thoughtful and nuanced responses I’ve ever received.

Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Feb 28

My latest:

“Show Canadians where your money is”
Opposition leaders call for stricter disclosure rules

nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

Opposition parties are warning that Mark Carney could become prime minister before revealing his assets or potential conflicts of interest.

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/carney-says-he-resigned-from-all-his-roles-to-run-for-liberal-leadership-turns-out-he-hasnt

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Feb 28

Carney says he resigned from 'all' his roles to run for Liberal leadership. Turns out he hasn't.

t.co/MWQJZdDCfG

t.co

Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Feb 28

My latest:

“Show Canadians where your money is”
Opposition leaders call for stricter disclosure rules

nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

'Unprecedented situation': Opposition critics say Carney's leadership bid shows need for stricter disclosure rules

Opposition parties are warning that Mark Carney could become prime minister before revealing his assets or potential conflicts of interest.

Former Liberal minister Randy Boissonnault's pandemic startup banned from government contracts

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Patti Sonntag @pattisonntag.bsky.social · Feb 21

Former Liberal minister Randy Boissonnault's pandemic startup banned from government contracts

nationalpost.com/news/canada/...

The federal government deemed MP Randy Boissonnault’s pandemic startup ineligible for contracts on Friday, citing the company's “conduct.”