Aryn Toombs

The referendum drama in Alberta is over. Up next: the highly contentious redrawing of electoral boundaries! The advisory panel that was appointed in June is due to give its report to the UCP-controlled Select Special Committee *tomorrow* (Oct. 22). Some thoughts on this from a poll we did in May:

We talk a lot about representation in the media, but that’s a conversation that goes both ways. Platforming fringe voices in the extreme without context is a disservice to the public, and CBC needs to a deep look at all of their coverage this referendum election for that issue.

The count is still very much in progress, but as of this morning the remain in Canada vote is an overwhelming victory.

Last week, I finally had enough with the CBC refusing to fact check Smith’s lie that this referendum is the result of the Citizen Initiative Act. The response was to claim oh but it’s the “spirit of the law!”and my follow up.

What does this remain/separatism polling look like if you display by electoral district (population) instead of by land mass? It shows significantly less visual support for separatism in Alberta than if the ED boundaries map is used.

Other newshounds were not in the room. True North banned them. Rick Bell was there. He had special permission from D Smith's office, my colleague was told.

Hey, neighbour! Albertans are called to vote in a provincial referendum that may shape the future of this province and of our nation. You can cast your ballot early at your assigned advance voting location until Saturday, October 17, from 9am to 8pm, ahead of Election Day on Monday, October 19.

Will we see this noted scribbler scribble outrage that journalists (er, most at least) were barred from True North’s speechfest?

In the wake of The Globe's investigation, a Calgary MP calls for Canada to consider overhauling laws to address the kind of freelance negotiating trips Alberta separatists made to DC: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By Grant Robertson, Nathan VanderKlippe, and friend

Populist leaders depend heavily on popularity. When it collapses, so does their claim to speak for “the people.” Their base sees them as less useful, and they lack a broader coalition to fall back on. So they rig the game to keep playing, further fueling democratic backsliding.

Calgary firefighters see massive spike in overdose calls; CPL says security costs at Central location have risen 90% since 2019. #yyc #calgary buff.ly/rCqtf2G

“CBC News' request for comment from the premier's office was directed to the Ministry of Justice. A spokesperson for the justice minister directed questions about Elections Alberta to the agency.” #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Mayor Farkas wants to call a potential special meeting to make a clear statement on Calgary endorsing Alberta remaining a part of Canada. Some councillors don't like the idea. #yyc #yyccc #calgary buff.ly/eukS2ur

"Look, if you run a conspiracy-theory-peddling separatist, you’re not going to be able to win in Calgary,” Farkas told reporters on Tuesday. #yyc #ableg #yyccc #calgary buff.ly/lroCX39

Our latest Common Ground study finds support for separatism in Alberta remains low despite increased interest. Support for the government's other nine questions is less solid than polls suggest. Learn more: cground.substack.com/p/alberta-se... @cgroundpolitics.bsky.social

Separatist leader and self appointed envoy to the US to bargain on separation is allegedly compromised with US investors threatening to call in over $100 million in debt. This is on top of the First Nations actions. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli globalnews.ca/news/1204911...

Most people seem to think that Russian interference efforts are aimed at Alberta separatists, implying that they are somehow more susceptible to manipulation. In reality, these campaigns are more effective in driving up polarization and demobilizing moderates & federalists. Be on the lookout.

From the DM’s/Reddit… Looks like the new Alberta Healthcare rollout is going just as smoothly as the ADAP rollout. Danielle Smith likes to say that the UCP can walk and chew gum at the same time. Sure doesn’t look that way… #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

In other news, I'm recruiting anonymous experts to review my 9 year-old daughter's plans to populate Pluto. Yes, you will have to sign an NDA. But that just proves her ideas are totally legit and worthy of serious discussion. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Really nice to see in this morning's PressProgress newsletter that they are now publicly signalling they could recall journalists who were recently laid off Here's this morning's update from my former colleague and @pressprogress.ca's talented new Editor @rumneeek.bsky.social:

Hey everyone, I have some news: I'm creating a new project today called @thewatchdog.ca The Watchdog's editorial mission is to protect the public and defend democracy through original public interest watchdog journalism. Sign up here as it gets ready to launch: www.thewatchdog.ca/p/sign-up

“We will accept anonymous submission for our plan on separation as long as you sign an NDA” is a sign of a very serious and well organized effort. With less than 3 months to the vote. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

There is something incredibly gross about individuals using the search for Parker to try and achieve their own self-interested aims. I get it, you don’t like this one thing, but now is not the time. Don’t be a ghoul.

Hey, neighbour. Today I spoke to Calgary's media to share the message from the Calgary Police Service for all Calgarians to search their front yards and backyards for Parker. We want to get this young man home to his family as soon as possible, so please do your part to look at your home.

That's a wrap for the Calgary Stampede for another year. And while it means the past week of non-stop events and visits the grounds has ended, I will miss the lights of the fireworks and the midway.

"Let the separatist cowboys have their costumes. Let them pound the bar, or promise miracle cures or gold beyond the next hill. We have a phrase for that in my family: all hat, no cattle." My latest for LeadNotLeave.ca. www.readtheline.ca/p/jared-wesl...

Solid story questioning Elections Alberta's math when it threw out the Water Not Coal petition -- www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

It’s probably going to be a hard pill to swallow for the Calgary media folks at 660 and 960 they get laid off and the Rogers bigwigs party at Barbarella just down the street.

Columnist Courtney Walcott said that given we can feed anyone who wants a meal for 10 days during the Calgary Stampede, surely it's possible to improve many Calgarians' food security for the other 355 days of the year. #yyc #calgary buff.ly/oVI8Q8D

Loving this unofficial food map made by @serene.pixeltree.ca. It really does it make it far easier to find midway food worth trying this year (unlike the Budak grilled cheese sandwich). stampedefoodmap.com

Who wants to go to the Calgary Surge game tonight against the Brampton Honey Badgers? It's Star Wars night (game time 7:30 p.m.) We've got 4 tickets to give away! Drop us a reply and we'll choose a winner by 1 p.m. today! (Let us know if you want two or four tickets). #yyc #calgary

via #Sundre Pro Rodeo on FB: "Please see official statement from the Sundre Pro Rodeo and Race Association." Context: separatists entered a float covered in Alberta flags, they were denied, started harassing volunteers, float was approved, harassment continued, parade cancelled. #Alberta #abpoli

If you ever wondered why it was that your local municipal councillor doesn’t get back to you, it’s probably due to in large part the volume of form letters filling up the inbox making it impossible to see yours.

Saturday morning coffee and a read: Come Aug. 4, 60,000+ parcels around LRT, BRT and MAX BRT Stations will be downzoned, despite transit zones being the widely suggested place to put more density. There is still no replacement plan. #yyc #calgary #yyccc buff.ly/QLBFhFm

Income Support is meant to help Albertans meet basic needs. But does it? VCC analyzed Alberta's Income Support programs and found significant gaps between support levels and the realities of living costs today. Read our latest Income Support brief: enoughforall.ca/resources/in... #Alberta

Today I was happy to support a motion put forward by Cllr. McLean that would have other options for a downtown Green Line alignment put on the table. This is a step towards putting the Green Line back on track for the north, where we know neighbours want regular and reliable transit service.

Mayor Farkas said that the current elevated option could literally crash into a proposed Calgary-to-Banff rail line. #yyc #yyccc #calgary buff.ly/wxaJL0g