Don Braid

Braid: The recall movement is political poison but it's no longer just an Alberta oddity Alberta's recall movement keeps growing. It's no longer just an oddity, even though politicians avoid it like the plague.

Recall movement is gaining steam and can no longer be laughed off. For politicians, it's poison. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abrecall #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli #abgov

Braid: With monster fine and ban on words, UCP locks down political landscape Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and UCP lock down political landscape with threat of $1 million fine and ban on political words.

UPDATED: Court rules separatist question unconstitutional. Also, UCP levies monster fine, bans words, in effort to control political landscape. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abgov #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Giant UCP bill enables separatist vote but allows recall to rage on Braid: Premier Danielle Smith brings in big bill that will make a vote on independence more likely but declines to choke off recall movement

A whopper of a UCP bill makes a separatist referendum likely but leaves the recall movement to rage on. UCP assumes far more power over election rules. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abgov #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Sovereignty on the hoof: Smith strikes deal with feds, then pushes them out the door Premier Danielle Smith strikes huge economic deal with Ottawa, then turn around and nullifies federal law. Sovereignty doctrine explains it.

Very confusing for people trying to figure out Alberta - Smith signs big Ottawa deal, hits feds with Sovereignty Act five days layer. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdpoli #Sovereignty #abgov #yyc #yeg

Braid: Smith waves Ottawa deal at UCP convention, but separatists and recalls still challenge Premier Danielle Smith isn't personally challenged at this UCP convention, but still faces challenges from separatists and recall campaigns.

Smith waves Ottawa deal at UCP convention, but separatists and recalls still post challenges. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Smith scores a major victory as Ottawa retreats from a decade of meddling Premier Danielle Smith wins many concessions from Prime Minister Mark Carney, but the main one is a federal retreat from meddling in Alberta

Smith scores a major victory as Ottawa retreats from a decade of meddling. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #pipeline #abgove #yyc #yeg

Braid: With tanker ban on the table, it's B.C. Premier Eby's turn to gripe about Ottawa B.C. Premier David Eby takes the place of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to gripe about Ottawa — with far less reason, writes Don Braid.

Braid: With tanker ban on the table it's B.C. Premier Eby's turn to gripe about Ottawa, even though he's just been showered with riches. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpoli #bcpoli #ableg #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli #carney

Braid: UCP performing major surgery on Alberta health care The new legislation introduced Monday is fundamental, monumental, and could directly affect how much patients pay.

Bill 11 - There hasn't be a change to Alberta health care this profound since universal care was introduced more than 50 years ago. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abhealth #abeg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Whodunit? Government blames ex-AHS boss in case of missing notebooks Premier Danielle Smith's attempt to blame ex-AHS boss Athana Mentzelopoulos for destruction of key notebooks doesn't hold up.

Whodunit? Government blames ex-AHS boss in case of missing notebooks. She says that's false. This gets uglier by the day. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abhealth #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yyccc #yeg

Braid: Auditor general finds stalling, bad planning, big losses in Dynalife report Auditor General Doug Wylie finds faulting planing, denied evidence, big losses in Dynalife scandal.

Auditor general finds stalling, bad planning, big losses in devastating report on Dynalife fiasco. Remember when it took weeks to get a blood test? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #abhealth #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Council fumbles flag-raising, delivers a gut-punch to new Mayor Farkas Calgary council botches flag-raising bylaw in wake of Palestinian event and delivers a severe blow to the new mayor, writes Don Braid.

Council fumbles flag-raising bylaw, delivers a gut-punch to new Mayor Farkas. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #yyccc

Braid: Carney lands in B.C with massive survival plan for the provincial NDP Prime Minister Mark Carney bestow massive projects on B.C., none for Alberta. The last think he wants is a conservative regime on the coast

UPDATED COLUMN: Eby's BC NDP votes 83% against holding a full leadership review, two days after Carney arrived with OK for 2 more major projects. Obvious who PM wants in power there, and it's not the Conservatives. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #carney #yyc #yeg

Braid: Carney lands in B.C with massive survival plan for the provincial NDP Prime Minister Mark Carney bestow massive projects on B.C., none for Alberta. The last think he wants is a conservative regime on the coast

Carney lands in B.C with massive survival plan for the provincial NDP. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #carney #yyc #yeg

Braid: Farkas team signals return to common sense at city hall Staffing decisions show strong sign of balance, with no ideological favourites.

Common sense seems to be arriving at city hall after a four-year absence. Long may it reign. Smart staff appointments by Farkas. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yyccc #yeg

Braid: Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary Pierre Poilievre will face CPC faithful in Calgary for leadership vote, but site of Stampede Wrestling doesn't come with local advantage.

Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary; Smith faces recall in her riding. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #poilievre #yyc #yeg

Opinion: Notwithstanding clause never meant to be used to benefit the government Dave King was was there when clause was born in Alberta cabinet. It was never meant to be used for the benefit of the government itself.

Former PC Education Minister Dave King was at the cabinet table when notwithstanding was devised. His devastating view of what the UCP has done. Don't miss this piece.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #ableg #yyc #yeg

Braid: UCP faces mounting challenges from its own Recall Act Danielle Smith and her Alberta UCP face a wave of recall challenges that could threaten her majority. She could repeal the law.

UCP MLAs find themselves challenged by their own Recall Act, which allows a petition for any darn thing. They'll have to respond somehow. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: UCP rejects auditor general as he races to finish health scandal report A UCP committee votes to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, the key person investigating the health contract scandal, writes Don Braid.

Auditor General Doug Wylie asked for $997,000 to examine health care restructuring. He lost his job instead. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #UCP

Braid: UCP dumps auditor general as he races to finish health scandal report A UCP committee votes to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, the key person investigating the health contract scandal, writes Don Braid.

UCP members vote in committee to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, forcing rush to complete health procurement report. He isn't sure he can finish before a newbie takes over. Column
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #UCP

Braid: Thomas Lukaszuk has a political treasure chest — and he might start a new party Thomas Lukaszuk built a huge stash of data campaigning for Canada. He might just use it to start a new party, writes columnist Don Braid.

Will Thomas Lukaszuk use the enormous pile of names, phone numbers collected for his referendum drive for a new political party? There is a way, he says, and he might. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #apoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yycc

Braid: Thomas Lukaszuk has a political treasure chest — and he might start a new party Thomas Lukaszuk built a huge stash of data campaigning for Canada. He might just use it to start a new party, writes columnist Don Braid.

Thomas Lukaszuk has a giant treasure chest of political data from his referendum campaign. And he might start a new party. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #apoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yycc

Braid: An appalling, unjust law drives Alberta teachers back to work Alberta teacher are going back to work, but the law that drives them lingers as a dangerous attack on rights

An appalling, unjust, law drives teachers back to work. The most dangerous precedent Alberta has seen In many years. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-a... #abed #ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli

Braid: Tension rising as UCP introduces school bill, labour unions fume The Alberta government has begun the process of slamming through its Back to School Bill, invoking the contentious notwithstanding clause.

Soon we'll see if teachers go back to work, and whether other unions join in. They're debating Bill 2 late into the night but it will pass, with notwithstanding clause. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Tension rising as UCP introduces school bill, labour unions fume The Alberta government has begun the process of slamming through its Back to School Bill, invoking the contentious notwithstanding clause.

Now we'll see if teachers go back to work, and whether other unions join in. Tension rises as UCP finally tables Bill 2 with notwithstanding clause, against heavy NDP opposition. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: UCP set to slam through back-to-work bill while teacher anger rises, other unions threaten action The Albert UCP will slam through a back to work bill to end teacher strike but wider labor trouble could be close behind

UCP is set to slam through back-to-work law, possibly in one day, end to end. Will teachers obey? Column
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli #cdnpoli

Braid: Farkas has to shape his council fast or risk a new brand of chaos New Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has a team of rookies he has to control, and fast

Farkas has to whip his council into shape fast or risk a new brand of chaos. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-f... #yyccc #yyc #elxn2025 #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

Braid: Sharp demands recount just as Farkas begins 'onboarding' at city hall The Calgary mayor's race may still be up in the air, as Sonya Sharp demands recount over Jeromy Farkas' tiny victory, writes Don Braid.

It may not be over yet, folks. Sharp demands recount of incredibly close Calgary mayoral race - 0.16% difference between her and Farkas. He proceeds with "onboarding" nonetheless. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yegcc

Braid: UCP will decide who can run for office next time; only the "serious" allowed UCP plans new rules to limit who can run in provincial and civic elections. There's a bill coming soon.

UPDATED COLUMN: Alberta justice says changes to who can vote only aimed at long-ballot mischief campaigns like the ones that plagued Poilievre.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc

Braid: UCP will decide who can run for office next time; only the "serious" allowed UCP plans new rules to limit who can run in provincial and civic elections. There's a bill coming soon.

Get ready - UCP is about to pass a law saying who's allowed to run in elections next time. Only the "serious" need apply. Is this partisan? No answer to that. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc

Braid: Judge's report on health procurement scandal finds official had conflict of interest As judge find conflict of inters, Premier Danielle Smith continues to deny any responsibility for health procurement scandal.

The judge probing health procurement found conflict of interest but says he couldn't investigate fully. That's now left to the auditor general. This isn't over yet. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-j... #ableg #abhealth #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg