Stephen Paskaluk

Of course there would be a massive joint US-Israel attack on Iran the week I host the Beaverton podcast for the first time. I wanted to spend my weekend learning the history of Middle Eastern geopolitical strife. No no it's all good

Update: The total number of little girls killed at an elementary school in Minab, Iran, by the US and Israel has risen to 51.

The entire community is devastated, families destroyed.

玉險 Office of the Prime Minister Cabinet du Premier Ministre Statement by Prime Minister Carney and Minister Anand on the situation in the Middle East "The Canadian government is closely following Iran-related hostilities throughout the Middle East and urges all Canadians in Iran to shelter in place. Canadians in the wider region should follow local advice and take all necessary precautions. Canada's position remains clear: the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world's worst human rights records, and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons. Canada and our international partners have consistently called upon the Iranian regime to end its nuclear program, including at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis and with the United Nations' reimposition of sanctions in September. Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has neither fully dismantled its nuclear program, halted all enrichment activities, nor ended its support for regional terrorist proxy groups. Canada stands with the Iranian people in their long and courageous struggle against Iran's oppressive regime. Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, and has sanctioned 256 Iranian entities and 222 individuals in response to the regime's repression and its violence both against its own people, and persistently, beyond its borders. Canada reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and to ensure the security of its people. Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security. The Canadian government urges the protection of all civilians in this conflict. We will take all possible measures to protect our nationals and Canadian diplomatic missions throughout the region." February 28, 2026

“Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.”

Well. For those of us wondering if he’d walk the walk of the Davos speech, this is a pretty big answer.

Nope.

After Premier Danielle Smith couldn't provide an answer on what temporary immigrants cost Alberta's bottom line, I was expecting Finance Minister Nate Horner would have some numbers today, given how thoroughly he says they worked to find savings.

He said he didn't have a number

Can somebody close to Mr. Horner please inform him that temporary workers pay the same taxes as everyone else?

Please and thank you!

Men who excuse what those players did to the women’s team are sending a signal to all women that we are the punchline behind closed doors. That’s why it hurts.

What Are Conservatives Saying Behind Poilievre's Back? Even worse, what is Pierre Poilievre saying to himself? Ian, @ivimey.bsky.social, @nileseguin.bsky.social, and @mmmegan.bsky.social bust out some pretty bang-on impressions.

Living in Alberta will cost you more in 2026.

The budget includes a significant increase in education taxes ($154 in #yeg, $340 in #yyc), along with 30 different fee hikes (incl some entry fees at provinciual sites and higher costs for vehicle registration).

None of Smith's referendum questions are likely to result in actual policy change.

Because they require constitutional amendments (federal veto) or are plainly unconstitutional.

Assuming "yes" votes carry, what then?

Kenney's equalization referendum didn't soothe separatists. It emboldened them.

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Here's a 2024 letter from Danielle Smith to Justin Trudeau complaining about federal immigration limits affecting Alberta.

www.alberta.ca/system/files...

#Alberta #abpoli #Canada #cdnpoli

three bananas are standing next to each other on a video game screen . ALT: three bananas are standing next to each other on a video game screen .

Can we talk about some of the oil-related stuff in the Premier's address? I'll get into the immigration piece in a column tomorrow, but some of the assumptions around oil production and exports she was using were....bananas?

Great thread from the inimitable Max Fawcett. TLDR: Danielle Smith's oil plans are a pipe(line)dream based on rage farming.

But that's the thing. You can't accumulate that level of wealth without exploiting and oppressing other people. Literally no benevolent person could ever have a bank account that fat.

A federal research lab formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory laid off 134 employees this week.

Opponents of infill said the quiet part loud today.

They don't believe renters should be allowed to live within their neighbourhoods, only on the fringes, by major roads.

Their primary, unifying, rallying concern is "homeowner value" and getting what's their's.

Remember, if you are upset about street parking being taken up by those who don't have a private garage YET you don't yourself use your private garage, you are adding to the problem.

Many homes in Edmonton have garages. Use your own space if you're upset about the lack of it on the PUBLIC street.

It's pretty bizarre that administration seems to have watched pro-infill councillors win the election and are now proposing a complete retreat on infill? WTF is happening.

Don’t Be a Panican. We’re Winning — and We’re Not Slowing Down. Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, this Administration is smashing through the chaos and destruction left by Democrats and unleashing the most aggressive pursuit of the America First agenda in history. While the Fake News and Radical Left collude to distract, depress, and divide, they’re simply lying to mask the undeniable truth: America is safer, stronger, richer, and more secure than at any point in decades. Don’t take the bait. New victories pour in daily as President Trump delivers on his promises and rebuilds the foundation for long-term success in the greatest nation on Earth. Here are a few things to celebrate from just the past few days:

The White House just sent a "Don't Panic" email. That'll do it

Prime Minister Carney, silence is not an option when Trump attacks sovereign nations in the Americas. Canadians expect you to stand up for human rights, international law, and against the bullying of smaller nations by a rampaging superpower.

We should immediately follow Mexico’s lead and condemn this act of economic warfare. And we should step up with humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, as NDP MP @alexboulerice.bsky.social calls for in this excellent parliamentary petition: www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

Please sign. The Cubans 🇨🇺 are our friends, many of us have people we care about on the island. They don’t deserve this.

Picture of the Edmonton council chambers.

🧵 Good morning Edmonton. We're live from the council chambers where the Urban Planning Committee will debate reducing housing options.

There are 60 speakers registered so there's a high chance this becomes two days. We'll be live posting so follow along to see how it goes!

No one who has seen the Epstein case unfold should have any doubt left about why victims don’t report. When reporting means facing more abuse, more exploitation, and more betrayal at the institutional level, while the perpetrators are the leaders of the very systems of “justice” supposed to help you

The Dust-Up: Bikes are Political – Matt Mason Yes, bikes are political. Since their invention, they have been political. "Bicycle riding came to embody the individuality women were working toward with the suffrage movement. It also gave women a m...

Riding bikes is a political act.
Always has been.
Likely always will be.
theradavist.com/bikes-are-po...

Winter...it's long. #yegwx #yeg
January 23rd is our 16th -20°C Low of the winter (for a whole winter we average around 25).
And it's our 8th -25°C Low (we average around a dozen, although 8 is pretty typical)...
public.tableau.com/shared/STW2X...

Thank goodness everyone spent months deciding that the Chinese were stealing our data so we could switch to good old patriotic American data stealing

F.B.I. Agent Who Tried to Investigate ICE Officer in Shooting Resigns

FBI leadership coverup of Renee Good killing.

A supervisor in FBI’s Minneapolis field office resigned "after bureau leadership in Washington pressured her to discontinue a civil rights inquiry into" ICE agent Jonathan Ross. "Such inquiries are a common investigative step in similar shootings."

Pierre Poilievre just can't meet the moment After two days of uncharacteristic silence, the Conservative leader finally found his voice. What he had to say was the same thing he's been saying for years.

Pierre Poilievre was uncharacteristically silent for two days after Mark Carney's big speech in Davos. When he finally opened his mouth, he confirmed just how far out of his political and intellectual depth he is right now. #cdnpoli

www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/23/o...

YouTube video by APTN News Over 400 staff and faculty at Canada’s only northern university could be going on strike | APTN News

Yukon University is the only university north of sixty in Canada and union members recently voted in favor of a strike mandate.

Over 400 staff and faculty could be going on strike as early as March second if a collective agreement is not met.