Marty Chan

The UCP is the shady contractor who overpromises and under delivers. They'll blame subcontractors for shoddy work, missing deadlines and rising costs. And UCP supporters won't switch to a new contractor, because they're petrified of being burned twice.

It's Tuesday! Time for another #PromptMyStory to encourage kids to write.

"The CEO of a major hamburger chain refused to take more than a nibble of their signature hamburger. What does he know that we don't?" #edusky

March Animal Madness This is A. Blair McPherson's 8th Annual March Animal Madness!! For additional Information, please visit the MAM INFO page

Anyone want to help a group of students? Some middle-schoolers who loved my book wanted to get some votes for their March Madness animal. Their animal is the Goeldi Monkey (in the Mighty Mammals bracket). Throw a vote their way if you have time.

sites.google.com/epsb.ca/abmm...

Seriously, I did not have an Alberta premier wants to bring back a head tax on my 2026 bingo card.

"The scientist on the Zoom call was muted, but she looked panicked as she mimed giant claws and pointing up. What was she trying to describe?" #PromptMyStory

Pam Bondi’s performance is no surprise to anyone who has watched the Apprentice. She’s fighting for a pardon that only one sadistic person can give her. No one else matters.

Best thing about doing virtual sessions is that I don't have to wonder how contagious the coughing kid in the front row is.

It's another #PromptMyStory Tuesday. Inspired by yesterday's session with middle-grade students, I have today's story starter:

"They say wearing toques indoors is a new fashion style, but I think these trendsetters are hiding something other than bedhead under their caps."

When Danielle Smith refused to speak up about the WRP candidate and his Lake of Fire comments, it cost her the premier's seat. Her inaction now about the separatists suggests she has not changed. Yet instead of sinking in the polls, she seems to be gaining. If she hasn't changed, what has?

Love doing in-person school visits and hearing how many kids tell me that their parents know me. I've been at this for a loooooonnnnggg time.

Tech gremlins pestered me today in my virtual and in-person sessions. The internet died minutes before going live and is still down. And the slides I had for my in-person session were barely visible against a gymnasium wall. Today's secret word? "Pivot!"

Whoa! This day nearly blew by me before I could post a #PromptMyStory to help kids get creative. Under the wire, here's this week's story starter.

"When one of your socks goes missing, I know where it goes. Look for the secret trapdoor under the dryer... Oh no, I've said too much. He's coming!"

If the separatists lose a referendum vote, do they accept the results or do they go scorched Earth on everyone until they get their way?

You ever have one of those days when work keeps piling on top of your inbox and all you want to do is re-organize the pens in your holder? #amsupposedtobewriting

For teachers and librarians across Canada, January 30 is the deadline to apply to host a Canadian author or illustrator for the CCBC Book Week tour (last week of April). Check out the roster to see who is touring in your province. #ccbcbookweek2026

bookcentre.ca/pages/who-is...

Every Tuesday, I post writing prompts to help teachers and parents motivate their kids to write. #PromptMyStory

"At the bottom of grandma's bowl of questionable snacks, I found a golden key with a tag that read: 'use during the solar eclipse.' What did the key open?"

What disheartens me is that a certain ilk of politician has risen to power on promise that only they could fix the problems they claim others have created, but instead of addressing those problems, they invent new ones to distract the public from their incompetence.

The deadline to book presenters for the The Canadian Children's Book Centre's Book Week tour is coming up fast. I'm touring virtually, which means I can go anywhere in Canada. Give the CCBC a shout if you want to book me for this spring (the last week of April). #schoolvisits #virtual

This week's events leaves me with two nagging questions:

1. What was the vetting process for ICE agents?

2. What happens when those agents have the perceived authority to kill with impunity?

You know you're having a lazy day when you spent the entire afternoon building the wait screen for a virtual workshop instead of planning the actual virtual workshop.

First #PromptMyStory of 2026. If you want to inspire your kids to write, check out this hashtag every Tuesday. #edusky

"Every afternoon at exactly 4:15, my neighbour stops in front of my lawn, knocks three times in the air, bows to the cedar bush, then skips away. Today, I'm going to find out why."

The scary thing about DT's invasion of Venezuela is that now that he has a taste of it, he won't stop.

Ever notice the people who claim immigrants are stealing their jobs and scoff at the need for unions rarely have a bad thing to say about companies that eschew unions and hire immigrants?

Who knows with this bunch any more? They seem to be getting away with everything by changing the rules. Immunity for the Minster of Justice! Two separation questions! Higher fees for petitions! If only more Albertans paid attention.

Alberta closes out a weird year with UCP MLA and Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz resigning. The optimist in me thinks she doesn't agree with Danielle's direction. The cynic in me assumes she's probably going to run for a federal seat.

The UCP is acting like a fringe party that convinced and/or intimidated moderate conservatives into voting for them and now have convinced themselves that their fringe beliefs are mainstream.

If the UCP wants to raise the fee to submit a recall petition, shouldn't MLAs be disqualified from using government resources to tout themselves during a recall petition?

No better way to celebrate sending off a manuscript than having lunch with my wife and finding a place that serves flapper pie.

Our political world consists of people who know that touching a redhot burner will hurt; people who'll touch the burner out of spite and blame others for the pain; and people who know the burner is hot but will touch it because they don't want the angry guy with the burnt hand to yell at them.

Nothing beats the pride that comes with sending your revised manuscript to your editor before the deadline date.