Courtney Theriault

“They’re angry, they’re upset"—Alberta's privacy commish is calling for changes after 400 emails from voters upset over the largest voter data breach in Canadian history. She's also raising privacy concerns over the province’s new driver's licence/ID. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...

“Will make life more convenient." Chatted with Minister Dale Nally about Alberta's new license/health card, including why he doesn't believe Canadian citizenship marker will lead to discrimination and how it cuts down on health and voter fraud. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/o...

Premier Danielle Smith speaks to business leaders in Montreal. On referendum, she says its different than Quebec - that 700K Albertans signed petitions for a vote. Adds she wants Alberta to remain a province in Canada with more autonomy, and it's the UCP position.

"We're on a very slippery and dangerous slope." ATA's Jason Schilling says the repeated use of the notwithstanding clause should concern all Canadians He's backing a CTF petition urging the PM to stop provinces from using it to restrict workers' rights. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...

"The genie is out of the bottle, it's not going back in." Mitch Sylvestre asked on Global News if he'd accept the results of a no vote and stop the separation fight if so He says he might- that it depends on a lot of things- but adds but that the movement won't stop globalnews.ca/video/118869...

"He's going to let you show up and take a picture of him wearing a hard hat and carrying a hammer and pretending he's a carpenter but he won't have time to take questions" Pierre Poilievre says Mark Carney has been in hiding since Friday since learning Canada had slipped into a technical recession

"Ten year ago under the Conservative government I was a part of, support for separation was zero." Poilievre asked what the impact would be for Alberta leaving- he says it would be "bad", adding that PM Mark Carney needs to take responsibility and explain how he'll unite everyone.

“A Meaningless assertion if you’re a separatist”— @apaquette.bsky.social points out separatists are using Canadian law to make their argument while saying that law prevents cities from leaving His new motion aims to revisit Edmonton's relationship with province podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c...

"We will be back in my home province of Alberta to campaign for a united country." Pierre Poilievre asked what his plans are to campaign for unity. He also is asked if he would debate separatist voices like Keith Wilson, but doesn't answer.

“I don’t think that’s a very accurate statement… starting a new country isn’t cheap." Finance Minister Jason Nixon arguing an independent Alberta wouldn’t be more prosperous He says he’ll be presenting a report soon with actual numbers making the case to stay podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/j...

“She is not an innocent bystander to this referendum — she is the driver of the bus.” Naheed Nenshi on premier Smith being at odds with UCP prez on federalism, his thoughts on her speaking up more for Canada, and if he'd share a stage with her for the cause podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/n...

"I'm letting you know, I speak for the party, and what our party has said is that we support autonomy and sovreignty for Alberta in a united Canada." Premier Danielle Smith pushes back against UCP president Rob Smith's claim that the party will not have an opinion on sovereignty.

“Use actual provincial elections”— Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says Premier Smith should’ve let Albertans vote for a separatist party in the next election instead of holding a referendum. He says the gov should focus on real issues like homelessness & addictions podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/m...

“It’s been a long time since a PM stood up for Alberta" Former CPC MP Monte Solberg says it's “heartening” to see PM Carney advocate for the province in BC Solberg has launched the Vote to Stay campaign, asking Albertans to pledge support for staying in Canada podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

"Did (Albertans) vote for this last provincial election? No, they didn't, it wasn't on the ballot paper, it wasn't in the mandates or platforms of the governing party..." PM Mark Carney says a separatist question isn't helpful to the economy, that it wasn't part of the UCP's election platform.

"Part of the campaign is not a campaign, it's action, it's practicing cooperative federalism, with Alberta, with Quebec... " PM Mark Carney explains how he will be campaiging to help convince Albertans to remain in Canada.

"Being part of Canada bring many economic advantages... but it's more than economic benefits, it's social, it's what we are as Canadians, Canadians take of each other." PM Mark Carney lays out what he sees as the benefits for Alberta remaining in Canada.

"It is often advanced that vote for this and you will strengthen our hand in future negotiations, and that's a very dangerous bluff." Mark Carney likens Alberta's sovereignty referendum to Brexit, saying voters run the risk of being left with a bad hand they didn't mean to vote for.

"Helping Danielle Smith avoid a leadership review is a Danielle Smith problem." Columnist Jen Gerson says the premier could’ve avoided a referendum entirely, but instead she chose that path & turned it into an Alberta issue to protect her political career LISTEN: podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s...

Premier Smith asked about critics who say she's responsible for the separation crisis and referendum. Smith says all she's doing is listening to the 700K Albertans who signed a petition calling for a sovereignty referendum.

"I'd never do it, Premier Smith knows how I fell, she wants to I guess protect her 30% base." Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggests Alberta's referendum is being held to ensure Danielle Smith keeps her job as UCP leader, and that leaving Canada would be a "disaster for Alberta".

"Do not be fooled by her deathbed conversion last night, in which she said 'I'm fighting for Canada'- because let's be clear, she will not lift one finger to help the remain side in this ridiculous referendum" AB NDP leader Naheed Nenshi reacting to Premier Smith's address and referendum question.

PM Mark Carney says Canada is working, and he is looking forward to working with Danielle Smith, Pierre Poilievre and all 37 Alberta MPs and all Canadians to build a better Alberta and Canada.

Premier Danielle Smith says she will be voting for Alberta to remain in Canada, whie working to restore provincial rights according to the constitution.

"She’s a very smart person." Chatted with separatist leader Mitch Sylvestre about what he expects from Premier Danielle Smith in the debate, the potential question, why he thinks polling is flawed and why he believes intelligence agencies are spying on him. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c...

“Never thought this day would come." @Lukaszukab@bsky.social says Danielle Smith will be remembered as the premier who changed laws to tear the country apart for her own gain. He adds legal scholars agreed his petition did not call for a referendum. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/f...

Poilievre adds that there was absolutely no separation movement in Alberta 10 years ago, and that the PQ and BQ were finished- and that seperatism was a thing of the past in Canada. Thanks PM Harper for uniting Canada, and asks how PMMC is doing on that file given current separatist support.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says everyone in his party will be campaigning for Canadian unity in Alberta. He says as prime-minister-in-waiting, he will personally be campaigning across the province to encourage Albertans to stay in Canadian family.

"As a team, we will continue to govern for everyone in the province." Premier Danielle Smith lays out her government's accomplishments, and how the new ministers will help ensure that Alberta remains forever strong and free.

"It is all the more important that our elected officials orient themselves around the basic principles of democracy, the rule of law and good government that define our Canadian way of life." Alberta's Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani stands up for Canadian values ahead of the cabinet shuffle.

“You can’t play footsie with separatists.” Peter Donolo, fmr. communications director to Jean Chrétien, is urging Alberta MPs to speak up against separatism. He points to Mulroney's inability to satisfy PC separatists on why politicians can't have it both ways. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...

“Separatist supporters are engaging in really ugly, openly racist rhetoric toward Indigenous people” Good chat w/@maxfawcett.bsky.social on winners/losers of AB-Ottawa deal, Indigenous role on pipeline plan and if Carney's climate policy is more Trudeau or Harper podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/o...

“He's a nice enough guy, but I can’t imagine how he can say that with a straight face" That's Nenshi on Minister Schow blaming the NDP for stirring the separation convo More on a fiery spring session, his thoughts on the MOU and summer plans to fight separation podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/n...

Joseph Schow is asked if the UCP are monitoring potential impacts of the separation debate on Alberta's economy. He replies by saying the federal Liberals and NDP started the seperatist conversation, and they are reponsible for it continuing.

Jospeh Schow asked if news on MOU could tamp down separatist sentiment. He says Alberta is a province of action, and they're growing economy and industries. Adds that people around the world know who Danielle Smith and where our province is.

Joseph Schow asked if his government is taking First Nations concerns seriously in light of separation debate. He says the government must consult with everyone, including those Albertans who are frustrated with the damage from the 10 years of Justin Trudeau's government.

“All they're trying to do is discredit me." A feisty Corb Lund frustrated at branded a “crazy leftist” over his coal mining petition. Also chatted about petition's progress, why he thinks UCP opposes him, and why he thinks Peter Lougheed would have his back podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/c...

BREAKING: Premier Danielle Smith says that while her government supports Alberta staying in Canada, she will be appealing a court decision that quashed a possible separatist petition/referendum.

“Mr. Rath proved maybe leave the communication to Mitch Sylvestre." Chatted with columnist and separatist Cory Morgan about why he feels the movement needs to get dump its "bad actors", why the data breach is actually a big deal and what a 'no' vote would mean. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...

Premier Smith says UCP Caucus director Tricia Velthuizen determined there was nothing offside about the Centurion Project meeting attended by staffer Arundeep Sandhu. Adds that it was regular oversight of a regular opposition meeting.

Premier Smith says she will not delay referendum voting day even with conerns around the data breach.

Premier Smith asked if she would commit to *not* be the one to call a sovereignty referendum. She says they are waiting on a couple things and let process play out and then decide as a caucus and cabinet afterwards. (Does not sound like a yes or no either way... )

Premier Smith asked if in light of the alleged voter data breach if she'd be comfortable sharing her address. "Nope."

“It’s not credible, a lot of it”—@rwarnica.bksy.social says he fact-checked Mitch Sylvestre’s presentation & found many claims were misinformed or completely wrong After a decade covering Trump, he says Alberta separation events reminded him of MAGA rallies. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

Mark Carney and Danielle Smith sharing brief thoughts ahead of their meeting this morning. Carney talks about the big progress they've made over the last year, while Smith adds she hopes to get to finish line soon as industry and Albertans are getting a bit impactient with MOU

“They don't take seriously the safeguarding of the integrity of our elections or our personal information" Former MLA Shannon Phillips is standing up for Jason Kenney after his private info was breached- and raising concerns on how the voter list scandal happened podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/u...

Alberta's Privacy Commissionner Diane McLeod says her office is getting plenty of calls on the alleged voters list data breach She adds they are working with Elections Alberta on seeing what jurisdiction they have over Centurion, and will release more info Thursday on their work

“It’s a big mess & it really undermines their own credibility"— the Hub's Alberta Bureau Chief Falice Chin says the separatist movement lacks organization. She cites the voters list scandal and other policy disagreements as to why the cause could be weakened. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...

“Why do people have to go through this because of someone else's actions?”—@Apaquette.bsky.social raises alarm for domestic violence survivors after voter data was exposed. He also suggests a class-action lawsuit against those involved in the alleged breach. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/e...

“I'm only one person with a Substack, I can only scream into the void" LOTS to unpack with Jen Gerson, after she confirms she was brushed off by Elections AB on voter list concerns raised A MONTH AGO Also talked about Bill 54 and the UCP's democratic vandalism podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/e...

"You're always able to de-list your number from a phonebook"—U of C law prof Shaun Fluker says voter lists differ: collected by Elections Alberta through mandatory processes requiring full personal info. More on the rules and risks of sharing the list publicly. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/o...

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen is asked about RCMP reportedly raiding the legislature on Tuesday. Says he can't confirm that they were there, nor what it might have been about.

“Governments should hold themselves accountable, not hide from accountability." Chatted with @JaredWesley.ca on his new column, arguing how the UCP is violating three key rules of democracy. He adds “This isn’t normal. This isn’t how we’ve done politics.” podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

“Disservice to young people & to parents, the taxpayers funding education" The UCP is fasttracking a path for skilled pros, tradespeople and more to alleviate a teacher shortage But Lisa Starr, new Pres. Association of AB Deans of Education is raising concerns podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a...

“If the premier is so confident she’d win an election, call an election!" Chatted with ABNDP leader Naheed Nenshi about the UCP's new referendum website, the electoral boundary controversy and why he believes Premier Smith has lost Albertans' confidence. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/n...

Premier Danielle Smith asked how Albertans can trust she'd accept results of a referendum after rejecting previous vote on time change. Says if they could have asked Albertans again, they would have asked a different question.

"Because my position is that we should remain in Canada." Premier Smith asked why she won't put a sovereignty question to referendum herself.

Huh. Premier Smith claims the 450K people who signed the Forever Canada petition wanted a sovereignty referendum put to voters. Adds that @lukaszukab.bsky.social has changed his mind and now wants a legislative pathway instead of a referendum.