Aryn Toombs
@aryn.bsky.social
3.4K followers 1.4K following 400 posts
Journalist by way of words, photos, and data at LiveWire Calgary.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
paris.nyc
my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements

we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵)

www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...
Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports
CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.
www.consumerreports.org
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
annaliseak.bsky.social
Prentice scraped a similar plan in 2014 that would have cost $15 million.

"The priority of the government should not be designing licence plates. We have other priorities that are more pressing, that matter to Albertans," Prentice said at the time.

calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Bell: Danielle Smith set to roll out a new Strong and Free Alberta licence plate
Alberta gets a new licence plate with the Strong and Free brand, Premier Danielle Smith will roll out eight designs and Albertans will vote
calgaryherald.com
aryn.bsky.social
Bit of an odd result here, namely for the few parents who have school aged kids believing strongly that teachers get enough money to take care of their child (or children) all day, as it is.
robsonfletcher.com
New Angus Reid polling on Alberta teachers' strike, private school funding, etc.:
"Teachers make enough money as it is":
15% strongly agree
24% agree
31% disagree
25% strongly disagree
5% not sure / can't say Do you think private schools should...
10% receive more public funding than they do now
23% receive about the same
25% receive less public funding than they do now
35% receive no public funding at all
8% not sure / can't say "Do you think the provincial government under Danielle Smith has done a good job or a poor job handling public education?"
10% very good job
22% good job
14% poor job
48% very poor job
7% not sure / can't say (Among those aware of the teachers strike): In this dispute between the Alberta government and the teachers, would you say your sympathies are more with ...
58% the teachers
21% the government
18% neither
3% not sure / can't say
aryn.bsky.social
Just 7 days to go until Oct. 20, voting day in Calgary.
aryn.bsky.social
In responses to LWC, both sitting councillors Sonya Sharp (who is running for mayor) and Dan McLean (who is running again for councillor) say that the $87 billion is being funded by taxpayers.

Both sat in the council meeting where they were told this was not so at the end of term.
aryn.bsky.social
Thus far, a total of 10.7% of the electorate in Calgary has turned out to the advance polls.

And in a change of pace for an advance polling period that has been less utilized than 2021, today set the record for Day 6 voting with 22,144 people casting their ballots.
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
paulisci.bsky.social
Albertans: if you're looking for a COVID vaccine, remember to check the list of medical conditions that qualify you for Phase I (it's more inclusive than I'd have guessed). You can book the appointments through MyAHSConnect.
Eligible underlying medical conditions
cerebrovascular disease
chronic liver diseases
chronic lung diseases
chronic kidney diseases
cystic fibrosis
diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2
disabilities (for example, Down syndrome, learning, intellectual, or developmental disabilities; ADHD; cerebral palsy; congenital disabilities; spinal cord injuries)
heart conditions (for example, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, heart failure, etc.)
mental health disorders (limited to: mood disorders, including depression; schizophrenia, spectrum disorders)
obesity
pregnancy
tuberculosis
Eligible immunocompromising conditions
cancer (currently receiving treatment)
HIV infection
primary immunodeficiency diseases
solid organ or blood stem cell transplant
use of corticosteroids, other immunosuppressive medication or CAR T-cell therapy
aryn.bsky.social
I suspect that’s a big factor, but also people were advance voting in 2021 due to the pandemic.
aryn.bsky.social
Lower than 2021. Late nights and chart making are not a good mixture.
aryn.bsky.social
To date some 54,622 Calgarians have cast their ballots at advance polls. On Oct. 9, 14,500 ballots were cast.

This remains higher than in 2013 and 2017, but lower than 2017.
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
aryn.bsky.social
Over 40,100 Calgarians have gone to the polls during advance voting over the past three days.

It remains well below 2021's municipal election which saw advance polls used because of the pandemic, but ahead of both 2013 and 2021.
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
livewirecalgary.bsky.social
The City of Calgary says there's a nearly half-billion-dollar gap in funding due to provincial or federal offloading of responsibilities. Here's how mayoral candidates would address it. #yyc #calgary #yycvote

buff.ly/hTrxW7d
aryn.bsky.social
Conservative premiers, including Alberta's, ask the federal government to withdraw their intervention in the Bill 21 fight heading to the Supreme Court, saying that Ottawa is overstepping their constitutional right to overstep constitutional rights.
Conservative premiers call on Ottawa to back down in Supreme Court case on notwithstanding clause
Ottawa’s proposal threatens national unity by seeking to undermine provincial sovereignty, premiers say in letter
www.theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Aryn Toombs
livewirecalgary.bsky.social
The survey responses in the Ward 13 election duel provide a clear distinction between candidates. Check out what they had to say. #yyc #calgary #yycvote

buff.ly/fOSnJMO
aryn.bsky.social
On this topic, a recent Freakonomics interview with Canadian author Dan Wang on why China is building these massive projects while the US stalls was fascinating—and also insightful as to the pitfalls of both approaches.

freakonomics.com/podcast/chin...
aryn.bsky.social
In the interest of transparency, I voted for the people I thought would best represent the ward I live in, and the mayor I thought would best represent Calgary given what I know about the City of Calgary.

😏
aryn.bsky.social
Day of advance voting in Calgary saw 14,442 advance ballots cast. Lower than 2021, but higher than 2017.

Cumulative vote count for the seven days of advance voting for 2013, 2017, 2021, and to date for 2025 below.
Cumulative advance voting counts for 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025 (up to Day 1 of voting for 2025).
aryn.bsky.social
Day one of advance voting in the Calgary municipal election, and I’m happy to report I did my civic duty by casting my ballot. This year on the vote bus, which has returned from a pandemic hiatus to provide a mobile advance poll for all Calgarians.
Elections Calgary Vote Bus