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Justin Brake

@justinbrake.bsky.social

5K followers 130 following 50 posts

He/him. Journalist. Settler. Future ancestor. Born 338 ppm. EIC @independentnl.bsky.social 🫐 Host of The Indy Broadcast.

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Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 4d

As election day in Newfoundland and Labrador approaches, a migrant rights advocate and a Memorial University researcher say political parties have yet to offer concrete plans to protect temporary foreign workers from exploitation and abuse in the province. #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/whe...

Where N.L. parties stand on migrant workers – The Independent

People coming to the province as Temporary Foreign Workers must be treated as human beings first, says researcher

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

As election day in Newfoundland & Labrador approaches, labour leaders say provincial candidates aren’t addressing people’s “everyday troubles”
#nlpoli #canlab
theindependent.ca/news/lji/wor...

Workers’ issues sidelined by parties, say labour groups – The Independent

As election day approaches, labour leaders say provincial candidates aren’t addressing people's “everyday troubles”

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

Registered Nurses' Union of Newfoundland and Labrador @rnunl.bsky.social · 19h

Safe staffing saves lives.
N.L.’s long-term care system needs more nurses — and nurses need more time with residents.
Read more in The Independent:
buff.ly/IdHSqDy

#ExpertCare #SafeStaffing

N.L. long-term care needs more nurses, who need more time with residents – The Independent

Only the NDP and PCs are committed to improving nurse-to-patient ratios

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 21h

It's election day in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Still undecided who to vote for?

Check out The Independent's NL Election 2025 page, where we've compiled summaries of some of the biggest issues facing the province and articles and analysis around those issues 👇
theindependent.ca/n-l-election...

N.L. Election 2025 – The Independent

Let’s talk about the provincial election. For many, elections are the linchpin of democracy, the moment when residents of a free and democratic society collectively choose the representatives and part...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 22h

Labrador candidates talk Indigenous rights, food insecurity, climate change, and establishing a Search and Rescue station in the region
#nlpoli #Labrador
theindependent.ca/news/lji/lab...

Labrador priorities in the 2025 N.L. election – The Independent

Labrador candidates talk Indigenous rights, food insecurity, climate change, and establishing a Search and Rescue station in the region

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 1d

The NLNDP says it's the first party in provincial history to achieve gender parity among candidates. It's also believed Laurabel Mba is NL's first-ever Black provincial candidate, and Shazia Razi is the first-ever hijab-wearing Muslim candidate #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/wil...

Will gender parity and a comparatively diverse slate of candidates pay off for the provincial NDP? – The Independent

Political scientist Amanda Bittner says research shows more diverse legislatures lead to better policy-making

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 1d

Among the issues NL labour leaders are flagging in this election campaign is creeping #privatization in healthcare and other sectors.

An important read from Rhea Rollmann 👇

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 1d

As election day in Newfoundland & Labrador approaches, labour leaders say provincial candidates aren’t addressing people’s “everyday troubles”
#nlpoli #canlab
theindependent.ca/news/lji/wor...

Workers’ issues sidelined by parties, say labour groups – The Independent

As election day approaches, labour leaders say provincial candidates aren’t addressing people's “everyday troubles”

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 3d

"Failure to comply with these provisions strikes at the integrity of our political system and the public confidence in our elected officials."

Two Liberal cabinet ministers and a PC member running for re-election haven't submitted their public disclosures #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/lib...

Liberal cabinet ministers, PC MHA have not filed public disclosures: Commissioner – The Independent

N.L. Commissioner for Legislative Commissioner Ann Chafe says Liberal MHAs Elvis Loveless and Lisa Dempster and PC MHA Lloyd Parrott are non-compliant with their public disclosure statements, which we...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 3d

We need to challenge the public safety discourse in the provincial election, Rhea Rollmann writes in her latest column.
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...

More police is not the solution – The Independent

We need to challenge the public safety discourse in the provincial election

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 4d

ANALYSIS: "Only the NDP’s approach promises to engage with both the union and the research on nurse-to-patient ratios."

Read Lori Lee Oates' full analysis of the three major parties' commitments when it comes to improving long-term care.
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

N.L. long-term care needs more nurses, who need more time with residents – The Independent

Only the NDP and PCs are committed to improving nurse-to-patient ratios

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 5d

NL Premier John Hogan said he “reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office early [Wednesday] morning,” and that he “had a conversation” with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand just before Wednesday evening's leaders' debate in St. John's.
#cdnpoli #nlpoli #Gaza
theindependent.ca/news/lji/hog...

Hogan says Carney government 'doing everything they can' to get Newfoundland activists abducted by Israel home – The Independent

Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton and Devoney Ellis are reportedly being held in Israel's largest prison

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 5d

Who in the N.L. provincial election is talking about #climate change and a #JustTransiton? Community and youth groups are, but not the candidates in any meaningful way
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/ign...

Ignoring climate change in the provincial election will have ‘devastating consequences’, say youth and labour leaders – The Independent

Who in this election is talking about climate change and a just transition? Community and youth groups are, but not the candidates in any meaningful way

theindependent.ca

Justin Brake @justinbrake.bsky.social · 6d

Here's the latest on Canadians aboard Freedom Flotilla vessel the Conscience, who were taken by Israeli forces early this morning.

So far, political leaders have been silent. I also reached out to Canada's ambassador to Israel, who has not yet responded.

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 6d

“If you are seeing this video we’ve been attacked at sea & abducted by Israeli forces or forces of another country complicit in genocide of the Palestinian people," Sadie Mees of St. John's says in a video posted Wednesday. #cdnpoli #nlpoli #Gaza
theindependent.ca/news/lji/6-c...

6 Canadians, including 3 from N.L., taken by Israeli forces – The Independent

: Nimâ Machouf, Sadie Mees, Nikita Stapleton, Mskwaasin Agnew, Devoney Ellis and Khurram Musti Khan were the six Canadians aboard the Conscience vessel

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 7d

Twelve out of 40 MHAs elected since 2021 are landlords, a higher percentage than most provinces and an unknown fact to most Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. #nlpoli #Election2025

Read the story from Isaac Peltz 👇
theindependent.ca/news/seismic...

Seismic shift needed to address N.L. housing crisis, experts say – The Independent

Housing is a human right in Canada, yet unchecked rent hikes, Airbnb pressure, and landlord-lawmakers have left thousands in Newfoundland and Labrador one paycheck away from homelessness

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 7d

#Seasplainer: What three party leaders said about provincial fisheries and ocean priorities—and what they didn’t say
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/s...

N.L. parties agree we need more say on fisheries — but what about climate change? – The Independent

What three party leaders said about provincial fisheries and ocean priorities—and what they didn’t say

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

drew brown @drewfoundland.bsky.social · 8d

for part 2/2 of my "NL Politics 101" series, I survey the breadth of newfoundland history to show that the reason all the problems keep repeating is because the party system hasn't changed since the last time it broke our democracy.

it doesn't have to be this way! theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

How N.L. became the life (and death) of the party – The Independent

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 7d

Three Newfoundlanders and 100s of others, including Canadians, are risking their lives to break Israel’s illegal and genocidal siege of Gaza. Has the Carney government abandoned its commitment to international law and its obligation to protect Canadians? #cdnpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...

The silence of Mark Carney’s Liberal government is deafening – The Independent

Three Newfoundlanders and hundreds of others, including more Canadians, are risking their lives to break Israel’s illegal and genocidal siege of Gaza. Has the Carney government abandoned its commitmen...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 8d

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

Read Part 2 of Drew Brown's analysis of N.L.'s political system ahead of the 2025 provincial election on Oct. 14.
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

How N.L. became the life (and death) of the party – The Independent

We’re cutting through the undergrowth to find out why our political parties feel dead — and what might liven them up

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 8d

Expanding public transit in the St. John’s Metro region may seem unrealistic, but when you look at the facts and figures, it’s both reasonable and doable, writes Grant Horwood
#publictransit #yyt #MakingConnections
theindependent.ca/commentary/m...

The business case for public transit in St. John's – The Independent

Expanding public transit in the St. John’s Metro region may seem unrealistic, but when you look at the facts and figures, it’s both reasonable and doable

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 10d

In a video posted to social media after the Conscience launched on Sept. 30, Mees says she has “a duty to take action” against Israel’s genocide since the Government of Canada has made Canadians complicit #cdnpoli #Palestine #Israel
theindependent.ca/news/lji/car...

Carney government silent as Newfoundland activists headed for Gaza face likely interception by Israel – The Independent

A growing chorus of voices say it's Canada's duty to protect its own citizens, especially when they are not breaking the law

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 10d

Ahead of the provincial election, all parties agree Newfoundland & Labrador needs a stronger voice with Ottawa, but they diverge on priority areas #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/s...

Where N.L. parties stand on fisheries and ocean priorities – The Independent

Ahead of the provincial election, all parties agree the province needs a stronger voice with Ottawa, but they diverge on priority areas

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · 11d

BREAKING🚨 Journalist Mario Guevara has officially been deported Friday from the United States back to his native El Salvador. This is a shameful erosion of press freedom in the U.S. — the first time that CPJ has documented this type of retaliation related to reporting.
cpj.org/2025/10/jour...

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 11d

Our N.L. Election 2025 coverage is here!

We'll be adding more issues and stories to this page ahead of the Oct. 14 provincial election. #nlpoli

If you're not already getting our free newsletter, sign up on our website.

theindependent.ca/n-l-election...

N.L. Election 2025 – The Independent

Let’s talk about the provincial election. For many, elections are the linchpin of democracy, the moment when residents of a free and democratic society collectively choose the representatives and part...

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 12d

Will the N.L. Liberals’ plan to address crime actually make communities safer?

Read Anton Oleinik's analysis at The Independent DOT ca
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...

Safer Communities: election promises and a bleak Liberal track record – The Independent

Will the Liberals’ plan to address crime actually make communities safer?

theindependent.ca

Reposted by Justin Brake

The Independent @independentnl.bsky.social · 12d

Ahead of Newfoundland and Labrador's Oct. 14 provincial election, university students praise NDP policy, note PCs have ‘caved a little,’ and say the Liberals need to do a lot more to earn their vote #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/student...

Students march to legislature, protest rising cost of post-secondary education – The Independent

Ahead of the provincial election, they praise NDP policy, note PCs have ‘caved a little,’ and say the Liberals need to do a lot more to earn the student vote

theindependent.ca