Denise Balkissoon
@balkissoon.bsky.social
Executive editor @thenarwhal.ca. Still hate gum. The lakes, they are Great.
(Illo by Andrea Bell, from The Leak, a kid's graphic novel about a girl that does environmental journalism!)
(Illo by Andrea Bell, from The Leak, a kid's graphic novel about a girl that does environmental journalism!)
Almost 1,000 people have signed up, but we still have some space ... Starting in eight minutes!
Trying to make sense of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s major projects push?
Join us TODAY at 9:00 a.m. PT (12:00 p.m. ET) for a free webinar featuring Narwhal reporters from across the country. We'll unpack the process, politics and potential impacts.
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join us TODAY at 9:00 a.m. PT (12:00 p.m. ET) for a free webinar featuring Narwhal reporters from across the country. We'll unpack the process, politics and potential impacts.
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Almost 1,000 people have signed up, but we still have some space ... Starting in eight minutes!
Fast-track plans unclear
Set to fast track
Fast-tracking plans
Designated for fast tracking
The Major Projects Office is a plot against copy editors
Set to fast track
Fast-tracking plans
Designated for fast tracking
The Major Projects Office is a plot against copy editors
December 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Fast-track plans unclear
Set to fast track
Fast-tracking plans
Designated for fast tracking
The Major Projects Office is a plot against copy editors
Set to fast track
Fast-tracking plans
Designated for fast tracking
The Major Projects Office is a plot against copy editors
Today at noon Eastern Time: join some Narwhal Nerds to talk policy, major projects and the prime minister.
Major projects? Let’s talk about it!
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
December 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Today at noon Eastern Time: join some Narwhal Nerds to talk policy, major projects and the prime minister.
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Someone said this is Klay Thompson and Megan the Stallion
October 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Someone said this is Klay Thompson and Megan the Stallion
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
The prime minister promises he’ll solve climate change … right after he gets a new pipeline built. @balkissoon.bsky.social asks: haven’t we heard that one before?
November 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The prime minister promises he’ll solve climate change … right after he gets a new pipeline built. @balkissoon.bsky.social asks: haven’t we heard that one before?
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
The company’s CEO also worked closely with the wife of the minister in charge of the grant program at the time
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
Our wee newsroom was never going to run the first Grand Bargain story, but @meyer.bsky.social and @drewanderson.bsky.social are absolutely the best at explaining what the pipeline of magical thinking means for the environment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith have signed an agreement to advance Alberta’s pipeline dreams — and weaken some pollution laws. Here’s what you need to know:
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Carney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ‘grand bargain’ isn’t just about an Alberta pipeline —it also proposes rolling back a host of climate policies
thenarwhal.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Our wee newsroom was never going to run the first Grand Bargain story, but @meyer.bsky.social and @drewanderson.bsky.social are absolutely the best at explaining what the pipeline of magical thinking means for the environment.
For example, pipelines
Major projects? Let’s talk about it!
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
For example, pipelines
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Doug Ford's government claims the province isn’t privatizing water.
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Ontario’s Government Claims the Province Isn’t Privatizing Water. Experts Are Not Convinced.
“The way that this act is written creates this slippery slope towards privatization”
pressprogress.ca
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Doug Ford's government claims the province isn’t privatizing water.
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
This is an amazing piece of investigative journalism and probably the most upsetting grift story I've ever read.
I understand why shitty reproductive care makes people vulnerable. I am so grateful Ontario integrated real midwives into the healthcare system. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
I understand why shitty reproductive care makes people vulnerable. I am so grateful Ontario integrated real midwives into the healthcare system. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This is an amazing piece of investigative journalism and probably the most upsetting grift story I've ever read.
I understand why shitty reproductive care makes people vulnerable. I am so grateful Ontario integrated real midwives into the healthcare system. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
I understand why shitty reproductive care makes people vulnerable. I am so grateful Ontario integrated real midwives into the healthcare system. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
This is a stunning story. I've been tracking the "greenhushing" narrative for a while now: this is the idea that strict regulations on fake climate claims spooks companies into total silence; therefore we shouldn't regulate them.
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
November 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
This is a stunning story. I've been tracking the "greenhushing" narrative for a while now: this is the idea that strict regulations on fake climate claims spooks companies into total silence; therefore we shouldn't regulate them.
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
At the Canadian Association of Journalists conference in March, a child exploitation researcher said Roblox and Fortnite are the worst for gaf about safety (Nintendo is best in his opinion). If it's free, your kid is the product. This interview didn't surprise me. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
We Asked Roblox’s C.E.O. About Child Safety. It Got Tense.
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:50 PM
At the Canadian Association of Journalists conference in March, a child exploitation researcher said Roblox and Fortnite are the worst for gaf about safety (Nintendo is best in his opinion). If it's free, your kid is the product. This interview didn't surprise me. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/p...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Major projects, major problems: anger at Carney’s unclear plans is the real shared national interest, @drewanderson.bsky.social writes:
thenarwhal.ca/alberta-pipe...
thenarwhal.ca/alberta-pipe...
The real major project is politics, not pipelines | The Narwhal
Carney’s major projects push has angered many in Alberta over perceived lack of support for a pipeline project that doesn’t exist
thenarwhal.ca
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Major projects, major problems: anger at Carney’s unclear plans is the real shared national interest, @drewanderson.bsky.social writes:
thenarwhal.ca/alberta-pipe...
thenarwhal.ca/alberta-pipe...
When asked by @meyer.bsky.social the federal government couldn’t name specific examples of Canadian companies failing to advertise genuine enviromnmental efforts because of last year’s legal changes over misleading claims. But it's still walking back greenwashing laws thenarwhal.ca/greenwashing...
Canada says anti-greenwashing rules silence industry | The Narwhal
Carney is moving to nix some of Canada’s rules that restrict how oil and gas companies and other industries advertise environmental claims
thenarwhal.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
When asked by @meyer.bsky.social the federal government couldn’t name specific examples of Canadian companies failing to advertise genuine enviromnmental efforts because of last year’s legal changes over misleading claims. But it's still walking back greenwashing laws thenarwhal.ca/greenwashing...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Get the details on that, plus more fresh reporting from The Narwhal, in our latest newsletter: thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-r...
RSVP: Unpacking Carney’s major projects push | The Narwhal
Join The Narwhal for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects
thenarwhal.ca
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Get the details on that, plus more fresh reporting from The Narwhal, in our latest newsletter: thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-r...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
when the fuck is this gonna end
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives | CNN Business
Sales of an artificial intelligence-enabled plush toy have been suspended after it was found that it engaged in conversation around sexually explicit topics and offered potentially dangerous advice.
www.cnn.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:12 AM
when the fuck is this gonna end
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
While Alberta considers how to allow oilsands companies to release treated wastewater into the Athabasca River, the federal government has yet to table its own law around clean drinking water for First Nations. thenarwhal.ca/alberta-oils...
‘Unacceptable’: Alberta wants to treat and release oilsands waste | The Narwhal
Alberta is working on plans to treat and release oilsands wastewater into the Athabasca River. First Nations downstream don’t want that to happen
thenarwhal.ca
November 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
While Alberta considers how to allow oilsands companies to release treated wastewater into the Athabasca River, the federal government has yet to table its own law around clean drinking water for First Nations. thenarwhal.ca/alberta-oils...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
holy shit: “Among the 2,000 UK adults surveyed, 85% were unaware that Britain forcibly transported more than 3 million Africans to the Caribbean, 89% did not know that Britain enslaved people in the Caribbean for more than 300 years” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Caribbean reparations leaders in ‘historic’ first UK visit to press for justice
CRC mission will seek to deepen public understanding of Britain’s colonial legacy and its lasting impact
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
holy shit: “Among the 2,000 UK adults surveyed, 85% were unaware that Britain forcibly transported more than 3 million Africans to the Caribbean, 89% did not know that Britain enslaved people in the Caribbean for more than 300 years” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
This is horrifying. There's a defense of abusive Catholic priests in here, don't read if that might ruin your day
Holy shit. They're really doing it. They're doing "actually pedophilia is good now." The debasement of the American Right is complete.
MEGYN KELLY IS RIGHT ABOUT EPSTEIN - Catholic League
Bill Donohue
www.catholicleague.org
November 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
This is horrifying. There's a defense of abusive Catholic priests in here, don't read if that might ruin your day
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Short video. @drewanderson.bsky.social nailing it.
Many Alberta oil & gas companies aren’t paying landowners or municipal taxes. The Regulator is opaque.
MAGA Energy Ltd. Is one of hundreds of bad actors allowed to run wild at everyone else’s expense.
youtube.com/shorts/GfSGO...
Many Alberta oil & gas companies aren’t paying landowners or municipal taxes. The Regulator is opaque.
MAGA Energy Ltd. Is one of hundreds of bad actors allowed to run wild at everyone else’s expense.
youtube.com/shorts/GfSGO...
Albertans are Getting Screwed!
YouTube video by Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Short video. @drewanderson.bsky.social nailing it.
Many Alberta oil & gas companies aren’t paying landowners or municipal taxes. The Regulator is opaque.
MAGA Energy Ltd. Is one of hundreds of bad actors allowed to run wild at everyone else’s expense.
youtube.com/shorts/GfSGO...
Many Alberta oil & gas companies aren’t paying landowners or municipal taxes. The Regulator is opaque.
MAGA Energy Ltd. Is one of hundreds of bad actors allowed to run wild at everyone else’s expense.
youtube.com/shorts/GfSGO...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Among other things, I think $37M of taxpayer money for student mental health would be better spent on ongoing care from human therapists vs an "AI-driven platform that facilitates behavioral health training and education while delivering measurement-based care" www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Ford government sends audit of company involved in Skills Development Fund controversy to OPP
The province says it sent police details of a ‘forensic audit’ of a company it’s paid $37M, and whose lobbyist’s Parisian wedding was recently attended by the labour minister
www.thetrillium.ca
November 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Among other things, I think $37M of taxpayer money for student mental health would be better spent on ongoing care from human therapists vs an "AI-driven platform that facilitates behavioral health training and education while delivering measurement-based care" www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
I mean, they can't and it doesn't. don't print lies in the newspaper.
The app Text With Jesus uses artificial intelligence and chatbots to offer spiritual guidance to users who are looking to connect with a higher power: on.nbc10.com/7XM8xrf
People can text with Jesus on a controversial new app. How does it work?
Artificial intelligence app Text With Jesus lets users chat with biblical figures and it is raising debate over faith and technology.
on.nbc10.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I mean, they can't and it doesn't. don't print lies in the newspaper.
Reposted by Denise Balkissoon
Why are we hearing about building more pipelines? Do they make sense for Canada's economy? And what about our emissions goals?
We mapped 800,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada and tried to get to the bottom of these questions in our latest explainer video. #cdnpoli
thenarwhal.ca/video-pipeli...
We mapped 800,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada and tried to get to the bottom of these questions in our latest explainer video. #cdnpoli
thenarwhal.ca/video-pipeli...
Pipelines in Canada, explained | The Narwhal
Why are we hearing about building more pipelines? Do they make sense for Canada's economy? And what about our emissions goals? We mapped 800,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada and tried to get to t...
thenarwhal.ca
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Why are we hearing about building more pipelines? Do they make sense for Canada's economy? And what about our emissions goals?
We mapped 800,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada and tried to get to the bottom of these questions in our latest explainer video. #cdnpoli
thenarwhal.ca/video-pipeli...
We mapped 800,000 kilometres of pipelines in Canada and tried to get to the bottom of these questions in our latest explainer video. #cdnpoli
thenarwhal.ca/video-pipeli...
Fiction recos please!
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Fiction recos please!