Don Cochrane 🇨🇦
@doncochraneyow.bsky.social
Retired from a career that took me around the world and continually reminded me that Canada is a wonderful place. Winnipeg transplant, currently living in Ottawa. Interested in issues concerning politics, law, and human migration.
‘All the hatred, all the persecution, seems like the panic of racists pretending they can stop the future of this country no longer being majority white through sheer cruelty.’
Trump wants to recreate a white America that never existed | Rebecca Solnit
The persecution of brown people and mass deportations will not create the white country of far-right fantasy
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
‘All the hatred, all the persecution, seems like the panic of racists pretending they can stop the future of this country no longer being majority white through sheer cruelty.’
Greed. No other reason. She was already a member of one of the best paying professions but decided she was due even more.
Calgary dentist who submitted $680k in phoney billings should get 3 years in prison: Crown | CBC News
Calgary dentist Alena Smadych, who defrauded five insurance companies over a decade, should spend up to three years in prison, the prosecution argued in court Friday.
www.cbc.ca
December 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Greed. No other reason. She was already a member of one of the best paying professions but decided she was due even more.
I’ve never understood fraternities. Maybe I’m the outlier, but I can’t say that I ever knew anyone from my university days or my working life who was in one.
Charges laid in frat party fire that injured sorority sisters during beer Olympics | CBC News
A young man has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm after a fire at a frat party near Western University that injured five sorority sisters, including two seriously, late Tuesday...
www.cbc.ca
December 6, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I’ve never understood fraternities. Maybe I’m the outlier, but I can’t say that I ever knew anyone from my university days or my working life who was in one.
As good an evening as any for the first fire of the season.
December 6, 2025 at 12:12 AM
As good an evening as any for the first fire of the season.
The ugly result of misinformation.
Young Canadians increasingly tie immigration to home affordability problems, survey finds
Environics poll shows younger people are now more resistant to immigration than older demographic groups
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The ugly result of misinformation.
Time to start planning next summer’s vacation.
December 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Time to start planning next summer’s vacation.
Alberta is our own little enclave of MAGA philosophy.
Judge says proposed referendum on Alberta independence would be unconstitutional | CBC News
An Alberta judge has determined a proposed referendum question on Alberta separating from Canada is unconstitutional, less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that wou...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Alberta is our own little enclave of MAGA philosophy.
Perfectly normal behaviour.
December 5, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Perfectly normal behaviour.
If you intended it to be used only in the case of ethical or illegal behaviour, then why didn’t you put that in the legislation?
Sloppy drafting is not a defence to the use of the law.
One could argue that the notwithstanding clause was also never meant for the purposes to which it’s being put.
Sloppy drafting is not a defence to the use of the law.
One could argue that the notwithstanding clause was also never meant for the purposes to which it’s being put.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says recall legislation being misused | CBC News
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or une...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If you intended it to be used only in the case of ethical or illegal behaviour, then why didn’t you put that in the legislation?
Sloppy drafting is not a defence to the use of the law.
One could argue that the notwithstanding clause was also never meant for the purposes to which it’s being put.
Sloppy drafting is not a defence to the use of the law.
One could argue that the notwithstanding clause was also never meant for the purposes to which it’s being put.
Priorities of the Ford government: snowmobile trails.
Snowmobiles sometimes serve a purpose - I once had a job where one was essential (we were out on an island in winter and needed it to get to town and back for supplies and groceries) but they are a scourge on the environment. But, hey, votes.
Snowmobiles sometimes serve a purpose - I once had a job where one was essential (we were out on an island in winter and needed it to get to town and back for supplies and groceries) but they are a scourge on the environment. But, hey, votes.
Ontario invests millions to ensure snowmobile season gets back on track
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get the sled out of the garage, the province says it’s doing its part to make sure Ontario’s snowmobile season gets back on track.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Priorities of the Ford government: snowmobile trails.
Snowmobiles sometimes serve a purpose - I once had a job where one was essential (we were out on an island in winter and needed it to get to town and back for supplies and groceries) but they are a scourge on the environment. But, hey, votes.
Snowmobiles sometimes serve a purpose - I once had a job where one was essential (we were out on an island in winter and needed it to get to town and back for supplies and groceries) but they are a scourge on the environment. But, hey, votes.
Responsible bird farmer calls bird flu a terrible disease, takes steps to protect his and his neighbour’s flocks.
No protest, no calls to “save the chickens”.
Contrast this with the obstinate ostrich farmers in B.C. who endangered the poultry industry for months on end.
No protest, no calls to “save the chickens”.
Contrast this with the obstinate ostrich farmers in B.C. who endangered the poultry industry for months on end.
Worst bird-flu season in years hits Alberta’s poultry farmers | CBC News
A mild fall and long migration is being blamed for increasing numbers of poultry farms coming under orders to contain the spread of highly infectious bird flu. One turkey producer in Alberta is prepar...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Responsible bird farmer calls bird flu a terrible disease, takes steps to protect his and his neighbour’s flocks.
No protest, no calls to “save the chickens”.
Contrast this with the obstinate ostrich farmers in B.C. who endangered the poultry industry for months on end.
No protest, no calls to “save the chickens”.
Contrast this with the obstinate ostrich farmers in B.C. who endangered the poultry industry for months on end.
Rempel Garner is the worst of the worst kind of politician.
I’ve never seen her in a positive or civil exchange with anyone.
She assumes she’ll be immigration minister if the CPC ever forms government. She would be completely lost.
I’ve never seen her in a positive or civil exchange with anyone.
She assumes she’ll be immigration minister if the CPC ever forms government. She would be completely lost.
'You are a very bad minister,' Conservative immigration critic says at tense committee meeting | CBC News
Immigration Minister Lena Diab sparred with her Conservative critic at a tense House of Commons committee meeting Thursday as the two disagreed on everything from immigration levels and deporting non-...
www.cbc.ca
December 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Rempel Garner is the worst of the worst kind of politician.
I’ve never seen her in a positive or civil exchange with anyone.
She assumes she’ll be immigration minister if the CPC ever forms government. She would be completely lost.
I’ve never seen her in a positive or civil exchange with anyone.
She assumes she’ll be immigration minister if the CPC ever forms government. She would be completely lost.
After the Lansdowne fiasco, I’m hoping that the NCC will see the folly in building an arena in an area with insufficient parking and over-reliance on public transit. The people from Gatineau have no choice but to drive, and I can’t imagine a sudden embracing of the O-Train by fans.
Sens to mark 35 years since NHL's return to nation's capital | CBC News
On Saturday the Ottawa Senators will mark 35 years since being awarded an NHL franchise in the league's 1990 expansion.
www.cbc.ca
December 4, 2025 at 10:28 PM
After the Lansdowne fiasco, I’m hoping that the NCC will see the folly in building an arena in an area with insufficient parking and over-reliance on public transit. The people from Gatineau have no choice but to drive, and I can’t imagine a sudden embracing of the O-Train by fans.
Reposted by Don Cochrane 🇨🇦
Clowning on Pierre the clown
"Mr. Speaker, the great thing about being a life-long Member of Parliament is you've never built anything, and you don't know numbers." - Prime Minister Mark Carney 🇨🇦 #cdnpoli
December 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Clowning on Pierre the clown
If the allegations against this family are true, they should be facing criminal charges.
Greed and corruption needs to be met with serious sanctions.
Greed and corruption needs to be met with serious sanctions.
Family fired by Windsor housing non-profit sued for millions | CBC News
Court documents filed by LSCDG obtained by CBC News show accusations of financial misconduct totalling $3 million by the Labour Sponsored Community Development Group's former executive director Anna A...
www.cbc.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
If the allegations against this family are true, they should be facing criminal charges.
Greed and corruption needs to be met with serious sanctions.
Greed and corruption needs to be met with serious sanctions.
It’s -11 here in Ottawa, possibly dipping down to close to -20 tonight.
There are a few robins in my backyard who evidently didn’t get the memo.
There are a few robins in my backyard who evidently didn’t get the memo.
December 4, 2025 at 3:56 PM
It’s -11 here in Ottawa, possibly dipping down to close to -20 tonight.
There are a few robins in my backyard who evidently didn’t get the memo.
There are a few robins in my backyard who evidently didn’t get the memo.
Perhaps I am cynical, but I am sure that we will be hearing (from the CPC and low-information Canadians) that the Canadian financial books have been somehow "cooked" by the Carney government.
Never mind that it is data from StatsCan, an independent agency, and collected in the same way as before.
Never mind that it is data from StatsCan, an independent agency, and collected in the same way as before.
Economy was on stronger footing heading into trade war, Statscan revisions show
GDP numbers from recent years partly reframe narrative around Canada’s weak productivity, declining living standards
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Perhaps I am cynical, but I am sure that we will be hearing (from the CPC and low-information Canadians) that the Canadian financial books have been somehow "cooked" by the Carney government.
Never mind that it is data from StatsCan, an independent agency, and collected in the same way as before.
Never mind that it is data from StatsCan, an independent agency, and collected in the same way as before.
This bodes well for the canal skateway…
My wife texted me just now to say that the walk to work was “bracing”.
My wife texted me just now to say that the walk to work was “bracing”.
December 4, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This bodes well for the canal skateway…
My wife texted me just now to say that the walk to work was “bracing”.
My wife texted me just now to say that the walk to work was “bracing”.
There are a lot of adjectives that one can use to describe BC politics, but “dull” isn‘t among them.
The BC Conservatives are confirming that voters dodged a bullet when the NDP won the last election.
The BC Conservatives are confirming that voters dodged a bullet when the NDP won the last election.
BC Conservatives say they’ve ousted their leader, but he refuses to go
Party’s board of directors decided John Rustad is ‘professionally incapacitated’ and ‘unable to continue’ as leader, but confusion reigned in the aftermath
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
There are a lot of adjectives that one can use to describe BC politics, but “dull” isn‘t among them.
The BC Conservatives are confirming that voters dodged a bullet when the NDP won the last election.
The BC Conservatives are confirming that voters dodged a bullet when the NDP won the last election.
When you’re not pressed for time and in the mood, a Canadian Tire store can be a wonderful place.
December 3, 2025 at 10:08 PM
When you’re not pressed for time and in the mood, a Canadian Tire store can be a wonderful place.
My maternal grandmother was a teacher in rural Manitoba before she was married in 1921. Here she is with a group of students - possibly in Roblin, Manitoba. This would be sometime between 1914 and 1921.
Of course, in those days, being married disqualified you as a teacher.
Of course, in those days, being married disqualified you as a teacher.
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
My maternal grandmother was a teacher in rural Manitoba before she was married in 1921. Here she is with a group of students - possibly in Roblin, Manitoba. This would be sometime between 1914 and 1921.
Of course, in those days, being married disqualified you as a teacher.
Of course, in those days, being married disqualified you as a teacher.
Well, well...
The BC Conservative Party just announced they have removed John Rustad as their party leader.
Comes hours after Rustad said he was staying on despite 20 MLAs calling for his removal, arguing there was no mechanism for the party to turf him as leader after winning his leadership review.
Comes hours after Rustad said he was staying on despite 20 MLAs calling for his removal, arguing there was no mechanism for the party to turf him as leader after winning his leadership review.
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Well, well...
I wonder just how many Canadian or permanent resident teens are actually applying for jobs at places like Tim Horton’s - or are they just assuming that “all the jobs are reserved for foreigners”?
Rempel Garner’s assumptions lack any kind of evidence.
But I agree - stop the unskilled TFWs.
…2
Rempel Garner’s assumptions lack any kind of evidence.
But I agree - stop the unskilled TFWs.
…2
TFW program 'removing entry-level job opportunities for youth': Conservative immigration critic
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner says the temporary foreign worker program should be abolished to restore 'that first opportunity for young Canadians' when asked about Tim Hortons requesting tha...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I wonder just how many Canadian or permanent resident teens are actually applying for jobs at places like Tim Horton’s - or are they just assuming that “all the jobs are reserved for foreigners”?
Rempel Garner’s assumptions lack any kind of evidence.
But I agree - stop the unskilled TFWs.
…2
Rempel Garner’s assumptions lack any kind of evidence.
But I agree - stop the unskilled TFWs.
…2
The odds of the Rideau Canal Skateway having an early start are getting better and better.
The earliest I can remember it opening was just between Xmas and New Years.
The earliest I can remember it opening was just between Xmas and New Years.
This is shaping up to be one of the coldest Decembers in Ottawa in the last several years.
The heat pump is chugging along quite capably (at around half capacity). The gas furnace should only be needed if it drops below -25.
The heat pump is chugging along quite capably (at around half capacity). The gas furnace should only be needed if it drops below -25.
December 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The odds of the Rideau Canal Skateway having an early start are getting better and better.
The earliest I can remember it opening was just between Xmas and New Years.
The earliest I can remember it opening was just between Xmas and New Years.