Jimmy Thomson
@jameswsthomson.com
Environment and climate journalist | Editor in Chief at @nationalobserver.com | Work in The Globe and Mail, The Narwhal, The Guardian | www.jameswsthomson.com
I overheard Jacob Wohl in a hipster coffee shop saying he bought all the seats to Melania in his local movie theatre
Of all the things in the history of the world that definitely did not happen - this is the pinnacle.
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
I overheard Jacob Wohl in a hipster coffee shop saying he bought all the seats to Melania in his local movie theatre
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
My latest investigation is out. In the town of Caledon, Ont., political operatives thought they could create an anonymous, untraceable "citizen-led grassroots" campaign. But they forgot to scrub the image metadata.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/i...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/i...
Anonymous 'grassroots' community group in Ontario traced back to political operative
Building Caledon Together is framed to boost public support for development projects — but it appears to be part of a much larger operation, a Canada's National Observer investigation reveals.
www.nationalobserver.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:55 PM
My latest investigation is out. In the town of Caledon, Ont., political operatives thought they could create an anonymous, untraceable "citizen-led grassroots" campaign. But they forgot to scrub the image metadata.
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/i...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/02/i...
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
"I have read different things."
Chotiner puts out the trap, watches the subject fall in the pit, throws dirt on top and delivers a eulogy even as the subject continues talking, unaware they are already dead.
Chotiner puts out the trap, watches the subject fall in the pit, throws dirt on top and delivers a eulogy even as the subject continues talking, unaware they are already dead.
February 2, 2026 at 12:42 AM
"I have read different things."
Chotiner puts out the trap, watches the subject fall in the pit, throws dirt on top and delivers a eulogy even as the subject continues talking, unaware they are already dead.
Chotiner puts out the trap, watches the subject fall in the pit, throws dirt on top and delivers a eulogy even as the subject continues talking, unaware they are already dead.
He was probably just asking so that he knew when *not* to visit, to make sure there was nothing untoward happening.
Here is an email that Elon Musk, current world’s richest man and owner of a social media network that generated child sexual abuse material on demand, sent to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on November 11, 2012: “What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?”
www.404media.co/musk-to-epst...
www.404media.co/musk-to-epst...
January 30, 2026 at 10:00 PM
He was probably just asking so that he knew when *not* to visit, to make sure there was nothing untoward happening.
Reading Arno's piece this morning, it occurred to me how unsettlingly disconnected from even a generous interpretation of the truth many Conservative supporters have become. I don't mean that in the partisan kind of way; it's genuinely distressing to see people fleeing from shared reality.
CNO's @arnokopecky.bsky.social is on the ground at the Conservative Party convention in Calgary. And although he was barred from entering, he has been hanging out with the delegates and influencers crowding outside. They have had a lot to say — and a lot more than what's been happening onstage.
The sad predictability of the CPC Convention
None of what Arno Kopecky saw from Conservatives speaking on the first night of the party's Calgary convention was any more surprising than the strange disconnect from reality he encountered among att...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Reading Arno's piece this morning, it occurred to me how unsettlingly disconnected from even a generous interpretation of the truth many Conservative supporters have become. I don't mean that in the partisan kind of way; it's genuinely distressing to see people fleeing from shared reality.
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
Breaking - Jim Pattison Developments say the sale of their warehouse for use as a proposed ICE facility will not be proceeding
January 30, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Breaking - Jim Pattison Developments say the sale of their warehouse for use as a proposed ICE facility will not be proceeding
Awful. What a loss for Canada and comedy writ large.
January 30, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Awful. What a loss for Canada and comedy writ large.
I was reminded of this investigation I did with @ethancox.bsky.social and @brishti.bsky.social the other day, watching police indiscriminately attack protesters and then make up excuses after the fact. It happens here, too.
INVESTIGATION: RCMP misled public about pepper spray incident at Fairy Creek
The RCMP said they had to pepper spray a crowd to evacuate an injured officer. An exhaustive review of the available evidence shows that was not true.
ricochet.media
January 30, 2026 at 3:52 PM
I was reminded of this investigation I did with @ethancox.bsky.social and @brishti.bsky.social the other day, watching police indiscriminately attack protesters and then make up excuses after the fact. It happens here, too.
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
Amber Bracken is one of Canada’s greatest photojournalists, and for the RCMP to mistake observers for participants, arrest her and prevent her from doing her vital work is a deeply dangerous precedent. This case is important for all of us.
Reminder: journalists get arrested in Canada too.
In fact, The Narwhal is in court right now challenging the RCMP for arresting photojournalist Amber Bracken. Our editor-in-chief,Carol Linnitt, testifies today and Monday, and court is open to the public if you're in Vancouver.
In fact, The Narwhal is in court right now challenging the RCMP for arresting photojournalist Amber Bracken. Our editor-in-chief,Carol Linnitt, testifies today and Monday, and court is open to the public if you're in Vancouver.
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
January 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Amber Bracken is one of Canada’s greatest photojournalists, and for the RCMP to mistake observers for participants, arrest her and prevent her from doing her vital work is a deeply dangerous precedent. This case is important for all of us.
Remember a decade ago when there were like a dozen online publications with the best writing you'd ever seen, all independent, all eating the New York Times' lunch?
That was a nice time.
That was a nice time.
January 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Remember a decade ago when there were like a dozen online publications with the best writing you'd ever seen, all independent, all eating the New York Times' lunch?
That was a nice time.
That was a nice time.
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
“The United Nations has been anything but a friend to the Caucasian world. I mean, you're seeing disruptions in Europe, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia. Very little anywhere else. New World Order is after white Christianity by the looks of it, it seems to me. They're trying to replace us.”
This is who the separatists are. Huge thanks to my colleague @arnokopecky.bsky.social for getting that on the record. #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/29/n...
'They're trying to replace us': the conspiracy theories driving the man behind Alberta separatism
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:56 AM
“The United Nations has been anything but a friend to the Caucasian world. I mean, you're seeing disruptions in Europe, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia. Very little anywhere else. New World Order is after white Christianity by the looks of it, it seems to me. They're trying to replace us.”
Quick thread on some of the more disturbing revelations from @arnokopecky.bsky.social's call with Mitch Sylvestre this morning.
The ideas animating the man behind Alberta's separatism petition range from the pedestrian — "attacks" on Alberta's oil sector from Ottawa — to the fringe and beyond. Speaking with him this morning, @arnokopecky.bsky.social drew out several startling admissions.
'They're trying to replace us': the conspiracy theories driving the man behind Alberta separatism
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Quick thread on some of the more disturbing revelations from @arnokopecky.bsky.social's call with Mitch Sylvestre this morning.
His advisors asked him to talk about affordability, so naturally "private jets" is where his mind goes
More potential tax hikes on Americans from Trump’s anti-Canada campaign.
January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
His advisors asked him to talk about affordability, so naturally "private jets" is where his mind goes
Sounds bad coming from his mouth but when the Liberals say this exact thing for years, it's chill
Trump: "I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people who own homes."
January 29, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Sounds bad coming from his mouth but when the Liberals say this exact thing for years, it's chill
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
One of the more surreal conversations I’ve ever had.
"Pick three random people from your hometown. And imagine them — like the Beverly Hillbillies going to the US, and talking to these guys, as if there could be any consequence come out of that. It makes me laugh. It literally makes me laugh." @arnokopecky.bsky.social speaks with Mitch Sylvestre.
The world according to the man behind Alberta's separatism petition
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:53 PM
One of the more surreal conversations I’ve ever had.
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
"Pick three random people from your hometown. And imagine them — like the Beverly Hillbillies going to the US, and talking to these guys, as if there could be any consequence come out of that. It makes me laugh. It literally makes me laugh." @arnokopecky.bsky.social speaks with Mitch Sylvestre.
The world according to the man behind Alberta's separatism petition
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:52 PM
"Pick three random people from your hometown. And imagine them — like the Beverly Hillbillies going to the US, and talking to these guys, as if there could be any consequence come out of that. It makes me laugh. It literally makes me laugh." @arnokopecky.bsky.social speaks with Mitch Sylvestre.
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
yeah, Elon really seems to think he has some kind of inside info on this front
bsky.app/profile/sean...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
If I were a WH reporter I'd sure be asking WH sources what Trump has told Musk about Taiwan, given Musk's giggly paranoia about chips on this call
January 28, 2026 at 11:32 PM
yeah, Elon really seems to think he has some kind of inside info on this front
bsky.app/profile/sean...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
"allegations that he holds a liberal/pro-climate change bias"
An email I received today from a Fox "News" "reporter"
January 28, 2026 at 10:02 PM
"allegations that he holds a liberal/pro-climate change bias"
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
The risk to North American auto manufacturing is North America's auto manufacturers not keeping up with what global consumers want.
You've had tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and supports shovelled at you. Compete or die.
You've had tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and supports shovelled at you. Compete or die.
Exclusive: A recent deal by Canada to allow tens of thousands of inexpensive Chinese EVs into the country is a risk to North American auto manufacturing, GM’s CEO says.
Canada’s Move to Import Cheap Chinese EVs is ‘Slippery Slope,’ GM CEO Says
Thousands of electric vehicles from Chinese automakers can enter Canada this year at new low tariff rate
on.wsj.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The risk to North American auto manufacturing is North America's auto manufacturers not keeping up with what global consumers want.
You've had tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and supports shovelled at you. Compete or die.
You've had tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and supports shovelled at you. Compete or die.
"This is a preschool you stupid motherfuckers" should be the Democrats' 2026 slogan
Video from this morning shows ICE agents deploying tear gas outside a Minneapolis preschool as parents shout, “This is a preschool! There’s kids here!”
January 27, 2026 at 9:38 PM
"This is a preschool you stupid motherfuckers" should be the Democrats' 2026 slogan
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
Weird that hiring away a few checked-out Tory alcoholics from British dailies and emphasizing op eds about Why Your Boss Deserves A Tax Cut didn't deliver better results but what can you do? What, at the end of the day, can you do?
Jeff Bezos is putting the Washington Post into hospice: defector.com/jeff-bezos-i...
Jeff Bezos Is Putting The Washington Post Into Hospice | Defector
The Washington Post’s suicide-by-1,000-cuts business plan is going swimmingly. Word of the most recent act of self-harm came with a New York Times report on Friday on an internal memo informing the…
defector.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Weird that hiring away a few checked-out Tory alcoholics from British dailies and emphasizing op eds about Why Your Boss Deserves A Tax Cut didn't deliver better results but what can you do? What, at the end of the day, can you do?
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
In December, the Canadian government gave $1 million to Ottawa's JSI Telecom to commercialize AI-driven data analytics.
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
Ottawa is subsidizing a tech firm that provides wiretapping tools to ICE - The Logic
The $1-million contribution came after the U.S. agency showed up in force in Minneapolis
thelogic.co
January 26, 2026 at 5:23 PM
In December, the Canadian government gave $1 million to Ottawa's JSI Telecom to commercialize AI-driven data analytics.
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
The one thing you can take to the bank in the 2020s is that if a plutocrat pitches a futuristic megaproject, it's a crypto scam. Every time.
Obviously this is a setback but I think it's important not to let it discredit the concept of building a long, extremely narrow glass city in the middle of the desert. www.ft.com/content/036b...
Saudi Arabia to scale back Neom megaproject
Review expected to propose a significant redesign after years of delays and overruns
www.ft.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:19 PM
The one thing you can take to the bank in the 2020s is that if a plutocrat pitches a futuristic megaproject, it's a crypto scam. Every time.
Spare a thought for the high-IQ ICE officers' sensitive ears
Whistles are now WMDs, according to the "high IQ" crowd.
January 25, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Spare a thought for the high-IQ ICE officers' sensitive ears
Reposted by Jimmy Thomson
I genuinely can't imagine advice less useful than to hector people for saying "fascism" when the activities of the state — using secret police to enact terror, weaponizing the tools of the state to deter opposition, taking over mouthpieces of the media, bullying other liberal states — resemble it.
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
I genuinely can't imagine advice less useful than to hector people for saying "fascism" when the activities of the state — using secret police to enact terror, weaponizing the tools of the state to deter opposition, taking over mouthpieces of the media, bullying other liberal states — resemble it.