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Tony Charron

@manaboutcowtown.bsky.social

1.8K followers 1.3K following 1.7K posts

Calgarian, flaneur and gadabout. If you followed manaboutcowtown on other channels in the past, yep same dude. He/Him 🇨🇦

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 12d

The story of my avatar. My family and I oft play Mario Kart. My fav. character is Donkey Kong. And I jokingly call myself Big Daddy Kong because my wife hates it. Has become a bit. Then this summer we went on the pipe coaster in Revelstoke and the photos made us all laugh. Am I wrong? Ha.

Donkey Kong drives down the track in a Mario Kart game.

A picture of a large man in a rather small pipe coaster cart. The comparison to Donkey Kong is apt.

Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 2h

The UCP lost $1.3B on its support of the failed gamble of the Keystone XL pipeline but $2B to help secure the future of 740,000 Alberta students we can’t do? And was happy to loan TC Energy an additional $6B at the time?

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Andrew Kurjata @akurjata.ca · 5h

In an era when Canada is touting critical minerals as a way to lessen it's dependence on the United States, the U.S. government is taking direct ownership in Canadian critical minerals companies... And Canada isn't stopping it

www.cbc.ca/news/world/t...

ANALYSIS | The Trump administration is investing in Canadian critical mineral companies. But Ottawa can stop it | CBC News

The Trump administration has purchased a stake in two Canadian critical mineral companies, a move experts say is unusual, and which raises questions about whether Ottawa should block the deals in the ...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 8h

The UCP wants to replace "Wild Rose Country" with "Strong and Free" on provincial license plates.

The minister responsible said caucus, alone, decided on the change. And that the move was "clearly non-partisan".

Here's the official party logo.

You be the judge.

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 7h

And the whole thing is being led by Kevin O’Leary the Trump glad handing blowhard whose actual business record is about as strong as his boating (or his wife’s) boating ability. Here’s what Time said about him in 2009. time.com/archive/6906...

time.com

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 7h

Keep in mind this project is already in trouble. But Premier Smith is ready and waiting to fund the $12B. www.desmog.com/2025/02/19/t...

The Wheels Are Falling off Alberta’s Gas-Powered AI Data Centre Proposal

Thanks to shifting markets, political scandal, and the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation citing ‘zero consultation’ in its cease and desist letter.

www.desmog.com

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 7h

Don’t forget the Province is slated to invest $12B in this private venture. Which has a “1.4-gigawatt off-grid power system.” That’s just a crutch for natural gas companies right? But $2B to help all of Alberta’s public schools, that’s too much? majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Wond...

Wonder Valley AI Data Centre Park (Phase 1)

Phase 1 of the Wonder Valley AI Data Centre in Alberta focuses on establishing a foundational infrastructure to support what will become the world's largest AI data center industrial park. Located wit...

majorprojects.alberta.ca

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 7h

For reasons I now limit myself to one cup of caffeinated coffee a day. But damn if some days I’d like 2. (Also I know I am a very lucky man thad this is the biggest trouble I have, or at the least feel the need to share this morning.)

Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 8h

And for Albertans who like to wax nostalgic about the favourable economic conditions of the 70s and 80s the corporate tax rate that time was 11%. Again corporate tax rates are on profits, not total income like you and I. Could companies earning billions every quarter contribute more, I think so.

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 8h

And maybe, just maybe if the Province’s coffers are empty we look at taxing corporations (not mom and pop small businesses) on their profits at a rate that is even close to other Provinces. Alberta’s corporate tax rate is 8%. The next closest rates are 11.5% in Ontario and the NWT.

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 8h

If we don’t have the money to adequately fund public schools then we sure as shit shouldn’t be helping to build private ones. globalnews.ca/news/1076355...

Premier Smith aims to help fund private school construction in Alberta | Globalnews.ca

Danielle Smith did not offer details about how much private school construction costs might be incentivized, but said she wants to see what independent schools might pitch.

globalnews.ca

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 8h

Premier Smith advocated for the RStar program which would have given $20 billion to “incentivize” energy companies to deal with abandoned wells they are legally obligated to deal with. Don’t tell me an additional $2 billion is too high a price to help the chronic underfunding of public education.

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 21h

Them: I used ChapGPT to find a dinner recipe.

Me: Oh, wow, so you like poisoning black neighborhoods so you can cook… *lowers reading glasses*…a roast chicken that’s still too dry. Wow.

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 10h

Happy birthday to Paul Kariya, born on this day in 1974 in North Vancouver, BC!
In his Hall of Fame career, he was a seven-time All-Star who won two Lady Byngs. He also won an Olympic gold medal. In 989 games he had 989 points. His #9 was retired by the Anaheim Ducks.

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Reposted by Tony Charron

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 @sundaedivine.bsky.social · 18h

Who knew my degree in European history and the rise of the Third Reich would double as a survival guide?

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 9h

I love Alberta but also sometimes I am ashamed a Province with so much abundance in some areas leaves some folks behind. Especially kids. globalnews.ca/news/1148050...

‘Are they being fed?’ Thousands of students lose school meals during Alberta teachers strike | Globalnews.ca

Several non-profit groups say some Alberta children are going hungry with thousands losing access to school food programs during a provincewide teachers strike.

globalnews.ca

Reposted by Tony Charron

David J. Climenhaga @djclimenhaga.bsky.social · 16h

Who knew that the public would end up supporting striking teachers? Not Danielle Smith and the UCP! albertapolitics.ca/2025/10/who-... #ableg #abpoli #TeachersStrike

Who knew that the public would end up supporting striking teachers? Not Danielle Smith and the UCP! - Alberta Politics

Who knew the public would end up supporting 51,000 striking Alberta schoolteachers in spite of the United Conservative Party Government’s blithe gaslighting about the reasons for the labour dispute no...

albertapolitics.ca

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Ghouly Hoye 🇨🇦 👻 @hollyhoye.bsky.social · 18h

From the ABteachers instagram page:

A mock-up Alberta licence plate from the Alberta Teachers Association that reads UNDR FUNDED

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Charles Rusnell @charlesrusnell.bsky.social · 18h

How did Danielle Smith conclude her govt had the right to arbitrarily change the province's licence plate to Strong and Free, a UCP political slogan, with zero public impetus or input?

Lisa Johnson @reportrix.bsky.social · 19h

Smith has had a change of heart since she was Wildrose Party leader in 2014 when she slammed the PCs plan to remove “Wild Rose Country" from licence plates.
"I also joked that it was great to have advertising for the political party I represented at that time on the back of every licence plate.”

Jack Farrell @jack-farrell.bsky.social · 21h

Alberta may no longer be known as "Wild Rose Country" — at least on its licence plates.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 18h

Everything this government does is for its donors and supporters. Why would the license plates be any different?

MondoAB @mondoab.bsky.social · 19h

"Strong and Free" .. yeah, it's UCP sloganeering. Not Alberta. What a surprise, dog whistle!

unitedconservative.ca/strongandfre...

Strong and Free Club - United Conservative Party of Alberta

unitedconservative.ca

Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 19h

We cut live to Alberta Government staffers “reviewing” the Private Healthcare Scandal before it is released to the public.

a woman is holding a piece of paper in front of a shredder .

Alt: a woman is holding a piece of paper in front of a shredder .

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Tony Charron

The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 1d

Aaaaand the judges report into the “CorruptCare” scandal has been delayed to public eyes again!

Drink!

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 21h

To commemorate the latest attempt to change Alberta license plates, let's look back at recent efforts to rebrand prairie political culture.

Spoiler alert: All 3 of these premiers enjoyed much higher popularity ratings than does Danielle Smith. And all 3 failed. #ableg

The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 1d

“The words on the plate have been decided.

Strong and Free.”

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

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

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Reposted by Tony Charron

Martin Grasdal 🍁 @mgrasdal.bsky.social · 20h

Hey, Alberta, this is the same agenda that Danielle Smith is following.

ProPublica @propublica.org · 20h

Among the Education Department’s new appointees is Lindsey Burke, the lead author of Project 2025’s education section.

She envisions dramatic enrollment declines for public schools: “We’re going to have a lot of empty school buildings.”

By @megomatz.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

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Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 20h

I will never forget years ago when we attended the information night for a local Alberta charter school and they flat out said “if your child has additional learning needs this is not the school for you” so I totally get teachers making support for those with complex needs part of their bargaining.

Tony Charron @manaboutcowtown.bsky.social · 20h

Nothing instills trust in a government suspected of funnelling $600 million to a private healthcare companies like “we need additional time to craft a response to the report from the person we hand picked to do it before we let the public see it.” Gotta put spin on the spin I guess?

Duane Bratt @duanebratt.bsky.social · 20h

Alberta government now has the Wyant report into AHS procurement. But they need time to read it and prepare a response before releasing it to the public. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Alberta government to release third-party report into health contracts in 'a few days' | CBC News

Alberta's government says it has received a final report Wednesday from the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts, but it won't be immediately released.