Tom McIntosh
@proftomuofr.bsky.social
Political Scientist, pop health researcher, federalism geek, movie nut
Pinned
Tom McIntosh
@proftomuofr.bsky.social
· Jun 18
It's getting closer every day ... the full cover to the new book from @profsmithsask.bsky.social and me -- The New Politics of Western Canada: Contested Histories, Uncertain Futures (UBC Press, Fall 2025).
Has there ever been another attempt to transform a major provincial political party (and one holding power no less) into a separatist party? The separatist wing of the UCP aren't leaving to create their own party, but working to remake the party they already have. High reward at very high risk!
For first time, Danielle Smith’s UCP base lost their temper with her. The separatists aren’t going away, so it may not be the last time. My piece from the Edmonton convention:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | Is there room for separatists and Danielle Smith in the same UCP tent? | CBC News
The premier goes pro-Ottawa as base moves in opposite direction. But she also scored some points at her party's annual meeting.
www.cbc.ca
December 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Has there ever been another attempt to transform a major provincial political party (and one holding power no less) into a separatist party? The separatist wing of the UCP aren't leaving to create their own party, but working to remake the party they already have. High reward at very high risk!
In order to determine where Scotland sits in the world of whisky (to be fair, I have a working hypothesis), the social scientist in me says you need to do some initial comparative research in order to establish some baseline metrics. So begins Phase 1 of a new research initiative ...
December 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In order to determine where Scotland sits in the world of whisky (to be fair, I have a working hypothesis), the social scientist in me says you need to do some initial comparative research in order to establish some baseline metrics. So begins Phase 1 of a new research initiative ...
Was baking treats to take into the office tomorrow. Oven decides it will no longer heat past 225 degrees. First time baking in the air fryer/convection-oven … fingers crossed.
November 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Was baking treats to take into the office tomorrow. Oven decides it will no longer heat past 225 degrees. First time baking in the air fryer/convection-oven … fingers crossed.
Oh, Beaverton ... don't ever change ... way too funny
November 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Oh, Beaverton ... don't ever change ... way too funny
A full house at the Ed Auditorium at UofRegina has got a ton of questions for Andrew Coyne after a provocative Minifie Lecture on the future of the legacy media
November 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
A full house at the Ed Auditorium at UofRegina has got a ton of questions for Andrew Coyne after a provocative Minifie Lecture on the future of the legacy media
Andrew Coyne delivers the 2025 Minifie Lecture at URegina entitled “We’ll Miss the Legacy Media When It’s Gone (though it’s not going anywhere)”
November 28, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Andrew Coyne delivers the 2025 Minifie Lecture at URegina entitled “We’ll Miss the Legacy Media When It’s Gone (though it’s not going anywhere)”
Just booked a trip to Edinburgh in the spring ... as Mr. Rankin's book tours don't include Saskatchewan (go figure!), maybe I'll run into him at the castle sometime in May :-)
Took a walk this afternoon. Hard to escape the Castle in central Edinburgh…
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Just booked a trip to Edinburgh in the spring ... as Mr. Rankin's book tours don't include Saskatchewan (go figure!), maybe I'll run into him at the castle sometime in May :-)
By my reading AB’s move only violates the CHA if a doc charges both province & patient for the same service (eg extra-billing). If they charge one or the other the full amount then it doesn’t violate the CHA. It’s bad for Medicare, but not illegal under CHA www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta defends public-private health care model as experts say it could violate Canada Health Act
Critics have raised concerns about the province’s plans to allow doctors to work in both systems simultaneously
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
By my reading AB’s move only violates the CHA if a doc charges both province & patient for the same service (eg extra-billing). If they charge one or the other the full amount then it doesn’t violate the CHA. It’s bad for Medicare, but not illegal under CHA www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
The future of health care in Alberta:
Patient: Doc, I need to see you asap ...
Doc: Well, if you want to be treated on my public list I can see you in 2 weeks. BUT, if you pay privately I can see you tomorrow.
Dual practice will erode medicare's principles
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Patient: Doc, I need to see you asap ...
Doc: Well, if you want to be treated on my public list I can see you in 2 weeks. BUT, if you pay privately I can see you tomorrow.
Dual practice will erode medicare's principles
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Alberta plans to allow doctors to deliver public and private services
Draft legislation would establish a model for medicine unlike any other in Canada
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The future of health care in Alberta:
Patient: Doc, I need to see you asap ...
Doc: Well, if you want to be treated on my public list I can see you in 2 weeks. BUT, if you pay privately I can see you tomorrow.
Dual practice will erode medicare's principles
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Patient: Doc, I need to see you asap ...
Doc: Well, if you want to be treated on my public list I can see you in 2 weeks. BUT, if you pay privately I can see you tomorrow.
Dual practice will erode medicare's principles
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
This is a very interesting tidbit from the budget. It’s gonna be complicated to institute, but could be very meaningful for visual artists.
November 12, 2025 at 4:43 AM
This is a very interesting tidbit from the budget. It’s gonna be complicated to institute, but could be very meaningful for visual artists.
Last week the Democrats were riding high on the results of the off-year elxns. This week they decided to help end the govt shutdown just as it was about to become very real to Americans & increasingly problematic for the GOP. This is so on brand ...
November 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Last week the Democrats were riding high on the results of the off-year elxns. This week they decided to help end the govt shutdown just as it was about to become very real to Americans & increasingly problematic for the GOP. This is so on brand ...
For those who long for a return to a simpler time … when young children in wealthy, industrialized countries got to face life-threatening diseases on a regular basis as God intended
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Canada expected to lose long-standing measles-elimination status
Public-health researchers say the return of endemic measles would carry serious health consequences
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
For those who long for a return to a simpler time … when young children in wealthy, industrialized countries got to face life-threatening diseases on a regular basis as God intended
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Why would the Sask Party remove permanent residents from their membership rolls? I have to think it’s about eliminating them as a factor in nomination races, esp. in Regina & S’toon. An odd way to “win back” the cities given that those permanent residents will become voters soon enough.
November 8, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Why would the Sask Party remove permanent residents from their membership rolls? I have to think it’s about eliminating them as a factor in nomination races, esp. in Regina & S’toon. An odd way to “win back” the cities given that those permanent residents will become voters soon enough.
Excellent piece by @picardonhealth.bsky.social "At a time when [the PM] is vowing to attract and retain the best scientific talent in the world, his backbenchers are undermining science by platforming a xenophobic, racist and misogynist ‘anti-woke’ agenda." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think
A parliamentary committee is asking for academics’ private information on a strange anti-DEI crusade
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Excellent piece by @picardonhealth.bsky.social "At a time when [the PM] is vowing to attract and retain the best scientific talent in the world, his backbenchers are undermining science by platforming a xenophobic, racist and misogynist ‘anti-woke’ agenda." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Free tickets still available for the 2025 Stapleford Lecture on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00.
November 4, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Free tickets still available for the 2025 Stapleford Lecture on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00.
Apparently the prov govt has committed to increase university funding in SK by 3%/yr for 4 yrs. This will likely cover the overall inflation rate (which is nice) but won’t replace revenue lost by decline in the # of int’l students (and they’re not coming back).
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Apparently the prov govt has committed to increase university funding in SK by 3%/yr for 4 yrs. This will likely cover the overall inflation rate (which is nice) but won’t replace revenue lost by decline in the # of int’l students (and they’re not coming back).
Join us next week for the 2025 Stapleford Lecture with Dr. Carmen Robertson. You can reserve your free ticket at www.uregina.ca/events
October 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Join us next week for the 2025 Stapleford Lecture with Dr. Carmen Robertson. You can reserve your free ticket at www.uregina.ca/events
Reposted by Tom McIntosh
This photo of rookie Yesavage casually walking off the mound as future Hall of Famer and helmet-less Ohtani is still in motion striking out is everything. #WantItAll
October 30, 2025 at 2:02 AM
This photo of rookie Yesavage casually walking off the mound as future Hall of Famer and helmet-less Ohtani is still in motion striking out is everything. #WantItAll
Well … this an interesting start to a game 😳😎
October 30, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Well … this an interesting start to a game 😳😎
Spent Friday afternoon at USask w @profsmithsask.bsky.social, Priscilla Settee, Denis Pillon [on Zoom], Dave McGrane & Rachel Loewen Walker talking about our book, The New Politics of Western Canada. Thank to USask Political Studies for organizing the event and to Priscilla for the pics.
October 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Spent Friday afternoon at USask w @profsmithsask.bsky.social, Priscilla Settee, Denis Pillon [on Zoom], Dave McGrane & Rachel Loewen Walker talking about our book, The New Politics of Western Canada. Thank to USask Political Studies for organizing the event and to Priscilla for the pics.
When people ask me how the semester is going …
October 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
When people ask me how the semester is going …
So if Premier Smith is delivering the Throne Speech, I am assuming that Alberta has declared itself a republic?
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
So if Premier Smith is delivering the Throne Speech, I am assuming that Alberta has declared itself a republic?
Is nothing sacred anymore? I remember when it opened ... all anybody could say was, "wow ... that's really, really yellow" ... but it kind of grew on you after a while.
strong contender for Greatest Headline, Edmonton division www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
October 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Is nothing sacred anymore? I remember when it opened ... all anybody could say was, "wow ... that's really, really yellow" ... but it kind of grew on you after a while.
I first heard about democracy sausages from Emma Graney when she in YQR writing for the Leader-Post. I always thought this was a key thing missing in our democratic processes ...
Our polling places need (1) democracy sausages and (2) complimentary dog sitting. Preferably not co-located.
(In addition to more staff and smoother processes).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democra...
(In addition to more staff and smoother processes).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democra...
Democracy sausage - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I first heard about democracy sausages from Emma Graney when she in YQR writing for the Leader-Post. I always thought this was a key thing missing in our democratic processes ...