Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
Recalcitrant Canadian. Political scientist at UBC in Vancouver. I research, teach and talk international relations, BCpoli, comparative democratic institutions, and contentious politics. stewartprest.ca | https://stewartprest.substack.com
Pinned
Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca
· Apr 12
All of this would be hilarious if it weren't so serious.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
A new pipeline deal has been struck between Ottawa and Alberta, and it's raising questions about consultation, climate commitments, and Canadian unity. @cstarnino.bsky.social and @stewartprest.ca examine what’s actually inside the agreement: thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-pipel...
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A new pipeline deal has been struck between Ottawa and Alberta, and it's raising questions about consultation, climate commitments, and Canadian unity. @cstarnino.bsky.social and @stewartprest.ca examine what’s actually inside the agreement: thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-pipel...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
I really recommend reading this particularly insightful interview.
There's a lot more to consider than just the (significant) environmental repercussions of the pipeline. Whether or not it happens, Carney's agreement with Alberta is a threat to national unity.
There's a lot more to consider than just the (significant) environmental repercussions of the pipeline. Whether or not it happens, Carney's agreement with Alberta is a threat to national unity.
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Yeehaw, Alberta Is Getting a Pipeline (at BC’s Cost) | The Walrus
This is not how a federation is supposed to work
thewalrus.ca
December 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I really recommend reading this particularly insightful interview.
There's a lot more to consider than just the (significant) environmental repercussions of the pipeline. Whether or not it happens, Carney's agreement with Alberta is a threat to national unity.
There's a lot more to consider than just the (significant) environmental repercussions of the pipeline. Whether or not it happens, Carney's agreement with Alberta is a threat to national unity.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Danielle Smith helped create a separatist monster that is now attacking her
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Danielle Smith helped create a separatist monster that is now attacking her
The UCP’s faithful don’t represent all Albertans, but they’re driving the provincial agenda
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Danielle Smith helped create a separatist monster that is now attacking her
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
It's as if soldiers following unlawful orders was a bad idea.
December 2, 2025 at 5:25 AM
It's as if soldiers following unlawful orders was a bad idea.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Yeehaw, Alberta Is Getting a Pipeline (at BC’s Cost) | The Walrus
This is not how a federation is supposed to work
thewalrus.ca
December 1, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Hate the Two Solitudes remake:
'Essentially, the MOU is saying that there’s a new version of two nations in Canada...The agreement happens between Alberta and Canada, and everyone else has to find their place—and that includes BC and First Nations.'
'Essentially, the MOU is saying that there’s a new version of two nations in Canada...The agreement happens between Alberta and Canada, and everyone else has to find their place—and that includes BC and First Nations.'
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Yeehaw, Alberta Is Getting a Pipeline (at BC’s Cost) | The Walrus
This is not how a federation is supposed to work
thewalrus.ca
December 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Hate the Two Solitudes remake:
'Essentially, the MOU is saying that there’s a new version of two nations in Canada...The agreement happens between Alberta and Canada, and everyone else has to find their place—and that includes BC and First Nations.'
'Essentially, the MOU is saying that there’s a new version of two nations in Canada...The agreement happens between Alberta and Canada, and everyone else has to find their place—and that includes BC and First Nations.'
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Yeehaw, Alberta Is Getting a Pipeline (at BC’s Cost) | The Walrus
This is not how a federation is supposed to work
thewalrus.ca
December 1, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada is one of the most significant events of Carney's tenure to date.
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
I broke down what I see as the stakes, goals, and risks to national unity in an interview with @cstarnino.bsky.social for @thewalrus.ca. thewalrus.ca/alberta-bc-p...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
We need to make a bigger issue of what Elon and Trump did when they destroyed USAID.
The latest for my newsletter:
The latest for my newsletter:
Crimes against humanity
We need to make a bigger issue of what happened to the world when Elon Musk decimated USAID.
madness.ghost.io
December 1, 2025 at 2:43 PM
We need to make a bigger issue of what Elon and Trump did when they destroyed USAID.
The latest for my newsletter:
The latest for my newsletter:
Reposted by Stewart Prest
This administration has worked on the assumption that if the US ever abided by a law or provided aid or forged a trade agreement that was because it was being either being generous or getting screwed (or, rather, being getting screwed because it was so generous).
It's weird this isn't being said much, much more loudly. There's a very strong instrumental reason for not doing war crimes—because you don't want to see the same thing happen to your own forces.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
By Professor @marknevitt.bsky.social, Commander, JAGC (ret.)
“Compliance with international law—including the laws of war—is built, in many respects, on reciprocity.”
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
By Professor @marknevitt.bsky.social, Commander, JAGC (ret.)
“Compliance with international law—including the laws of war—is built, in many respects, on reciprocity.”
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
December 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
This administration has worked on the assumption that if the US ever abided by a law or provided aid or forged a trade agreement that was because it was being either being generous or getting screwed (or, rather, being getting screwed because it was so generous).
It's weird this isn't being said much, much more loudly. There's a very strong instrumental reason for not doing war crimes—because you don't want to see the same thing happen to your own forces.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
By Professor @marknevitt.bsky.social, Commander, JAGC (ret.)
“Compliance with international law—including the laws of war—is built, in many respects, on reciprocity.”
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
By Professor @marknevitt.bsky.social, Commander, JAGC (ret.)
“Compliance with international law—including the laws of war—is built, in many respects, on reciprocity.”
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
If the United States chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice.
www.justsecurity.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:15 PM
It's weird this isn't being said much, much more loudly. There's a very strong instrumental reason for not doing war crimes—because you don't want to see the same thing happen to your own forces.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
The laws of war were created by states, for states, and states forget their purpose at their power.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Perhaps the smartest #ClimateAction investment in cities is in public transit. While others make excuses, Paris is building a WHOLE NEW METRO NETWORK CONNECTING SUBURBS.
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. And it’s huge | CNN
The Grand Paris Express will add four lines, 68 stations and 200 kilometers of track to the French capital’s 120-year-old Metro system, providing vital suburban links – just not quite in time for the ...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Perhaps the smartest #ClimateAction investment in cities is in public transit. While others make excuses, Paris is building a WHOLE NEW METRO NETWORK CONNECTING SUBURBS.
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Reposted by Stewart Prest
New from 404 Media: Flock is using overseas gig workers to build its surveillance AI. Flock has cameras in thousands of communities around the US which can detect vehicles and people. We found gig workers in the Philippines are reviewing footage to classify people
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Flock Uses Overseas Gig Workers to Build its Surveillance AI
Flock accidentally exposed training materials and a panel which tracked what its AI annotators were working on. It showed that Flock, which has cameras in thousands of U.S. communities, is using worke...
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New from 404 Media: Flock is using overseas gig workers to build its surveillance AI. Flock has cameras in thousands of communities around the US which can detect vehicles and people. We found gig workers in the Philippines are reviewing footage to classify people
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
I'm proposing a ban on all "what ChatGPT told me" thinkpieces for eternity. Shoot them into the sun. AI is often amazing but it's not an oracle.
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
The Devil’s Plan to Ruin the Next Generation
I asked ChatGPT how it would destroy America’s youth. Its answers were unsettling — and all too familiar.
www.afterbabel.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I'm proposing a ban on all "what ChatGPT told me" thinkpieces for eternity. Shoot them into the sun. AI is often amazing but it's not an oracle.
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
www.afterbabel.com/p/the-devils...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
And he made Janet run all that defence for a while, before the horrors of ICE cranked way up. When the belligerence to Canada was on going. Now he still does this.
Celebrities, meh, but this one was forced on us like some Canadian monarch. Boo him. Laugh at him. Forget him.
Celebrities, meh, but this one was forced on us like some Canadian monarch. Boo him. Laugh at him. Forget him.
Trump went golfing with Wayne Gretzky today. That's FOX host Brett Baier on the right. Trump posted this on his Truth Social account.
November 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
And he made Janet run all that defence for a while, before the horrors of ICE cranked way up. When the belligerence to Canada was on going. Now he still does this.
Celebrities, meh, but this one was forced on us like some Canadian monarch. Boo him. Laugh at him. Forget him.
Celebrities, meh, but this one was forced on us like some Canadian monarch. Boo him. Laugh at him. Forget him.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
WATCH: Author and educator JDM Stewart talks about his new book, The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped. #NewsRadioBookshelf @citynewsvancouver.bsky.social youtu.be/sXFg3Ssh-Fc?...
NewsRadio Bookshelf: JDM Stewart (The Prime Ministers)
YouTube video by John Ackermann
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
WATCH: Author and educator JDM Stewart talks about his new book, The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped. #NewsRadioBookshelf @citynewsvancouver.bsky.social youtu.be/sXFg3Ssh-Fc?...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Pulled together some of my thoughts on AB - CAN agreement here. Simply put, this agreement is likely to deepen divides in the country, not heal them.
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
MOU Problems
While intended to heal the rift in Canadian unity, the agreement between federal and Alberta provincial governments risks leaving the country even more divided
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Pulled together some of my thoughts on AB - CAN agreement here. Simply put, this agreement is likely to deepen divides in the country, not heal them.
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
open.substack.com/pub/stewartp...
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Imagine if they just subsidized newspapers and magazines the way they’re subsidizing this slop
"All of this falls apart if humans don't adopt the tech. This is why you've seen Meta cram its lame chatbots into WhatsApp and Instagram. This is why Notepad and Paint now have useless Copilot buttons on Windows. This is why Google Gemini wants to "help you" read and reply to your emails."
Analysis: OpenAI is a loss-making machine, how can it survive?
Don't call it a bubble! Loss-making monster OpenAI is on the hook for $1.4 trillion (with a T) in compute commitments. How can this go on?
www.windowscentral.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Imagine if they just subsidized newspapers and magazines the way they’re subsidizing this slop
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The Nazis used the term "Lying Press" (Lügenpresse) to discredit and censor all dissenting media, simultaneously targeting journalists, and seizing, and giving their political allies control of news outlets to crush any opposition.
Just mentioning that now for no reason at all.
Just mentioning that now for no reason at all.
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 AM
The Nazis used the term "Lying Press" (Lügenpresse) to discredit and censor all dissenting media, simultaneously targeting journalists, and seizing, and giving their political allies control of news outlets to crush any opposition.
Just mentioning that now for no reason at all.
Just mentioning that now for no reason at all.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Interesting use of street-level graphics to transform a cross-walk into a data visualization in the Tuzla Municipality of Istanbul, to depict the stark and devastating figures of the number of people killed and injured (20,000) over the last 10 years at cross-walks across the country.
Dataviz 📊 meets crosswalk 🚶🏽♂️ #datvosualization #visonzero
www.famouscampaigns.com/2025/10/this...
www.famouscampaigns.com/2025/10/this...
November 30, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Interesting use of street-level graphics to transform a cross-walk into a data visualization in the Tuzla Municipality of Istanbul, to depict the stark and devastating figures of the number of people killed and injured (20,000) over the last 10 years at cross-walks across the country.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
The African Union suspended Guinea-Bissau following a military coup, saying it won’t tolerate unconstitutional changes.
https://to.pbs.org/48uqZMB
https://to.pbs.org/48uqZMB
African Union suspends Guinea-Bissau after military coup
In a resolution adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council on Friday, the organization reiterated it has “zero tolerance on unconstitutional changes of government.”
www.pbs.org
November 30, 2025 at 12:04 AM
The African Union suspended Guinea-Bissau following a military coup, saying it won’t tolerate unconstitutional changes.
https://to.pbs.org/48uqZMB
https://to.pbs.org/48uqZMB
Reposted by Stewart Prest
Gobsmacking to see a section that says that British Columbia will engage with First Nations about this project, when BC wasn't even consulted ahead of time. Nothing like trying to impose an obligation on third parties who aren't signatories. SMH.
November 29, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Gobsmacking to see a section that says that British Columbia will engage with First Nations about this project, when BC wasn't even consulted ahead of time. Nothing like trying to impose an obligation on third parties who aren't signatories. SMH.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
@stewartprest.ca’s whole thread here is powerfully apt. Cynical federalism is a pathway to national ruin.
Cynicism is corrosive. We need leaders who describe the world accurately, who mean what they say and say what they mean. We need them to bring disagreements into the open and work through them, not pretend things are fine. Thus, though I oppose the project, I do hope Carney and Smith are in earnest.
November 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM
@stewartprest.ca’s whole thread here is powerfully apt. Cynical federalism is a pathway to national ruin.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
If the PM was really committed to cooperative federalism, we would be talking institutional reforms right now. Intergovernmental reforms that would incentivize cooperative federalism, because what we're seeing right now is pretty much the opposite.
November 29, 2025 at 10:13 PM
If the PM was really committed to cooperative federalism, we would be talking institutional reforms right now. Intergovernmental reforms that would incentivize cooperative federalism, because what we're seeing right now is pretty much the opposite.
Reposted by Stewart Prest
If you're hankering after smart memo-of-understanding thoughts, @stewartprest.ca has you covered: stewartprest.substack.com/p/mou-proble...
MOU Problems
While intended to heal the rift in Canadian unity, the agreement between federal and Alberta provincial governments risks leaving the country even more divided
stewartprest.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
If you're hankering after smart memo-of-understanding thoughts, @stewartprest.ca has you covered: stewartprest.substack.com/p/mou-proble...