Laurence Thompson
@thompsonlg.bsky.social
Grandfather, trying to leave the world a little better for my & all grandkids.
Approach to issues is on policy rather than partisanship.
🇨🇦 in Treaty 6 lands.
Focus on health, climate & Saskatchewan.
Approach to issues is on policy rather than partisanship.
🇨🇦 in Treaty 6 lands.
Focus on health, climate & Saskatchewan.
The Alberta-federal pipeline-industrial carbon levy MOU also has implications for Saskatchewan: “the MOU to build an oil pipeline to the West Coast has broad implications for Saskatchewan. It could free up space for expanded Saskatchewan oil production on existing pipelines. Dramatic expansion… 1/
What the Alberta-Canada pipeline MOU means for Saskatchewan
Pipeline Online digs deep into the MOU and its implications for Saskatchewan. There are many.
pipelineonline.ca
November 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The Alberta-federal pipeline-industrial carbon levy MOU also has implications for Saskatchewan: “the MOU to build an oil pipeline to the West Coast has broad implications for Saskatchewan. It could free up space for expanded Saskatchewan oil production on existing pipelines. Dramatic expansion… 1/
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Today’s MOU between the federal government and Alberta risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy. Read our full statement ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
Federal-Alberta MOU risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy
While promised improvements to industrial carbon pricing are positive and important, other aspects of Alberta-Canada MOU will undermine policy effectiveness across the country.
climateinstitute.ca
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Today’s MOU between the federal government and Alberta risks unravelling Canada’s climate policy. Read our full statement ⬇️
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
climateinstitute.ca/news/mou-alb...
Good discussion / debate in this 🧵:
What do you think the deal on the carbon price increases will actually be?
I see way too much wiggle room left in the MOU which is only a promise to make a schedule to get to $130 and work out the details on minimum price. It could easily be a 2030 $130 with effective price lower and later.
I see way too much wiggle room left in the MOU which is only a promise to make a schedule to get to $130 and work out the details on minimum price. It could easily be a 2030 $130 with effective price lower and later.
November 29, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Good discussion / debate in this 🧵:
And so it starts: instead of a taking a victory lap in front of her party convention, Smith gets booed by her own party base agreeing to keep the industrial carbon pollution price.
November 29, 2025 at 2:23 AM
And so it starts: instead of a taking a victory lap in front of her party convention, Smith gets booed by her own party base agreeing to keep the industrial carbon pollution price.
The costs of climate warming keep adding up.
Corman Park councillors vote narrowly to cover $67K bill for May 3 grass fire
#CommunityNewspaper #EmegencyServices #LJIReporter #PADailyHerald
paherald.sk.ca/corman-park-...
#CommunityNewspaper #EmegencyServices #LJIReporter #PADailyHerald
paherald.sk.ca/corman-park-...
Corman Park councillors vote narrowly to cover $67K bill for May 3 grass fire - Prince Albert Daily Herald
Kevin BergerLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterClark's Crossing Gazette Concerns over the possible mismanagement of a grass fire that occured south of Dalmeny in early May prompted RM of Corman Park councillors to vote 5-4 at their October 28 meeting to cover the entire $67,823.78 bill for fire services, sparing three ratepayers from having to cover a
paherald.sk.ca
November 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The costs of climate warming keep adding up.
The issues raised in these resolutions are all provincial govt responsibilities. They are part of the costs the SK govt ( along with schools) are downloading to municipalities. If the feds do pick up the slack here, why do we have provincial govts?
Corman Park resolutions on TLE, police and firefighting costs adopted by SARM
#CommunityNewspaper #LJIReporter #PADailyHerald #RMofCormanPark #SARM
paherald.sk.ca/corman-park-...
#CommunityNewspaper #LJIReporter #PADailyHerald #RMofCormanPark #SARM
paherald.sk.ca/corman-park-...
Corman Park resolutions on TLE, police and firefighting costs adopted by SARM - Prince Albert Daily Herald
Kevin BergerLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterClark's Crossing Gazette Three resolutions brought forward by the RM of Corman Park to the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) midterm convention on November 5-6 in Regina were resoundingly adopted by the association’s membership. Resolutions passed at either the annual or midterm conventions are used to guide SARM’s provincial and
paherald.sk.ca
November 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The issues raised in these resolutions are all provincial govt responsibilities. They are part of the costs the SK govt ( along with schools) are downloading to municipalities. If the feds do pick up the slack here, why do we have provincial govts?
The biggest danger to the Carney - Smith accord is that Smith cant or wont keep her end of the bargain - exactly what happened to the Trudeau - Notley TMX - carbon price deal when the UCO scuttled it.
This is the real question, has anti-Ottawa rhetoric made it impossible for Smith to satisfy her base? If so how does she pivot to blame Ottawa if no private pipeline investment comes forward? www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | How Danielle Smith's deal with Ottawa will go over with her anti-Ottawa base | CBC News
Alberta-federal accord? Many activists at this weekend's UCP AGM will have separation on the mind instead.
www.cbc.ca
November 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The biggest danger to the Carney - Smith accord is that Smith cant or wont keep her end of the bargain - exactly what happened to the Trudeau - Notley TMX - carbon price deal when the UCO scuttled it.
For another informed, but different, view:
“Canada is making one of the gravest strategic mistakes of its modern economic history. At the very moment when the world is reorganizing itself around innovation, Canada continues to centre its national economic imagination on hydrocarbons”.
“Canada is making one of the gravest strategic mistakes of its modern economic history. At the very moment when the world is reorganizing itself around innovation, Canada continues to centre its national economic imagination on hydrocarbons”.
The Pipeline MOU is a Tragic Failure of Vision
At best, Mark Carney capitulated to Danielle Smith's backward view of the future. At worst, the Prime Minister shares that view
markhamhislop.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:35 AM
For another informed, but different, view:
“Canada is making one of the gravest strategic mistakes of its modern economic history. At the very moment when the world is reorganizing itself around innovation, Canada continues to centre its national economic imagination on hydrocarbons”.
“Canada is making one of the gravest strategic mistakes of its modern economic history. At the very moment when the world is reorganizing itself around innovation, Canada continues to centre its national economic imagination on hydrocarbons”.
“He’s effectively daring…Smith to do the work required to get her coveted pipeline built, knowing full well she can’t actually do it. But Smith’s concessions help advance his government’s climate agenda far more than anything the previous federal government managed to achieve in, & with, Alberta.“
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 AM
“He’s effectively daring…Smith to do the work required to get her coveted pipeline built, knowing full well she can’t actually do it. But Smith’s concessions help advance his government’s climate agenda far more than anything the previous federal government managed to achieve in, & with, Alberta.“
“The MOU commits to working with oil sands companies to strike a deal by April on implementing the Pathways project [for] carbon capture…[to] reduce emissions intensity. That agreement will include enforcement mechanisms to ensure those projects are built….1/2
Carney, Smith sign sweeping energy deal, pledge new pipeline to West Coast
Federal government won’t implement its oil and gas emissions cap, and both sides will consult with B.C. on project, MOU says
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
“The MOU commits to working with oil sands companies to strike a deal by April on implementing the Pathways project [for] carbon capture…[to] reduce emissions intensity. That agreement will include enforcement mechanisms to ensure those projects are built….1/2
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
I recently wrote on the big opportunity that interprovincial transmission expansion is here: macleans.ca/economy/forg...
Forget America. Build an East-West Power Grid. - Macleans.ca
For decades, we've prioritized electrical trade with the United States. It's time to reduce our dependence on them.
macleans.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I recently wrote on the big opportunity that interprovincial transmission expansion is here: macleans.ca/economy/forg...
Why are beef prices so high? 🇨🇦’s cattle herd is at a 37-year low. Why? Because of multi-year drought In the ranch lands of the west.
The story of what's driving rising beef prices is yet another canary in the climate coal mine. It sure would be nice if we started listening a little harder. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
Why sky-high beef prices are a lesson in supply and demand
After years of drought, North America’s legacy industry – and consumer steak holders – face a climate hostile to cattle ranching
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Why are beef prices so high? 🇨🇦’s cattle herd is at a 37-year low. Why? Because of multi-year drought In the ranch lands of the west.
Until recently Spain, like 🇨🇦 now, was “stuck in the growth & productivity doldrums.” Now its economy & population are both expanding: “smart policy is at the centre of Spain’s transformation….Big, bold public investments in infrastructure, export growth & green-energy transition, & substantial… 1/2
Opinion: Spain has become an economic leader by using Ottawa’s toolkit the right way
The once-flagging Spanish economy has been turbocharged by big infrastructure investments, the green-energy transition and immigration
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Until recently Spain, like 🇨🇦 now, was “stuck in the growth & productivity doldrums.” Now its economy & population are both expanding: “smart policy is at the centre of Spain’s transformation….Big, bold public investments in infrastructure, export growth & green-energy transition, & substantial… 1/2
Saskatchewan steps up with added funding for an intensive case management program for high-needs folks in Saskatoon. Not a lot of money given the need, but it is a welcome a step forward from the province.
Next: fix problems with social assistance so people can actually pay for & keep housing.
Next: fix problems with social assistance so people can actually pay for & keep housing.
Province Provides Funding for Intensive Community Support Program in Saskatoon | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
www.saskatchewan.ca
November 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Saskatchewan steps up with added funding for an intensive case management program for high-needs folks in Saskatoon. Not a lot of money given the need, but it is a welcome a step forward from the province.
Next: fix problems with social assistance so people can actually pay for & keep housing.
Next: fix problems with social assistance so people can actually pay for & keep housing.
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
432 (~30%) more homeless people in Saskatoon #yxe than just one year ago.
There are more homeless people in Saskatoon than residents of most towns in Saskatchewan. Let that sink in.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Latest homelessness count in Saskatoon identifies nearly 2,000 people | CBC News
The latest point-in-time count in the city took place on Oct. 16 and tallied 1,931 people experiencing homelessness. That's roughly 30 per cent more than one year ago, when the same one-day count foun...
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
432 (~30%) more homeless people in Saskatoon #yxe than just one year ago.
“six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)”
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
Canadian Dental Care Plan reaches new milestone as Government of Canada strengthens access to oral health care
Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced that close to six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and can receive the dental care they...
www.canada.ca
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
“six million Canadians are now covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)”
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
This plan is a significant advance in the federal role in health care. It marks the first generally accessible direct funding by the feds of a health service. Can you imagine waiting for the provinces to do this?
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
This year's Saskatchewan budget is sinking deeper into the red, mainly due to higher health-care expenses and the cost of fighting the summer's wildfires. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #skpoli
Surplus long gone: Sask. government says budget on course for $427M deficit at year's end | CBC News
Finance Minister Jim Reiter, in a midterm update Tuesday, said the projected year-end deficit is expected to be $427 million, a major swing from the $12-million surplus predicted when the budget was i...
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This year's Saskatchewan budget is sinking deeper into the red, mainly due to higher health-care expenses and the cost of fighting the summer's wildfires. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #skpoli
In case you’re wondering what’s contributing to inflation in 🇨🇦: corporate profits after tax now almost *3 1/2* times greater than just before the pandemic (2020 Q1).
Corporate profits before taxes in Canada hit a new peak in the 3rd quarter, rising 7.6% from the 2nd quarter, StatCan reported yesterday. The previous pre-tax peak was in 2022 Q2. Telecomm profits jumped an extraordinary $10.4 billion but these were mostly one-time non-operational gains. #cdnecon
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
In case you’re wondering what’s contributing to inflation in 🇨🇦: corporate profits after tax now almost *3 1/2* times greater than just before the pandemic (2020 Q1).
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Settle in while I tell a story of how less is more in the wonderland of Saskatchewan healthcare. It’s the story of how, despite an announcement of new beds at City Hospital two weeks ago, Saskatoon has 54 fewer adult hospital beds today than it did at the end of March 2025. 1/
Saskatchewan respiratory disease (CRISP) report for 2 weeks to Nov 15 finally available today after technical delay. Report confirms that after summer lull COVID hospitalizations picked up sharply in early September, plateaued in October, now easing slightly. 1/
COVID-19 Situation Reports (CRISP) | COVID-19 | Government of Saskatchewan
COVID-19 surveillance information is now integrated with provincial reporting of respiratory illnesses, including influenza.
www.saskatchewan.ca
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Saskatchewan respiratory disease (CRISP) report for 2 weeks to Nov 15 finally available today after technical delay. Report confirms that after summer lull COVID hospitalizations picked up sharply in early September, plateaued in October, now easing slightly. 1/
“who is paying for the pipeline itself? Is there really a proponent lurking out there willing to pay $35- or $40-billion for a pipeline, given the uncertain state of the energy future?”
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
“who is paying for the pipeline itself? Is there really a proponent lurking out there willing to pay $35- or $40-billion for a pipeline, given the uncertain state of the energy future?”
Reposted by Laurence Thompson
Once again, folks: any deal between Alberta and Ottawa that requires a) BC's approval, and b) significant support from coastal First Nations is a deal for a pipeline that will never happen.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
a man in a suit and tie is holding a pencil and says just saying
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is holding a pencil and says just saying
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Once again, folks: any deal between Alberta and Ottawa that requires a) BC's approval, and b) significant support from coastal First Nations is a deal for a pipeline that will never happen.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
If Carney can get Smith to agree to ratchet up industrial carbon pricing in exchange? That feels like a win.
“Under Mayor Charlie Clark…Saskatoon pulled off one of the most disciplined, principled financial stewardship runs in Canadian municipal history. Through…inflation, a…homeless crisis [&] the provincial government’s abdication of duty, Clark…maintained Saskatoon’s AAA credit rating”.
A Tale of Two Cities, Or Why Steady Hands Matter When Things Get Rough
How Saskatoon’s fiscal grit shamed Regina’s freefall; and why the Sask Party must take the blame for both cities and their problems.
tammyrobert.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
“Under Mayor Charlie Clark…Saskatoon pulled off one of the most disciplined, principled financial stewardship runs in Canadian municipal history. Through…inflation, a…homeless crisis [&] the provincial government’s abdication of duty, Clark…maintained Saskatoon’s AAA credit rating”.