Ben Oates
@boates02.bsky.social
MUN Mechanical Engineering ‘25. Renewable energy, politics, all things NL.
Opinions are my own.
Opinions are my own.
-drinking coffee in St. John’s Harbour, trying to ignore the fact that someone just realised Newfoundland’s strategic value if the worst comes to pass-
No. lol. Sorry, but it's over 2000 kilometres from Greenland to the gulf of Saint Lawrence. That's not a threat to Canada. If you want to occupy an island to make problems for Canada, you'd occupy Newfoundland. The entire Greenland thing just makes zero sense.
Conquering Greenland could help Trump to surround Canada and cut it off from outside help and supplies.
January 20, 2026 at 11:37 AM
-drinking coffee in St. John’s Harbour, trying to ignore the fact that someone just realised Newfoundland’s strategic value if the worst comes to pass-
In the 1920s, it seemed probable that the US would attack Canada (War Plan Red) as part of a larger attack on the British Empire.
The 🇨🇦 response plan involved sending “flying columns” to capture US cities and hold them until help arrived. Shock & awe.
Food for thought…
@derparrot.bsky.social
The 🇨🇦 response plan involved sending “flying columns” to capture US cities and hold them until help arrived. Shock & awe.
Food for thought…
@derparrot.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM
In the 1920s, it seemed probable that the US would attack Canada (War Plan Red) as part of a larger attack on the British Empire.
The 🇨🇦 response plan involved sending “flying columns” to capture US cities and hold them until help arrived. Shock & awe.
Food for thought…
@derparrot.bsky.social
The 🇨🇦 response plan involved sending “flying columns” to capture US cities and hold them until help arrived. Shock & awe.
Food for thought…
@derparrot.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Oates
I’m headed to Beijing.
China is our second-largest trading partner, and the world’s second largest economy. A pragmatic and constructive relationship between our nations will create greater stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.
China is our second-largest trading partner, and the world’s second largest economy. A pragmatic and constructive relationship between our nations will create greater stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.
January 14, 2026 at 1:04 AM
I’m headed to Beijing.
China is our second-largest trading partner, and the world’s second largest economy. A pragmatic and constructive relationship between our nations will create greater stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.
China is our second-largest trading partner, and the world’s second largest economy. A pragmatic and constructive relationship between our nations will create greater stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.
Is the death of anyone, especially if his killing was politically motivated, a tragedy? Absolutely. No one should fear for speaking their mind.
Is there anything those of us outside the US can stop what’s coming next?
Nope. Self-immolation in progress. Best we can do is stand back and watch.
Is there anything those of us outside the US can stop what’s coming next?
Nope. Self-immolation in progress. Best we can do is stand back and watch.
They now have a martyr.
September 11, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Is the death of anyone, especially if his killing was politically motivated, a tragedy? Absolutely. No one should fear for speaking their mind.
Is there anything those of us outside the US can stop what’s coming next?
Nope. Self-immolation in progress. Best we can do is stand back and watch.
Is there anything those of us outside the US can stop what’s coming next?
Nope. Self-immolation in progress. Best we can do is stand back and watch.
Time to take the gloves off on this - we were all collectively biting our tongue towards the Americans, but that regime (and I use that word advisably) just keeps descending deeper.
Sell the bonds. Bully border governors who need our tourism. Tax energy trade. Go primal on these clowns.
Sell the bonds. Bully border governors who need our tourism. Tax energy trade. Go primal on these clowns.
This letter is obviously insane in every direction.
But I appreciate Trump admitting his goal is to siphon capital from his trading partners. He isn't talking about increasing growth, or creating more efficient supply chains: He's asking Canada to sacrifice employment and growth to America.
But I appreciate Trump admitting his goal is to siphon capital from his trading partners. He isn't talking about increasing growth, or creating more efficient supply chains: He's asking Canada to sacrifice employment and growth to America.
July 11, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Time to take the gloves off on this - we were all collectively biting our tongue towards the Americans, but that regime (and I use that word advisably) just keeps descending deeper.
Sell the bonds. Bully border governors who need our tourism. Tax energy trade. Go primal on these clowns.
Sell the bonds. Bully border governors who need our tourism. Tax energy trade. Go primal on these clowns.
Many of the more left-leaning / youth wings are upset that NES got swapped out in favour of Robertson in this cabinet. As someone who identifies as both of those things, let me explain why I think that anger is misplaced… 1/
Carney touts housing credentials of Vancouver ex-mayor Robertson as he joins cabinet nationalnewswatch.com/2025/05/13/c...
Carney touts housing credentials of Vancouver ex-mayor Robertson as…
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
May 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Many of the more left-leaning / youth wings are upset that NES got swapped out in favour of Robertson in this cabinet. As someone who identifies as both of those things, let me explain why I think that anger is misplaced… 1/
Reposted by Ben Oates
Also important to note the “whole new generation of cons” thing doesn’t include many young women. It isn’t a win if you’ve managed to alienate my particular demographic because you decided to court the incel vote lmao
May 2, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Also important to note the “whole new generation of cons” thing doesn’t include many young women. It isn’t a win if you’ve managed to alienate my particular demographic because you decided to court the incel vote lmao
I don’t buy the “Pierre has brought in a whole new generation of Cons” line. They’re smoking their own stash.
There’s just a latent mistrust of us Liberals bc of the tail end of Trudeau. I suspect that’ll recede once Carney starts delivering (tax cut, home building, etc)
#youngliberal
There’s just a latent mistrust of us Liberals bc of the tail end of Trudeau. I suspect that’ll recede once Carney starts delivering (tax cut, home building, etc)
#youngliberal
May 2, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I don’t buy the “Pierre has brought in a whole new generation of Cons” line. They’re smoking their own stash.
There’s just a latent mistrust of us Liberals bc of the tail end of Trudeau. I suspect that’ll recede once Carney starts delivering (tax cut, home building, etc)
#youngliberal
There’s just a latent mistrust of us Liberals bc of the tail end of Trudeau. I suspect that’ll recede once Carney starts delivering (tax cut, home building, etc)
#youngliberal
Good listen.
We won the election, but the work begins today. You look at our demographic - young people aged 18-35 - and it went to the CPC. The mock vote in schools was a CPC minority.
We can win these votes back. Let’s get working & win our brothers and sisters back.
#youngliberal #NL
We won the election, but the work begins today. You look at our demographic - young people aged 18-35 - and it went to the CPC. The mock vote in schools was a CPC minority.
We can win these votes back. Let’s get working & win our brothers and sisters back.
#youngliberal #NL
I no longer know what day it is. But here’s our podcast for a day I can only assume ends in y.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/p...
Liberals fall short of majority, Poilievre loses his seat
Podcast Episode · Power & Politics: Election Daily · 2025-04-29 · 54m
podcasts.apple.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Good listen.
We won the election, but the work begins today. You look at our demographic - young people aged 18-35 - and it went to the CPC. The mock vote in schools was a CPC minority.
We can win these votes back. Let’s get working & win our brothers and sisters back.
#youngliberal #NL
We won the election, but the work begins today. You look at our demographic - young people aged 18-35 - and it went to the CPC. The mock vote in schools was a CPC minority.
We can win these votes back. Let’s get working & win our brothers and sisters back.
#youngliberal #NL
And that’s all she wrote
Providing I passed…
Benjamin Oates, B.Eng EIT
Providing I passed…
Benjamin Oates, B.Eng EIT
April 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
And that’s all she wrote
Providing I passed…
Benjamin Oates, B.Eng EIT
Providing I passed…
Benjamin Oates, B.Eng EIT
Reposted by Ben Oates
my offer to america: we bring woke back
April 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
my offer to america: we bring woke back
Reposted by Ben Oates
An "industrial strategy" with backward integration into natural resource sectors like critical minerals?
Oh. My. God.
Finally, a politician who understands economy development strategy.
Sorry, my Canadian voter just smothered my skeptical journalist.
www.tiktok.com/@canadahoc/v...
Oh. My. God.
Finally, a politician who understands economy development strategy.
Sorry, my Canadian voter just smothered my skeptical journalist.
www.tiktok.com/@canadahoc/v...
TikTok video by canadaHOC🇨🇦
www.tiktok.com
March 31, 2025 at 12:39 AM
An "industrial strategy" with backward integration into natural resource sectors like critical minerals?
Oh. My. God.
Finally, a politician who understands economy development strategy.
Sorry, my Canadian voter just smothered my skeptical journalist.
www.tiktok.com/@canadahoc/v...
Oh. My. God.
Finally, a politician who understands economy development strategy.
Sorry, my Canadian voter just smothered my skeptical journalist.
www.tiktok.com/@canadahoc/v...
Reposted by Ben Oates
Timeline cleanse:
It has been pointed out to me that the Japanese Ambassador to the UK took Paddington bear to Japan to visit Studio Ghibli themed attractions
This feels endearing in a world where much of diplomacy is increasingly about hard power and brusque politics
This feels endearing in a world where much of diplomacy is increasingly about hard power and brusque politics
March 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Timeline cleanse:
Yes, I was hockey stick flag guy 😉
Excited that @mark-carney.bsky.social launched the campaign right here in St. John’s - let’s build for Canada!
Oui, c'était moi avec le bâton de hockey ! Je suis ravi que Mark Carney ait lancé la campagne ici même, à St. John's ! Bâtissons pour le Canada.
Excited that @mark-carney.bsky.social launched the campaign right here in St. John’s - let’s build for Canada!
Oui, c'était moi avec le bâton de hockey ! Je suis ravi que Mark Carney ait lancé la campagne ici même, à St. John's ! Bâtissons pour le Canada.
March 24, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Yes, I was hockey stick flag guy 😉
Excited that @mark-carney.bsky.social launched the campaign right here in St. John’s - let’s build for Canada!
Oui, c'était moi avec le bâton de hockey ! Je suis ravi que Mark Carney ait lancé la campagne ici même, à St. John's ! Bâtissons pour le Canada.
Excited that @mark-carney.bsky.social launched the campaign right here in St. John’s - let’s build for Canada!
Oui, c'était moi avec le bâton de hockey ! Je suis ravi que Mark Carney ait lancé la campagne ici même, à St. John's ! Bâtissons pour le Canada.
Canada, it’s time to build. This isn’t a campaign - we are rightfully on a war footing, and we must protect what we hold dear.
Mark Carney’s our guy to marshall Canada’s peoples towards a better future.
It’s time to build - c’est le temps pour se batir.
#canada
Mark Carney’s our guy to marshall Canada’s peoples towards a better future.
It’s time to build - c’est le temps pour se batir.
#canada
March 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Canada, it’s time to build. This isn’t a campaign - we are rightfully on a war footing, and we must protect what we hold dear.
Mark Carney’s our guy to marshall Canada’s peoples towards a better future.
It’s time to build - c’est le temps pour se batir.
#canada
Mark Carney’s our guy to marshall Canada’s peoples towards a better future.
It’s time to build - c’est le temps pour se batir.
#canada
Reposted by Ben Oates
Some right-wing faux-journalist leeches decided to go after Mark Carney's trans kid. They couldn't even rub together enough journalistic skill to do that properly. www.bugeyedandshameless.com/p/you-dont-g...
The Anatomy of a Transphobic Smear
A smear against Mark Carney's kid, and the politics of attacking trans people.
www.bugeyedandshameless.com
March 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Some right-wing faux-journalist leeches decided to go after Mark Carney's trans kid. They couldn't even rub together enough journalistic skill to do that properly. www.bugeyedandshameless.com/p/you-dont-g...
Reposted by Ben Oates
If Canada cancels it's F-35 orders and decided to buy Rafale or Gripen, then something worth consideration for Sweden or France is to give Canada a licence agreement to make the jets in Canada. Creating Canadian jobs and reviving their Aerospace industry is a favour the Canadians will not forget.
March 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
If Canada cancels it's F-35 orders and decided to buy Rafale or Gripen, then something worth consideration for Sweden or France is to give Canada a licence agreement to make the jets in Canada. Creating Canadian jobs and reviving their Aerospace industry is a favour the Canadians will not forget.
Reposted by Ben Oates
The idea that Americans are meaningfully pro- or anti-Canada feels absurd to me.
Americans are living through an illegal fascist takeover of their government. Until I see evidence to prove that they are mobilizing to oppose this in large numbers, Americans are just apathetic.
Americans are living through an illegal fascist takeover of their government. Until I see evidence to prove that they are mobilizing to oppose this in large numbers, Americans are just apathetic.
we need a name for pro-canada americans
March 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The idea that Americans are meaningfully pro- or anti-Canada feels absurd to me.
Americans are living through an illegal fascist takeover of their government. Until I see evidence to prove that they are mobilizing to oppose this in large numbers, Americans are just apathetic.
Americans are living through an illegal fascist takeover of their government. Until I see evidence to prove that they are mobilizing to oppose this in large numbers, Americans are just apathetic.
Reposted by Ben Oates
The Netherlands and Latvia are the two E.U countries who have the closest relations with Canada. Hope they can build something here.
March 6, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The Netherlands and Latvia are the two E.U countries who have the closest relations with Canada. Hope they can build something here.
Reposted by Ben Oates
My purchasing hierarchy.
1) local
2) NL
3) Canada
4) China
6) shady Nigerian dude on Facebook marketplace
7) Satan
8) guy in the brown van down by the river
8) US
1) local
2) NL
3) Canada
4) China
6) shady Nigerian dude on Facebook marketplace
7) Satan
8) guy in the brown van down by the river
8) US
March 5, 2025 at 9:27 PM
My purchasing hierarchy.
1) local
2) NL
3) Canada
4) China
6) shady Nigerian dude on Facebook marketplace
7) Satan
8) guy in the brown van down by the river
8) US
1) local
2) NL
3) Canada
4) China
6) shady Nigerian dude on Facebook marketplace
7) Satan
8) guy in the brown van down by the river
8) US
I wrote some thoughts on Canadian energy policy & alternatives to Alberta oil on my buddy Evan Scrimshaw’s blog. Check it out and let me know your thoughts:
open.substack.com/pub/scrimsha...
open.substack.com/pub/scrimsha...
Pipelines, Practicalities, And The Politics Of Oil
Newfoundland’s Potential Energy Solutions
open.substack.com
February 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I wrote some thoughts on Canadian energy policy & alternatives to Alberta oil on my buddy Evan Scrimshaw’s blog. Check it out and let me know your thoughts:
open.substack.com/pub/scrimsha...
open.substack.com/pub/scrimsha...
Reposted by Ben Oates
Remember what our alliance is about. Mutual Defence. An attack on one is an attack on all. The Canadians stand up for us in Ukraine and have troops in the Baltic States. We Europeans must therefore also stand up for our Canadian allies.
February 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Remember what our alliance is about. Mutual Defence. An attack on one is an attack on all. The Canadians stand up for us in Ukraine and have troops in the Baltic States. We Europeans must therefore also stand up for our Canadian allies.
Let the Royal Navy / Marine National operate out of St. John’s & Halifax
A French military base in Quebec would send a very poignant message to Trump.
February 19, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Let the Royal Navy / Marine National operate out of St. John’s & Halifax
@derparrot.bsky.social - if you get the chance, check out the Canada vs. US hockey game on Thurs. This is the most politicized tournament since Canada played the USSR in the 70s.
In their first meeting on Saturday, 3 fights broke out in the first minute.
It’ll be geopolitically interesting.
In their first meeting on Saturday, 3 fights broke out in the first minute.
It’ll be geopolitically interesting.
February 18, 2025 at 10:41 PM
@derparrot.bsky.social - if you get the chance, check out the Canada vs. US hockey game on Thurs. This is the most politicized tournament since Canada played the USSR in the 70s.
In their first meeting on Saturday, 3 fights broke out in the first minute.
It’ll be geopolitically interesting.
In their first meeting on Saturday, 3 fights broke out in the first minute.
It’ll be geopolitically interesting.