RichardJR
@electricbluesfan.bsky.social
Proud grandfather to four amazing grandchildren.
Interests: history, politics, space science, electric guitar blues, environmental science, computing science, philosophy, heart-healthy recipes, vinyl recordings.
313 ppm
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Interests: history, politics, space science, electric guitar blues, environmental science, computing science, philosophy, heart-healthy recipes, vinyl recordings.
313 ppm
Ad astra per aspera!
7/7 The bill is moving forward. Consultation is happening in reverse order.
Without legislated protection or a flood of new doctors, the "experiment" risks leaving the public system behind.
Jennifer Lee | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Without legislated protection or a flood of new doctors, the "experiment" risks leaving the public system behind.
Jennifer Lee | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Experts warn the devil is in the details with Alberta's 'experiment' to expand private health care | CBC News
Some health experts say they’re worried the new legislation designed to expand private health care in Alberta was not properly planned and is missing key protections for the public health system.
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
7/7 The bill is moving forward. Consultation is happening in reverse order.
Without legislated protection or a flood of new doctors, the "experiment" risks leaving the public system behind.
Jennifer Lee | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Without legislated protection or a flood of new doctors, the "experiment" risks leaving the public system behind.
Jennifer Lee | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
6/7 Real reform requires addressing the root cause: education caps.
"The reason we don't have enough physicians is because we don't train enough."
If the government wants a market solution, Meddings argues, they should start by uncapping medical school seats.
"The reason we don't have enough physicians is because we don't train enough."
If the government wants a market solution, Meddings argues, they should start by uncapping medical school seats.
November 27, 2025 at 12:25 AM
6/7 Real reform requires addressing the root cause: education caps.
"The reason we don't have enough physicians is because we don't train enough."
If the government wants a market solution, Meddings argues, they should start by uncapping medical school seats.
"The reason we don't have enough physicians is because we don't train enough."
If the government wants a market solution, Meddings argues, they should start by uncapping medical school seats.
5/7 The "safeguards"—like limiting private hours—are promised, but they aren't in the bill.
They rely on ministerial orders.
Law professor Lorian Hardcastle warns: "I don't think we want that to be a thing that can be changed at the stroke of a pen." Protections need the durability of law.
They rely on ministerial orders.
Law professor Lorian Hardcastle warns: "I don't think we want that to be a thing that can be changed at the stroke of a pen." Protections need the durability of law.
November 27, 2025 at 12:25 AM
5/7 The "safeguards"—like limiting private hours—are promised, but they aren't in the bill.
They rely on ministerial orders.
Law professor Lorian Hardcastle warns: "I don't think we want that to be a thing that can be changed at the stroke of a pen." Protections need the durability of law.
They rely on ministerial orders.
Law professor Lorian Hardcastle warns: "I don't think we want that to be a thing that can be changed at the stroke of a pen." Protections need the durability of law.
4/7 The province cites success stories like Denmark and the UK.
Meddings counters that those nations have the physician density to support a dual model.
Alberta does not. We are trying to copy the outcome without possessing the necessary infrastructure.
Meddings counters that those nations have the physician density to support a dual model.
Alberta does not. We are trying to copy the outcome without possessing the necessary infrastructure.
November 27, 2025 at 12:24 AM
4/7 The province cites success stories like Denmark and the UK.
Meddings counters that those nations have the physician density to support a dual model.
Alberta does not. We are trying to copy the outcome without possessing the necessary infrastructure.
Meddings counters that those nations have the physician density to support a dual model.
Alberta does not. We are trying to copy the outcome without possessing the necessary infrastructure.
3/7 Dr. Jon Meddings, former medical dean at U of C, calls it an "interesting experiment" with a fatal flaw: staffing.
👉 You cannot run two systems when you lack doctors for one. 👈
Moving anesthetists to private clinics doesn't fix the shortage; it just monetizes it.
👉 You cannot run two systems when you lack doctors for one. 👈
Moving anesthetists to private clinics doesn't fix the shortage; it just monetizes it.
November 27, 2025 at 12:23 AM
3/7 Dr. Jon Meddings, former medical dean at U of C, calls it an "interesting experiment" with a fatal flaw: staffing.
👉 You cannot run two systems when you lack doctors for one. 👈
Moving anesthetists to private clinics doesn't fix the shortage; it just monetizes it.
👉 You cannot run two systems when you lack doctors for one. 👈
Moving anesthetists to private clinics doesn't fix the shortage; it just monetizes it.
2/7 The plan allows patients to pay out-of-pocket for surgeries like hip replacements to "relieve pressure."
👉 The Alberta Medical Association wasn't consulted. 👈
Dr. Brian Wirzba: "Most places that have tried this have run into problems... It’s going to be really important to have the details."
👉 The Alberta Medical Association wasn't consulted. 👈
Dr. Brian Wirzba: "Most places that have tried this have run into problems... It’s going to be really important to have the details."
November 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
2/7 The plan allows patients to pay out-of-pocket for surgeries like hip replacements to "relieve pressure."
👉 The Alberta Medical Association wasn't consulted. 👈
Dr. Brian Wirzba: "Most places that have tried this have run into problems... It’s going to be really important to have the details."
👉 The Alberta Medical Association wasn't consulted. 👈
Dr. Brian Wirzba: "Most places that have tried this have run into problems... It’s going to be really important to have the details."
5/5 This economic chill sets the high-stakes backdrop for Thursday's "grand bargain" between PM Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith.
Political deals are coming, but the market has already spoken.
Kyle Bakx & Paula Duhatschek | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Political deals are coming, but the market has already spoken.
Kyle Bakx & Paula Duhatschek | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Drilling activity plunges, job losses climb in Western Canada as oil prices sink | CBC News
Low oil and natural gas prices are taking a toll on the industry as drilling activity is falling in Western Canada and job losses are mounting.
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:15 AM
5/5 This economic chill sets the high-stakes backdrop for Thursday's "grand bargain" between PM Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith.
Political deals are coming, but the market has already spoken.
Kyle Bakx & Paula Duhatschek | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Political deals are coming, but the market has already spoken.
Kyle Bakx & Paula Duhatschek | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
4/5 But hope doesn't pay today's bills.
Job cuts that began in spring will bleed through the rest of the year.
Three major forecasting agencies warn oil prices won't recover to 2024 levels before 2029. It is a gloomy picture for workers waiting for the phone to ring.
Job cuts that began in spring will bleed through the rest of the year.
Three major forecasting agencies warn oil prices won't recover to 2024 levels before 2029. It is a gloomy picture for workers waiting for the phone to ring.
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
4/5 But hope doesn't pay today's bills.
Job cuts that began in spring will bleed through the rest of the year.
Three major forecasting agencies warn oil prices won't recover to 2024 levels before 2029. It is a gloomy picture for workers waiting for the phone to ring.
Job cuts that began in spring will bleed through the rest of the year.
Three major forecasting agencies warn oil prices won't recover to 2024 levels before 2029. It is a gloomy picture for workers waiting for the phone to ring.
3/5 Natural gas has been on a wild ride, plunging below zero in September. Companies literally couldn't give it away.
Yet, Enserva CEO Gurpreet Lail sees a lifeline on the coast.
With LNG Canada ramping up, the hope is global pricing will eventually rescue the bottom line.
Yet, Enserva CEO Gurpreet Lail sees a lifeline on the coast.
With LNG Canada ramping up, the hope is global pricing will eventually rescue the bottom line.
November 27, 2025 at 12:13 AM
3/5 Natural gas has been on a wild ride, plunging below zero in September. Companies literally couldn't give it away.
Yet, Enserva CEO Gurpreet Lail sees a lifeline on the coast.
With LNG Canada ramping up, the hope is global pricing will eventually rescue the bottom line.
Yet, Enserva CEO Gurpreet Lail sees a lifeline on the coast.
With LNG Canada ramping up, the hope is global pricing will eventually rescue the bottom line.
2/5 The numbers from Enserva—representing the service companies on the ground—are stark.
Capital spending is being slashed. Total wells drilled will drop 9% this year.
British Columbia is taking a 16% hit. Alberta and Saskatchewan aren't far behind, with no relief in 2026.
Capital spending is being slashed. Total wells drilled will drop 9% this year.
British Columbia is taking a 16% hit. Alberta and Saskatchewan aren't far behind, with no relief in 2026.
November 27, 2025 at 12:12 AM
2/5 The numbers from Enserva—representing the service companies on the ground—are stark.
Capital spending is being slashed. Total wells drilled will drop 9% this year.
British Columbia is taking a 16% hit. Alberta and Saskatchewan aren't far behind, with no relief in 2026.
Capital spending is being slashed. Total wells drilled will drop 9% this year.
British Columbia is taking a 16% hit. Alberta and Saskatchewan aren't far behind, with no relief in 2026.
1/5
🇨🇦 BOOM TURNS TO BUST: DRILLING RIGS GO QUIET ACROSS THE WEST 🇨🇦
North American oil has slumped below $60 US a barrel. The rigs are powering down.
A new industry report confirms the slowdown is here, and it is digging in for the long haul.
#CdnEnergy #AbLeg #BcPoli #Economy
🇨🇦 BOOM TURNS TO BUST: DRILLING RIGS GO QUIET ACROSS THE WEST 🇨🇦
North American oil has slumped below $60 US a barrel. The rigs are powering down.
A new industry report confirms the slowdown is here, and it is digging in for the long haul.
#CdnEnergy #AbLeg #BcPoli #Economy
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 AM
1/5
🇨🇦 BOOM TURNS TO BUST: DRILLING RIGS GO QUIET ACROSS THE WEST 🇨🇦
North American oil has slumped below $60 US a barrel. The rigs are powering down.
A new industry report confirms the slowdown is here, and it is digging in for the long haul.
#CdnEnergy #AbLeg #BcPoli #Economy
🇨🇦 BOOM TURNS TO BUST: DRILLING RIGS GO QUIET ACROSS THE WEST 🇨🇦
North American oil has slumped below $60 US a barrel. The rigs are powering down.
A new industry report confirms the slowdown is here, and it is digging in for the long haul.
#CdnEnergy #AbLeg #BcPoli #Economy
7/7 Advocates argue true safety requires fixing housing and shelter gaps, not just more patrols.
Until the root causes are fixed, the ride remains uneasy.
Jennifer Keiller & Bethany Lindsay | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Until the root causes are fixed, the ride remains uneasy.
Jennifer Keiller & Bethany Lindsay | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Violent crime up nearly 60% on Calgary transit over past decade. Police chief calls it 'very concerning' | CBC News
New data from CBC News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation show violent crime on Calgary transit has spiked by nearly 60 per cent over the last decade, and it's spurring concern and calls for ...
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
7/7 Advocates argue true safety requires fixing housing and shelter gaps, not just more patrols.
Until the root causes are fixed, the ride remains uneasy.
Jennifer Keiller & Bethany Lindsay | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Until the root causes are fixed, the ride remains uneasy.
Jennifer Keiller & Bethany Lindsay | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
6/7 The city has responded with more peace officers and $15 million for driver barriers.
Councillor Dan McLean says things are "trending in the right direction."
Yet he admits the night shift is different: "People are still saying they don't feel safe."
Councillor Dan McLean says things are "trending in the right direction."
Yet he admits the night shift is different: "People are still saying they don't feel safe."
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
6/7 The city has responded with more peace officers and $15 million for driver barriers.
Councillor Dan McLean says things are "trending in the right direction."
Yet he admits the night shift is different: "People are still saying they don't feel safe."
Councillor Dan McLean says things are "trending in the right direction."
Yet he admits the night shift is different: "People are still saying they don't feel safe."
5/7 Mayor Jeromy Farkas promises "strong action" amid budget debates.
His approach blends enforcement with addressing root causes like housing.
"That's how we're going to get it done so Calgary has the safest transit infrastructure in the country."
His approach blends enforcement with addressing root causes like housing.
"That's how we're going to get it done so Calgary has the safest transit infrastructure in the country."
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
5/7 Mayor Jeromy Farkas promises "strong action" amid budget debates.
His approach blends enforcement with addressing root causes like housing.
"That's how we're going to get it done so Calgary has the safest transit infrastructure in the country."
His approach blends enforcement with addressing root causes like housing.
"That's how we're going to get it done so Calgary has the safest transit infrastructure in the country."
4/7 For riders like Mataya Eaglespeaker, the statistics translate to daily anxiety.
"I always tend to sit kind of closer to where the driver is... I always have one earphone out because you never know what's going to go on."
Safety is now a strategy, not a guarantee.
"I always tend to sit kind of closer to where the driver is... I always have one earphone out because you never know what's going to go on."
Safety is now a strategy, not a guarantee.
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
4/7 For riders like Mataya Eaglespeaker, the statistics translate to daily anxiety.
"I always tend to sit kind of closer to where the driver is... I always have one earphone out because you never know what's going to go on."
Safety is now a strategy, not a guarantee.
"I always tend to sit kind of closer to where the driver is... I always have one earphone out because you never know what's going to go on."
Safety is now a strategy, not a guarantee.
3/7 What does "violence" look like on the CTrain?
Between 2018 and mid-2023, the system saw: 4 homicides 79 sexual assaults Over 1,200 assaults
Police Chief Katie McLellan calls it "very concerning." The goal is presence—ensuring those numbers stop climbing.
Between 2018 and mid-2023, the system saw: 4 homicides 79 sexual assaults Over 1,200 assaults
Police Chief Katie McLellan calls it "very concerning." The goal is presence—ensuring those numbers stop climbing.
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
3/7 What does "violence" look like on the CTrain?
Between 2018 and mid-2023, the system saw: 4 homicides 79 sexual assaults Over 1,200 assaults
Police Chief Katie McLellan calls it "very concerning." The goal is presence—ensuring those numbers stop climbing.
Between 2018 and mid-2023, the system saw: 4 homicides 79 sexual assaults Over 1,200 assaults
Police Chief Katie McLellan calls it "very concerning." The goal is presence—ensuring those numbers stop climbing.
2/7 It is not just a feeling. Violent crime on transit is up nearly 60% over ten years.
👉 Calgary isn't alone—Toronto is up 127%, Edmonton nearly 200%. 👈
But for Calgarians, a spike in 2023 to 33.15 crimes per 100,000 people was a jarring wake-up call.
👉 Calgary isn't alone—Toronto is up 127%, Edmonton nearly 200%. 👈
But for Calgarians, a spike in 2023 to 33.15 crimes per 100,000 people was a jarring wake-up call.
November 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
2/7 It is not just a feeling. Violent crime on transit is up nearly 60% over ten years.
👉 Calgary isn't alone—Toronto is up 127%, Edmonton nearly 200%. 👈
But for Calgarians, a spike in 2023 to 33.15 crimes per 100,000 people was a jarring wake-up call.
👉 Calgary isn't alone—Toronto is up 127%, Edmonton nearly 200%. 👈
But for Calgarians, a spike in 2023 to 33.15 crimes per 100,000 people was a jarring wake-up call.
8/8 As Carney heads to Calgary to stand beside Smith, the political stakes couldn't be higher.
He is betting his leadership on a deal that could unite the economy—or fracture his party.
David Cochrane & John Paul Tasker | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
He is betting his leadership on a deal that could unite the economy—or fracture his party.
David Cochrane & John Paul Tasker | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney's expected green light for oil pipeline causes unease in caucus and cabinet: sources | CBC News
With Prime Minister Mark Carney expected to lay out a path forward for an oil pipeline to northwest B.C. on Thursday, senior people around him have had to assuage skittish MPs and at least one cabinet...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 11:50 PM
8/8 As Carney heads to Calgary to stand beside Smith, the political stakes couldn't be higher.
He is betting his leadership on a deal that could unite the economy—or fracture his party.
David Cochrane & John Paul Tasker | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
He is betting his leadership on a deal that could unite the economy—or fracture his party.
David Cochrane & John Paul Tasker | CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
7/8 Yet, Carney has allies.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal "stands behind the prime minister," promising good news.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn argues anything less than approval is "selling out to the Americans," citing our 93% dependence on U.S. markets for oil exports.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal "stands behind the prime minister," promising good news.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn argues anything less than approval is "selling out to the Americans," citing our 93% dependence on U.S. markets for oil exports.
November 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
7/8 Yet, Carney has allies.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal "stands behind the prime minister," promising good news.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn argues anything less than approval is "selling out to the Americans," citing our 93% dependence on U.S. markets for oil exports.
Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal "stands behind the prime minister," promising good news.
Conservative MP Aaron Gunn argues anything less than approval is "selling out to the Americans," citing our 93% dependence on U.S. markets for oil exports.
6/8 Outside the caucus room, the opposition is fierce.
Coastal First Nations have already drawn a line in the sand.
"We will never allow oil tankers on our coast," says President Marilyn Slett. They promise to fight the project "tooth and nail."
Coastal First Nations have already drawn a line in the sand.
"We will never allow oil tankers on our coast," says President Marilyn Slett. They promise to fight the project "tooth and nail."
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
6/8 Outside the caucus room, the opposition is fierce.
Coastal First Nations have already drawn a line in the sand.
"We will never allow oil tankers on our coast," says President Marilyn Slett. They promise to fight the project "tooth and nail."
Coastal First Nations have already drawn a line in the sand.
"We will never allow oil tankers on our coast," says President Marilyn Slett. They promise to fight the project "tooth and nail."
5/8 "I've never been a huge pipeline guy," says Nova Scotia MP Darren Fisher.
B.C. MP Wade Grant, a parliamentary secretary, remains noncommittal, insisting on Indigenous consultation.
The fault lines are opening up between economic pragmatism and environmental commitments.
B.C. MP Wade Grant, a parliamentary secretary, remains noncommittal, insisting on Indigenous consultation.
The fault lines are opening up between economic pragmatism and environmental commitments.
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
5/8 "I've never been a huge pipeline guy," says Nova Scotia MP Darren Fisher.
B.C. MP Wade Grant, a parliamentary secretary, remains noncommittal, insisting on Indigenous consultation.
The fault lines are opening up between economic pragmatism and environmental commitments.
B.C. MP Wade Grant, a parliamentary secretary, remains noncommittal, insisting on Indigenous consultation.
The fault lines are opening up between economic pragmatism and environmental commitments.