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Jack Farrell
@jack-farrell.bsky.social
2.9K followers 550 following 260 posts
Alberta legislature reporter for the @CdnPress.bsky.social in amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton | He/Him
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jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta premier distances herself from $109M DynaLife lab testing debacle

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/alb...
Alberta premier distances herself from $109M DynaLife lab testing debacle
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is distancing herself from a multimillion-dollar lab testing debacle involving the former private provider DynaLife.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 21, 2025 at 4:10 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government tabled its “Peterson Law” today — limiting oversight power for regulatory bodies and how they can punish and sanction their members for things they say or do.

From @reportrix.bsky.social:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta tables bill to limit oversight power of regulatory bodies on member behaviour
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government plans to limit what behaviour professional regulators can police in the interest of strengthening freedom of expression.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Wednesday was a fire hose of news in Alberta — here’s four articles to keep up with:

Alberta's auditor general says taxpayers lost $109M in lab testing debacle

From me:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta's auditor general says taxpayers lost $109M in lab testing debacle
EDMONTON - Alberta's auditor general estimates the government's failed effort to privatize community lab testing services left taxpayers on the hook for about $109 million.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government eyes legal changes to let physicians work publicly and privately

Public health defenders say it’ll weaken an already weak health system.

NDP says call an election over it — Premier Smith says no.

Also from me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta government eyes legal changes to let physicians work publicly and privately
EDMONTON - The Alberta cabinet minister in charge of primary care says legislation is coming — but won't provide details — amid reports the province plans to let doctors work
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta invokes notwithstanding clause to stop court challenges of transgender laws

From me & @journosousa.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/alb...
Alberta invokes notwithstanding clause to stop court challenges of transgender laws
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - The Alberta government has invoked the Charter's notwithstanding clause to protect from legal challenge a trio of laws affecting transgender youth and adults.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta tables bill to add citizenship mark, health-care numbers to driver's licences

It also allows deer farmers to set up hunting grounds on their property for tourism boosting purposes.

From me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta tables bill to add citizenship mark, health-care numbers to driver's licences
EDMONTON - Alberta's government has tabled legislation to add health-care numbers and mandatory citizenship markers to driver's licences and identification cards.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta minister of arts, culture and Status of Women apologizes for using expletive

CP style prevents the use of certain words in print, but if you haven’t already seen it Tanya Fir said “mother****er.”

From @fakihabaig.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta minister of arts, culture and Status of Women apologizes for using expletive
EDMONTON - Alberta's minister of arts, culture and Status of Women has apologized for using an expletive in a voice message she left for a constituent.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta’s governing UCP files lawsuit against former caucus members and Alberta Party president

From Daniela Germano and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
UCP files lawsuit against former caucus members and Alberta Party president
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - Alberta's governing United Conservative Party is suing two of its former caucus members, accusing them of conspiring to damage the party's image and mislead the public.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta premier says loss of measles elimination status concerning, urges vigilance

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta premier says loss of measles elimination status concerning, urges vigilance
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Canada recently losing its measles elimination status is concerning, but her government might not have many options on the table to help get it back.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 15, 2025 at 2:34 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Grey Cup could come and go with no ink on paper for Alberta and Ottawa, but Premier Smith not stressed about it. Says Carney’s new project list is “good for the country.”

B.C.’s David Eby takes a shot at Alberta’s comms workers.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta's Smith supportive of new major projects, says pipeline negotiation ongoing
CALGARY - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's on board with Prime Minister Mark Carney's second batch of key major projects picked for potential fast-track approval.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta MLA Angela Pitt accuses school principal of weaponizing position to push recall petition — principal says he’s specifically not been advertising his title, but Pitt has now brought it to the forefront.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta MLA accuses school principal of weaponizing position to push recall petition
One of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s caucus members went on the attack Wednesday against a constituent trying to get her kicked out of the legislature.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 2:36 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Resolutions on coal, flags and more up for debate at Alberta UCP annual meeting

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/res...
Resolutions on coal, flags and more up for debate at Alberta UCP annual meeting
EDMONTON - Reintroducing coal-powered electricity to Alberta's grid and restricting which flags are flown on public property are among dozens of new policy proposals being brought forward by grassroot...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 12:54 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta teachers say they are taking Premier Smith’s government to court for overriding their Charter rights to end the strike while some members of her caucus say public outrage toward them is escalating.

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Teachers challenge Alberta law using notwithstanding clause to end strike
EDMONTON - Alberta teachers say they are taking Premier Danielle Smith’s government to court for overriding their Charter rights to end their strike while some members of her caucus say
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 2:22 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government has no plans to change provincial recall legislation — at least for the moment.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 12:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/air...
Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community
The man who launched a petition drive to oust United Conservative Party legislature member Angela Pitt says she needs to go because she’s not getting the job done.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 1:08 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Elections Alberta says second legislature member, Angela Pitt, facing recall petition

From me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/ele...
Elections Alberta says second legislature member, Angela Pitt, facing recall petition
EDMONTON - A second member of the Alberta legislature is facing a citizen-led petition to recall her from her job.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta's Smith (and Ontario’s Ford) calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on the federal government to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to overturn a new Supreme Court ruling on child pornography.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 31, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Jack Farrell
thetyee.ca
The United Conservative Party government recently awarded a $95-million settlement to the Australian mining firm Montem Resources.

About a third of that settlement will go to an investment firm in Melbourne. The same firm that funded Montem’s lawsuit against Alberta.

Andrew Nikiforuk writes.
Alberta’s Big Payouts to Spurned Australian Coal Miners | The Tyee
Two firms that invested far less are getting $235 million. Taxpayers face more such hits.
thetyee.ca
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
"This is a milestone which should have never been crossed, and today we fight so that it won't be crossed again.”

A dispatch from me and @reportrix.bsky.social on Alberta’s student walkout in response to the government’s back to work order for teachers and the use of the notwithstanding clause.
Alberta students cut class, rally at legislature for teachers in strike-bill dispute
EDMONTON - Hundreds of students cut class Thursday to march and chant against Alberta's shutdown of a teachers strike in protests that saw Premier Danielle Smith compared to a cold-hearted,
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

From me today — warning that it’s difficult to put 200 pages of detail into 800 words so if you’re looking for nitty gritty I recommend reading the report!
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/dra...
Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats
EDMONTON - A new report recommends Alberta's two major cities get more seats in the provincial legislature in time for the 2027 election.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 29, 2025 at 11:29 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta teachers won't engage in work-to-rule as classes resume: union

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta teachers won't engage in work-to-rule as classes resume: union
EDMONTON - The head of Alberta's teachers union says they will abide by a back-to-work order and will not engage in illegal actions such as work-to-rule.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta uses Charter's notwithstanding clause to order striking teachers back to work

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today, with updates to come as government sits into the night to pass the bill.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta uses Charter's notwithstanding clause to order striking teachers back to work
EDMONTON - Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced a bill Monday using the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to order 51,000 striking teachers back to work to end the largest walkout in Alberta
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 2:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit

Another company, Valory Resources, told me it also settled, but an official didn’t respond to questions about how much (if any) it’s receiving.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/alb...
Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit
EDMONTON - The Alberta government is paying out $95 million to a coal mining company to end another one of the lawsuits launched against it over its policy flip-flop more
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
No talks planned as clock ticks down to Monday deadline in Alberta teachers strike

From @journosousa.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/no-...
No talks planned as clock ticks down to Monday deadline in Alberta teachers strike
EDMONTON - With time running out before Alberta's striking teachers get legislated back to work, the province and the union say they're ready to negotiate but want the other side
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

From me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February
EDMONTON - Alberta's government is ending its hybrid work policy, mandating all provincial employees return to the office full-time starting early next year.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM