Robson Fletcher
@robsonfletcher.com
Data journalist with CBC Calgary. Views my own and subject to change, especially in light of new evidence. 📧 [email protected]
Anyone who's moved to Calgary after living in another winter city where they actually *remove* snow from roads has gone through what this poor guy on Reddit is going through now.
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Anyone who's moved to Calgary after living in another winter city where they actually *remove* snow from roads has gone through what this poor guy on Reddit is going through now.
Alberta's 2025/26 fiscal year started April 1 and its next fiscal update is due later this week.
I don't have a crystal ball but if I had to guess the tone in a single emoji, I'd go with 😬
I don't have a crystal ball but if I had to guess the tone in a single emoji, I'd go with 😬
November 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Alberta's 2025/26 fiscal year started April 1 and its next fiscal update is due later this week.
I don't have a crystal ball but if I had to guess the tone in a single emoji, I'd go with 😬
I don't have a crystal ball but if I had to guess the tone in a single emoji, I'd go with 😬
One of the reasons I love live call-in radio shows is for moments like this.
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
One of the reasons I love live call-in radio shows is for moments like this.
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
Poor Richard thought he was talking to a call screener.
He was actually talking live on air to Alberta At Noon host @kathleenpetty.bsky.social, who gently and professionally nudged him toward that realization.
Turn 🔊 on:
In 2001, Alberta got 80% of its electricity from coal.
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
In 2001, Alberta got 80% of its electricity from coal.
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
In 2015, the province announced coal power would be phased out by 2030.
In 2024, the last coal plant shut down, six years ahead of schedule.
In 2025, Alberta's premier is musing about bringing coal power back.
🔗: youtu.be/WEgu3im_22I?...
The Bow River in Calgary looks really low lately.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Bow River in Calgary looks really low lately.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
But just how low is it?
So far in November, it's the 15th lowest out of the past 114 years.
That's based on river flow data dating back to 1911.
Every so often I think about this "Starting a new position as Deceased" LinkedIn post from 2024.
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Every so often I think about this "Starting a new position as Deceased" LinkedIn post from 2024.
Matt Jeneroux's resignation letter:
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Matt Jeneroux's resignation letter:
What Fox News had “previously reported” on the completely fabricated videos.
(Original story text via the Wayback Machine.)
(Original story text via the Wayback Machine.)
![THEY QUOTED A FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR OPINING ON WHAT THE NON-EXISTENT BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FAKE VIDEOS SAID:
"Because of the government shutdown, now I can’t get my SNAPs for next month," another user shared on social media.
The user went on to ask how she was supposed to feed her seven children.
"I have seven different baby daddies and none of ‘em no good for me," she said.
Fox News contributor Brett Cooper discussed the woman’s comments on her YouTube channel, calling the video "insane" before commenting, "That is [her] responsibility… It is not [the] American taxpayers fault that you have seven baby daddies who will not step up and help you pay the grocery bills."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jgvsxybi3ivfmaxqczyj2cw/bafkreialpk66hn5r7nvy33j5vdyrnyzhbjdwhdcahhqepd3vatjgvymmrq@jpeg)
![THEY DEVOTED SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THINGS THAT DIDN’T ACTUALLY HAPPEN AND WERE JUST VIDEO FABRICATIONS CREATES BY A COMPUTER MODEL:
Other users joined the online debate with videos showing people confronting grocery store staff and threatening to steal food, saying, "I ain’t paying nothing. I’m walking out with it."
One man shared how "mad" he was in a video showing three carts filled with groceries at his place of work, with the bill totaling $1,013.73, all charged to food stamps and later voided.
Another Walmart employee shared he "had to go home" because people entered the store "bum-rushing [and] stealing" before "running out the store" amid changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5jgvsxybi3ivfmaxqczyj2cw/bafkreihhioiil7pzoegs76wrwxxoaz27lvej7iqwqikejcchbw2ln6l2vy@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
What Fox News had “previously reported” on the completely fabricated videos.
(Original story text via the Wayback Machine.)
(Original story text via the Wayback Machine.)
Before-and-after Fox News headlines on a story based entirely on AI-generated videos they found online.
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
November 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Before-and-after Fox News headlines on a story based entirely on AI-generated videos they found online.
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
The new version of the article comes with an all-time “Editor's note” at bottom:
“This article previously reported on some videos that appear to have been generated by AI without noting that.”
Doug Ford: "My champion Wab Kinew, he's 100% behind it. Another champion, Premier Eby, as well ... total different political stripes than I am but we're all sticking together."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
October 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Doug Ford: "My champion Wab Kinew, he's 100% behind it. Another champion, Premier Eby, as well ... total different political stripes than I am but we're all sticking together."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Reporter:"Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads, though..."
Ford: "Of course Danielle Smith doesn't like the ads..."
Trump called the border
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
October 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Trump called the border
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
An 'artificially drawn line'
But check out those polls
It's minus ten / forty-nine
That website says they won't do kids under age 12, regardless of whether they're B.C. residents or out of province. (Same issue I'm running into in Alberta. Pharmacists won't vaccinate younger kids.)
October 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
That website says they won't do kids under age 12, regardless of whether they're B.C. residents or out of province. (Same issue I'm running into in Alberta. Pharmacists won't vaccinate younger kids.)
The only way to book COVID vaccines for young children in Alberta is by calling 811 / HealthLink.
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
October 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The only way to book COVID vaccines for young children in Alberta is by calling 811 / HealthLink.
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
Bookings opened Monday.
It’s now Friday and the system is still saying call volumes are too high and auto-hanging-up on callers. 🙃
(They also cost $100 a pop, if you can ever get through.)
How it started / how it's going etc.
October 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How it started / how it's going etc.
I haven't attempted it yet but I know people who have tried for days without success to get COVID vaccines for their kids since bookings opened Monday.
(You can't book online for kids under 12 and have to call, but operators were overwhelmed.)
As for booking in B.C.? Can't do that until Nov. 24:
(You can't book online for kids under 12 and have to call, but operators were overwhelmed.)
As for booking in B.C.? Can't do that until Nov. 24:
October 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I haven't attempted it yet but I know people who have tried for days without success to get COVID vaccines for their kids since bookings opened Monday.
(You can't book online for kids under 12 and have to call, but operators were overwhelmed.)
As for booking in B.C.? Can't do that until Nov. 24:
(You can't book online for kids under 12 and have to call, but operators were overwhelmed.)
As for booking in B.C.? Can't do that until Nov. 24:
Alberta ordering about 12,000 public service employees to stop doing hybrid work and "return to a five day per week in-office standard" as of Feb. 1.
October 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Alberta ordering about 12,000 public service employees to stop doing hybrid work and "return to a five day per week in-office standard" as of Feb. 1.
Calgary's Ward 12 continues to be super close.
A Better Calgary's Mike Jamieson now leads The Calgary Party's Sarah Ferguson by just 30 votes, a margin of 0.13%.
10 polling stations left to report.
A Better Calgary's Mike Jamieson now leads The Calgary Party's Sarah Ferguson by just 30 votes, a margin of 0.13%.
10 polling stations left to report.
October 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Calgary's Ward 12 continues to be super close.
A Better Calgary's Mike Jamieson now leads The Calgary Party's Sarah Ferguson by just 30 votes, a margin of 0.13%.
10 polling stations left to report.
A Better Calgary's Mike Jamieson now leads The Calgary Party's Sarah Ferguson by just 30 votes, a margin of 0.13%.
10 polling stations left to report.
The race for mayor in Calgary has been decided (pending a possible recount!) but the counting of tens of thousands of advance, mail-in and other ballots for the other 14 seats on city council remains underway.
Wards 1, 9 and 12 currently have the closest races.
Full results here: cbc.ca/9.6941437
Wards 1, 9 and 12 currently have the closest races.
Full results here: cbc.ca/9.6941437
October 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The race for mayor in Calgary has been decided (pending a possible recount!) but the counting of tens of thousands of advance, mail-in and other ballots for the other 14 seats on city council remains underway.
Wards 1, 9 and 12 currently have the closest races.
Full results here: cbc.ca/9.6941437
Wards 1, 9 and 12 currently have the closest races.
Full results here: cbc.ca/9.6941437
Deleted that post because it wasn't clear, and sorting out the details is super confusing.
Just got this statement from the City of Calgary, which I read to understand that anyone voting for school trustee must fill out the form (among others who aren't voting for trustee too):
Just got this statement from the City of Calgary, which I read to understand that anyone voting for school trustee must fill out the form (among others who aren't voting for trustee too):
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Deleted that post because it wasn't clear, and sorting out the details is super confusing.
Just got this statement from the City of Calgary, which I read to understand that anyone voting for school trustee must fill out the form (among others who aren't voting for trustee too):
Just got this statement from the City of Calgary, which I read to understand that anyone voting for school trustee must fill out the form (among others who aren't voting for trustee too):
It's municipal election day in Alberta.
It's also COVID-booking-opens-to-the-general public day.
Both processes are operating under new rules imposed by the provincial government.
Neither is going smoothly.
It's also COVID-booking-opens-to-the-general public day.
Both processes are operating under new rules imposed by the provincial government.
Neither is going smoothly.
October 21, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It's municipal election day in Alberta.
It's also COVID-booking-opens-to-the-general public day.
Both processes are operating under new rules imposed by the provincial government.
Neither is going smoothly.
It's also COVID-booking-opens-to-the-general public day.
Both processes are operating under new rules imposed by the provincial government.
Neither is going smoothly.
I'm curious if anyone covering the NHL has asked the Vegas Golden Knights what, exactly, the "core values that have defined our organization from its inception" are.
October 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I'm curious if anyone covering the NHL has asked the Vegas Golden Knights what, exactly, the "core values that have defined our organization from its inception" are.
Yes, sorry if that wasn't explicit; it's pretty well known here in Alberta.
Here in Calgary, for example, we have the latin slogan (mispelled lol) on a 10-storey mural downtown.
My post was just highlighting the recent uses of "Strong & Free", many (most? all?) of which are related to politics
Here in Calgary, for example, we have the latin slogan (mispelled lol) on a 10-storey mural downtown.
My post was just highlighting the recent uses of "Strong & Free", many (most? all?) of which are related to politics
October 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Yes, sorry if that wasn't explicit; it's pretty well known here in Alberta.
Here in Calgary, for example, we have the latin slogan (mispelled lol) on a 10-storey mural downtown.
My post was just highlighting the recent uses of "Strong & Free", many (most? all?) of which are related to politics
Here in Calgary, for example, we have the latin slogan (mispelled lol) on a 10-storey mural downtown.
My post was just highlighting the recent uses of "Strong & Free", many (most? all?) of which are related to politics
For those keeping track...
"Alberta Strong and Free": United Conservative Party
"Canada Strong and Free Network": New name for what used to be known as the Manning Centre
"Strong and Free": Alberta's new licence plates
"Truly Strong and Free": Republican Party of Alberta
"Alberta Strong and Free": United Conservative Party
"Canada Strong and Free Network": New name for what used to be known as the Manning Centre
"Strong and Free": Alberta's new licence plates
"Truly Strong and Free": Republican Party of Alberta
October 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
For those keeping track...
"Alberta Strong and Free": United Conservative Party
"Canada Strong and Free Network": New name for what used to be known as the Manning Centre
"Strong and Free": Alberta's new licence plates
"Truly Strong and Free": Republican Party of Alberta
"Alberta Strong and Free": United Conservative Party
"Canada Strong and Free Network": New name for what used to be known as the Manning Centre
"Strong and Free": Alberta's new licence plates
"Truly Strong and Free": Republican Party of Alberta
Smith in 2014: The plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate is a politically motivated distraction.
Smith in 2025: Here's a plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate.
Smith in 2025: Here's a plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate.
October 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Smith in 2014: The plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate is a politically motivated distraction.
Smith in 2025: Here's a plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate.
Smith in 2025: Here's a plan to change the motto on Alberta's licence plate.
New Angus Reid polling on Alberta teachers' strike, private school funding, etc.:
October 14, 2025 at 6:54 PM
New Angus Reid polling on Alberta teachers' strike, private school funding, etc.: