Austin Corbett
@austincorbett.bsky.social
Criminal Defence Lawyer, with musings on the confluence of tech, social policy, and law. Occasionally video games.
www.bottoslaw.ca
www.bottoslaw.ca
Pinned
Austin Corbett
@austincorbett.bsky.social
· May 31
“Twenty years for nothing, well, that’s nothing new.”
Reposted by Austin Corbett
every time i see a white guy in their fifties radicalized by the twitter algorithm into racism and extremism i think about how it's a total failure of the youtube algorithm to instead radicalize him into home brewing, elaborate A/V setups, or DIY solar
January 28, 2026 at 8:22 PM
every time i see a white guy in their fifties radicalized by the twitter algorithm into racism and extremism i think about how it's a total failure of the youtube algorithm to instead radicalize him into home brewing, elaborate A/V setups, or DIY solar
Reposted by Austin Corbett
BCexit is “I’ve been face down in a mountain of Colombian bang bang my whole career as a Ford dealership owner in Canmore” stuff.
Are anti-Liberal Americans on crack cocaine?
January 29, 2026 at 2:05 AM
BCexit is “I’ve been face down in a mountain of Colombian bang bang my whole career as a Ford dealership owner in Canmore” stuff.
Fire continues to burn hotter regarding the rule of law in Alberta.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 28, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Fire continues to burn hotter regarding the rule of law in Alberta.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
January 27, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The front page of Alberta Courts website is now joint statement by chief justices of all three court levels, proclaiming the importance of judicial independence. albertacourts.ca
Reposted by Austin Corbett
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
5 Alarm fire right here in AB if you are looking.
NEWS: the entire staff of the Alberta Law Foundation has resigned in the wake of Bill 14, which gives the justice minister more say in how the independent org operates. This is according to a board member who says she was ousted by the law society for speaking out edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/a...
Alberta Law Foundation board members ousted, staff resign in wake of controversial justice bill
Moira Vane says she and another lawyer were told the Law Society of Alberta is removing them from the board of the Alberta Law Foundation.
edmontonjournal.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
5 Alarm fire right here in AB if you are looking.
Reposted by Austin Corbett
How many of the commentators, op-ed writers, and politicians *outraged* about the SCC's decision striking down mandatory minimums in child porn laws have said anything about X, or quit X, as a result of it propagating CSAM?
Canada isn't banning X and its ministers continue to use it. Ok. What are the consequences of creating child sex abuse material and deepfake porn? www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Canada not considering a ban on X over deepfake controversy, AI minister says
The platform, which is owned by Elon Musk, has been embroiled in controversy over sexualized deepfakes of women and children created by X’s chatbot Grok.
www.thestar.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM
How many of the commentators, op-ed writers, and politicians *outraged* about the SCC's decision striking down mandatory minimums in child porn laws have said anything about X, or quit X, as a result of it propagating CSAM?
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Exclusive - Danielle Smith and Rob Anderson intervened on behalf of Jordan Peterson's online school in a concerted attempt to grant it accreditation in Alberta.
Jordan Peterson's School Isn't Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta's Help via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Jordan Peterson's School Isn't Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta's Help via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Jordan Peterson’s School Isn’t Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta’s Help | The Tyee
The premier met with the controversial psychologist and tried to help his business, finds a Tyee investigation.
thetyee.ca
December 10, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Exclusive - Danielle Smith and Rob Anderson intervened on behalf of Jordan Peterson's online school in a concerted attempt to grant it accreditation in Alberta.
Jordan Peterson's School Isn't Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta's Help via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Jordan Peterson's School Isn't Accredited. Smith Offered Alberta's Help via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Tough on crime with no effort to address the social roots of crime or the systemic racism of the legal system is full on conservative policy.
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
Liberals seek to declare 'femicide' as first-degree murder, restore mandatory minimum sentences
Justice Minister Sean Fraser tabled a new crime bill seeking to stiffen punishments for offences committed against children and women.
nationalpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Tough on crime with no effort to address the social roots of crime or the systemic racism of the legal system is full on conservative policy.
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
Bill 14 is terrible for a number of reasons, but this is a big one. The Attorney-General is a lawyer, their conduct should be subject to the same oversight as every other member of the legal profession here in Alberta. The respect and trust of the public requires nothing less.
More on the new "immunity" against law society complaints for Alberta's attorney-general, from @joeldryden.bsky.social: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Immunity for Alberta attorney general necessary to ward off ‘political activism,’ attorney general says | CBC News
Alberta’s justice minister, who is also the attorney general, says new rules that would grant anyone who’s in his job general immunity from law society sanctions are necessary to ward off “political a...
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Bill 14 is terrible for a number of reasons, but this is a big one. The Attorney-General is a lawyer, their conduct should be subject to the same oversight as every other member of the legal profession here in Alberta. The respect and trust of the public requires nothing less.
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Here’s the thing about the courts and democracy. It’s true that - in our system- we don’t elect judges and can’t easily depose them. It’s also true that we DO elect legislators to represent us. But that does not mean that courts don’t have a representative function in our democracy.
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This is among the most democratically dangerous things Danielle Smith has said.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
She wants to remove all checks and balances on her power and projects herself as the embodiment of "the people."
We have left the realm of liberal democracy in this province.
December 7, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Here’s the thing about the courts and democracy. It’s true that - in our system- we don’t elect judges and can’t easily depose them. It’s also true that we DO elect legislators to represent us. But that does not mean that courts don’t have a representative function in our democracy.
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1/
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Reposted by Austin Corbett
WOW!!!
Not only have the courts ruled that the separatists referendum is unconstitutional and that separatism would require the consent of First Nations...
A SCATHING epilogue directly called out Alberta trying to legislate away the courts ability to issue a decision!
#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
Not only have the courts ruled that the separatists referendum is unconstitutional and that separatism would require the consent of First Nations...
A SCATHING epilogue directly called out Alberta trying to legislate away the courts ability to issue a decision!
#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Austin Corbett
I concluded this weeks ago. They didn't hide it.
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Alberta used notwithstanding clause to avoid costly arbitration with teachers, infrastructure minister says
Alberta infrastructure minister says the province invoked the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back was due to cost.
edmontonjournal.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I concluded this weeks ago. They didn't hide it.
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
The UCP didn't have to use the notwithstanding clause. They wanted to, in order to avoid an arbitration process they knew they'd lose.
edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Absolutely egregious and unethical use of AI in the legal profession. This (more than bad cites in pleadings) is where the rubber hits the road, liberty is endangered. The Crown is using AI in Canada to review and summarize evidence. There must be strict controls.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Prosecutor Used Flawed A.I. to Keep a Man in Jail, His Lawyers Say
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Absolutely egregious and unethical use of AI in the legal profession. This (more than bad cites in pleadings) is where the rubber hits the road, liberty is endangered. The Crown is using AI in Canada to review and summarize evidence. There must be strict controls.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Not mentioned in the article; this would seem to be a clear overreach in the Federal jurisdiction over criminal matters and flagrantly unconstitutional?? Am I missing something (not having access to the legislation, that's certainly possible.)
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Ford government bill would make defendants put up cash for bail
Premier Doug Ford's government is “tightening” bail requirements through a new bill aimed at making defendants pay cash security deposits before they are released from custody.
www.thestar.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Not mentioned in the article; this would seem to be a clear overreach in the Federal jurisdiction over criminal matters and flagrantly unconstitutional?? Am I missing something (not having access to the legislation, that's certainly possible.)
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
Reposted by Austin Corbett
News: the association representing Alberta Crown prosecutors is speaking out after two top lawyers were allegedly fired last week. No explanation has been given, though some fear political interference. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Alberta prosecutors' association worried after alleged firing of two top Edmonton Crowns, calls for new employment protections
An association representing Alberta prosecutors is calling for new employment protections in the wake of the alleged firing of two top Edmonton Crowns.
edmontonjournal.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:19 PM
News: the association representing Alberta Crown prosecutors is speaking out after two top lawyers were allegedly fired last week. No explanation has been given, though some fear political interference. edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
“The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) strongly condemns the Alberta government’s introduction of legislation invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield three laws that directly threaten the rights of trans and gender-diverse people in the province.”
ccla.org/press-releas...
ccla.org/press-releas...
CCLA Condemns Alberta’s Use of the Notwithstanding Clause to Undermine Rights of Trans and Gender Diverse Youth - CCLA
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) strongly condemns the Alberta government’s introduction of legislation invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield three laws that directly threaten t...
ccla.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:49 PM
“The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) strongly condemns the Alberta government’s introduction of legislation invoking the notwithstanding clause to shield three laws that directly threaten the rights of trans and gender-diverse people in the province.”
ccla.org/press-releas...
ccla.org/press-releas...
Big win for privacy.
NEW: US airlines (Delta, United, American, etc) will shut down a program in which it sold hundreds of millions of your flight records to government agencies, including ICE, FBI, ATF, more. Comes after intense lawmaker-pressure and 404 Media's months-long reporting
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Airlines Will Shut Down Program That Sold Your Flights Records to Government
The move comes after intense pressure from lawmakers and 404 Media’s months-long reporting about the airline industry's data selling practices.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Big win for privacy.
Reposted by Austin Corbett
NEWS: Edmonton’s chief Crown prosecutor & a deputy are out of their jobs w/ little explanation. Source tells me Crowns are on edge, as it comes months after Edmonton police publicly slammed the Crown’s handling of a case — a move Danielle Smith said she supported edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/q...
Questions swirl as Edmonton chief prosecutor and deputy out of jobs
Edmonton's top Crown prosecutor and a deputy are out of their jobs, with little explanation being offered either publicly or to their former colleagues.
edmontonjournal.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
NEWS: Edmonton’s chief Crown prosecutor & a deputy are out of their jobs w/ little explanation. Source tells me Crowns are on edge, as it comes months after Edmonton police publicly slammed the Crown’s handling of a case — a move Danielle Smith said she supported edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/q...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Don't call the cops on someone in a mental health crisis unless you want them dead.
Three former San Antonio police officers were acquitted on Monday of all charges related to the fatal shooting of a woman who appeared to be having a mental health crisis when they were dispatched to her apartment in 2023. nyti.ms/4qRnvvT
3 San Antonio Officers Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Woman in 2023
Melissa Perez, 46, swung a hammer in their direction and appeared to be in distress in her home when the officers arrived, officials said.
nyti.ms
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Don't call the cops on someone in a mental health crisis unless you want them dead.
Reposted by Austin Corbett
My granny never got over the First World War. She lost so many relatives, neighbours, school mates. She shared stories of the trenches to me and my sister.
I write about her, Canada's "100 Days" and the staggering price we paid to end the First World War.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/canadas-10...
I write about her, Canada's "100 Days" and the staggering price we paid to end the First World War.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/canadas-10...
Canada's 100 Days: A Remembrance Day Reflection
On the 11th hour of the 11th month of the 11th day, everything stops in Canada.
charlieangus.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:56 PM
My granny never got over the First World War. She lost so many relatives, neighbours, school mates. She shared stories of the trenches to me and my sister.
I write about her, Canada's "100 Days" and the staggering price we paid to end the First World War.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/canadas-10...
I write about her, Canada's "100 Days" and the staggering price we paid to end the First World War.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/canadas-10...
Reposted by Austin Corbett
Teachers and unions were first (Bill 2).
Trans Albertans are next (Bill 9).
The UCP's 2025 AGM Resolutions reveal a much longer list of folks whose rights are at risk from the party's use of the notwithstanding clause.
Trans Albertans are next (Bill 9).
The UCP's 2025 AGM Resolutions reveal a much longer list of folks whose rights are at risk from the party's use of the notwithstanding clause.
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Teachers and unions were first (Bill 2).
Trans Albertans are next (Bill 9).
The UCP's 2025 AGM Resolutions reveal a much longer list of folks whose rights are at risk from the party's use of the notwithstanding clause.
Trans Albertans are next (Bill 9).
The UCP's 2025 AGM Resolutions reveal a much longer list of folks whose rights are at risk from the party's use of the notwithstanding clause.