Brett McKay
@brettmckay.bsky.social
Reporter for the Investigative Journalism Foundation
Email: brett.mckay@theijf.org
Signal: brettmckay.23
Email: brett.mckay@theijf.org
Signal: brettmckay.23
Pinned
Whenever I've written about oil and gas property tax arrears in the past, people emailed me asking why I didn't name the companies. The answer is that this information wasn't public and difficult to obtain. With this story we're releasing the tax debts of hundreds of companies /1
zurl.co/O1gMZ
zurl.co/O1gMZ
Reposted by Brett McKay
The Alberta government has repeatedly insisted that its drug jails (“secure care” Compassionate Intervention facilities) will be only a measure of last resort.
But this finding suggests they have bigger plans — apparently, space for 300 adults won’t be enough.
drugdatadecoded.ca/alberta-gove...
But this finding suggests they have bigger plans — apparently, space for 300 adults won’t be enough.
drugdatadecoded.ca/alberta-gove...
Alberta government hiding additional drug jail plans
Newly obtained documents reveal a hidden plan to build a drug jail in Grande Prairie, raising questions about how many additional facilities are in the works.
drugdatadecoded.ca
February 10, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The Alberta government has repeatedly insisted that its drug jails (“secure care” Compassionate Intervention facilities) will be only a measure of last resort.
But this finding suggests they have bigger plans — apparently, space for 300 adults won’t be enough.
drugdatadecoded.ca/alberta-gove...
But this finding suggests they have bigger plans — apparently, space for 300 adults won’t be enough.
drugdatadecoded.ca/alberta-gove...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Whenever I've written about oil and gas property tax arrears in the past, people emailed me asking why I didn't name the companies. The answer is that this information wasn't public and difficult to obtain. With this story we're releasing the tax debts of hundreds of companies /1
zurl.co/O1gMZ
zurl.co/O1gMZ
February 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Whenever I've written about oil and gas property tax arrears in the past, people emailed me asking why I didn't name the companies. The answer is that this information wasn't public and difficult to obtain. With this story we're releasing the tax debts of hundreds of companies /1
zurl.co/O1gMZ
zurl.co/O1gMZ
Reposted by Brett McKay
It will take more than a report called Alberta’s Mature Asset Strategy to tackle the massive problem of hundreds of insolvent oil companies holding over 35,000 well, facility, and pipeline licenses.
Where’s the Regulator?
www.lakelandtoday.ca/the-latest/s....
Where’s the Regulator?
www.lakelandtoday.ca/the-latest/s....
Alberta probes why firms in tax arrears got new well licences
Documents show some companies with large tax arrears were still approved to acquire new well licences, raising questions about how provincial rules are enforced.
www.lakelandtoday.ca
February 6, 2026 at 2:38 PM
It will take more than a report called Alberta’s Mature Asset Strategy to tackle the massive problem of hundreds of insolvent oil companies holding over 35,000 well, facility, and pipeline licenses.
Where’s the Regulator?
www.lakelandtoday.ca/the-latest/s....
Where’s the Regulator?
www.lakelandtoday.ca/the-latest/s....
Reposted by Brett McKay
The Carney LPC government and the Harper CPC government have this in common …
www.cbc.ca/radio/whaton...
www.cbc.ca/radio/whaton...
Carney’s government is cutting hundreds of environment and science jobs. Here’s what that means for Canadians | CBC Radio
Scientists and labour leaders are warning that cuts to Environment and Climate Change Canada could significantly impact the health and safety of Canadians as well as Canada's wildlife and environment.
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The Carney LPC government and the Harper CPC government have this in common …
www.cbc.ca/radio/whaton...
www.cbc.ca/radio/whaton...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Our joint investigation with TVO takes you inside social media hubs for the sale and promotion of unproven health products, including some claiming to treat or even cure autism. The Facebook group "OSR cream for autism" has left one mother horrified. Read more:
zurl.co/TsrZ0
zurl.co/TsrZ0
February 6, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Our joint investigation with TVO takes you inside social media hubs for the sale and promotion of unproven health products, including some claiming to treat or even cure autism. The Facebook group "OSR cream for autism" has left one mother horrified. Read more:
zurl.co/TsrZ0
zurl.co/TsrZ0
Reposted by Brett McKay
If you're in Ontario, please tune into TVO on Sunday night for our story about unproven and potentially dangerous autism "treatments" and "cures" being sold all over Facebook.
The story will be on YouTube as well for the rest of us!
The story will be on YouTube as well for the rest of us!
February 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM
If you're in Ontario, please tune into TVO on Sunday night for our story about unproven and potentially dangerous autism "treatments" and "cures" being sold all over Facebook.
The story will be on YouTube as well for the rest of us!
The story will be on YouTube as well for the rest of us!
Reposted by Brett McKay
Edmonton-based Stantec cancels ICE facility contract after backlash
edmontonjournal.com/business/edm...
edmontonjournal.com/business/edm...
Edmonton-based Stantec cancels ICE facility contract after backlash
An Edmonton-based engineering and professional services company has pulled out of contracts with ICE after heavy backlash
edmontonjournal.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Edmonton-based Stantec cancels ICE facility contract after backlash
edmontonjournal.com/business/edm...
edmontonjournal.com/business/edm...
Reposted by Brett McKay
The fallout of Alberta Premier Smith’s call for judicial appointment reform continued today with the Canadian Bar Association saying Smith’s solution wasn’t constitutional.
From @reportrix.bsky.social with a lil add on from me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/can...
From @reportrix.bsky.social with a lil add on from me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/can...
Canadian Bar Association speaks out against Smith's judicial appointment demands
EDMONTON - A group that speaks for more than 5,000 lawyers, judges and others in the legal system says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is trying to fix something that isn’t
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
February 6, 2026 at 3:46 AM
The fallout of Alberta Premier Smith’s call for judicial appointment reform continued today with the Canadian Bar Association saying Smith’s solution wasn’t constitutional.
From @reportrix.bsky.social with a lil add on from me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/can...
From @reportrix.bsky.social with a lil add on from me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/can...
Reposted by Brett McKay
The data comes from the Government of Alberta, and accounts for millions of dollars of unpaid taxes owed to communities throughout the province. Use the embedded graphics to search your location and see which companies owed your local gov't in the last reporting period. 2/
February 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
The data comes from the Government of Alberta, and accounts for millions of dollars of unpaid taxes owed to communities throughout the province. Use the embedded graphics to search your location and see which companies owed your local gov't in the last reporting period. 2/
Reposted by Brett McKay
BCCLA, CCLA, and the Ligue des droits et libertés have written a letter asking the Alberta Minister of Justice to reconsider the decision to deny funding to the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC).
Read more here.
ccla.org/fundamental-...
Read more here.
ccla.org/fundamental-...
Civil Liberties Organizations Raise Concerns Over Alberta Funding Decision - CCLA
ccla.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:39 PM
BCCLA, CCLA, and the Ligue des droits et libertés have written a letter asking the Alberta Minister of Justice to reconsider the decision to deny funding to the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC).
Read more here.
ccla.org/fundamental-...
Read more here.
ccla.org/fundamental-...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Study ties particle pollution from wildfire smoke to 24,100 U.S. deaths per year https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/particle-pollution-wildfire-smoke-deaths-study/
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
February 4, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Study ties particle pollution from wildfire smoke to 24,100 U.S. deaths per year https://www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/particle-pollution-wildfire-smoke-deaths-study/
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
⤷ canadahealthwatch.ca/featured 🍁
I can think of one way Alberta's legal system is distinct:
"2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP"
theijf.org/article/albe...
"2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP"
theijf.org/article/albe...
February 4, 2026 at 10:37 PM
I can think of one way Alberta's legal system is distinct:
"2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP"
theijf.org/article/albe...
"2 Alberta judges under investigation after IJF reveals evidence of donations to UCP"
theijf.org/article/albe...
Reposted by Brett McKay
"The government says that it used multiple AI tools to interpret the data ... However, the results appear as sweeping takeaways and do not cite any weighting of the data nor specific sources."
from @alexriehl.com
from @alexriehl.com
Ottawa releases findings from AI task force and public consultation | BetaKit
The government used AI to parse more than 11,000 submissions that will inform Canada’s new AI strategy.
betakit.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:21 PM
"The government says that it used multiple AI tools to interpret the data ... However, the results appear as sweeping takeaways and do not cite any weighting of the data nor specific sources."
from @alexriehl.com
from @alexriehl.com
Reposted by Brett McKay
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says | CBC News
A report that was jointly produced by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute finds Alberta's Bill 11 could pave the way for a two-tiered health-care system.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#abpoli #ableg
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Human trafficking for forced labour has never been a government priority, advocates say. @thetyee.ca and the IJF obtained a government report indicating that labour trafficking of migrant workers in a range of industries is on the rise in Canada. Read our joint-report.
zurl.co/wlE7U
zurl.co/wlE7U
February 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Human trafficking for forced labour has never been a government priority, advocates say. @thetyee.ca and the IJF obtained a government report indicating that labour trafficking of migrant workers in a range of industries is on the rise in Canada. Read our joint-report.
zurl.co/wlE7U
zurl.co/wlE7U
Reposted by Brett McKay
In its new report on the Hastings forced evictions, the BC Human Rights Commissioner just identified a, uh, pretty major gap in oversight:
February 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
In its new report on the Hastings forced evictions, the BC Human Rights Commissioner just identified a, uh, pretty major gap in oversight:
All the tax arrears data for 2021 and 2024 (original docs and cleaned/sorted spreadsheets) is now publicly available and free to download here. theijf.org/article/sear...
February 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
All the tax arrears data for 2021 and 2024 (original docs and cleaned/sorted spreadsheets) is now publicly available and free to download here. theijf.org/article/sear...
The data comes from the Government of Alberta, and accounts for millions of dollars of unpaid taxes owed to communities throughout the province. Use the embedded graphics to search your location and see which companies owed your local gov't in the last reporting period. 2/
February 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
The data comes from the Government of Alberta, and accounts for millions of dollars of unpaid taxes owed to communities throughout the province. Use the embedded graphics to search your location and see which companies owed your local gov't in the last reporting period. 2/
Whenever I've written about oil and gas property tax arrears in the past, people emailed me asking why I didn't name the companies. The answer is that this information wasn't public and difficult to obtain. With this story we're releasing the tax debts of hundreds of companies /1
zurl.co/O1gMZ
zurl.co/O1gMZ
February 4, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Whenever I've written about oil and gas property tax arrears in the past, people emailed me asking why I didn't name the companies. The answer is that this information wasn't public and difficult to obtain. With this story we're releasing the tax debts of hundreds of companies /1
zurl.co/O1gMZ
zurl.co/O1gMZ
Reposted by Brett McKay
Did you know that there's a database of banned books across Canada?
If you've heard of a ban, the @cfetmu.bsky.social encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:
cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...
If you've heard of a ban, the @cfetmu.bsky.social encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:
cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...
The Canadian Library Challenges Database | Centre for Free Expression
The CFE-CFLA/FCAB Canadian Library Challenges Database provides access to challenges libraries have faced to items in their collection, and to displays, programs, room usage, and computer access.
cfe.torontomu.ca
February 3, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Did you know that there's a database of banned books across Canada?
If you've heard of a ban, the @cfetmu.bsky.social encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:
cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...
If you've heard of a ban, the @cfetmu.bsky.social encourage all libraries (public, school, academic, and government) in Canada to add it to this online resource by completing a simple form:
cfe.torontomu.ca/databases/ca...
Reposted by Brett McKay
An exclusive IJF investigation reveals nearly 600 Alberta companies are responsible for millions of dollars in municipal tax debts and unpaid lease payments to landowners.
Read more: zurl.co/O1gMZ
Read more: zurl.co/O1gMZ
February 3, 2026 at 8:39 PM
An exclusive IJF investigation reveals nearly 600 Alberta companies are responsible for millions of dollars in municipal tax debts and unpaid lease payments to landowners.
Read more: zurl.co/O1gMZ
Read more: zurl.co/O1gMZ
Reposted by Brett McKay
Local journalism is on the decline, and so are programs that train those who want to work in community news. According to a report released last July by @policyalternatives.ca, Canada had a net loss of about 25 print outlets a year during most years in the 2010s. ottawacitizen.com/news/algonqu...
Algonquin: 'We don't want the college to raise the white flag on journalism'
The program is one of 30 the college has proposed cutting this fall, but those fighting to save it say the world still needs storytellers.
ottawacitizen.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Local journalism is on the decline, and so are programs that train those who want to work in community news. According to a report released last July by @policyalternatives.ca, Canada had a net loss of about 25 print outlets a year during most years in the 2010s. ottawacitizen.com/news/algonqu...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
January 29, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Carol Linnitt, co-founder and editor-in-chief, provides an update on The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP. Amber Bracken finished cross-examination late Jan. 28. It took more than 12 hours.
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
To learn more about the trial visit www.thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom
Reposted by Brett McKay
"Pick three random people from your hometown. And imagine them — like the Beverly Hillbillies going to the US, and talking to these guys, as if there could be any consequence come out of that. It makes me laugh. It literally makes me laugh." @arnokopecky.bsky.social speaks with Mitch Sylvestre.
The world according to the man behind Alberta's separatism petition
Mitch Sylvestre says the Canadian government is criminal, he has fears of a communist takeover and he's 'cured of federalism.' Arno Kopecky spoke with him about the allegations of coordination with US...
www.nationalobserver.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:52 PM
"Pick three random people from your hometown. And imagine them — like the Beverly Hillbillies going to the US, and talking to these guys, as if there could be any consequence come out of that. It makes me laugh. It literally makes me laugh." @arnokopecky.bsky.social speaks with Mitch Sylvestre.
I would be shocked if the 'people familiar with the talks' were't the APP's Rath, Modry, or Sylvestre.
January 29, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I would be shocked if the 'people familiar with the talks' were't the APP's Rath, Modry, or Sylvestre.