Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
@daveberta.bsky.social
🤠 🇨🇦 Writing about Alberta politics, elections and history.
➡️ Subscribe: https://Daveberta.Substack.com
➡️ Subscribe: https://Daveberta.Substack.com
Pinned
Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
@daveberta.bsky.social
· Sep 29
👋 I just want to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who reads and subscribes to Daveberta. I’ve been writing about Alberta politics for 20 years now and it continues to be a huge honour share my thoughts and have so many of you read, share and send feedback about it. Thank you so much. 🤠
🤠🗳️ Longtime Daveberta readers will know that I am keenly interested in tracking candidate nominations ahead of provincial and federal elections in Alberta, so I am pleased to share with you that I am continuing this tradition as we approach the next provincial election.
With rumours of an early provincial election circulating since last year, the Alberta NDP looks like it will be the first political party out of the gate to nominate candidates ahead of the next vote.
Nenshi's NDP starts nominating candidates for next Alberta election
Early March candidate meetings scheduled in Calgary and Edmonton ridings
daveberta.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
🤠🗳️ Longtime Daveberta readers will know that I am keenly interested in tracking candidate nominations ahead of provincial and federal elections in Alberta, so I am pleased to share with you that I am continuing this tradition as we approach the next provincial election.
With rumours of an early provincial election circulating since last year, the Alberta NDP looks like it will be the first political party out of the gate to nominate candidates ahead of the next vote.
Nenshi's NDP starts nominating candidates for next Alberta election
Early March candidate meetings scheduled in Calgary and Edmonton ridings
daveberta.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
With rumours of an early provincial election circulating since last year, the Alberta NDP looks like it will be the first political party out of the gate to nominate candidates ahead of the next vote.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
A picture speaks 1,000 words: "Alberta separatist leaders Dr. Dennis Modry (left) and Mitch Sylvestre (right) with Premier Danielle Smith (centre) at the UCP fundraising dinner in Bonnyville in May 2025 (source: Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP / Facebook)" daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:25 PM
A picture speaks 1,000 words: "Alberta separatist leaders Dr. Dennis Modry (left) and Mitch Sylvestre (right) with Premier Danielle Smith (centre) at the UCP fundraising dinner in Bonnyville in May 2025 (source: Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP / Facebook)" daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Alberta separatists might look haphazard and kooky, but they have a path to turn a 20% issue into a real threat.
1 - Normalize separatism so it no longer feels toxic.
2 - Tie it to every grievance.
3 - Find a political dance partner. The U.S.A.
They are now pushing all 3 at once.
1 - Normalize separatism so it no longer feels toxic.
2 - Tie it to every grievance.
3 - Find a political dance partner. The U.S.A.
They are now pushing all 3 at once.
February 7, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Alberta separatists might look haphazard and kooky, but they have a path to turn a 20% issue into a real threat.
1 - Normalize separatism so it no longer feels toxic.
2 - Tie it to every grievance.
3 - Find a political dance partner. The U.S.A.
They are now pushing all 3 at once.
1 - Normalize separatism so it no longer feels toxic.
2 - Tie it to every grievance.
3 - Find a political dance partner. The U.S.A.
They are now pushing all 3 at once.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Playing with 🔥
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Playing with 🔥
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
As a longtime Albertan who has lived away for years but continues to work in Alberta issues, this separation business is worrying.
We need a strong pro-Canada figurehead, with emotional appeal, to step forward.
We also need Ottawa insiders to see this as a real threat and take appropriate action.
We need a strong pro-Canada figurehead, with emotional appeal, to step forward.
We also need Ottawa insiders to see this as a real threat and take appropriate action.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:21 PM
As a longtime Albertan who has lived away for years but continues to work in Alberta issues, this separation business is worrying.
We need a strong pro-Canada figurehead, with emotional appeal, to step forward.
We also need Ottawa insiders to see this as a real threat and take appropriate action.
We need a strong pro-Canada figurehead, with emotional appeal, to step forward.
We also need Ottawa insiders to see this as a real threat and take appropriate action.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
The captioning under the photo from the article - ' "Alberta separatist leaders Dr. Dennis Modry (left) and Mitch Sylvestre (right) with Premier Danielle Smith (centre) at the UCP fundraising dinner in Bonnyville in May 2025 (source: Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP / Facebook)". That says a lot.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The captioning under the photo from the article - ' "Alberta separatist leaders Dr. Dennis Modry (left) and Mitch Sylvestre (right) with Premier Danielle Smith (centre) at the UCP fundraising dinner in Bonnyville in May 2025 (source: Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP / Facebook)". That says a lot.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Great question from Mr Cournoyer. Lukaszuk seems like a natural, but him and Kenney dislike each other intensely. I like Guthrie and Lukaszuk.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Great question from Mr Cournoyer. Lukaszuk seems like a natural, but him and Kenney dislike each other intensely. I like Guthrie and Lukaszuk.
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM
🇨🇦 Who’s going to stand up for Canada in Alberta’s separation referendum?
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Alberta is barrelling toward a referendum on the province’s separation from Canada. The time to stand up for a Strong Alberta within a Strong Canada is now.
daveberta.substack.com/p/whos-going...
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
"Mr. Carney’s speech went beyond diagnosis, though. It also gestured toward a way out. The U.S. president left Greenland alone in part because Denmark and its allies put more troops there...
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
Opinion | The Globalization of Canadian Rage
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"Mr. Carney’s speech went beyond diagnosis, though. It also gestured toward a way out. The U.S. president left Greenland alone in part because Denmark and its allies put more troops there...
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
"The lesson: America might be pointing a gun at you, but it can be made to behave if you point a gun back."
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Haven't seen this angle mentioned, but it's an extraordinary national security risk to have an anonymous "staffer" impersonating the president of the United States, posting racist memes, from his personal accounts, at 10 PM.
Live updates: White House blames 'staffer' for racist Obamas post shared by Trump
Trump administration live updates: New Jersey's special House primary too close to call
www.nbcnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Haven't seen this angle mentioned, but it's an extraordinary national security risk to have an anonymous "staffer" impersonating the president of the United States, posting racist memes, from his personal accounts, at 10 PM.
Oil production in Alberta is higher than ever been, but that hasn’t resulted in a job booms like we’ve experienced before. The UCP has been effective at deflecting criticism toward Ottawa, and the flippant and tone-deaf responses by some Trudeau-era ministers strengthened their argument IMHO.
Sorry, Conservatives: as much as you love pretending otherwise, Justin Trudeau never killed the oil and gas industry. #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/06/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/06/o...
Justin Trudeau never killed the oil and gas industry
The former prime minister's supposed hostility towards Alberta's defining industry is an article of faith among Canadian Conservatives. The facts tell a much different story.
www.nationalobserver.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Oil production in Alberta is higher than ever been, but that hasn’t resulted in a job booms like we’ve experienced before. The UCP has been effective at deflecting criticism toward Ottawa, and the flippant and tone-deaf responses by some Trudeau-era ministers strengthened their argument IMHO.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
ICYMI - my speech yesterday evening on Bill C-12, and the dangers of trying to placate xenophobes. #SenateofCanada #SenCa #Alberta #immigration
Human rights groups across the country have condemned the portions of Bill C-12 that 'reform' Canada's immigration & refugee system. I rose in the Senate today, with my own words of warning. We can't undermine our system to appease MAGA - or Maple MAGA. #cdnpoli #abpoli #ableg #C12 #BillC12 #Canada
Don’t undermine immigration policy by appeasing xenophobia: Senator Paula Simons critiques Bill C-12
YouTube video by Senator Paula Simons
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 1:24 PM
ICYMI - my speech yesterday evening on Bill C-12, and the dangers of trying to placate xenophobes. #SenateofCanada #SenCa #Alberta #immigration
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
As America weaponizes its post-9/11 security state to terrorize migrants and target dissidents, her (former) allies need to unplug from it ASAP. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Justin Ling: For years, Canada has used a secret U.S.-run terror watchlist. Now Trump could use it against us
It's called TUSCAN, and it's a nightmare for civil liberties. We need to put a stop to it.
www.thestar.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:47 PM
As America weaponizes its post-9/11 security state to terrorize migrants and target dissidents, her (former) allies need to unplug from it ASAP. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
Canadian Unemployment by Province:
Newfoundland & Labrador: 9.2%
Prince Edward Island: 7.6%
Ontario: 7.3%
Nova Scotia: 6.9%
New Brunswick: 6.7%
Alberta: 6.4%
Manitoba: 6.3%
British Columbia: 6.1%
Saskatchewan: 5.3%
Quebec: 5.2%
Newfoundland & Labrador: 9.2%
Prince Edward Island: 7.6%
Ontario: 7.3%
Nova Scotia: 6.9%
New Brunswick: 6.7%
Alberta: 6.4%
Manitoba: 6.3%
British Columbia: 6.1%
Saskatchewan: 5.3%
Quebec: 5.2%
February 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Canadian Unemployment by Province:
Newfoundland & Labrador: 9.2%
Prince Edward Island: 7.6%
Ontario: 7.3%
Nova Scotia: 6.9%
New Brunswick: 6.7%
Alberta: 6.4%
Manitoba: 6.3%
British Columbia: 6.1%
Saskatchewan: 5.3%
Quebec: 5.2%
Newfoundland & Labrador: 9.2%
Prince Edward Island: 7.6%
Ontario: 7.3%
Nova Scotia: 6.9%
New Brunswick: 6.7%
Alberta: 6.4%
Manitoba: 6.3%
British Columbia: 6.1%
Saskatchewan: 5.3%
Quebec: 5.2%
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
NEW CANADIAN JOBS DATA:
Employment Growth: -25k
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (-0.4%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment Rate: 83.3% (-0.1%)
Employment Level: 21.1M
Employment Growth: -25k
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (-0.4%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment Rate: 83.3% (-0.1%)
Employment Level: 21.1M
February 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM
NEW CANADIAN JOBS DATA:
Employment Growth: -25k
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (-0.4%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment Rate: 83.3% (-0.1%)
Employment Level: 21.1M
Employment Growth: -25k
Unemployment Rate: 6.5% (-0.4%)
Prime Age (25-54) Employment Rate: 83.3% (-0.1%)
Employment Level: 21.1M
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
The Writ Podcast is back with the former party pollsters. We break down the state of the race between Carney and Poilievre, plus we discuss the lanes that are (or aren't) open for the NDP and whether Carney should or should not call a snap vote. www.thewrit.ca/p/the-writ-p...
The Writ Podcast: Carney's bump, Poilievre's challenge and the NDP's choice
The Pollster Panel is back to break down the state of public opinion in federal politics.
www.thewrit.ca
February 6, 2026 at 2:21 PM
The Writ Podcast is back with the former party pollsters. We break down the state of the race between Carney and Poilievre, plus we discuss the lanes that are (or aren't) open for the NDP and whether Carney should or should not call a snap vote. www.thewrit.ca/p/the-writ-p...
🤠🇨🇦 Writing about federalism, separatism, grievance and complacency in Alberta in my next column, which I hope to publish in a day or two.
February 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
🤠🇨🇦 Writing about federalism, separatism, grievance and complacency in Alberta in my next column, which I hope to publish in a day or two.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
It was always going to be really hard.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Hard to Recall: Fast approaching deadlines for recall petitions targeting UCP and NDP MLAs
Will any MLAs lose their jobs because of these direct democracy campaigns? (Probably not)
daveberta.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
It was always going to be really hard.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
It was always going to be really hard.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Hard to Recall: Fast approaching deadlines for recall petitions targeting UCP and NDP MLAs
Will any MLAs lose their jobs because of these direct democracy campaigns? (Probably not)
daveberta.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
It was always going to be really hard.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Two of the 26 recall campaigns launched against United Conservative Party and New Democratic Party MLAs have been submitted to Elections Alberta and have fallen short of the number of signatures needed to force a recall vote in those ridings.
Reposted by Dave Cournoyer 🇨🇦
🤠 Recall has ended up becoming a major annoyance for some MLAs and a harder task than some of the petition organizers might have expected, but it’s hard to fault frustrated Albertans for getting engaged and using this new democratic tool their MLAs have made available to them.
Hard to Recall: Fast approaching deadlines for recall petitions targeting UCP and NDP MLAs
Will any MLAs lose their jobs because of these direct democracy campaigns? (Probably not)
daveberta.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:35 AM
🤠 Recall has ended up becoming a major annoyance for some MLAs and a harder task than some of the petition organizers might have expected, but it’s hard to fault frustrated Albertans for getting engaged and using this new democratic tool their MLAs have made available to them.
🤠 Recall has ended up becoming a major annoyance for some MLAs and a harder task than some of the petition organizers might have expected, but it’s hard to fault frustrated Albertans for getting engaged and using this new democratic tool their MLAs have made available to them.
Hard to Recall: Fast approaching deadlines for recall petitions targeting UCP and NDP MLAs
Will any MLAs lose their jobs because of these direct democracy campaigns? (Probably not)
daveberta.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:35 AM
🤠 Recall has ended up becoming a major annoyance for some MLAs and a harder task than some of the petition organizers might have expected, but it’s hard to fault frustrated Albertans for getting engaged and using this new democratic tool their MLAs have made available to them.