Don Braid
@donbraid.bsky.social
Proud MSM columnist with the Calgary Herald and Postmedia. Covering politics for 50 years and never imagined it could get this crazy.
Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary; Smith faces recall in her riding. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #poilievre #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #poilievre #yyc #yeg
Braid: Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary
Pierre Poilievre will face CPC faithful in Calgary for leadership vote, but site of Stampede Wrestling doesn't come with local advantage.
calgaryherald.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Poilievre's team gets ready for epic leadership review fight in Calgary; Smith faces recall in her riding. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #poilievre #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #poilievre #yyc #yeg
Former PC Education Minister Dave King was at the cabinet table when notwithstanding was devised. His devastating view of what the UCP has done. Don't miss this piece.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #ableg #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #ableg #yyc #yeg
Opinion: Notwithstanding clause never meant to be used to benefit the government
Dave King was was there when clause was born in Alberta cabinet. It was never meant to be used for the benefit of the government itself.
calgaryherald.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
UCP MLAs find themselves challenged by their own Recall Act, which allows a petition for any darn thing. They'll have to respond somehow. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: UCP faces mounting challenges from its own Recall Act
Danielle Smith and her Alberta UCP face a wave of recall challenges that could threaten her majority. She could repeal the law.
calgaryherald.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Auditor General Doug Wylie asked for $997,000 to examine health care restructuring. He lost his job instead. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #UCP
Braid: UCP rejects auditor general as he races to finish health scandal report
A UCP committee votes to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, the key person investigating the health contract scandal, writes Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
UCP members vote in committee to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, forcing rush to complete health procurement report. He isn't sure he can finish before a newbie takes over. Column
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #UCP
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #UCP
Braid: UCP dumps auditor general as he races to finish health scandal report
A UCP committee votes to replace auditor general Doug Wylie, the key person investigating the health contract scandal, writes Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Will Thomas Lukaszuk use the enormous pile of names, phone numbers collected for his referendum drive for a new political party? There is a way, he says, and he might. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #apoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yycc
Braid: Thomas Lukaszuk has a political treasure chest — and he might start a new party
Thomas Lukaszuk built a huge stash of data campaigning for Canada. He might just use it to start a new party, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Thomas Lukaszuk has a giant treasure chest of political data from his referendum campaign. And he might start a new party. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #apoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yycc
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #apoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yycc
Braid: Thomas Lukaszuk has a political treasure chest — and he might start a new party
Thomas Lukaszuk built a huge stash of data campaigning for Canada. He might just use it to start a new party, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:24 PM
An appalling, unjust, law drives teachers back to work. The most dangerous precedent Alberta has seen In many years. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-a... #abed #ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-a... #abed #ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli
Braid: An appalling, unjust law drives Alberta teachers back to work
Alberta teacher are going back to work, but the law that drives them lingers as a dangerous attack on rights
calgaryherald.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Soon we'll see if teachers go back to work, and whether other unions join in. They're debating Bill 2 late into the night but it will pass, with notwithstanding clause. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Tension rising as UCP introduces school bill, labour unions fume
The Alberta government has begun the process of slamming through its Back to School Bill, invoking the contentious notwithstanding clause.
calgaryherald.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Now we'll see if teachers go back to work, and whether other unions join in. Tension rises as UCP finally tables Bill 2 with notwithstanding clause, against heavy NDP opposition. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abed #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Tension rising as UCP introduces school bill, labour unions fume
The Alberta government has begun the process of slamming through its Back to School Bill, invoking the contentious notwithstanding clause.
calgaryherald.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
UCP is set to slam through back-to-work law, possibly in one day, end to end. Will teachers obey? Column
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli #cdnpoli
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abed #ableg #yyc #yeg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: UCP set to slam through back-to-work bill while teacher anger rises, other unions threaten action
The Albert UCP will slam through a back to work bill to end teacher strike but wider labor trouble could be close behind
calgaryherald.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Farkas has to whip his council into shape fast or risk a new brand of chaos. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-f... #yyccc #yyc #elxn2025 #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-f... #yyccc #yyc #elxn2025 #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
Braid: Farkas has to shape his council fast or risk a new brand of chaos
New Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has a team of rookies he has to control, and fast
calgaryherald.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:46 PM
It may not be over yet, folks. Sharp demands recount of incredibly close Calgary mayoral race - 0.16% difference between her and Farkas. He proceeds with "onboarding" nonetheless. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yegcc
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yegcc
Braid: Sharp demands recount just as Farkas begins 'onboarding' at city hall
The Calgary mayor's race may still be up in the air, as Sonya Sharp demands recount over Jeromy Farkas' tiny victory, writes Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
UPDATED COLUMN: Alberta justice says changes to who can vote only aimed at long-ballot mischief campaigns like the ones that plagued Poilievre.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc
Braid: UCP will decide who can run for office next time; only the "serious" allowed
UCP plans new rules to limit who can run in provincial and civic elections. There's a bill coming soon.
calgaryherald.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Get ready - UCP is about to pass a law saying who's allowed to run in elections next time. Only the "serious" need apply. Is this partisan? No answer to that. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpol #cdnpoli #ableg #ableg #yycvote #yyc #yyccc
Braid: UCP will decide who can run for office next time; only the "serious" allowed
UCP plans new rules to limit who can run in provincial and civic elections. There's a bill coming soon.
calgaryherald.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The judge probing health procurement found conflict of interest but says he couldn't investigate fully. That's now left to the auditor general. This isn't over yet. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-j... #ableg #abhealth #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-j... #ableg #abhealth #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Judge's report on health procurement scandal finds official had conflict of interest
As judge find conflict of inters, Premier Danielle Smith continues to deny any responsibility for health procurement scandal.
calgaryherald.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
It's still a total dead heat for mayor but maybe Thursday's excellent CBC debate changed some minds and got the numbers moving. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #yycvote
Braid: A confused, exasperated city still can't make up its mind about the next mayor
Braid: The polls show three candidates for mayor of Calgary still locked in a dead heat. We could have a major with very weak plurality.
calgaryherald.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:46 AM
A total dead heat for mayor - will this exasperated city make up its mind in just three days? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #yycvote
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #yycvote
Braid: A confused, exasperated city still can't make up its mind about the next mayor
Braid: The polls show three candidates for mayor of Calgary still locked in a dead heat. We could have a major with very weak plurality.
calgaryherald.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Mayor Candidate Brian Thiessen's Calgary Party tells Smith and the UCP to butt out of city hall business. Says Sonya Sharp's Communities First crew are provincial "lackeys." Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #yycvote #yyccc #yyc #abpoli #cdnpoli
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #yycvote #yyccc #yyc #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Upstart Calgary Party aims to boot the province out of city hall business
The Calgary Party and mayoral candidate Brian Thiessen say the big issue is provincial intrusion into city hall by Premier Danielle Smith.
calgaryherald.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Again: Latest poll from solid source shows Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race. Then there's the peculiar puzzle of political parties. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/brai... #yycvote #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race and peculiar puzzle of political parties
The Calgary mayor's race may be tighter, or maybe not, in face of huge undecided cohort. And political parties are a puzzle to many voters.
calgaryherald.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Latest poll from solid source shows Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race. Then there's the peculiar puzzle of political parties. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/brai... #yycvote #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race and peculiar puzzle of political parties
The Calgary mayor's race may be tighter, or maybe not, in face of huge undecided cohort. And political parties are a puzzle to many voters.
calgaryherald.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race and the peculiar puzzle of political parties. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/brai... #yycvote #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
calgaryherald.com/opinion/brai... #yycvote #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Calgary voters face tightening mayoral race and peculiar puzzle of political parties
The Calgary mayor's race may be tighter, or maybe not, in face of huge undecided cohort. And political parties are a puzzle to many voters.
calgaryherald.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Big talk, bold promises from candidates who won't tackle the real problem — city hall itself. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abled #abpoli #cdnpoli #yycvotes #yyc #yyccc
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abled #abpoli #cdnpoli #yycvotes #yyc #yyccc
Braid: Big talk, bold promises from candidates who won't tackle the real problem — city hall itself
The Calgary mayoral debate was a dismal affair with windy promises from candidates who created the problems in the first place.
calgaryherald.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
B.C. NDP premier David Eby goes off the rails, accuses Smith of bringing Trump to Canada via pipeline. An unhinged attack far beyond the earlier pipeline battle. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #bcpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: B.C. premier accuses Smith of bringing Trump to Canada via pipeline
B.C. NDP Premier David Eby attacks Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta with new, nasty rhetoric over pipeline, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:50 AM
B.C. NDP premier David Eby accuses Smith of bringing Trump to Canada via pipeline. An unhinged attack far beyond the earlier pipeline battle. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #bcpoli #yyc #yeg
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #bcpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: B.C. premier accuses Smith of bringing Trump to Canada via pipeline
B.C. NDP Premier David Eby attacks Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta with new, nasty rhetoric over pipeline, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM