Jared Wesley
@jaredwesley.ca
#UAlberta political scientist | Black Faculty Collective | Lead: Common Ground (@cgroundpolitics.bsky.social) | jaredwesley.ca | drjaredwesley.substack.com | co-author: partyloyalty.ca
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Jared Wesley
@jaredwesley.ca
· Nov 15
Jared Wesley
Political culture & public opinion.
Knowledge & practice.
Politics & policy.
jaredwesley.ca
New to my feed? Welcome! Here, you'll find commentary based on my research on (Western) Canadian politics. Learn more about my work at jaredwesley.ca.
Reposted by Jared Wesley
Canada put up the money for this international bridge because the US wouldn’t do it. The cost is to be repaid over time by tolls. Now that it’s close to opening, Trump says he wants half ownership
Trump said he would start negotiations with Canada over a bridge project to connect Michigan and Ontario, threatening to block its opening
Trump Threatens to Block Detroit-Canada Bridge in New Trade Row
President Donald Trump said he would start negotiations with Canada over a bridge project to connect Michigan and Ontario, threatening to block its opening until the US was given adequate compensation and owned “half of this asset.”
bloom.bg
February 10, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Canada put up the money for this international bridge because the US wouldn’t do it. The cost is to be repaid over time by tolls. Now that it’s close to opening, Trump says he wants half ownership
Reposted by Jared Wesley
“Rhetoric that she used around it — talking about Alberta values, & in other public statements saying that federally appointed judges are not legitimate gatekeepers to democracy and so on — suggests that it's a real concerted effort to delegitimize the role of the courts in policymaking in Alberta”
February 7, 2026 at 4:21 PM
“Rhetoric that she used around it — talking about Alberta values, & in other public statements saying that federally appointed judges are not legitimate gatekeepers to democracy and so on — suggests that it's a real concerted effort to delegitimize the role of the courts in policymaking in Alberta”
Reposted by Jared Wesley
Quote: "“The politics seem to fit a pattern with this premier of attacking the judiciary as a means of trying to consolidate her own power over policymaking in the province,” [Dr. Jared Wesley] said."
Ethics, expertise, and rule of law are all despicable in Premier Danielle Smith's eyes.
Ethics, expertise, and rule of law are all despicable in Premier Danielle Smith's eyes.
February 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Quote: "“The politics seem to fit a pattern with this premier of attacking the judiciary as a means of trying to consolidate her own power over policymaking in the province,” [Dr. Jared Wesley] said."
Ethics, expertise, and rule of law are all despicable in Premier Danielle Smith's eyes.
Ethics, expertise, and rule of law are all despicable in Premier Danielle Smith's eyes.
Reposted by Jared Wesley
In our latest CCS interview series video, @jaredwesley.ca walks us through Premier Danielle Smith's recent letter to PM Mark Carney, which suggested that AB could withhold funds from its own court system if the province isn't given a great role in the judicial appointments process: bit.ly/3ZigzeN
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bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 11:05 PM
In our latest CCS interview series video, @jaredwesley.ca walks us through Premier Danielle Smith's recent letter to PM Mark Carney, which suggested that AB could withhold funds from its own court system if the province isn't given a great role in the judicial appointments process: bit.ly/3ZigzeN
Business leaders are speaking out against the UCP's separatist drift.
Lawyers & judges are rising up against Premier Smith's threats to judicial independence.
Real conservatives are realizing what we've been saying for years.
open.substack.com/pub/theline/...
Lawyers & judges are rising up against Premier Smith's threats to judicial independence.
Real conservatives are realizing what we've been saying for years.
open.substack.com/pub/theline/...
Jared Wesley and Ken Boessenkool: Danielle Smith is not a conservative
Her politics amount to libertarian-laced populism, directly opposed to the sort of principled, incrementalist politics Albertans have had before.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Business leaders are speaking out against the UCP's separatist drift.
Lawyers & judges are rising up against Premier Smith's threats to judicial independence.
Real conservatives are realizing what we've been saying for years.
open.substack.com/pub/theline/...
Lawyers & judges are rising up against Premier Smith's threats to judicial independence.
Real conservatives are realizing what we've been saying for years.
open.substack.com/pub/theline/...
February 6, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Jared Wesley
ICYMI: Yesterday, Fraser said if Alberta withdraws funding for the courts in protest, the feds won't backstop it. @jaredwesley.ca expressed concern that cases will be thrown out if they are delayed... "That's the least conservative approach to law and order that I've heard of." shorturl.at/EdN3w
Justice minister rejects Alberta call for more input in federal judicial appointments
Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser says he won't act on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's call for more input on the selection of judges after she said she would withhold court
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
February 6, 2026 at 1:09 AM
ICYMI: Yesterday, Fraser said if Alberta withdraws funding for the courts in protest, the feds won't backstop it. @jaredwesley.ca expressed concern that cases will be thrown out if they are delayed... "That's the least conservative approach to law and order that I've heard of." shorturl.at/EdN3w
Reposted by Jared Wesley
So she wants her own police force and she wants to stack the judiciary, what could possibly go wrong there?
February 5, 2026 at 10:51 PM
So she wants her own police force and she wants to stack the judiciary, what could possibly go wrong there?
First, the UCP said there was an “election integrity crisis," which led to a voter ID law.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
February 5, 2026 at 1:15 AM
First, the UCP said there was an “election integrity crisis," which led to a voter ID law.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
Then a “national unity crisis” → a sovereignty referendum.
Now a “crisis of confidence” in the courts → defunding judges.
There is no evidence of these crises.
The UCP is trying to manufacture them.
I'm old enough to remember when conservatives stood up for legal rights, victims, and a law-and-order agenda.
Defunding the judiciary undercuts all of those.
It makes it more likely that perpetrators will go free and restricts Albertans' access to justice.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Defunding the judiciary undercuts all of those.
It makes it more likely that perpetrators will go free and restricts Albertans' access to justice.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Danielle Smith calls on Mark Carney to give Alberta more say in selection of judges
The Premier says she will withhold some judicial funding if Ottawa doesn’t agree to her demands
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 PM
I'm old enough to remember when conservatives stood up for legal rights, victims, and a law-and-order agenda.
Defunding the judiciary undercuts all of those.
It makes it more likely that perpetrators will go free and restricts Albertans' access to justice.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Defunding the judiciary undercuts all of those.
It makes it more likely that perpetrators will go free and restricts Albertans' access to justice.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
"Smith has shown no appreciation for the distinct nature of the judicial role. She believes appointments are nothing more than proxies for federal politics. It is an attitude [that] could undermine one of our main bulwarks of democracy": @emmettmacfarlane.com.
open.substack.com/pub/emmettma...
open.substack.com/pub/emmettma...
Mark Carney must flatly reject Danielle Smith's latest round of anti-constitutional posturing
Danielle Smith has threatened to withhold provincial funding for new judicial appointments unless the province gets more of a say in selecting judges.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:15 PM
"Smith has shown no appreciation for the distinct nature of the judicial role. She believes appointments are nothing more than proxies for federal politics. It is an attitude [that] could undermine one of our main bulwarks of democracy": @emmettmacfarlane.com.
open.substack.com/pub/emmettma...
open.substack.com/pub/emmettma...
“We must preserve Canada, this country handed down to us by providence, preserved by our ancestors and held in trust for our descendants. We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land.”
Well put.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Well put.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Harper continues call for national unity at portrait unveiling
Former prime minister says country must be prepared to make any sacrifice necessary to preserve Canada’s independence
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:53 AM
“We must preserve Canada, this country handed down to us by providence, preserved by our ancestors and held in trust for our descendants. We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land.”
Well put.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Well put.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
It's only extortion if you're threatening the other party.
She's not threatening Carney.
She's threatening her own people.
It's cutting off your nose to spite your face.
She's not threatening Carney.
She's threatening her own people.
It's cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Extortion is what this is. Why not come right out and say it?
February 4, 2026 at 12:36 AM
It's only extortion if you're threatening the other party.
She's not threatening Carney.
She's threatening her own people.
It's cutting off your nose to spite your face.
She's not threatening Carney.
She's threatening her own people.
It's cutting off your nose to spite your face.
This is a monumentally irresponsible move. Whoever advised the premier should resign or be fired.
Smith shouldn't just withdraw the threat. She should apologize for threatening to cut off Albertans' access to their own justice system.
Tomorrow.
edmonton.citynews.ca/2026/02/03/a...
Smith shouldn't just withdraw the threat. She should apologize for threatening to cut off Albertans' access to their own justice system.
Tomorrow.
edmonton.citynews.ca/2026/02/03/a...
Alberta seeks more input on picking judges
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will withhold funding for new judicial appointments in Alberta until Ottawa allows the province to provide input on who is picked. In a letter to Prime Minis...
edmonton.citynews.ca
February 4, 2026 at 12:32 AM
This is a monumentally irresponsible move. Whoever advised the premier should resign or be fired.
Smith shouldn't just withdraw the threat. She should apologize for threatening to cut off Albertans' access to their own justice system.
Tomorrow.
edmonton.citynews.ca/2026/02/03/a...
Smith shouldn't just withdraw the threat. She should apologize for threatening to cut off Albertans' access to their own justice system.
Tomorrow.
edmonton.citynews.ca/2026/02/03/a...
Trump threatens other countries with tariffs that hurt American consumers.
Smith threatens ottawa with defunding judges that ensure Albertans' access to justice.
Far Right Populism 101: it's all about the leader, not about the people.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Smith threatens ottawa with defunding judges that ensure Albertans' access to justice.
Far Right Populism 101: it's all about the leader, not about the people.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta premier says province will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection | CBC News
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will withhold funding to support new judicial appointments in Alberta if the federal government doesn't give the province more input on who is picked.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Trump threatens other countries with tariffs that hurt American consumers.
Smith threatens ottawa with defunding judges that ensure Albertans' access to justice.
Far Right Populism 101: it's all about the leader, not about the people.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Smith threatens ottawa with defunding judges that ensure Albertans' access to justice.
Far Right Populism 101: it's all about the leader, not about the people.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
No clue who she thinks she's hurting with this threat, but it amounts to a direct attack on Albertans' access to justice.
If Premier Smith wants to choose senior judges, she should run for prime minister.
globalnews.ca/news/1165081...
If Premier Smith wants to choose senior judges, she should run for prime minister.
globalnews.ca/news/1165081...
Danielle Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection | Globalnews.ca
Premier Danielle Smith said her government will withhold funds for new judicial appointments in Alberta if the federal government doesn't give the province a say on who is picked.
globalnews.ca
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
No clue who she thinks she's hurting with this threat, but it amounts to a direct attack on Albertans' access to justice.
If Premier Smith wants to choose senior judges, she should run for prime minister.
globalnews.ca/news/1165081...
If Premier Smith wants to choose senior judges, she should run for prime minister.
globalnews.ca/news/1165081...
How is Pieter de Vos equipping University of Alberta students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a divided world?
We sat down with David Cooper to discuss our new suite of courses championed by the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/r...
We sat down with David Cooper to discuss our new suite of courses championed by the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/r...
Resist Rage Bait
Podcast Episode · The Last Show with David Cooper · 2026-01-29 · 11m
podcasts.apple.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:55 PM
How is Pieter de Vos equipping University of Alberta students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a divided world?
We sat down with David Cooper to discuss our new suite of courses championed by the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/r...
We sat down with David Cooper to discuss our new suite of courses championed by the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/r...
And now judges are weighing in.
This is an extraordinary letter.
Glad to see the judiciary standing up for democracy.
This is an extraordinary letter.
Glad to see the judiciary standing up for democracy.
January 27, 2026 at 8:57 PM
And now judges are weighing in.
This is an extraordinary letter.
Glad to see the judiciary standing up for democracy.
This is an extraordinary letter.
Glad to see the judiciary standing up for democracy.
Reposted by Jared Wesley
I know we all like to rib Torontonians about their low tolerance for winter.
That's it. That's the post.
That's it. That's the post.
January 26, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I know we all like to rib Torontonians about their low tolerance for winter.
That's it. That's the post.
That's it. That's the post.
Here's a fun way to deal with the old man's demented musings:
Just add "but TACO" to the end of every tariff headline. Trump Always Chickens Out.
Just add "but TACO" to the end of every tariff headline. Trump Always Chickens Out.
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over possible deal with China
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over possible deal with China
President also claimed US refineries will process seized Venezuelan oil, saying ‘we take the oil’
Donald Trump on Saturday said he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if the North American country makes a trade deal with China.
Beside that tariff threat, another Trump foreign policy maneuver to make news on Saturday involved the president announcing the US had taken the oil that was on recently seized Venezuelan tankers. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Here's a fun way to deal with the old man's demented musings:
Just add "but TACO" to the end of every tariff headline. Trump Always Chickens Out.
Just add "but TACO" to the end of every tariff headline. Trump Always Chickens Out.