Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
@jbroschek.bsky.social
Political Science Prof and Laurier Research Chair | Federalism/Multilevel Governance | Political Economy | (Active) Transportation and Infrastructure Policy | Kitchener/Waterloo Region
More at https://tinyurl.com/4pzjpykm
More at https://tinyurl.com/4pzjpykm
Pinned
Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
@jbroschek.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Hello!
My research compares how governments address major policy challenges that cut across jurisdictions - from the local to the supranational level.
I currently work on
• trade + industrial policy
• transportation infrastructure policy
• local democratic governance
Recent op-ed contributions ⬇️
My research compares how governments address major policy challenges that cut across jurisdictions - from the local to the supranational level.
I currently work on
• trade + industrial policy
• transportation infrastructure policy
• local democratic governance
Recent op-ed contributions ⬇️
Good reality check for those who have sympathies for secession, from Stéphane Dion. In short: There's no such thing as a sovereign Alberta - neither within nor outside of Canada.
Sovereignty is always shared. The only question is how.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Sovereignty is always shared. The only question is how.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Man behind the Clarity Act has choice words for Alberta separatists and Danielle Smith | CBC News
Former Liberal cabinet minister Stéphane Dion is lambasting the brewing separatist movement in Alberta and demanding Premier Danielle Smith clarify her position and lay out the next steps depending on...
www.cbc.ca
February 8, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Good reality check for those who have sympathies for secession, from Stéphane Dion. In short: There's no such thing as a sovereign Alberta - neither within nor outside of Canada.
Sovereignty is always shared. The only question is how.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Sovereignty is always shared. The only question is how.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
This article exemplifies a well-known, general (structural) problem in Canadian politics:
A high degree of political, social and economic fragmentation, dispersed authority and a lack of institutional mechanisms to compensate for this.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
A high degree of political, social and economic fragmentation, dispersed authority and a lack of institutional mechanisms to compensate for this.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Justin Ling: Canada is off to a quick start in 2026, but nobody seems to know where we’re going
It's only February, and already Canadian diplomacy is headed madly off in all directions.
www.thestar.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:36 PM
This article exemplifies a well-known, general (structural) problem in Canadian politics:
A high degree of political, social and economic fragmentation, dispersed authority and a lack of institutional mechanisms to compensate for this.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
A high degree of political, social and economic fragmentation, dispersed authority and a lack of institutional mechanisms to compensate for this.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Exactly.
Feds have been using power of the purse to dabble in provincial jurisdictions since the early to mid 20th century, and we have premiers regularly traipsing abroad to do foreign relations. We lack cohesive cooperative federalism which has a side effect of blurred lines of accountability for voters.
February 7, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Exactly.
Good op-ed-style analysis by Andrew Coyne. Only the federalism part is a bit shallow, to say the least.
Unlike in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, we generally don't recognize the importance of federal governance anymore. Not sure why.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Unlike in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, we generally don't recognize the importance of federal governance anymore. Not sure why.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada is uniquely unprepared for the dire national-security crisis we are now in
Our complacency has led to an overburdened police force, a lack of foreign-intelligence capacity, a high dependence on the U.S. for trade and a paucity of internal political cohesion
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Good op-ed-style analysis by Andrew Coyne. Only the federalism part is a bit shallow, to say the least.
Unlike in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, we generally don't recognize the importance of federal governance anymore. Not sure why.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Unlike in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, we generally don't recognize the importance of federal governance anymore. Not sure why.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
I’m very happy that the CBC is on the story and published this Evan Dyer piece. Now is the time to take the Trump admin’s destabilization tactics seriously. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
ANALYSIS | U.S. interest in Alberta separatism raises red flags over what might come next | CBC News
Communications between the Trump administration and Alberta's separatist movement raised alarm at the highest levels in Canada last week. It also raised questions about Washington's possible intention...
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 1:46 AM
I’m very happy that the CBC is on the story and published this Evan Dyer piece. Now is the time to take the Trump admin’s destabilization tactics seriously. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
The deeper problem here:
Municipalities still don't have an appropriate role/place in intergovernmental relations, something scholarship on Canadian federalism has flagged for decades.
If the PM was serious about cooperative federalism, he would try to address this governance deficit.
Municipalities still don't have an appropriate role/place in intergovernmental relations, something scholarship on Canadian federalism has flagged for decades.
If the PM was serious about cooperative federalism, he would try to address this governance deficit.
February 5, 2026 at 12:55 AM
The deeper problem here:
Municipalities still don't have an appropriate role/place in intergovernmental relations, something scholarship on Canadian federalism has flagged for decades.
If the PM was serious about cooperative federalism, he would try to address this governance deficit.
Municipalities still don't have an appropriate role/place in intergovernmental relations, something scholarship on Canadian federalism has flagged for decades.
If the PM was serious about cooperative federalism, he would try to address this governance deficit.
A year later. Are we prepared?
A counterfactual:
After the April federal election, PM Carney announced the creation of a Royal Commission on Securing Canada’s Future, commencing on Canada Day 2025, to
➡️facilitate a broad public dialogue
➡️mobilize existing expertise
🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
A counterfactual:
After the April federal election, PM Carney announced the creation of a Royal Commission on Securing Canada’s Future, commencing on Canada Day 2025, to
➡️facilitate a broad public dialogue
➡️mobilize existing expertise
🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Trump's threat to annex Canada 'real' and motivated by access to critical minerals, Trudeau tells crowd | CBC News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told business leaders at the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit in Toronto that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Canada "is a real thing."
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 10:29 PM
A year later. Are we prepared?
A counterfactual:
After the April federal election, PM Carney announced the creation of a Royal Commission on Securing Canada’s Future, commencing on Canada Day 2025, to
➡️facilitate a broad public dialogue
➡️mobilize existing expertise
🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
A counterfactual:
After the April federal election, PM Carney announced the creation of a Royal Commission on Securing Canada’s Future, commencing on Canada Day 2025, to
➡️facilitate a broad public dialogue
➡️mobilize existing expertise
🧵
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
The US is often seen as an extreme case where polarization erodes democracy bc partisanship now permeates all everyday sociability and affects. But this is now being contradicted by a whole number of studies. Besides the really interesting new work by @jonadejong.bsky.social, there is... (quick 🧵)
Do ordinary Republicans and Democrats really avoid each other in everyday life? In a new working paper with Delia Baldassarri, we present descriptive and experimental evidence to challenge the view that partisanship drives the formation of social relationships.
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
osf.io/preprints/so...
1/15
February 4, 2026 at 1:54 PM
The US is often seen as an extreme case where polarization erodes democracy bc partisanship now permeates all everyday sociability and affects. But this is now being contradicted by a whole number of studies. Besides the really interesting new work by @jonadejong.bsky.social, there is... (quick 🧵)
Very sad news. I think nothing helped us more during the early waves of the pandemic than watching Schitt's Creek, over and over again, almost every night.
Still stopping there every time we are in the area.
Still stopping there every time we are in the area.
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Very sad news. I think nothing helped us more during the early waves of the pandemic than watching Schitt's Creek, over and over again, almost every night.
Still stopping there every time we are in the area.
Still stopping there every time we are in the area.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Dementio has one trick up his sleeve. On eve of #CUSMA review talks with Canada and Mexico, he threatens tariffs affecting both countries uniquely. 🌮
www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-...
www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-...
Trump throws down new tariff threats toward Canada and Mexico
Trump throws down new tariff threats toward Canada and Mexico
www.marketwatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Dementio has one trick up his sleeve. On eve of #CUSMA review talks with Canada and Mexico, he threatens tariffs affecting both countries uniquely. 🌮
www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-...
www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
I appreciate how this article lays out how Trump’s use of the USMCA exemption is setting a trap for Canada. By pushing more trade under the USMCA, it *increases* short-run integration while also maximizing Canadian vulnerability to US demands, which will be extortive.
Carney won’t say whether Canada would align trade policy with U.S. as part of USMCA revision
U.S. and Mexico have already agreed to formally start discussions about possible changes to the pact
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:19 AM
I appreciate how this article lays out how Trump’s use of the USMCA exemption is setting a trap for Canada. By pushing more trade under the USMCA, it *increases* short-run integration while also maximizing Canadian vulnerability to US demands, which will be extortive.
This is good. Andrew Coyne uses the right terminology. Essentially a call for a new "national policy":
"That’s about capacity generally: state capacity, to be sure, but more broadly, societal capacity."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
"That’s about capacity generally: state capacity, to be sure, but more broadly, societal capacity."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Donald Trump wants to make an example out of Canada. How will we prepare?
We must urgently strengthen our capacity to endure whatever this wildcard President throws at us
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:52 PM
This is good. Andrew Coyne uses the right terminology. Essentially a call for a new "national policy":
"That’s about capacity generally: state capacity, to be sure, but more broadly, societal capacity."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
"That’s about capacity generally: state capacity, to be sure, but more broadly, societal capacity."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
"Nation-building" is so much more than fast-tracking infrastructure projects.
Considering two potentially looming referenda:
When are we planning to have a broad, Canada-wide public conversation about what it is supposed to mean, and how we're gonna do it?
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Considering two potentially looming referenda:
When are we planning to have a broad, Canada-wide public conversation about what it is supposed to mean, and how we're gonna do it?
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney says he expects U.S. to 'respect Canadian sovereignty' after Alberta separatists meet with Trump team | CBC
www.cbc.ca
January 29, 2026 at 10:19 PM
"Nation-building" is so much more than fast-tracking infrastructure projects.
Considering two potentially looming referenda:
When are we planning to have a broad, Canada-wide public conversation about what it is supposed to mean, and how we're gonna do it?
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Considering two potentially looming referenda:
When are we planning to have a broad, Canada-wide public conversation about what it is supposed to mean, and how we're gonna do it?
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Put bluntly, the question shouldn’t be: how can we save the auto sector, but what should the Canadian and Ontario economies of tomorrow look like?
It’s time to go big.
It’s time to go big.
January 27, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Put bluntly, the question shouldn’t be: how can we save the auto sector, but what should the Canadian and Ontario economies of tomorrow look like?
It’s time to go big.
It’s time to go big.
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Exactly this. Canada and Ontario don’t have an auto sector problem—they have a Canadian economy problem, of which autos is only a part.
Aiming to preserve one industry while the entire economy is facing deep, structural change is a recipe for unintended consequences.
Aiming to preserve one industry while the entire economy is facing deep, structural change is a recipe for unintended consequences.
This task force is a step in the right direction, but it is still too narrow.
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
New federal auto task force will include Ontario, industry minister says | CBC News
The federal government will set up a new auto task force to protect jobs and it will include the Ontario government, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced in Toronto on Monday.
www.cbc.ca
January 27, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Exactly this. Canada and Ontario don’t have an auto sector problem—they have a Canadian economy problem, of which autos is only a part.
Aiming to preserve one industry while the entire economy is facing deep, structural change is a recipe for unintended consequences.
Aiming to preserve one industry while the entire economy is facing deep, structural change is a recipe for unintended consequences.
This task force is a step in the right direction, but it is still too narrow.
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
New federal auto task force will include Ontario, industry minister says | CBC News
The federal government will set up a new auto task force to protect jobs and it will include the Ontario government, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced in Toronto on Monday.
www.cbc.ca
January 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM
This task force is a step in the right direction, but it is still too narrow.
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
What would be needed is an encompassing intergovernmental approach to coordinate trade and industrial policy for the long-term, among all orders of governments.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Re: The Crown Royal theatre:
Reminder that Fortress Am-Can is still Ontario's official policy approach, released almost exactly a year ago.
www.ontario.ca/page/buildin...
Reminder that Fortress Am-Can is still Ontario's official policy approach, released almost exactly a year ago.
www.ontario.ca/page/buildin...
January 25, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Re: The Crown Royal theatre:
Reminder that Fortress Am-Can is still Ontario's official policy approach, released almost exactly a year ago.
www.ontario.ca/page/buildin...
Reminder that Fortress Am-Can is still Ontario's official policy approach, released almost exactly a year ago.
www.ontario.ca/page/buildin...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Carney is absolutely right in what he says. The problem is that Trump’s latest tantrum was not about the CUSMA or trade with China. He just resorted to his favourite weapon to get back at Carney for upstaging him at Davos. Much ado about nothing!
January 25, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Carney is absolutely right in what he says. The problem is that Trump’s latest tantrum was not about the CUSMA or trade with China. He just resorted to his favourite weapon to get back at Carney for upstaging him at Davos. Much ado about nothing!
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Fascism isn't a state, it's an ideology and it's one that rarely announces itself. The entire point of our post-WWII education in history — driven by people like Hannah Arendt — was to spot the tenets of fascism before it could amass total power.
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Fascism isn't a state, it's an ideology and it's one that rarely announces itself. The entire point of our post-WWII education in history — driven by people like Hannah Arendt — was to spot the tenets of fascism before it could amass total power.
I have doubts the federal government is sufficiently prepared for this challenge, and a potential second referendum in Quebec.
Regarding the ongoing signature collection in Alberta for a referendum on separation, @piosmo.bsky.social writes in Le Monde:
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
"The MAGA ecosystem has seized on this political moment – the signature drive is scheduled to continue until early May – in an attempt to destabilize Canada."
US seeks to use Alberta to destabilize Canada
The Trump administration and MAGA circles are closely watching the conservative, oil-rich province, particularly as a separatist movement has launched a campaign to organize an independence referendum...
www.lemonde.fr
January 25, 2026 at 2:55 AM
I have doubts the federal government is sufficiently prepared for this challenge, and a potential second referendum in Quebec.
German media: Just stop, stop calling them "Bundesbeamte" or "Grenzschutzbeamte", suggesting they are serious public servants.
www.spiegel.de/panorama/min...
www.spiegel.de/panorama/min...
Erneuter tödlicher ICE-Einsatz: Was über die Schüsse in Minneapolis bekannt ist
Wie kam es zum gewaltsamen Tod eines Mannes in Minneapolis? Das Heimatschutzministerium spricht von Notwehr, der Gouverneur von Minnesota verurteilt die Schüsse eines Beamten – und legt sich mit Trump...
www.spiegel.de
January 24, 2026 at 10:14 PM
German media: Just stop, stop calling them "Bundesbeamte" or "Grenzschutzbeamte", suggesting they are serious public servants.
www.spiegel.de/panorama/min...
www.spiegel.de/panorama/min...
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
A reminder that Bessent is supposed to be one of the more normal ones around Trump.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
Bessent pushes Albertan independence from Canada: "Albertans are very independent people. There's a rumor they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not. People are talking. People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got."
January 23, 2026 at 8:31 PM
A reminder that Bessent is supposed to be one of the more normal ones around Trump.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.
Worth reading:
"Living in a multipolar world, and indeed exercising leadership in such a world, as the PM wants to do, will require an enormous reorientation of Canadian thinking, as well as a wide range of rules, norms, and practices."
"Living in a multipolar world, and indeed exercising leadership in such a world, as the PM wants to do, will require an enormous reorientation of Canadian thinking, as well as a wide range of rules, norms, and practices."
January 23, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Worth reading:
"Living in a multipolar world, and indeed exercising leadership in such a world, as the PM wants to do, will require an enormous reorientation of Canadian thinking, as well as a wide range of rules, norms, and practices."
"Living in a multipolar world, and indeed exercising leadership in such a world, as the PM wants to do, will require an enormous reorientation of Canadian thinking, as well as a wide range of rules, norms, and practices."
Reposted by Jörg Broschek 🇨🇦
Make no mistake, America is coming for Alberta. This requires a response at the federal, provincial, and community level. Federally, the government must summon the ambassador for an explanation and, absent a complete retraction and apology, expel him.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Bessent pans Carney, cheers on Albertan separatism amid growing US-Canada rift
“People are talking,” Bessent said. “People want sovereignty. They want what the U.S. has got.”
www.politico.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Make no mistake, America is coming for Alberta. This requires a response at the federal, provincial, and community level. Federally, the government must summon the ambassador for an explanation and, absent a complete retraction and apology, expel him.
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Re "cooperative federalism":
Even though Danielle Smith is part of the problem, Canada needs a coordinated intergovernmental approach to address such challenges.
Similar to the EU's "Democracy Shield" initiative - which is far from perfect, but at least a framework that can be further developed.
Even though Danielle Smith is part of the problem, Canada needs a coordinated intergovernmental approach to address such challenges.
Similar to the EU's "Democracy Shield" initiative - which is far from perfect, but at least a framework that can be further developed.
Here it comes. The US administration is intervening directly in Canada's internal politics to try and bring about the breakup of the country. This demands a forceful response.
Bessent pushes Albertan independence from Canada: "Albertans are very independent people. There's a rumor they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not. People are talking. People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got."
January 23, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Re "cooperative federalism":
Even though Danielle Smith is part of the problem, Canada needs a coordinated intergovernmental approach to address such challenges.
Similar to the EU's "Democracy Shield" initiative - which is far from perfect, but at least a framework that can be further developed.
Even though Danielle Smith is part of the problem, Canada needs a coordinated intergovernmental approach to address such challenges.
Similar to the EU's "Democracy Shield" initiative - which is far from perfect, but at least a framework that can be further developed.