Dale Smith
@journodale.bsky.social
Freelance journalist. Author. Nigellavangelist. Pedant about civic literacy and Star Wars/Trek. 🇨🇦🏳️🌈
For the evening crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social on yesterday's #SCC decision and what it means for the using an accused's previous convictions at trial #cdnlaw
Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records
Observers say modified Corbett analysis more fair and balanced, won’t automatically lead to a “get out of jail free” card
nationalmagazine.ca
January 25, 2026 at 2:18 AM
For the evening crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social on yesterday's #SCC decision and what it means for the using an accused's previous convictions at trial #cdnlaw
This week's video roundup is now posted for C$7+ subscribers—your curated selection of the only good #cdnpoli interviews of the week.
I watched the politics shows so you don't have to.
I watched the politics shows so you don't have to.
Video Roundup: Week of January 19th | Dale Smith aka @journo_dale
Get more from Dale Smith aka @journo_dale on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:21 PM
This week's video roundup is now posted for C$7+ subscribers—your curated selection of the only good #cdnpoli interviews of the week.
I watched the politics shows so you don't have to.
I watched the politics shows so you don't have to.
Reposted by Dale Smith
Over the past 12 months, Canadian governments, investors, pension funds, corporations, etc. have increased US bond holdings by 27%, or 100B USD.
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
January 24, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Over the past 12 months, Canadian governments, investors, pension funds, corporations, etc. have increased US bond holdings by 27%, or 100B USD.
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
Why are we increasing our financing of US government debt at a time when the US government is so antagonistic towards Canada?
Reposted by Dale Smith
You reach rock bottom when you stop digging.
It doesn’t just happen to you that you’re at the bottom and have no place to go but up.
Stopping is an active process; you have to make it so.
Which is to say: There is no reason to think Trump represents rock bottom for America.
It will get worse.
It doesn’t just happen to you that you’re at the bottom and have no place to go but up.
Stopping is an active process; you have to make it so.
Which is to say: There is no reason to think Trump represents rock bottom for America.
It will get worse.
January 24, 2026 at 5:52 PM
You reach rock bottom when you stop digging.
It doesn’t just happen to you that you’re at the bottom and have no place to go but up.
Stopping is an active process; you have to make it so.
Which is to say: There is no reason to think Trump represents rock bottom for America.
It will get worse.
It doesn’t just happen to you that you’re at the bottom and have no place to go but up.
Stopping is an active process; you have to make it so.
Which is to say: There is no reason to think Trump represents rock bottom for America.
It will get worse.
Reposted by Dale Smith
If the will of one man is all it takes to invalidate the U.S. constitution in one year, there can be no trust placed in the U.S. for generations after that man is gone.
January 24, 2026 at 5:44 PM
If the will of one man is all it takes to invalidate the U.S. constitution in one year, there can be no trust placed in the U.S. for generations after that man is gone.
For the Saturday crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social: Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records #SCC #cdnlaw
Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records
Observers say modified Corbett analysis more fair and balanced, won’t automatically lead to a “get out of jail free” card
nationalmagazine.ca
January 24, 2026 at 6:14 PM
For the Saturday crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social: Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records #SCC #cdnlaw
Reposted by Dale Smith
Everyone freezing on the East Coast or in the Midwest remember: Kyiv has the same weather, except that hundreds of thousands of people don't have electricity, heating or running water
January 24, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Everyone freezing on the East Coast or in the Midwest remember: Kyiv has the same weather, except that hundreds of thousands of people don't have electricity, heating or running water
Roundup post: The Donbas of Canada #cdnpoli
www.routineproceedings.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Roundup post: The Donbas of Canada #cdnpoli
For the late/west coast crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social on today's #SCC decision around how judges should decide how to use past conviction records during criminal trials #cdnlaw
Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records
Observers say modified Corbett analysis more fair and balanced, won’t automatically lead to a “get out of jail free” card
nationalmagazine.ca
January 24, 2026 at 4:09 AM
For the late/west coast crowd, my latest for @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social on today's #SCC decision around how judges should decide how to use past conviction records during criminal trials #cdnlaw
Senior Liberals™ might want her, but I have my doubts that Carney will run her in the riding. I'm pretty certain it'll be another one of his banker friends that can be slotted into one of the safest ridings in Canada.
Senior Liberals have a candidate in mind for Toronto byelection
Dr. Danielle Martin, chair of the University of Toronto’s family medicine program, has become a preferred candidate for senior Liberals who believe she would represent the party well in the
www.thestar.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Senior Liberals™ might want her, but I have my doubts that Carney will run her in the riding. I'm pretty certain it'll be another one of his banker friends that can be slotted into one of the safest ridings in Canada.
"A statement from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities put the blame on the federal government."
Provinces have learned that this is a conversation-ender, and they will use it to avoid accountability for their decisions forever, because nobody ever challenges them on it. Ever.
Provinces have learned that this is a conversation-ender, and they will use it to avoid accountability for their decisions forever, because nobody ever challenges them on it. Ever.
Algonquin College looks to suspend 30 more programs
After years of financial struggles and unanswered pleas for provincial and federal financial assistance, Algonquin College says it can no longer afford to run the current number of programs offered.
www.ottawalookout.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:32 AM
"A statement from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities put the blame on the federal government."
Provinces have learned that this is a conversation-ender, and they will use it to avoid accountability for their decisions forever, because nobody ever challenges them on it. Ever.
Provinces have learned that this is a conversation-ender, and they will use it to avoid accountability for their decisions forever, because nobody ever challenges them on it. Ever.
Counterpoint: He decided which Quebeckers counted under his vision of ethnic nationalism, and was premier for them and them alone.
Andrew Caddell: Legault consistently failed over his two mandates to fulfill his promise of being the ‘premier of all Quebecers.’
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
January 24, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Counterpoint: He decided which Quebeckers counted under his vision of ethnic nationalism, and was premier for them and them alone.
Reposted by Dale Smith
David McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence, has responded to Donald Trump's claim that America has "never really asked anything" of NATO, that the alliance sent only "some troops" to Afghanistan and that "they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."
It's pretty blunt.
It's pretty blunt.
January 23, 2026 at 10:57 PM
David McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence, has responded to Donald Trump's claim that America has "never really asked anything" of NATO, that the alliance sent only "some troops" to Afghanistan and that "they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."
It's pretty blunt.
It's pretty blunt.
Reposted by Dale Smith
“This will hopefully lead to fairer outcomes for particularly Black, Indigenous and marginalized accused persons when it comes to assessing the probative value and prejudicial effect of their criminal record." @journodale.bsky.social has the details. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records
Observers say modified Corbett analysis more fair and balanced, won’t automatically lead to a “get out of jail free” card
nationalmagazine.ca
January 23, 2026 at 10:53 PM
“This will hopefully lead to fairer outcomes for particularly Black, Indigenous and marginalized accused persons when it comes to assessing the probative value and prejudicial effect of their criminal record." @journodale.bsky.social has the details. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
New from me at @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social: Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records #SCC #cdnlaw
Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records
Observers say modified Corbett analysis more fair and balanced, won’t automatically lead to a “get out of jail free” card
nationalmagazine.ca
January 23, 2026 at 10:53 PM
New from me at @cba-nationalmag.bsky.social: Supreme Court clarifies test for using past conviction records #SCC #cdnlaw
Reposted by Dale Smith
Tourguide welcomes you to Scotland in January
youtube.com/shorts/vbtmA...
youtube.com/shorts/vbtmA...
tourguide welcomes you to Scotland in January
YouTube video by Eleanor Morton
youtube.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Tourguide welcomes you to Scotland in January
youtube.com/shorts/vbtmA...
youtube.com/shorts/vbtmA...
Reposted by Dale Smith
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Poilievre's lies about my client illustrate a wider problem with grievance politics
Conservatives have no qualms about undermining our courts or public institutions
www.canadianlawyermag.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Andrew Scheer goes on P&P, lies entirely and consistently through the entire interview, and guess which guest host challenged none of it?
Go on. Guess.
Go on. Guess.
January 23, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Andrew Scheer goes on P&P, lies entirely and consistently through the entire interview, and guess which guest host challenged none of it?
Go on. Guess.
Go on. Guess.
For the Friday crowd, my latest episode on the things we're not talking about with these new "strategic partnerships." #cdnpoli
Authoritarian Partnerships
YouTube video by Dale Smith
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 6:41 PM
For the Friday crowd, my latest episode on the things we're not talking about with these new "strategic partnerships." #cdnpoli
Reposted by Dale Smith
In response to Carney's Davos speech, Poilievre's new slogan appears to be "People can't eat speeches," which is great if you think they can eat slogans instead
January 23, 2026 at 6:38 PM
In response to Carney's Davos speech, Poilievre's new slogan appears to be "People can't eat speeches," which is great if you think they can eat slogans instead
Reposted by Dale Smith
Just so we're all clear: the folks using direct democracy to push for Alberta separatism have a problem with....democracy.
Modry adds that the problem of democracy is that it's a "tyranny of the majority over the minority," citing COVID as an example. "If you protect individual rights, you will protect all of societal rights, but the reverse doesn't occur."
January 23, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Just so we're all clear: the folks using direct democracy to push for Alberta separatism have a problem with....democracy.
Summon the ambassador, and then PNG him.
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 4:52 PM
Summon the ambassador, and then PNG him.
Reposted by Dale Smith
OPED: Lais Gomes lost her mother to femicide and has worked to have the crime formally recognized in the Criminal Code as a first step in a broader process of institutional and societal transformation. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
From loss to law
nationalmagazine.ca
January 23, 2026 at 4:38 PM
OPED: Lais Gomes lost her mother to femicide and has worked to have the crime formally recognized in the Criminal Code as a first step in a broader process of institutional and societal transformation. nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articl...
The #SCC rules unanimously to dismiss an appeal regarding Corbett applications on past criminal records, but reasons break down 7-2. #cdnlaw
Supreme Court of Canada | R. v. Hussein
www.scc-csc.ca
January 23, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Roundup post: The domestic speech and the response #cdnpoli
www.routineproceedings.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Roundup post: The domestic speech and the response #cdnpoli