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Luke LeBrun
@lukelebrun.ca
25K followers 3.2K following 2.1K posts
Investigative journalist | Editor, @pressprogress.ca | Send tips & story ideas: llebrun@pressprogress.ca
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lukelebrun.ca
Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · Nov 8
Honoured to be recognized for my journalism covering right-wing politics and far-right extremism by being named the recipient of CJFE’s 2024 Arnold Amber Award for Investigative Journalism

Appreciated everyone’s kind words and support
lukelebrun.ca
$20 says this guy is already having a romantic relationship with a chatbot:

“…these models were designed to be nonjudgmental, nondirectional … which is to be even-handed, have reflective listening, to be empathetic, to be respectful, it turned out to be something that the world needs”
December 26, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
annamerlan.bsky.social
Tenet Media founder Lauren Chen, who secretly took money from two people with ties to Russian state media to involve conservative influencers in an unwitting propaganda scheme, is back in the US after being deported to Canada under President Biden. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
December 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
lukelebrun.ca
Christmas Eve in downtown Ottawa:

Man wearing a giant syringe with the word “bioweapons” written on it stages a lonely protest against digital IDs and international pedophile cabals
Man wearing syringe with the word “bioweapons” written across it Man holding no “Digital ID” sign and another sign that says “our world is controlled by pedos”
December 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
dvdham.bsky.social
Given how many absolutely bland and utilitarian pedestrian spaces there are in Ottawa that can't seem to be properly maintained (or maintained at all), I think the problem is the attitude toward maintenance, not the design of this space.
December 24, 2025 at 11:28 PM
lukelebrun.ca
The newly opened Kìwekì Point panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Ottawa River behind the National Art Gallery has apparently been damaged by a snow plow
Reddit photo showing damage to wood beams at Kìwekì Point
December 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
lukelebrun.ca
tl;dr version:

David Wallace and James Di Fiore
jonnywakefield.bsky.social Jonny Wakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social · 3d
Bonkers story from @matthewblack.ca: Lawyers for a former AHS board member claim a self-described political fixer, along with an indy publisher, have been paid to smear their client in an effort to discredit & dissuade him from testifying in the wrongful dismissal suit from the agency’s former CEO.
Former AHS board member claims podcasters paid to smear him ahead of Mentzelopoulos testimony
Lawyers for a former Alberta Health Services board member claim a political fixer and a publisher have been paid to smear their client.
edmontonjournal.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
cwacanada1.bsky.social
Deeply troubling.
December 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
lukelebrun.ca
Sounds like Pierre is on the Jordan Peterson diet
Pierre Poilievre: "I was telling Terry, I eat only beef" Pierre Poilievre: "It's the best. It's a super food."
December 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
lukelebrun.ca
The Weather Network is forecasting that every single day will be getting sunnier and sunnier and even sunnier for the foreseeable future
Winter solstice longer days, colder weather ahead in Canada - The Weather Network
The shortest day of the year marks a turning point in daylight, but winter's coldest days are yet to come.
www.theweathernetwork.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
atrupar.com
JD Vance: "In the United States of America you don't have to apologize for being white anymore"
December 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
jennykwan.bsky.social
I am calling on the Minister to summon the Israeli Ambassador and demand a formal written explanation. Anything less risks normalizing the mistreatment of Canadian parliamentarians and citizens abroad.
December 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
lukelebrun.ca
Worth noting National Post Editor-in-Chief Rob Roberts did not put out a similar statement defending National Post columnist Adam Zivo when I asked Roberts about Zivo’s public statements alleging he worked for a foreign spy agency while he was writing for the National Post

Didn’t deny it either
December 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
lukelebrun.ca
Statement from Postmedia standing behind David Pugliese in response to this @theglobeandmail.com story:

“The documents tied to these allegations have been independently discredited by multiple major media organizations”

@davidpugliese.bsky.social
Postmedia Statement in Support of David Pugliese Statement from Duncan Clark, Chief Content Officer, Postmedia: David Pugliese is a highly valued and esteemed member of the Ottawa Citizen and Postmedia team. Recent reporting linking David to a military intelligence investigation has once again brought attention to unverified allegations that are false and intended to discredit his investigative work. The documents tied to these allegations have been independently discredited by multiple major media organizations. We believe it is the essential role of journalists to hold those in power to account and view these allegations as a broader attack on the independence of the press. We stand firmly behind David and maintain complete confidence in his integrity and work. At no point have we been approached by any intelligence or law enforcement agency concerning David. David has a distinguished career, recognized by multiple National Newspaper Awards and a lifetime achievement award by the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom in 2020. He will continue his vital reporting on military issues for the Ottawa Citizen with our full support. You're encouraged to read David Pugliese's reporting on this matter. Stay tuned for more reporting on this issue in the New Year. • Ukrainians raise questions about Ottawa charity as allegations swirl around donations • Canadian Forces looking into role of military personnel involved with Mriya Report • DND confirms military officers used govt resources without permission on private Ukraine equipment deals • Volunteers for Mriya Report charity created by Canadian Forces officer resign, citing ethical concerns
December 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
lukelebrun.ca
DOJ’s Epstein Files include a “manager’s report” from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for a 2005 David Copperfield performance

Audience complained the magic show was “sophomoric” and “amateur”

One woman complained because she couldn’t find her husband after the “final disappearing act”
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGERS REPORT DATE: FEB. 1, 2005 DAY: WEATHER: THEATER: EVENT: EVENT CODE: HOUSE: HEAD USHERS: VOLUNTEERS DROP COUNT: CURTAIN: CLOSE: MAINTENANCE: SECURITY: PARKING FACILITY: TUES, SUN/FAIR AURENE DAVID COPPERFIELD S215 ORCH TIME: 5:30PM MEZZ 116 BALC 57 PAID COMP 5:42PM 7:02PM 1078 121 SWING INFO CTR EDITH 1544 121 1665 경0 [Sub Total Sub Total TOTAL POLICE: HOUSEKEEPING: PRODUCTION: JEFF 2 2 MISCELLANEOUS Volunteers: Target Range AuR Actual # AuRene 60-75 57 No. of intermissions: Target Range Ama Actual # Amaturo 10-14 COMMENTS SOMÉ COMPLAINTS FROM PATRONS THAT THE SHOW IS THE SAME AS LAST YEAR'S; OTHERS COMPLAINING THAT THE SHOW IS "SOPHOMORIC" "AND AMATURISH". THEY WANTED THEIR MONEY BACK. HOUSEKEEPING NEEDED MORE STAFF AS FOOD AND DRINKS WERE ALLOWED IN AND THE TURN-AROUND TIME WAS SHORT, AND HK WAS TOLD NOT TO ENTER HOUSE BETWEEN SHOWS COUPLE WAS UPSET: HUSBAND WAS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN FINAL DISAPPEARING ACT; AT END OF SHOW, WIFE GOT VERY UPSET BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T FIND HIM. HUSBAND GOT VERBALLY UPSET AT COPPERFIELD MANAGER BACKSTAGE, MADE A SCENE, AND HAD TO BE ESCORTED OFF PREMISES BY FLPD. REST ROOMS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY ATTENDED TO AFTER SHOW, AS HOUSEKEEPING WAS SHORT STAFFED.
December 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
markmackinnon.bsky.social
The story of how a Canadian intelligence operator ended up charged with spying for Ukraine has its roots in another saga - that of a Canadian journalist accused of being a Russian asset (something the journalist vociferously denies).

Reporting by me, @stevenchase.bsky.social and Robert Fife
CAF espionage case linked to allegation that Postmedia journalist has ties to Russia
MWO Robar, charged with leaking government secrets, was assigned to assess concerns in 2023 that reporter David Pugliese was allegedly serving Russian interests
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:47 AM
lukelebrun.ca
I don't doubt Russia would (and does) threaten people for all kinds of reasons, but I don't get why they'd break into houses or level death threats at people who received 40-year-old KGB documents about David Pugliese that are riddled with factual errors?

www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
That assertion is based largely on a controversial seven-page file – which appears to have been handpicked from a larger dossier – purportedly showing that the Soviet-era KGB had considered recruiting Mr. Pugliese in the late 1980s. The purported KGB documents are the focus of a fierce but whispered debate in Ottawa over the authenticity and provenance of the files. The sources who talked to The Globe say that as early as 2023, at least two CAF members had endured death threats, suspected home break-ins, or other forms of harassment after receiving copies of the alleged KGB dossier. MWO Robar was assigned to interview the officers and assess the level of risk they were facing, the sources said. Among those interviewed by MWO Robar in connection with the case was former Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander, who used parliamentary privilege to make the alleged KGB dossier public during an Oct. 24, 2024, appearance before the Commons committee on public safety and national security. Mr. Alexander told The Globe this week that he was contacted by MWO Robar on Oct. 8, 2024, shortly after he first received the dossier naming Mr. Pugliese. “My only contact with MWO Robar was a single conversation in which he made it clear he was looking into threats and other hostile activities that had been undertaken against those who had received the documents … and those people included members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” Mr. Alexander said. “Everyone involved in the case assessed these threats and this harassment to have been orchestrated by Russia,” Mr. Alexander said. He added that MWO Robar “100 per cent” shared the assessment that Moscow was behind the threats allegedly directed at the Canadian officers making assertions against Mr. Pugliese.
December 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
cajournalists.bsky.social
We're thrilled to be joining forces with University of the King’s College and the Canadian Media Lawyers Association to launch Lawyers for Reporters Canada!

HT @lionpubs.bsky.social @vancecenternyc.bsky.social

caj.ca/launch-of-la...
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
lukelebrun.ca
Parliament hasn’t resumed a study into Indian interference:

“For that study to essentially now just evaporate as though it never happened is a problem … Sikh activists who [testified] for that committee were doing so after putting themselves at great risk and publicly speaking about these issues”
pressprogress.ca PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 8d
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference

Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca
December 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
pressprogress.ca
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference

Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca/sikh-federat...
Sikh Federation Canada Calls Out Carney Government For Failing to Hold India Accountable for Foreign Interference
Sikh community calls for “accountability and transparency” as federal government looks to restart relationship with India
pressprogress.ca
December 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
gangleri.bsky.social
Gaur að leita að Ísfirðingi, einhver ykkar að hlusta á hann?
ericwickham.ca Eric Wickham @ericwickham.ca · 9d
exactly one person from Ísafjörður in Iceland listened to an episode of PressProgress Sources.

If this was you, and not someone using a VPN, please get in touch.
One listener from Isafjordur
December 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
lukelebrun.ca
If anyone has any contacts in Iceland, please let them know that Eric needs their help to do some investigative journalism:
ericwickham.ca Eric Wickham @ericwickham.ca · 9d
exactly one person from Ísafjörður in Iceland listened to an episode of PressProgress Sources.

If this was you, and not someone using a VPN, please get in touch.
One listener from Isafjordur
December 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
propublicaguild.org
1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.
Headline: ProPublica management wants 100% discretion over when and how to use AI Supplementary text: The organization rejected our proposal that ensures staff will not be replaced by AI and requires labeling AI-generated content
December 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
pressprogress.ca
Canada Needs More Non-Market Housing to Address Housing Insecurity, Experts Say

The Federal Housing Advocate’s new report reaffirms what housing advocates have been pushing for years
pressprogress.ca/canada-needs...
Canada Needs More Non-Market Housing to Address Housing Insecurity, Experts Say
The Federal Housing Advocate’s new report reaffirms what housing advocates have been pushing for years
pressprogress.ca
December 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
nationalnewswatch.com
Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez to resign amid ongoing crisis nationalnewswatch.com/2025/12/17/c...
Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez to resign amid ongoing crisis
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Luke LeBrun
davidreevely.bsky.social
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a searchable database of "criminal aliens" it has arrested, which it calls the "Worst of the Worst." You can filter by country and learn that a number of them are Canadians: www.dhs.gov/wow?combine=...
Arrested: Worst of the Worst | Homeland Security
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
www.dhs.gov
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM