Lisa Johnson
@reportrix.bsky.social
Edmonton-based provincial affairs reporter for The Canadian Press
From the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health services today: “Alberta’s government is now reviewing this decision. More information will be shared once the review is complete.”
Well, that happened fast: "The change means people on International Experience Canada (IEC) Type 58 work permits, including working holiday and young professional visa holders, are no longer eligible for Alberta’s public health system."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta cuts access to health care for some temporary workers, raising concerns in the Bow Valley | CBC News
Alberta has stopped offering provincial health coverage to some people on working holiday and young professional visas, a change that came into effect earlier this year without a public announcement. ...
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 11:04 PM
From the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health services today: “Alberta’s government is now reviewing this decision. More information will be shared once the review is complete.”
At Alberta Next panels last year, the support for the proposal to "take more control of immigration" by withholding services was wildly popular. Up in Grande Prairie in Sept., Smith said there will be some items on which "we heard enough, we are going to move them, and we don't need a referendum."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has mused about cutting or limiting public services for temporary residents. It turns out that already happened last month with public health insurance www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #AbLeg #AbHealth
Alberta cuts access to health care for some temporary workers, raising concerns in the Bow Valley | CBC News
Alberta has stopped offering provincial health coverage to some people on working holiday and young professional visas, a change that came into effect earlier this year without a public announcement. ...
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM
At Alberta Next panels last year, the support for the proposal to "take more control of immigration" by withholding services was wildly popular. Up in Grande Prairie in Sept., Smith said there will be some items on which "we heard enough, we are going to move them, and we don't need a referendum."
Well, that happened fast: "The change means people on International Experience Canada (IEC) Type 58 work permits, including working holiday and young professional visa holders, are no longer eligible for Alberta’s public health system."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta cuts access to health care for some temporary workers, raising concerns in the Bow Valley | CBC News
Alberta has stopped offering provincial health coverage to some people on working holiday and young professional visas, a change that came into effect earlier this year without a public announcement. ...
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Well, that happened fast: "The change means people on International Experience Canada (IEC) Type 58 work permits, including working holiday and young professional visa holders, are no longer eligible for Alberta’s public health system."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The only in-depth follow I've seen in Alberta on this. This kind of journalistic work takes weeks and the impact of these government decisions will span decades. #abed #ableg
Last fall, a new vetting process took effect for sex education resources and presenters in Alberta.
Teachers and sex education experts say what has been approved is limited and has significant gaps. And they’re worried about the effects for students of watered-down sex ed #AbEd #AbLeg
Teachers and sex education experts say what has been approved is limited and has significant gaps. And they’re worried about the effects for students of watered-down sex ed #AbEd #AbLeg
Alberta vetting process limits sexual education materials for students, some experts say | CBC News
Some sexual health education experts, advocacy groups and teachers say new provincial approval requirements have left educators with inadequate options to teach Alberta’s health curriculum.
www.cbc.ca
February 6, 2026 at 5:00 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
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 Lisa Johnson
Alberta's Smith owes answers before separation vote: former federal minister Dion
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta's Smith owes answers before separation vote: former federal minister Dion
EDMONTON - The man who helped write the rules on separation votes in Canada says if Alberta’s premier is going to take her province down that “worrying” path, she has
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
February 6, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Alberta's Smith owes answers before separation vote: former federal minister Dion
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection
Must read NEWS from @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Must read NEWS from @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection
EDMONTON - 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 a say on who
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
February 4, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection
Must read NEWS from @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Must read NEWS from @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
The Alberta government didn't volunteer a timeline for its ultimatum, released today but sent more than a week ago, and the federal justice ministry's statement focused almost entirely on the general importance of an independent judiciary. From me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Smith says Alberta will withhold funding for judges without more input on selection
EDMONTON - 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 a say on who
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
February 4, 2026 at 1:42 AM
The Alberta government didn't volunteer a timeline for its ultimatum, released today but sent more than a week ago, and the federal justice ministry's statement focused almost entirely on the general importance of an independent judiciary. From me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Corb Lund’s petition effort to outlaw new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one step closer to being able to gather signatures.
Corb Lund sees anti-coal mining petition drive re-approved by Elections Alberta
Corb Lund’s petition effort to outlaw new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one step closer to being able to gather signatures.
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Corb Lund’s petition effort to outlaw new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains is one step closer to being able to gather signatures.
Some interesting commentary here - great story from @meksmith.bsky.social today www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 28, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Some interesting commentary here - great story from @meksmith.bsky.social today www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hat tip to @jack-farrell.bsky.social for his work right off the hop today distilling many, many more words than are printed here summarizing Smith’s commentary about the role of courts in Alberta, and the legislative actions that impacted them, over many, many months.
Alberta judges urge respect after Smith said she wants to 'direct' them
NEWS from me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
NEWS from me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta judges urge respect after Smith said she wants to 'direct' them
EDMONTON - Alberta's judges are calling for respect days after Premier Danielle Smith said she wishes she could "direct" them.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 28, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Hat tip to @jack-farrell.bsky.social for his work right off the hop today distilling many, many more words than are printed here summarizing Smith’s commentary about the role of courts in Alberta, and the legislative actions that impacted them, over many, many months.
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
January 27, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Comes a few weeks after Danielle Smith derided courts as "gatekeepers" getting in way of democracy, and used legislation to quash judge's ruling on validity of separatist referendum. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | The more Trump allies covet Alberta, the less popular separatism may get | CBC News
Independence movement leaders cheer on U.S. cabinet member's praise, but resist talk of Alberta becoming part of States.
www.cbc.ca
January 24, 2026 at 4:33 PM
In a way, Trumpworld’s new hunger for Alberta is a big blow to the province’s separatist campaign: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
Rest assured a recent public inspection report cleared this facility as compliant with accommodation standards. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Massive Edmonton care home battling mice infestation, droppings
EDMONTON - Alberta's Opposition is calling for action and more transparency in the wake of a prolonged mouse infestation at one of Edmonton's biggest long-term care homes.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 24, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Rest assured a recent public inspection report cleared this facility as compliant with accommodation standards. www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Good journalism, this one: “In nearly two hours standing outside, canvassers got seven signatures of the 9,503 required to trigger a recall election…” The target, like most other recall bids around Alberta, requires more than 100 signatures on average per day for 90 days…. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Inside Alberta recall campaigners' cold, hard road to collect signatures to oust MLAs | CBC News
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides' recall bid got 6,500 signatures, but was still far short of its goal. Other MLA recalls appear to be struggling even more than that.
www.cbc.ca
January 22, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Good journalism, this one: “In nearly two hours standing outside, canvassers got seven signatures of the 9,503 required to trigger a recall election…” The target, like most other recall bids around Alberta, requires more than 100 signatures on average per day for 90 days…. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
“We have to think beyond our own political interests here. We're talking about the structure of a democracy and how for it to be a healthy democracy, there have to be checks and balances,” says one former Alberta justice minister. 👇
Former Alberta justice ministers criticize government for 'unacceptable' conduct
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/for...
From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/for...
Former Alberta justice ministers criticize government for 'unacceptable' conduct
EDMONTON - Two former Progressive Conservative justice ministers and nearly 30 other lawyers are denouncing Alberta's government for what they say are self-serving legal manoeuvres and "unacceptable" ...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 22, 2026 at 1:30 AM
“We have to think beyond our own political interests here. We're talking about the structure of a democracy and how for it to be a healthy democracy, there have to be checks and balances,” says one former Alberta justice minister. 👇
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
I truly hope you or your loved ones are not among the people who are suffering or experiencing a worse outcome while waiting for care in an Alberta ER and/or hospitals.
However, if you are/were, please consider sharing your experience - use the form at the bottom of this story.
#AbHealth #AbLeg
However, if you are/were, please consider sharing your experience - use the form at the bottom of this story.
#AbHealth #AbLeg
Minister says Alberta emergency room deaths and poor outcomes are exceptions to the norm | CBC News
As Alberta doctors raise red flags about seeing what they say are delays in emergency room care, the province’s hospitals minister says he doesn’t think cases that the doctors have recently highlighte...
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Spoiler: we didn't
January 20, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Spoiler: we didn't
"There are no plans to recall the legislature.” To be expected. But when you tell reporters not to ask about the thing … www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta Opposition NDP calls on Smith to reconvene legislature over hospital crisis
EDMONTON - Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling on Premier Danielle Smith's government to reconvene the legislature five weeks early, saying her government needs to take accountabili...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 21, 2026 at 5:14 AM
"There are no plans to recall the legislature.” To be expected. But when you tell reporters not to ask about the thing … www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
That’s pretty much that from @jack-farrell.bsky.social today www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fir...
First citizen recall petition against Alberta legislature member fails
EDMONTON - The first of more than two dozen recall petitions launched against members of Alberta's legislature has come up short.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 21, 2026 at 5:09 AM
That’s pretty much that from @jack-farrell.bsky.social today www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fir...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
Alberta orders judge-led inquiry into death of man waiting for care in hospital
It’s also rolling out new system where physicians will be triaging, and even treating, people in emerg waiting rooms.
From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...
It’s also rolling out new system where physicians will be triaging, and even treating, people in emerg waiting rooms.
From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...
Alberta orders judge-led inquiry into death of man waiting for care in hospital
EDMONTON - Alberta’s government has ordered a judge-led inquiry into the death of a man who waited for hours for care in an Edmonton hospital.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
January 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Alberta orders judge-led inquiry into death of man waiting for care in hospital
It’s also rolling out new system where physicians will be triaging, and even treating, people in emerg waiting rooms.
From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...
It’s also rolling out new system where physicians will be triaging, and even treating, people in emerg waiting rooms.
From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/alber...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
New from me: the Alberta lawyer leading the charge for separatism had a law society hearing today over his COVID-era correspondence with government and public health officials — some of whom he threatened with prosecution for “crimes against humanity” edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
Alberta separatist lawyer threatened 'war crimes,' 'murder' charges over COVID vaccine, law society claims
Separatist lawyer Jeffrey Rath is challenging claims he breached professional conduct rules by writing to government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic — but admits he used "overly aggressive" lan...
edmontonjournal.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:34 AM
New from me: the Alberta lawyer leading the charge for separatism had a law society hearing today over his COVID-era correspondence with government and public health officials — some of whom he threatened with prosecution for “crimes against humanity” edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Lisa Johnson
NEW: A podcaster accused of harassing a former AHS director said he was hired by an Edmonton lawyer, court docs show. That lawyer has ties to Sam Mraiche, who owns companies at the centre of Alberta's procurement controversy.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
Podcaster accused of harassing former AHS board member says he was hired by Edmonton lawyer, court records show
Legal documents identify Bryan Ward, who has acted for Sam Mraiche on multiple occasions, as the lawyer
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:24 PM
NEW: A podcaster accused of harassing a former AHS director said he was hired by an Edmonton lawyer, court docs show. That lawyer has ties to Sam Mraiche, who owns companies at the centre of Alberta's procurement controversy.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... By @tuthanhha.bsky.social