Robson Fletcher
@robsonfletcher.com
Data journalist with CBC Calgary. Views my own and subject to change, especially in light of new evidence. 📧 robson.fletcher@cbc.ca
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
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 7:36 PM
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.
So @hockeyinottawa.bsky.social suggested reading this in Futurama character Zapp Brannigan's voice and I am now deceased 💀
December 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
So @hockeyinottawa.bsky.social suggested reading this in Futurama character Zapp Brannigan's voice and I am now deceased 💀
The Atlantic suggesting, without evidence, that Canada's Global TV broadcasting the '60 Minutes' segment on CECOT that CBS distributed to it may have been an act of "treachery."
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The Atlantic suggesting, without evidence, that Canada's Global TV broadcasting the '60 Minutes' segment on CECOT that CBS distributed to it may have been an act of "treachery."
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
lol the wind direction shifted and the temperature dropped 14 degrees Celsius in one hour this morning 🥶
December 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
lol the wind direction shifted and the temperature dropped 14 degrees Celsius in one hour this morning 🥶
Facebook's old mission statement was: "To give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.”
Its new thing: Oh, you wanna share more than two links? That'll be £10.
Its new thing: Oh, you wanna share more than two links? That'll be £10.
Facebook tests £9.99 monthly subscription for sharing more than two links
Meta is encouraging users to verify themselves to unlock more features or engagement with their posts.
www.bbc.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Facebook's old mission statement was: "To give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.”
Its new thing: Oh, you wanna share more than two links? That'll be £10.
Its new thing: Oh, you wanna share more than two links? That'll be £10.
Classic Calgary temperature swing incoming
December 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Classic Calgary temperature swing incoming
"Senior Alberta government officials stalled the submission of a coal mine pollution study to a scientific journal and prevented the lead researcher from speaking publicly about his work, according to records The Narwhal obtained through a freedom of information request."
Alberta officials stalled coal mine pollution study | The Narwhal
An Alberta government scientist was prevented from speaking publicly about his coal mine pollution research, emails show
thenarwhal.ca
December 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"Senior Alberta government officials stalled the submission of a coal mine pollution study to a scientific journal and prevented the lead researcher from speaking publicly about his work, according to records The Narwhal obtained through a freedom of information request."
Jenn Vanderlaan, senior communications advisor for Acute Care Alberta, said "there is no legal requirement for public reporting of acute-care outbreaks."
United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said health officials are “morally obligated as supposed trustees of our public health.”
United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said health officials are “morally obligated as supposed trustees of our public health.”
Alberta quietly ends public reporting of COVID outbreaks in acute care
Public service journalism
theijf.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Jenn Vanderlaan, senior communications advisor for Acute Care Alberta, said "there is no legal requirement for public reporting of acute-care outbreaks."
United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said health officials are “morally obligated as supposed trustees of our public health.”
United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said health officials are “morally obligated as supposed trustees of our public health.”
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
As someone who immigrated to Canada this is personally terrifying
Under such a system I would have been “lucky” that I got cancer after I had been here for long enough to become a citizen.
Under such a system I would have been “lucky” that I got cancer after I had been here for long enough to become a citizen.
December 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
As someone who immigrated to Canada this is personally terrifying
Under such a system I would have been “lucky” that I got cancer after I had been here for long enough to become a citizen.
Under such a system I would have been “lucky” that I got cancer after I had been here for long enough to become a citizen.
"A Calgary woman accused of sending five emails that threatened former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis, his mother and several of his friends has seen those charges dropped after evidence was revealed in court that one of the emails was sent through an email-spoofing website..."
She was accused of threatening a former Alberta justice minister, others — until a spoofed email came to light | CBC News
A Calgary woman accused of sending five emails that threatened former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis, his mother and several of his friends has seen those charges dropped after evidence was r...
www.cbc.ca
December 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
"A Calgary woman accused of sending five emails that threatened former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis, his mother and several of his friends has seen those charges dropped after evidence was revealed in court that one of the emails was sent through an email-spoofing website..."
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Did you know that from tomorrow, Qualtrics is offering synthetic panels (AI-generated participants)?
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
December 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Did you know that from tomorrow, Qualtrics is offering synthetic panels (AI-generated participants)?
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
Facebook use among teens has plummeted from 71% to 31% in the span of a decade.
Twitter/X has fallen from 33% to 16%.
All other platforms included in this survey have either grown or seen relatively unchanged usage over that same time.
Twitter/X has fallen from 33% to 16%.
All other platforms included in this survey have either grown or seen relatively unchanged usage over that same time.
Teens turn to a variety of online platforms, but YouTube continues to stand out. Roughly nine-in-ten teens report ever using it. TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are the next most widely used platforms.
December 16, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Facebook use among teens has plummeted from 71% to 31% in the span of a decade.
Twitter/X has fallen from 33% to 16%.
All other platforms included in this survey have either grown or seen relatively unchanged usage over that same time.
Twitter/X has fallen from 33% to 16%.
All other platforms included in this survey have either grown or seen relatively unchanged usage over that same time.
We have a 15-year-old dog & 4-year-old kid who loves him, but also loves cats. This was his conversation with my wife yesterday.
KID: "When our dog dies, can we get a cat?"
MOM: "He's still very much alive. But no, we can't. Your dad is allergic to cats."
KID: "When dad dies, can we get a cat?"
KID: "When our dog dies, can we get a cat?"
MOM: "He's still very much alive. But no, we can't. Your dad is allergic to cats."
KID: "When dad dies, can we get a cat?"
December 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
We have a 15-year-old dog & 4-year-old kid who loves him, but also loves cats. This was his conversation with my wife yesterday.
KID: "When our dog dies, can we get a cat?"
MOM: "He's still very much alive. But no, we can't. Your dad is allergic to cats."
KID: "When dad dies, can we get a cat?"
KID: "When our dog dies, can we get a cat?"
MOM: "He's still very much alive. But no, we can't. Your dad is allergic to cats."
KID: "When dad dies, can we get a cat?"
Alberta country music star Corb Lund says the citizens petition initiative he had filed against coal mining in the Rocky Mountains has been retroactively killed by Alberta’s new legislation:
December 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Alberta country music star Corb Lund says the citizens petition initiative he had filed against coal mining in the Rocky Mountains has been retroactively killed by Alberta’s new legislation:
Ottawa will provide an additional $1.17 billion to Alberta in order to extend the federal-provincial subsidized child-care program for another year.
The previous agreement was set to expire April 1, 2026. The new deal will run through March 31, 2027.
The previous agreement was set to expire April 1, 2026. The new deal will run through March 31, 2027.
Alberta signs extension on child-care deal with Ottawa, but only for one year | CBC News
Ottawa will provide an additional $1.17 billion to Alberta in order to extend the federal-provincial subsidized child-care program for another year. The previous agreement was set to expire in April. ...
www.cbc.ca
December 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Ottawa will provide an additional $1.17 billion to Alberta in order to extend the federal-provincial subsidized child-care program for another year.
The previous agreement was set to expire April 1, 2026. The new deal will run through March 31, 2027.
The previous agreement was set to expire April 1, 2026. The new deal will run through March 31, 2027.
It’s been frustrating as a journalist, and a member of the public, to watch as publicly available data on the health-care system has dwindled over the years.
The auditor general now says the Alberta government is changing internal metrics and selectively using data to hide problems:
The auditor general now says the Alberta government is changing internal metrics and selectively using data to hide problems:
Alberta using selective data to mask health care failings, Auditor-General says
Doug Wylie says reporting on how the system is performing is not credible and has gotten worse over time
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
It’s been frustrating as a journalist, and a member of the public, to watch as publicly available data on the health-care system has dwindled over the years.
The auditor general now says the Alberta government is changing internal metrics and selectively using data to hide problems:
The auditor general now says the Alberta government is changing internal metrics and selectively using data to hide problems:
"Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus and joining the Liberals.
Ma's move comes just a few weeks after former Conservative Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the government benches."
Ma's move comes just a few weeks after former Conservative Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the government benches."
Another MP leaves Conservatives, crosses floor to Liberals | CBC News
Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative Caucus and joining the Liberals.
www.cbc.ca
December 11, 2025 at 11:29 PM
"Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus and joining the Liberals.
Ma's move comes just a few weeks after former Conservative Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the government benches."
Ma's move comes just a few weeks after former Conservative Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the government benches."
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, like many provinces that control liquor sales, pulled U.S. booze off their shelves earlier this year in response to Trump's tariffs / threats.
They now plan to sell off the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to local food banks:
They now plan to sell off the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to local food banks:
P.E.I. to sell remaining U.S. booze, donate profits to Island food banks | CBC News
Prince Edward Islanders who have been missing their favourite American wines will soon have a chance to stock up. The provincial government has directed the P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission to put its...
www.cbc.ca
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, like many provinces that control liquor sales, pulled U.S. booze off their shelves earlier this year in response to Trump's tariffs / threats.
They now plan to sell off the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to local food banks:
They now plan to sell off the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to local food banks:
Alberta's childcare deal with Ottawa is four years old and set to expire on April 1, 2026.
Every other province has signed an extension.
Part of the deal involved space creation.
Anecdotally, I've certainly seen WAY more daycares in Calgary than there used to be.
And the data bears that out:
Every other province has signed an extension.
Part of the deal involved space creation.
Anecdotally, I've certainly seen WAY more daycares in Calgary than there used to be.
And the data bears that out:
December 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Alberta's childcare deal with Ottawa is four years old and set to expire on April 1, 2026.
Every other province has signed an extension.
Part of the deal involved space creation.
Anecdotally, I've certainly seen WAY more daycares in Calgary than there used to be.
And the data bears that out:
Every other province has signed an extension.
Part of the deal involved space creation.
Anecdotally, I've certainly seen WAY more daycares in Calgary than there used to be.
And the data bears that out:
This remains one of my favourite headline-photo combos of all time.
December 9, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This remains one of my favourite headline-photo combos of all time.
Some people in Lethbridge who want to recall their MLA are now worried the petition against him is actually designed to *protect* the MLA from being recalled.
Alberta's recall rules say that once a petition is launched and fails, no subsequent petitions can be launched.
Via @markusoff.bsky.social:
Alberta's recall rules say that once a petition is launched and fails, no subsequent petitions can be launched.
Via @markusoff.bsky.social:
Lethbridgians worried MLA recall drive is a 'sham' that's ignoring volunteers | CBC News
Locals can't sign up to canvass for petitions against United Conservative MLA Nathan Neudorf or find out where to sign forms.
www.cbc.ca
December 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Some people in Lethbridge who want to recall their MLA are now worried the petition against him is actually designed to *protect* the MLA from being recalled.
Alberta's recall rules say that once a petition is launched and fails, no subsequent petitions can be launched.
Via @markusoff.bsky.social:
Alberta's recall rules say that once a petition is launched and fails, no subsequent petitions can be launched.
Via @markusoff.bsky.social:
Reposted by Robson Fletcher
Wow... NYC's congestion pricing has led to big drops in PM2.5 and real improvements in local air quality.
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Wow... NYC's congestion pricing has led to big drops in PM2.5 and real improvements in local air quality.
The Calgary Zoo found a coin in one of their penguins.
They got it out.
🔗: www.calgaryzoo.com/news/scoping...
They got it out.
🔗: www.calgaryzoo.com/news/scoping...
December 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The Calgary Zoo found a coin in one of their penguins.
They got it out.
🔗: www.calgaryzoo.com/news/scoping...
They got it out.
🔗: www.calgaryzoo.com/news/scoping...
"In 1977, the average 25-34 year old man earned over twice that of a man aged 65+.
In 2023, for the first time in recorded history, senior men now earn more, on average, than their 25-34 year old counterparts."
Via @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social:
🔗: www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/what-happe...
In 2023, for the first time in recorded history, senior men now earn more, on average, than their 25-34 year old counterparts."
Via @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social:
🔗: www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/what-happe...
December 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"In 1977, the average 25-34 year old man earned over twice that of a man aged 65+.
In 2023, for the first time in recorded history, senior men now earn more, on average, than their 25-34 year old counterparts."
Via @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social:
🔗: www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/what-happe...
In 2023, for the first time in recorded history, senior men now earn more, on average, than their 25-34 year old counterparts."
Via @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social:
🔗: www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca/p/what-happe...