Jason Foster
@abbeerguy.bsky.social
Beer guy. Work prof at Athabasca University. Director of Parkland Institute. Be prepared to put up with beer posts, public policy posts and the-study-of-work posts. And whatever else takes over my brain.
80’s New Wave alert! Saw Spoons in concert for first time in forever last night. Still remember most of the lyrics. Arias and Symphonies is a classic Canadian album. No one will disabuse me of that opinion.
November 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
80’s New Wave alert! Saw Spoons in concert for first time in forever last night. Still remember most of the lyrics. Arias and Symphonies is a classic Canadian album. No one will disabuse me of that opinion.
A bit late getting to this but I was on CBC’s The Current last week to discuss the teachers’ strike. I think it is still informative.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
November 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
A bit late getting to this but I was on CBC’s The Current last week to discuss the teachers’ strike. I think it is still informative.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
I was invited onto @canadaland.com to talk teachers’ strike and govt interference in bargaining. Give it a listen here:
www.canadaland.com/podcast/1257...
www.canadaland.com/podcast/1257...
#155 Strike Wave! Workers vs Governments Across Canada
www.canadaland.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I was invited onto @canadaland.com to talk teachers’ strike and govt interference in bargaining. Give it a listen here:
www.canadaland.com/podcast/1257...
www.canadaland.com/podcast/1257...
Spent the afternoon canning salsa from our tomatoes and garlic with local peppers and onions. 18 jars in total. Also did up 2 pickled jalapenos because we had extra.
October 27, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Spent the afternoon canning salsa from our tomatoes and garlic with local peppers and onions. 18 jars in total. Also did up 2 pickled jalapenos because we had extra.
A good piece in the Tyee looking at the strategies in the AB teachers’ strike, quoting myself and my colleague Susan Cake.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
How Alberta Teachers Are Winning the Public Opinion Battle | The Tyee
The teachers’ main demands are finding support, while the government is being blamed for the school shutdown.
thetyee.ca
October 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A good piece in the Tyee looking at the strategies in the AB teachers’ strike, quoting myself and my colleague Susan Cake.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
I was on Real Talk with Ryan Jesperson today to talk about the Alberta teachers’ strike. You can hear it here:
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/b...
Behind the Scenes: Teachers’ Negotiations
Podcast Episode · Real Talk Ryan Jespersen · 2025-10-14 · 1h 47m
podcasts.apple.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I was on Real Talk with Ryan Jesperson today to talk about the Alberta teachers’ strike. You can hear it here:
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/b...
Sneaky! Underhanded! Undemocratic!
My latest post commenting on the new radio campaign by @beercanada.bsky.social targeting federal excise duties. I take exception with their overheated rhetoric and fast and loose use of statistics. Beer policy can be fun!
onbeer.org/2025/09/snea...
My latest post commenting on the new radio campaign by @beercanada.bsky.social targeting federal excise duties. I take exception with their overheated rhetoric and fast and loose use of statistics. Beer policy can be fun!
onbeer.org/2025/09/snea...
Sneaky and Underhanded!! More Tax Half Truths and Overheated Rhetoric from Beer Canada | On Beer
I heard a radio ad the other day that left me angry. But likely not for the reasons the sponsor wanted. You see, Beer Canada has launched a new series of radio ads as part of its ongoing campaign…
onbeer.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Sneaky! Underhanded! Undemocratic!
My latest post commenting on the new radio campaign by @beercanada.bsky.social targeting federal excise duties. I take exception with their overheated rhetoric and fast and loose use of statistics. Beer policy can be fun!
onbeer.org/2025/09/snea...
My latest post commenting on the new radio campaign by @beercanada.bsky.social targeting federal excise duties. I take exception with their overheated rhetoric and fast and loose use of statistics. Beer policy can be fun!
onbeer.org/2025/09/snea...
Harvested the basil today and made enough pesto for the winter.
September 22, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Harvested the basil today and made enough pesto for the winter.
A note to young and emerging labour scholars. Say yes to media requests. I have done 22 interviews in the last two weeks (6 today) on various labour issues. Yes, it gets in the way of the rest of our work but it matters. We need knowledgeable, pro-worker voices talking about labour issues.
September 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
A note to young and emerging labour scholars. Say yes to media requests. I have done 22 interviews in the last two weeks (6 today) on various labour issues. Yes, it gets in the way of the rest of our work but it matters. We need knowledgeable, pro-worker voices talking about labour issues.
Who is behind the burgeoning “parental rights” movement attacking public education? Learn more at Parkland Institute webinar releasing our latest report. Thursday at Noon.
ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
September 4, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Who is behind the burgeoning “parental rights” movement attacking public education? Learn more at Parkland Institute webinar releasing our latest report. Thursday at Noon.
ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Was interviewed this afternoon on 880 CHED about the looming teachers' lockout/strike. The heart of the issue is the Alberta government's unwillingness to fund public education properly.
Give it a listen if you want:
open.spotify.com/episode/02hA...
Give it a listen if you want:
open.spotify.com/episode/02hA...
No deal reached, teachers’ strike looms in Alberta
open.spotify.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Was interviewed this afternoon on 880 CHED about the looming teachers' lockout/strike. The heart of the issue is the Alberta government's unwillingness to fund public education properly.
Give it a listen if you want:
open.spotify.com/episode/02hA...
Give it a listen if you want:
open.spotify.com/episode/02hA...
My latest onbeer.org post offers a slightly delayed analysis of two beer policy reversals by the AB govt. A mea culpa on beer markups and an inexplicable capitulation to Donald Trump on US liquor bans.
onbeer.org/2025/06/albe...
onbeer.org/2025/06/albe...
Alberta Does a 180 on Two Beer Policy Files | On Beer
I am admittedly a bit late to the table with this post – it has been a very busy month or so for me, but in the past couple of weeks the Alberta government quietly walked back to key policy changes…
onbeer.org
June 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
My latest onbeer.org post offers a slightly delayed analysis of two beer policy reversals by the AB govt. A mea culpa on beer markups and an inexplicable capitulation to Donald Trump on US liquor bans.
onbeer.org/2025/06/albe...
onbeer.org/2025/06/albe...
This week I am featured on CBC’s West of Centre podcast talking about burgeoning labour unrest among Alberta’s public sector workers. We discuss why they are so angry and the longer term origins of this strife.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...
Short: Alberta faces wave of looming strikes
Podcast Episode · West of Centre · 2025-06-16 · 26m
podcasts.apple.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:56 AM
This week I am featured on CBC’s West of Centre podcast talking about burgeoning labour unrest among Alberta’s public sector workers. We discuss why they are so angry and the longer term origins of this strife.
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/w...
@poliscirish.bsky.social is right on here. Smith’s agenda has been clear since the beginning. Create chaos to distract in the interests of a radical libertarian, neoliberal agenda.
Considering my colleague @abbeerguy.bsky.social and I broke this all down in a piece in Braid's own paper exactly a year ago - saying, this is only the beginning of an autocratic agenda implemented through chaos and cruelty...
Nice to see Don finally catching up. Would've been helpful a year ago.
Nice to see Don finally catching up. Would've been helpful a year ago.
The creeping authoritarianism of the UCP in Alberta.
May 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
@poliscirish.bsky.social is right on here. Smith’s agenda has been clear since the beginning. Create chaos to distract in the interests of a radical libertarian, neoliberal agenda.
Why would any world leader take a meeting in the Oval Office with this lunatic? He does not act in good faith, eschews diplomatic tradition, and lies all the time (as you all know). So why do it? Say screw off and let underlings do the negotiations.
May 22, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Why would any world leader take a meeting in the Oval Office with this lunatic? He does not act in good faith, eschews diplomatic tradition, and lies all the time (as you all know). So why do it? Say screw off and let underlings do the negotiations.
Today my CBC beer column introduced listeners to the first AB location for BC’s Old Yale Brewing. The first ever brewery in Beaumont!!
May 16, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Today my CBC beer column introduced listeners to the first AB location for BC’s Old Yale Brewing. The first ever brewery in Beaumont!!
I spent the afternoon at a celebration of life for Dave Werlin. Former AFL president, lifelong union activist and passionate advocate for social justice. I had the great privilege of being a comrade in the struggle with him and the even greater honour of being able to call him a friend. RIP Dave.
May 4, 2025 at 4:19 AM
I spent the afternoon at a celebration of life for Dave Werlin. Former AFL president, lifelong union activist and passionate advocate for social justice. I had the great privilege of being a comrade in the struggle with him and the even greater honour of being able to call him a friend. RIP Dave.
So sometimes my beer job tasks me with the onerous responsibility of previewing new breweries. Tonight was a sneak peak at the new Old Yale brewery opening soon in Beaumont, their first foray into Alberta. I’ll be doing a CBC column on them soon to stay tuned.
May 2, 2025 at 12:29 AM
So sometimes my beer job tasks me with the onerous responsibility of previewing new breweries. Tonight was a sneak peak at the new Old Yale brewery opening soon in Beaumont, their first foray into Alberta. I’ll be doing a CBC column on them soon to stay tuned.
tonight I am attending the memorial service of a man with whom I had the deep honour to work with and call a friend. Raj Pannu was an unexpected political leader but as a result was honest, principled and focused on Albertans. I miss him but glad to be sharing his life with hundreds of his comrades.
April 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
tonight I am attending the memorial service of a man with whom I had the deep honour to work with and call a friend. Raj Pannu was an unexpected political leader but as a result was honest, principled and focused on Albertans. I miss him but glad to be sharing his life with hundreds of his comrades.
Pay attention to what Andrew is saying here. This is the plan. Transfer public resources to private hands. Undermine public institutions to the advantage of for-profit companies. This is bad news.
The picture comes into focus
AB gov took ownership of public hospitals from AHS so these public assets can be used by private surgeons’ corporations under new funding model
Public assets in the service of private profits
This will only destabilize hospitals further
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
AB gov took ownership of public hospitals from AHS so these public assets can be used by private surgeons’ corporations under new funding model
Public assets in the service of private profits
This will only destabilize hospitals further
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta to tie hospital funding to number, type of procedures performed | CBC News
Alberta's government will soon tie public hospital funding to the number and type of procedures performed, a move critics warn won't improve the public system and will only accelerate private delivery...
www.cbc.ca
April 8, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Pay attention to what Andrew is saying here. This is the plan. Transfer public resources to private hands. Undermine public institutions to the advantage of for-profit companies. This is bad news.
Today on my CBC Radioactive beer column I introduced listeners to a new beer treasure hunt game. Beer Quest sends you to local tap rooms to drink great craft beer for a chance to win prizes. And you will learn about beer styles and history. You can check the game out here: www.thebeerquestgame.com
April 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Today on my CBC Radioactive beer column I introduced listeners to a new beer treasure hunt game. Beer Quest sends you to local tap rooms to drink great craft beer for a chance to win prizes. And you will learn about beer styles and history. You can check the game out here: www.thebeerquestgame.com
So the Health minister is calling Parkland Institute “the NDP’s research arm” after our report on the disaster that is their private surgery initiative. Which is more trustworthy? Peer-reviewed research or the belief of a compromised UCP minister? I know where my vote lands
Absolutely gobsmacking response to @alonghurst.bsky.social surgical spending report from Health Minister LaGrange.
You do not get to describe ASI as "Evidence-based" policy when all available, credible analyses and comparable cases demonstrate that your policy does the opposite of what it claims.
You do not get to describe ASI as "Evidence-based" policy when all available, credible analyses and comparable cases demonstrate that your policy does the opposite of what it claims.
March 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
So the Health minister is calling Parkland Institute “the NDP’s research arm” after our report on the disaster that is their private surgery initiative. Which is more trustworthy? Peer-reviewed research or the belief of a compromised UCP minister? I know where my vote lands
It is no surprise to me that Associated Press is the only media outlet fighting back against Trump’s authoritarian actions. They are a non-profit cooperative. All other media outlets are cow-towing because they are owned by billionaires who have their own interests. Go AP!!!
March 27, 2025 at 1:02 AM
It is no surprise to me that Associated Press is the only media outlet fighting back against Trump’s authoritarian actions. They are a non-profit cooperative. All other media outlets are cow-towing because they are owned by billionaires who have their own interests. Go AP!!!
I had a good conversation about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on the Open Minds podcast. The episode is out now. Give it a listen.
openmindspodcast.com/govenment-bu...
openmindspodcast.com/govenment-bu...
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program: Fix or Problem? - Open Minds Podcast
A deep dive into Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program with Professor Jason Foster, exploring its economic impact, ethical dilemmas, and long-term implications.
openmindspodcast.com
March 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I had a good conversation about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program on the Open Minds podcast. The episode is out now. Give it a listen.
openmindspodcast.com/govenment-bu...
openmindspodcast.com/govenment-bu...
I have got some good news and some bad news for you on the Alberta craft beer front. Fortunately I have put it all into one handy post to get you up to date on the latest in Alberta beer.
onbeer.org/2025/03/the-...
onbeer.org/2025/03/the-...
The Comings and Goings in Alberta Beer | On Beer
The first couple months of 2025 have been action packed in the Alberta beer world. In addition to being blindsided by sudden changes to mark-up policy and coping with the many lunatic (and…
onbeer.org
March 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I have got some good news and some bad news for you on the Alberta craft beer front. Fortunately I have put it all into one handy post to get you up to date on the latest in Alberta beer.
onbeer.org/2025/03/the-...
onbeer.org/2025/03/the-...