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Jack Farrell
@jack-farrell.bsky.social
2.9K followers 550 following 240 posts
Alberta legislature reporter for the @CdnPress.bsky.social in amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton | He/Him
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jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta teachers say they are taking Premier Smith’s government to court for overriding their Charter rights to end the strike while some members of her caucus say public outrage toward them is escalating.

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Teachers challenge Alberta law using notwithstanding clause to end strike
EDMONTON - Alberta teachers say they are taking Premier Danielle Smith’s government to court for overriding their Charter rights to end their strike while some members of her caucus say
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 7, 2025 at 2:22 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
No changes coming 'at the moment' for Alberta's recall legislation: Premier Smith
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government has no plans to change provincial recall legislation — at least for the moment.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 12:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/air...
Airdrie resident behind recall campaign says local MLA not representing community
The man who launched a petition drive to oust United Conservative Party legislature member Angela Pitt says she needs to go because she’s not getting the job done.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 5, 2025 at 1:08 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Elections Alberta says second legislature member, Angela Pitt, facing recall petition

From me and @reportrix.bsky.social today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/ele...
Elections Alberta says second legislature member, Angela Pitt, facing recall petition
EDMONTON - A second member of the Alberta legislature is facing a citizen-led petition to recall her from her job.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta's Smith (and Ontario’s Ford) calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta's Smith calls on Ottawa to use notwithstanding clause over child porn ruling
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on the federal government to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to overturn a new Supreme Court ruling on child pornography.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 31, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Jack Farrell
thetyee.ca
The United Conservative Party government recently awarded a $95-million settlement to the Australian mining firm Montem Resources.

About a third of that settlement will go to an investment firm in Melbourne. The same firm that funded Montem’s lawsuit against Alberta.

Andrew Nikiforuk writes.
Alberta’s Big Payouts to Spurned Australian Coal Miners | The Tyee
Two firms that invested far less are getting $235 million. Taxpayers face more such hits.
thetyee.ca
October 30, 2025 at 2:50 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
"This is a milestone which should have never been crossed, and today we fight so that it won't be crossed again.”

A dispatch from me and @reportrix.bsky.social on Alberta’s student walkout in response to the government’s back to work order for teachers and the use of the notwithstanding clause.
Alberta students cut class, rally at legislature for teachers in strike-bill dispute
EDMONTON - Hundreds of students cut class Thursday to march and chant against Alberta's shutdown of a teachers strike in protests that saw Premier Danielle Smith compared to a cold-hearted,
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats

From me today — warning that it’s difficult to put 200 pages of detail into 800 words so if you’re looking for nitty gritty I recommend reading the report!
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/dra...
Draft changes to Alberta's provincial ridings sees Edmonton, Calgary gain seats
EDMONTON - A new report recommends Alberta's two major cities get more seats in the provincial legislature in time for the 2027 election.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 29, 2025 at 11:29 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta teachers won't engage in work-to-rule as classes resume: union

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta teachers won't engage in work-to-rule as classes resume: union
EDMONTON - The head of Alberta's teachers union says they will abide by a back-to-work order and will not engage in illegal actions such as work-to-rule.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta uses Charter's notwithstanding clause to order striking teachers back to work

From @reportrix.bsky.social and me today, with updates to come as government sits into the night to pass the bill.

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta uses Charter's notwithstanding clause to order striking teachers back to work
EDMONTON - Premier Danielle Smith’s government introduced a bill Monday using the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to order 51,000 striking teachers back to work to end the largest walkout in Alberta
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 2:38 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit

Another company, Valory Resources, told me it also settled, but an official didn’t respond to questions about how much (if any) it’s receiving.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/alb...
Alberta government pays out $95 million to end another coal policy lawsuit
EDMONTON - The Alberta government is paying out $95 million to a coal mining company to end another one of the lawsuits launched against it over its policy flip-flop more
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
No talks planned as clock ticks down to Monday deadline in Alberta teachers strike

From @journosousa.bsky.social and me today:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/no-...
No talks planned as clock ticks down to Monday deadline in Alberta teachers strike
EDMONTON - With time running out before Alberta's striking teachers get legislated back to work, the province and the union say they're ready to negotiate but want the other side
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February

From me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta government ending hybrid work policy for public servants starting in February
EDMONTON - Alberta's government is ending its hybrid work policy, mandating all provincial employees return to the office full-time starting early next year.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Recall petition issued for Alberta's education minister, 16,000 signatures needed

From me & Rob Drinkwater:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/rec...
Recall petition issued for Alberta's education minister, 16,000 signatures needed
CALGARY - A Calgarian has been given the green light to start collecting signatures to potentially put Alberta's education minister out of a job.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 2:39 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta premier says back-to-work bill for striking teachers coming Monday

From @reportrix.bsky.social @journosousa.bsky.social and me today after an incredibly busy day at the Alberta legislature:

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/alb...
Alberta premier says back-to-work bill for striking teachers coming Monday
EDMONTON - Thousands of teachers and supporters jeered, chanted and dumped protest potatoes at the door of the Alberta legislature Thursday as Premier Danielle Smith set a Monday deadline to
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 24, 2025 at 1:04 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Edmonton, Calgary welcome new mayors following municipal votes in Alberta

From Bill Graveland, with a little help from most of CP’s Alberta office:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/edm...
Edmonton, Calgary welcome new mayors following municipal votes in Alberta
CALGARY - Calgary's new mayor says he has been given a mandate to work with – and challenge if necessary – the provincial and federal governments.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 22, 2025 at 2:27 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Parks Canada releases two reports on Jasper fire confirming cause, development

From me today, with comments from Mayor Richard Ireland, who kept his title as the only mayor in town history by running unchallenged in Monday’s election:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/environment/...
Parks Canada releases two reports on Jasper fire confirming cause, development
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA - Two new reports on last year's devastating wildfire in Jasper, Alta., confirm the blaze was caused by lightning and accelerated by "tornado-force fire-generated" winds and ...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 22, 2025 at 2:26 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Whoa.
adammacvicar.bsky.social Adam MacVicar @adammacvicar.bsky.social · 21d
NEW: 19 of 380 polls reporting in Calgary's municipal election. Here's the mayor's race so far:

Farkas - 3,119
Sharp - 2,679
Gondek - 1,934
Davison - 1,097
Thiessen - 923
October 21, 2025 at 3:48 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Report into Alberta Health Services contracts finds conflicts widely known

By @reportrix.bsky.social and me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/repor...
Report into Alberta Health Services contracts finds conflicts widely known
EDMONTON - A report into allegations of corruption in Alberta Health Services contracts says it was widely known two employees were in conflicts of interest, but no steps were taken
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
NEWS: Alberta teachers reject government request to end strike and enter mediation

From me on (school) day 9 of the strike:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta teachers reject government request to end strike and enter mediation
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday she's disappointed the union representing teachers turned down a government request to end a provincewide strike and to go through enhanced mediat...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 17, 2025 at 11:17 PM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
The present looks a lot like the past!

Alberta Premier Smith wants education commission after teachers strike

From @reportrix.bsky.social and @journosousa.bsky.social on (school) day 8 of Alberta’s teachers strike:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
Alberta Premier Smith wants education commission after teachers strike
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday, as thousands of striking teachers and their supporters chanted and shouted nearby, that she wants to form a commission on education when
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 17, 2025 at 1:10 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Ottawa hasn't approached Alberta, Sask., about pharmacare since election: ministers

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/ott...
Ottawa hasn't approached Alberta, Sask., about pharmacare since election: ministers
CALGARY - Alberta and Saskatchewan's health ministers say they haven't been approached by Ottawa about signing onto the federal pharmacare program since the spring election.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 17, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by Jack Farrell
reportrix.bsky.social
Smith has had a change of heart since she was Wildrose Party leader in 2014 when she slammed the PCs plan to remove “Wild Rose Country" from licence plates.
"I also joked that it was great to have advertising for the political party I represented at that time on the back of every licence plate.”
October 16, 2025 at 2:33 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
Alberta may no longer be known as "Wild Rose Country" — at least on its licence plates.

From me today:
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/prairies_bc/...
'Strong and free': Alberta government changing licence plate design, slogan
EDMONTON - Alberta may no longer be known as "Wild Rose Country" — at least on its licence plates.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 16, 2025 at 12:15 AM
jack-farrell.bsky.social
UPDATED: Talks stall between Alberta teachers, government in provincewide strike

From me today: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/tal...
Talks stall between Alberta teachers, government in provincewide strike
EDMONTON - Alberta's finance minister says there's still a major divide between what the union representing striking teachers is asking for and what the government is willing to spend, while
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
October 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM