Valerie TBD
@valerie-tbd.bsky.social
Policy and governance in Canada | Observing systems, accountability, outcomes.
@chebert18.bsky.social situates the PM’s China visit as both necessary and politically loaded.
— Radio-Canada OHdio, Tout un matin with Patrick Masbourian
— Radio-Canada OHdio, Tout un matin with Patrick Masbourian
January 8, 2026 at 7:43 PM
@chebert18.bsky.social situates the PM’s China visit as both necessary and politically loaded.
— Radio-Canada OHdio, Tout un matin with Patrick Masbourian
— Radio-Canada OHdio, Tout un matin with Patrick Masbourian
State-level epistemic manipulation by Kristi Noem.
“Sexual predators” is a red herring, used to provoke moral panic, deflect scrutiny, and cover state culpability in the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
One is left wondering where such actors belong in Dante’s moral geography.
“Sexual predators” is a red herring, used to provoke moral panic, deflect scrutiny, and cover state culpability in the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
One is left wondering where such actors belong in Dante’s moral geography.
January 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM
State-level epistemic manipulation by Kristi Noem.
“Sexual predators” is a red herring, used to provoke moral panic, deflect scrutiny, and cover state culpability in the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
One is left wondering where such actors belong in Dante’s moral geography.
“Sexual predators” is a red herring, used to provoke moral panic, deflect scrutiny, and cover state culpability in the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
One is left wondering where such actors belong in Dante’s moral geography.
Hannah Arendt’s 1964 reflections on impartiality, flattering homage to leaders, and patriotism feel sharply relevant now. Their clarity has not faded with time.
January 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Hannah Arendt’s 1964 reflections on impartiality, flattering homage to leaders, and patriotism feel sharply relevant now. Their clarity has not faded with time.
Very French.
Protesters set fire to an American flag today in response to the invasion of Venezuela.
Over the past few months, I’ve often thought about what would be happening in France if many of the same events unfolding in the US were happening there instead.
Protesters set fire to an American flag today in response to the invasion of Venezuela.
Over the past few months, I’ve often thought about what would be happening in France if many of the same events unfolding in the US were happening there instead.
January 3, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Very French.
Protesters set fire to an American flag today in response to the invasion of Venezuela.
Over the past few months, I’ve often thought about what would be happening in France if many of the same events unfolding in the US were happening there instead.
Protesters set fire to an American flag today in response to the invasion of Venezuela.
Over the past few months, I’ve often thought about what would be happening in France if many of the same events unfolding in the US were happening there instead.
Power without law is authoritarianism.
Poilievre applauds it.
That should end the conversation about him as Prime Minister. Ever.
Poilievre applauds it.
That should end the conversation about him as Prime Minister. Ever.
January 3, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Power without law is authoritarianism.
Poilievre applauds it.
That should end the conversation about him as Prime Minister. Ever.
Poilievre applauds it.
That should end the conversation about him as Prime Minister. Ever.
Speaking with @petermansbridge.bsky.social before Christmas, @bobbyrae48.bsky.social drew on his own experiences with PM Mark Carney to assess his approach to policy and what distinguishes him as a governing leader.
January 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Speaking with @petermansbridge.bsky.social before Christmas, @bobbyrae48.bsky.social drew on his own experiences with PM Mark Carney to assess his approach to policy and what distinguishes him as a governing leader.
I’m a mostly lapsed cradle Catholic. To my surprise, my person of 2025 might be Pope Leo XIV.
January 1, 2026 at 3:11 PM
I’m a mostly lapsed cradle Catholic. To my surprise, my person of 2025 might be Pope Leo XIV.
@ctvottawa.bsky.social spotted Prime Minister Mark Carney out for a skate at today’s opening of the Rideau Canal season. Few things are more Canadian than this. The mythos alone helps stave off the cold. It feels like a fitting Happy New Year.
December 31, 2025 at 11:24 PM
@ctvottawa.bsky.social spotted Prime Minister Mark Carney out for a skate at today’s opening of the Rideau Canal season. Few things are more Canadian than this. The mythos alone helps stave off the cold. It feels like a fitting Happy New Year.
Looking back to the 2000 leaders’ debate: Joe Clark challenged Jean Chrétien on cooperative federalism.
More than two decades later, Mark Carney draws from both Pearson and Clark, a Liberal architect and a Conservative leader.
That convergence helps contextualize the Red Tory reading of Carney.
More than two decades later, Mark Carney draws from both Pearson and Clark, a Liberal architect and a Conservative leader.
That convergence helps contextualize the Red Tory reading of Carney.
December 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Looking back to the 2000 leaders’ debate: Joe Clark challenged Jean Chrétien on cooperative federalism.
More than two decades later, Mark Carney draws from both Pearson and Clark, a Liberal architect and a Conservative leader.
That convergence helps contextualize the Red Tory reading of Carney.
More than two decades later, Mark Carney draws from both Pearson and Clark, a Liberal architect and a Conservative leader.
That convergence helps contextualize the Red Tory reading of Carney.
Czars are a tell.
When systems can’t be fixed quickly, authority gets staged in language. Toronto’s “traffic czar” doesn’t solve congestion so much as make it look managed.
When systems can’t be fixed quickly, authority gets staged in language. Toronto’s “traffic czar” doesn’t solve congestion so much as make it look managed.
December 30, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Czars are a tell.
When systems can’t be fixed quickly, authority gets staged in language. Toronto’s “traffic czar” doesn’t solve congestion so much as make it look managed.
When systems can’t be fixed quickly, authority gets staged in language. Toronto’s “traffic czar” doesn’t solve congestion so much as make it look managed.
Might “carrying water for [X],” be the phrase of 2026?
December 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Might “carrying water for [X],” be the phrase of 2026?
There may be an easier life available, but P&P named Mark Carney the year’s top political newsmaker.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social noted the easier, more lucrative paths he passed up. Leichnitz argued his early acumen and governing position pose a real problem for Conservatives.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social noted the easier, more lucrative paths he passed up. Leichnitz argued his early acumen and governing position pose a real problem for Conservatives.
December 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
There may be an easier life available, but P&P named Mark Carney the year’s top political newsmaker.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social noted the easier, more lucrative paths he passed up. Leichnitz argued his early acumen and governing position pose a real problem for Conservatives.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social noted the easier, more lucrative paths he passed up. Leichnitz argued his early acumen and governing position pose a real problem for Conservatives.
The eve of Christmas Eve does make one wonder whether political ‘before’ moments feel like this: everything arranged, nothing decided, and the opposition a bit like the in-laws arriving tomorrow.
December 24, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The eve of Christmas Eve does make one wonder whether political ‘before’ moments feel like this: everything arranged, nothing decided, and the opposition a bit like the in-laws arriving tomorrow.
Some moments from CBC’s At Issue 2015 year-ender with @petermansbridge.bsky.social, @chebert18.bsky.social, @andrewcoyne.bsky.social, @althiaraj.bsky.social, and @jenditchburn.bsky.social.
A glance back on how much Canadian politics has changed and how much has not.
A glance back on how much Canadian politics has changed and how much has not.
December 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Some moments from CBC’s At Issue 2015 year-ender with @petermansbridge.bsky.social, @chebert18.bsky.social, @andrewcoyne.bsky.social, @althiaraj.bsky.social, and @jenditchburn.bsky.social.
A glance back on how much Canadian politics has changed and how much has not.
A glance back on how much Canadian politics has changed and how much has not.
A deserved honourable mention today to Indigenous Services Minister @mandygull-mastymp.bsky.social. Asked about Poilievre’s claim that a pipeline could be built without Indigenous consent, she answered with quiet authority, grounding her response in law and Indigenous sovereignty.
December 23, 2025 at 12:21 AM
A deserved honourable mention today to Indigenous Services Minister @mandygull-mastymp.bsky.social. Asked about Poilievre’s claim that a pipeline could be built without Indigenous consent, she answered with quiet authority, grounding her response in law and Indigenous sovereignty.
The Prime Minister sets out what he believes are the defining challenges of 2026, framing the year ahead on his terms.
December 22, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The Prime Minister sets out what he believes are the defining challenges of 2026, framing the year ahead on his terms.
Prime Minister announces next Ambassador of Canada to the United States.
December 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Prime Minister announces next Ambassador of Canada to the United States.
Losing an election and your own seat is when reflection should be unavoidable. Poilievre refuses it.
Asked by Global’s Dawna Friesen to acknowledge the loss, he deflected, calling it “a blow” to voters instead of naming the reality. Pundits across the spectrum say this hurts his favourability.
Asked by Global’s Dawna Friesen to acknowledge the loss, he deflected, calling it “a blow” to voters instead of naming the reality. Pundits across the spectrum say this hurts his favourability.
December 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Losing an election and your own seat is when reflection should be unavoidable. Poilievre refuses it.
Asked by Global’s Dawna Friesen to acknowledge the loss, he deflected, calling it “a blow” to voters instead of naming the reality. Pundits across the spectrum say this hurts his favourability.
Asked by Global’s Dawna Friesen to acknowledge the loss, he deflected, calling it “a blow” to voters instead of naming the reality. Pundits across the spectrum say this hurts his favourability.
Much has been made of PM Carney’s management style, often on impression and innuendo. This segment from Rosemary Barton’s end-of-year CBC interview offers a rarer, more candid view and adds concrete context, including new insight into Guilbeault’s exit from cabinet.
December 21, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Much has been made of PM Carney’s management style, often on impression and innuendo. This segment from Rosemary Barton’s end-of-year CBC interview offers a rarer, more candid view and adds concrete context, including new insight into Guilbeault’s exit from cabinet.
Square this circle.
Much was made of PM Carney’s MOU with Danielle Smith.
Doug Ford signed an MOU with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and
you could hear a pin drop.
One involved a federal–provincial ‘understanding’ inside Canada.
Much was made of PM Carney’s MOU with Danielle Smith.
Doug Ford signed an MOU with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and
you could hear a pin drop.
One involved a federal–provincial ‘understanding’ inside Canada.
December 20, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Square this circle.
Much was made of PM Carney’s MOU with Danielle Smith.
Doug Ford signed an MOU with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and
you could hear a pin drop.
One involved a federal–provincial ‘understanding’ inside Canada.
Much was made of PM Carney’s MOU with Danielle Smith.
Doug Ford signed an MOU with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and
you could hear a pin drop.
One involved a federal–provincial ‘understanding’ inside Canada.
Karina Roman on P&P poses the question of whether it’s “fair game to actively try to tempt MPs to cross the floor?”
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social shared his thoughts.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social shared his thoughts.
December 20, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Karina Roman on P&P poses the question of whether it’s “fair game to actively try to tempt MPs to cross the floor?”
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social shared his thoughts.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social shared his thoughts.
Anyone who has been subjected to violent crime by a man is not surprised by the familiar fig leaf of redaction and omission. #EpsteinFiles
December 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Anyone who has been subjected to violent crime by a man is not surprised by the familiar fig leaf of redaction and omission. #EpsteinFiles
On power’s doorstep,
deliberately positioned to be seen,
where wealth secures access,
legitimacy is inferred,
silence is enforced, and
harm passes the threshold.
#EpsteinFiles
deliberately positioned to be seen,
where wealth secures access,
legitimacy is inferred,
silence is enforced, and
harm passes the threshold.
#EpsteinFiles
December 19, 2025 at 11:45 PM
On power’s doorstep,
deliberately positioned to be seen,
where wealth secures access,
legitimacy is inferred,
silence is enforced, and
harm passes the threshold.
#EpsteinFiles
deliberately positioned to be seen,
where wealth secures access,
legitimacy is inferred,
silence is enforced, and
harm passes the threshold.
#EpsteinFiles
Two appointments in PM Carney’s senior public service shuffle stand out for me today.
They’re not flashy.
They’re structural.
They’re not flashy.
They’re structural.
December 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Two appointments in PM Carney’s senior public service shuffle stand out for me today.
They’re not flashy.
They’re structural.
They’re not flashy.
They’re structural.
@chebert18.bsky.social on At Issue, asked for the best political play of 2025:
December 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
@chebert18.bsky.social on At Issue, asked for the best political play of 2025: