Valerie TBD
@valerie-tbd.bsky.social
Policy and governance in Canada | Observing systems, accountability, outcomes.
The political panel moment of the week goes to @gregmaceachern.bsky.social
He gives Doug Ford the respect of accuracy, not reverence.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
He gives Doug Ford the respect of accuracy, not reverence.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
January 17, 2026 at 1:23 PM
The political panel moment of the week goes to @gregmaceachern.bsky.social
He gives Doug Ford the respect of accuracy, not reverence.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
He gives Doug Ford the respect of accuracy, not reverence.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Somehow I missed a whole election.
Apparently Canada has a new Prime Minister.
News to Mark Carney.
News to the rest of us.
Apparently Canada has a new Prime Minister.
News to Mark Carney.
News to the rest of us.
January 16, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Somehow I missed a whole election.
Apparently Canada has a new Prime Minister.
News to Mark Carney.
News to the rest of us.
Apparently Canada has a new Prime Minister.
News to Mark Carney.
News to the rest of us.
Earlier this week, @davidwcochrane.bsky.social spoke with Vina Nadjibulla (Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada) after two Liberal MPs cut short a Taiwan trip “by advice” from the government. Her caution for Canada–China relations: avoid “anticipatory compliance.”
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
January 15, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Earlier this week, @davidwcochrane.bsky.social spoke with Vina Nadjibulla (Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada) after two Liberal MPs cut short a Taiwan trip “by advice” from the government. Her caution for Canada–China relations: avoid “anticipatory compliance.”
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
@melaniejolycan.bsky.social commanded decorum, then answered a loaded question about burner phones, espionage, and whether China is the “right kind of partner.” She spoke on existing business and ongoing meetings, leaving the security claim untouched, aside from faint signals between sentences.
January 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM
@melaniejolycan.bsky.social commanded decorum, then answered a loaded question about burner phones, espionage, and whether China is the “right kind of partner.” She spoke on existing business and ongoing meetings, leaving the security claim untouched, aside from faint signals between sentences.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social and @supriya.bsky.social on referendums, separation, and the foreign interference factor.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
January 15, 2026 at 12:53 AM
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social and @supriya.bsky.social on referendums, separation, and the foreign interference factor.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
The Epstein files are forcing a lot of Fleabag dinners right now.
That moment where the table goes quiet because someone finally calls a pedophile a pedophile.
That moment where the table goes quiet because someone finally calls a pedophile a pedophile.
January 12, 2026 at 2:13 AM
The Epstein files are forcing a lot of Fleabag dinners right now.
That moment where the table goes quiet because someone finally calls a pedophile a pedophile.
That moment where the table goes quiet because someone finally calls a pedophile a pedophile.
Doug Ford claimed US geopolitical risk was so urgent it required an early election. Explain how that same urgency now allows a two-month pause in the legislature.
January 11, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Doug Ford claimed US geopolitical risk was so urgent it required an early election. Explain how that same urgency now allows a two-month pause in the legislature.
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social with Fred DeLorey on how managing a difficult top trading partner in the US is shaping Canada’s foreign policy posture.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
January 11, 2026 at 12:59 AM
@davidwcochrane.bsky.social with Fred DeLorey on how managing a difficult top trading partner in the US is shaping Canada’s foreign policy posture.
Source: CBC Power & Politics
Source: CBC Power & Politics
On Power & Politics tonight, @davidwcochrane.bsky.social asked what to make of Conservative leadership results arriving after midnight in the east.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social and Fred DeLorey disagreed.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social and Fred DeLorey disagreed.
January 10, 2026 at 12:52 AM
On Power & Politics tonight, @davidwcochrane.bsky.social asked what to make of Conservative leadership results arriving after midnight in the east.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social and Fred DeLorey disagreed.
@gregmaceachern.bsky.social and Fred DeLorey disagreed.
Source: Good Talk @petermansbridge.bsky.social | @chebert18.bsky.social
Why Greenland matters more to Canada than Venezuela.
If NATO territory can be taken without consent, the alliance stops meaning anything.
This isn’t abstract geopolitics.
It sets the limits of Canada’s security environment.
Why Greenland matters more to Canada than Venezuela.
If NATO territory can be taken without consent, the alliance stops meaning anything.
This isn’t abstract geopolitics.
It sets the limits of Canada’s security environment.
January 9, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Source: Good Talk @petermansbridge.bsky.social | @chebert18.bsky.social
Why Greenland matters more to Canada than Venezuela.
If NATO territory can be taken without consent, the alliance stops meaning anything.
This isn’t abstract geopolitics.
It sets the limits of Canada’s security environment.
Why Greenland matters more to Canada than Venezuela.
If NATO territory can be taken without consent, the alliance stops meaning anything.
This isn’t abstract geopolitics.
It sets the limits of Canada’s security environment.
@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.