Don Braid

Braid: A bleak budget signals deep trouble for years, cuts to come Finance Minister Nate Horner brings in the bleakest budget Albertans have seen since the teens, writes columnist Don Braid.

This one bleak budget that tops even the NDP deficits of the mid-teens. Spending is maintained but cuts are inevitable. Column.
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Braid: As legislature opens, many Nenshi backers wonder where the star power went NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is facing a restless party who wonder where the old magic went and feel he lacks drive and impact, writes Don Braid

What happened to the star power? Many Nenshi backers expected a big splash, but now wonder why he hasn't caught on. Column.
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Braid: Fear of U.S. takeover boosts national opposition to separatism: poll New polls show fierce opposition to separatism and fear of U.S. takeover if any province moves to separate, writes columnist Don Braid.

Fear of U.S. takeover boosts national hostility to separatism, says Canada-wide poll. Column.
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Smith unveils major referendum on immigration and conflicts with Ottawa, to happen Oct. 19. In part it's an effort to spike growth of separatism. Column.
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Braid: Fury erupts at separatist hunt for referendum signatures in the U.S. Elections Alberta says it's okay to seek separatist signatures outside Alberta — even in the U.S. — but federalists are furious.

Furious reaction to separatists rounding up referendum signatures in the U.S. Kenny goes ballistic. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #independence #yyc #yeg #cdnpoli

Braid: Fury erupts at separatist hunt for referendum signatures in the U.S. Elections Alberta says it's okay to seek separatist signatures outside Alberta — even in the U.S. — but federalists are furious.

Angry blowback at separatist attempts to round up referendum signatures in the U.S. Kenny goes ballistic. Column.
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Braid: The dreadful death of a toddler shows how deadly Calgary streets have become A horrific death of a two-year-old in his stroller shows that traffic safety is out of control in Calgary.

The death of a toddler saddens the city. It's the worst example of a deadly epidemic. Column.
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Braid: Jason Kenney fiercely battles separatism — unfortunately, not as premier Jason Kenney has emerged as a fierce opponent to separatism. If he were still premier this would be a very different government.

Jason Kenney says separtation has been "de-stigmatized" by current UCP. The job now is to show what a horrible idea it is. If he were still premier, we'd have a government standing up to separatist leaders. Column. tinyurl.com/yz55wh3n #ableg #abpoli #cdnpol #yyc #yeg

Braid: Jason Kenney fiercely battles separatism — unfortunately, not as premier Jason Kenney has emerged as a fierce opponent to separatism. If he were still premier this would be a very different government.

Jason Kenney lost his job because of the pandemic. I find myself nostalgic for a premier who would stand up to separatist leaders and their goofy claims. Column.
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Braid: Farkas says feds can't deny housing cash, scoffs at 'cover-your-ass' report Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says feds can't take back housing cash, scoffs at "cover-your-ass" admin report that flagged huge penalties.

Farkas says Ottawa can't deny housing cash because contract doesn't demand blanket rezoning. He calls apocalyptic administration report a "cover your ass" effort. Column
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Braid: Separatists had the stage but now face battle-hardened federalists Some of the nation's top pro-Canada battlers against separatism are finally joining the fight in Alberta, writes columnist Don Braid.

Alberta separatists finally face the battle-hardened federalist fighters. Plus, I tell a really old story. Column.
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Braid: Is the UCP still a pro-Canada party? They might take a vote on it At the top level of the UCP they're pondering whether to hold a vote on the party turning separatist

Top UCP people talk openly about converting party to separatism. They might take a vote on it. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Is the UCP still a pro-Canada party? They might take a vote on it At the top level of the UCP they're pondering whether to hold a vote on the party turning separatist

Braid: Is the UCP still a pro-Canada party? They might take a vote on it. Just listen to the president. Column.
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Braid: Despite punch of bad birthday poll, Nenshi challenges Smith to bring it on Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi brushes off bad poll, says Smith is rattled by separatism split in her own caucus.

Nenshi says weak poll is meaningless and urges Smith to bring on the election. Column.
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Braid: New-look Pierre Poilievre could be a lot more trouble than the Liberals expect Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, revived after crushing loss, could be a much more difficult foe than the Liberals expect

iberals, beware - the new-look Poilievre could be a tougher opponent than you expect. column.
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Braid: Farkas says fast pipeline build will shake up Calgary and dazzle Canada Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says the Bearspaw project isn't just about a pipe — it's about restoring pride after decades of stalled projects

Farkas says lightning-fast pipeline build will dazzle the country and jolt Calgary out of its slow zone. Column.
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Braid: Poilievre hopes to hold Conservative leadership with old pitch that could be new again Pierre Poilievre hopes to keep Conservative leadership with an old pitch that could be new again. He calls for the teardown of Liberalism.

The Perils of Pierre - will Poilievre survive Conservative leadership review in Calgary Friday? He's sticking with his old pitch, still confident it can win party and election Column.
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#ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #yyc #yeg

Braid: Keep bragging about your U.S. ties and dreams, Alberta separatists. You're saving Canada Alberta separatists are killing their own cause by courting Americans and welcoming invitation to join the U.S., writes columnist Don Braid.

Keep boasting about your American contacts, dreams and funding, separatists. You're saving Canada. Column.
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Trump threatens 100% retaliatory tariffs against Canada over China deal China will eat Canada alive, including "the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life,” Trump said.

Okay, so Trump slaps 100% tariffs on Canada. Cost to U.S. buyers of all daily imports jumps from $3.5 billion to $7 billion. Oil suddenly costs more than $100 USD per barrel. How's that going to work?
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Braid: Carney sounds like a leader heading for an election. Would he dare? Prime Minister Mark Carney sounds like a leader headed for an election, but would he dare call one, asks columnist Don Braid.

Carney sounds very much like a leader heading for an election. Should he? Would he dare?
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Braid: While government talks up more spaces, docs describe daily ER horrors shrouded in privacy Alberta emergency ward doctors are blasting the government, calling for help and urging people to speak up, writes columnist Don Braid.

Government talks about new ER space while docs describe horrors on the wards, privacy rules that restrain them. Column.
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Braid: Doctors crack secrecy on wave of emergency ward deaths across Alberta A doctors report on emergency ward deaths in Alberta finally begins to crack the shell of secrecy around these tragedies.

Doctors finally crack the shell of secrecy around deaths from long ED waits. These tragedies say hidden unless families speak out, as one did in the Edmonton case. Now docs test privacy limits. Column.
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Braid: How a foolish council ended up with a water pipeline overlord from La Crete hamlet Braid: Premier Danielle Smith's government assumes full water pipe oversight, in slapdown of council that refused to change city leadership.

Calgary's new provincial water pipe overlord is from La Crete, population 4,000, which is closer to the Arctic Circle than Calgary. He'll probably do a better job. Column.
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Braid: Duckworth stays on, but new councillors won't take bull from administration Braid: Calgary city council went into revolt against secretive administration Tuesday; boss David Duckworth's job hangs in the balance.

UPDATED COLUMN: With explanation of the weird happenings at that meeting last night that left David Duckworth in the top job. There's nothing that can't get lost in procedural muddle at city hall.
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Braid: Duckworth stays on, but new councillors won't take bull from administration Braid: Calgary city council went into revolt against secretive administration Tuesday; boss David Duckworth's job hangs in the balance.

UPDATED COLUMN: Council decided not to fire Duckworth but subject him to much more oversight. Some new councillors gave him a hard time Tuesday - these people won't be snowed.
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Braid: Most new councillors aren't taking any more bull or secrecy from administration Braid: Calgary city council went into revolt against secretive administration Tuesday; boss David Duckworth's job hangs in the balance.

New councillors are refusing to take bull from city admin. "Well, you were wrong," one said to Duckworth in a rare direct rebuke. More of that, please.
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Braid: City boss Duckworth deflects blame but shields city employees from mental stress Calgary's CAO, David Duckworth, offered mental health help to city employees as the pipeline report was about to be released.

Duckworth offered mental health help to city employees the day the report came down. Nothing like a group hug in a crisis. Column.
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Opinion: Calgary’s water crisis is a warning we must heed 'No essential service should be designed and operated this way,' says head of independent review into 2024 feeder main break.

This excellent opinion piece by the chair of Bearspaw pipe study group pulls no punches, shows what a mess we're in, scolds council for deferring action (which is the whole problem!)
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Braid: The secretive, serial bungling that gave Calgary the worst big-city water system Calgary has Canada's worst big-city water problem, thanks to decades of secretive bungling by city officials

Secrecy, incompetence, empire building - how Calgary ended up with Canada's worst big-city water system. Column.
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Braid: A devastating report shows how city managers failed to prevent water line disaster Calgary's water department knew the water line would break for two decades but failed to stop it, writes columnist Don Braid.

This is a truly devastating pipe report from a panel of experts who actually know when they're talking about. Senior managers wear the failure. Column.
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