Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean

@mitchellab.bsky.social

4199 Followers 1707 Following

Informed opinion columnist. Acerbic UofC Alum, Schrodinger’s politics; may piss everyone off at some point. WomenOfABpoli on Substack. Biased against false statements & equivalencies. Canadian-Albertan political commentator.

Excerpt from article: The muddy wording means voters will choose a preferred option rather than vote yes or no. The second option – which would spur the provincial government to do the legal legwork necessary to hold a second, binding independence referendum – would not provide immediate relief for separatists itching for Alberta to leave the Canadian fold.
Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada? stunned cunt.
Screenshot of j.bjr on threads Conservative votes University Rosedale: 2025- 14,624 2026- 3,555 Scarborough Southwest 2025- 16,652 2026- 5,300 Terrebonne 2025- 10,961 2026- 1,478 Total votes 2025- 42,237 2026- 10,333 (-75%)
Apples. Many apples.
From Jason Kenney on X: “Lots of weird takes on the Hungarian election result from both left and right here. Peter Magyar is a socially conservative immigration restrictionist who wants to cut taxes and double the defence budget. He criticized Orban for admitting too many guest workers, and wants to increase Hungary's already generous pro-natal incentives. On virtually every issue, his platform is well to the right of centre, by European standards. His foreign policy is to end Orban's alliance with Putin, remove the Hungarian veto on EU loans to Ukraine, normalize relations with the European Union while opposing more Euro integration, and strengthen relations with Eastern Europe's anti-Russian governments, e.g. Poland. His election was not a sudden shift to the left, but a rejection of Orban's corruption, the failure of his interventionist / statist economic policies, and the humiliation of his relationship with Putin.” https://x.com/jkenney/status/2043457028463763456?s=46
16: so I wasn’t sure what this was and I asked chatGPT and it basically told me what I thought Me: but ChatGPT can lie 16: no but I already thought it Me: so you partook in confirmation bias! 16: no… it’s better than Reddit where people are like “this is what it is” when no it absolutely isn’t Me: well, that’s when you say exactly that and see where it goes 16: this is how you treat the internet isn’t it? Me: yes, yes it is.
Scam text: “Government of Alberta - Official Registry Communication: Notice of Parking Penalty: Our records show an outstanding vehicle infraction occurring on April 2, 2026. This penalty must be addressed immediately. Mandatory Final Action: Please choose from the resolution options by April 10, 2026. Without action, the file will be escalated for legal processing. Link to Resolve Now: https://edmonton.org-flx.cc/ca-redelivery-authentication?var=UpLOcAjkKm Unpaid parking violations incur further fees and referral to the Alberta Ministry of Transportation for plate denial. No registry services for plates or permits will be provided until the balance is resolved.”
Tweet from Alberta “Republican” Party leader Cam Davies, over Danielle Smith mocking the opposition over the GoldSmith (“golden” cat she was gifted from a Saudi Prince) allegations in Question Period today: “If this is the reaction about undisclosed gifts from the Saudis, imagine the theater over a safari in the desert with Sam Mraiche that the Premier took time to do with an “acquaintance”. Imagine that.”
Screenshot from Polymarket on X BREAKING: The probability that a Canadian province will schedule a referendum to leave Canada by the end of the year continues to rise, as the independence movement in Alberta gains momentum. Graph shows 55% chance
It’s a photo of an article that spans at least half a full-length newspaper page that I clipped from someone on X. The headline reads: Still hoping to be PM, the Canadian who united the right (and lost his seat). I apologize but I am not rewriting it in its entirety.
Juneau continued: “Some criticize Carney's lack of opposition to the US attack on Iran by asking "is this the world we want to live in?". The problem is that this is the world we live in. You can lament it as much as you want but Canada can't do much about it. It can only adapt
From Thomas Juneau; UOttawa Prof GSIA, Middle East (Iran, Yemen), security and defence, former dept of national defence analyst: “You misunderstood parts of Carney's Davos speech. It was a call to realism and to put Canada's more narrowly defined interests ahead of universalist principles (which we have too often failed to do in the past). Deal with the world as it is, not as you wished it were.”
From Global News National reporter Mackenzie Gray “Interesting additional points from Carney on Iran - Said it was on Iran to try and deescalate the situation - He had multiple conversations with Trump about Iran over the past weeks - Ruled out any Canadian military involvement #cdnpoli”
From Thomas Juneau, professor at University of Ottawa Graduate Studies in International Affairs, focus on Middle East (Iran, Yemen), security and defence. Former dept national defence analyst: “US allies - Europe, Canada, Australia, others - are in a difficult position: -all of them oppose the Islamic Republic -of course there is no legal justification for this war, and they fear the instability that will inevitably come -all of them will take positions primarily based on the management of their difficult relations with Trump - much more than based on Iran. This is the calculus that matters. -what they fear more is angering Trump, and damaging already embattled relations with the US, and this is what matters at this point. -so expect broad support for the war, somewhere betweeen vague word salad and somewhat assertive, more overt support. But no opposition.”
From Andrew Friesen @friesen_f on X 🚨Breaking🚨 33% of Judges Danielle Smith has appointed as Judges/Justices of the Peace have made political donations, 100% of those have been to Conservatives 18% of Judges Trudeau had appointed made political donations, of those 76% were to Liberals Score: Trudeaus appointments include 14% potentially partisan Judges Smiths record is 33% #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Tweet from Pierre Poilievre, who is now the MP for Battle River-Crowfoot in Alberta after he lost his seat in Carleton (ON) after representing the riding for 20 years: “Mark Carney is trying to seize a costly Liberal majority government that Canadians voted against in the last election through dirty backroom deals. Matt Jeneroux has betrayed the people of Edmonton Riverbend who voted for affordable food and homes, safe streets, and a strong resource sector. Conservatives will continue our fight for a Canada that's affordable, safe, and self-reliant.” Response from Rick Perkins, former CPC MP who lost his seat in 2025: “I am sure he consulted his constituents in Edmonton widely from his home in Victoria. Formally I think MPs should at least live in the province if not the community they represent.” 🤣
A photo of a “brick” of flour, wrapped in plastic and tape, on a cutting board with a knife, after it’s been sliced open. The caption reads: Making dinner tonight: Me: oh, are we out of flour? 14: how much do you need? Me: huh? Like a handful... 14: I could probably spare that. Me: why are you stockpiling flour?! 14:
2023 election totals; NDP @ 777,404 v UCP 928, 905
ChatGPT generated caricature with little Easter eggs! A coffee mug that says “I love politics” on my desk. Buttons, including one that says “vote!” Also on the desk is a bunch of papers that say “campaign plan”, and there’s a pen in one hand and a clipboard, with perhaps a to-do list in the other. A little cowgirl is waving from behind the coffee mug, and in the background, a little candidate with a sign. Also on my desk is a microphone and sign that says “on air”. On the wall, some signs made it in; Danielle Smith, Naheed Nenshi, Clinton/Kane, Rachel (Notley), and Jyoti Gondek. Underneath Jyoti’s it added a window and the Calgary tower appears (no I cannot see it from the town I live in 😏). It’s AI so there’s some interesting muck ups. The coffee mug has handles on both sides and I have no idea what’s wound it’s way through one of them. There’s a button with a yellow star on a red and blue background that definitely gives a “PRC” feel. The sign, which is orange, in the little candidate’s hands has reads “Vote DRP”. On the Danielle Smith sign, there’s a woman with brown hair, smiling and waving, and her sign reads “Brooks Medicine Hot” instead of Brooks Medicine Hat. Overall, I think it’s fabulous 😏
Screenshot from Rob Breakenridge on X “Convenient pivot from Mr. Rath: "....To explore the benefits of either Alberta becoming an independent sovereign nation with economic union to the United States, becoming a U.S. territory, or pursuing full statehood."
At 5:24 AM on X Covie wrote: so if Macron doesn’t pay trump $1 billion to sit on his board of peace with war criminals and dictators then trump is going to make Americans pay more for wine and champagne??? Quoting post from the spectator index: BREAKING: Trump says that if Macron is “hostile” to Board of Peace invitation, he will impose 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes.
Tweet from Michael Knowles reads: If I were Canada, I’d be on my best behavior right about now… Quote tweet from J Hunter @mrjoker604 reads: why? Is your president going to mistake us for a 13 year old girl?
That's why we started our complexity task force. When we got the task force results back, we realized that there were certain decisions that you just couldn't make at the bargaining table.
I've been deeply involved in this issue for almost 6 years now. I know it intimately and I've heard all the arguments. I'm convinced it's a corrupt and crooked deal that will adversely affect our water, economically makes zero sense and is going to leave a billion dollar mess for the taxpayer to clean up once the foreign companies go home. Once the first couple mines go in, it'll expand from there and we'll never be rid of them. This is the goal line stand. We need to stop Grassy Mountain. Do it for Lougheed. We want to greatly exceed the 178,000 signatures we need for this so we can send the government a strong message. For that we're need TONS of canvassers. Go to CoalPetition.ca give us your email and tell 50 friends to do the same. When approved we'll give you info on how to sign the petition, how to get officially signed up as a canvasser and how to donate to help pay for this thing. Feels good to finally have something concrete to say when people ask me how they can help since writing your MLA obviously doesn't help much. Thanks for the massive outpouring of support so far in these early stages. We're gonna kill this thing but we need everyone's help. Now's the time. Do it for Lougheed. www.CoalPetition.ca
Email from the Alberta Party: We’re official! The Progressive Tory Party of Alberta Friend-- Great news! Today, we received approval from Elections Alberta. We are officially launching the Progressive Tory Party of Alberta, and with it a renewed, progressive conservative choice for Albertans who believe in responsible leadership and a better future for our province.
Excerpt from the article: He said senior officials should be asking themselves, “What is worse, the public learning how badly coal mining in Alberta has been harming downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems, or the public learning how badly coal mining in Alberta has been harming downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems and that we’ve returned to muzzling our scientists in an attempt to cover it up while the government tries to convince Albertans that coal mining is environmentally benign?”
R-L: Me, Dr. Stuebing, and “Megan 4.0”
Button that says “I ❤️ THE P IN PC Alberta” along side an Alberta Party pin.
My sweater
Copy of ASG contract from the Breakdown in February. The group used to get $27,000,000 per year.
From the 2025 Throne Speech: The U.S. worldwide imposition of tariffs, world conflicts and intentional increases in OPEC production have significantly depressed the price of oil, resulting in a loss of billions in royalty revenues and a significant budget deficit after several years of large surpluses. Albertans are well aware of the effects of both high and low oil prices and inherently understand there is no need to panic or overreact. This isn’t Alberta’s first oil price rollercoaster, after all. The vast majority of Albertans do not want deep and disruptive cuts. Nor do they want declarations of economic emergency used as a pretext for a proliferation of government programs and spending. They want calm, steady and smart fiscal leadership until the dip in energy prices inevitably passes, as it always does.
Text from my daughter “So doctor recommended I get the RSV vaccine to protect the babies since they’ll likely come early and it’s not covered by Alberta Health Which is crazy, it’s $240”
Screencap of excerpt: Our analysis of the AESO project queue shows that 21 counties could potentially gain more than $76 million annually from projects currently in development — if they proceed. Seven of those counties would host renewable projects for the first time, opening entirely new revenue streams for them. The $70 million that municipalities are collecting this year? That represents decisions made five, six and seven years ago. The decisions being made today — or, more accurately, not being made — will determine whether rural Alberta municipalities collect $70 million five years from now or $150 million.
Alberta licence plate mock up: TRANSKIDSMATTER
Me in my Four Seasons Landscaping t-shirt on US election night in 2024. As a Canadian politico, there are very few places I can wear it that people get the joke; but when the timing is just right, it slays.
Industrial emissions cap scrapped Industrial price becomes core of plan 2050 net-zero target
Excerpt that made me lol “Mr. Ford said the Prime Minister “text messaged me a few things” since Monday. Asked whether Mr. Carney is happy with him, Mr. Ford said, “He’s happy. Why wouldn’t he be happy? We’re his closest friend and ally, just like the U.S.”
Screenshot of the page that will, maybe (who knows) show the text of Bill 2. For now, it simply says the Bill is not available online despite passing first reading.
Snack food. Four cans of Pepsi chips, Halloween chocolates and cheezies.
Screenshot from Twitter. Blue check guy, quoting a screen cap of the late NDP Premier of B.C., John Horgan, smiling, presumably pleased to be shipping coal to China: Most Canadians know the reality that pipelines are essential. BC seems to have no problem shipping dirty coal to China, WHY? Me: probably because if the sinks, the coal does too…
Probably an AI photo of the interior of a giant home featuring the soulless modern two-story great room/kitchen combo (which is an affront to all that is charming and warm about having an actual kitchen). Posted by a logically-inept person running an account called “Tiny houses”.
I don’t think I’ll prioritize Alberta at this point either. Somehow its the dumber version of what I’ve currently got
Being ready is a myth. You start. You suck. You figure it out. You get better.
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