Don Braid
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Don Braid
@donbraid.bsky.social
970 followers 1 following 290 posts
Proud MSM columnist with the Calgary Herald and Postmedia. Covering politics for 50 years and never imagined it could get this crazy.
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Why the Cord Lund coal fiasco spells trouble for Oct. 19 referendum vote. If Elections Alberta can screw this up, how will they handle about a million people voting on 10 questions each? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #abgov #yyc #yeg
Braid: Corb Lund fiasco signals trouble for Oct. 19 referendum blitz
Elections Alberta appears to be in big trouble and may fail when Oct. 19 referendums votes are being cast and counted.
calgaryherald.com
July 10, 2026 at 11:22 PM
UCP conflict and insults to First Nations mar one of Stampede's greatest traditions. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... @calgarystampede #yyc #yeg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: UCP hostility with First Nations mars old Stampede tradition
The UCP government is locked in bitter dispute with Alberta First Nations on the eve of Calgary Stampede, which honours harmony.
calgaryherald.com
June 29, 2026 at 11:00 PM
UCP upheaval in AISH system leads to a suicide. It's one tragic story that unveils a world of fear and pain. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #canpoli
Braid: Life on AISH is hard. Now the UCP government makes it worse
The UCP government's handling of AISH changes make life worse for people already suffering. Maybe it even ends life.
calgaryherald.com
June 16, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Separatism founders on the rocky shores of reality. New poll shows support down 10 per cent since January. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #bpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #yeg #yyc
Braid: Poll shows separatist support is falling fast as reality sets in and vote approaches
Polls show Alberta separatist waning, while Smith's government starts to lose steam as well
calgaryherald.com
June 6, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Dead man's bluff. Thousands of Albertans are eligible for Alberta health care beyond the grave. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #canpoli
Braid: The latest health card news: How to fill a prescription when dead
Alberta has 500,000 active health-care numbers for people dead and or gone, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
June 4, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Smith's struggle to wrest the UCP away from separatists has finally begun. Ministers, MLAs, firing off messages urging people to join up and oust the intruders. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Smith finally begins the struggle to win UCP back from the separatists
Premier Danielle Smith finally makes her call. She won't bow to the separatists claiming control of her party.
calgaryherald.com
May 28, 2026 at 10:22 PM
The Prime Minister waves the Clarity Act over Smith's 'dangerous bluff', Could yet another question be ruled out of order? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Prime Minister Carney waves the Clarity Act over Smith's 'dangerous bluff'
Prime Minister Mark Carney unloaded on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's "dangerous bluff" and threatens Clarity Act review.
calgaryherald.com
May 25, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Strong pro-Canada speech from Smith - but she drops a weird, unworkable referendum question. This drama may never end. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #canpoli
Braid: Amid strong pro-Canada speech, Smith drops a goofy, unworkable referendum question
Premier Danielle Smith has come up with an Alberta separation referendum that is long, confusing, contradictory and probably unworkable.
calgaryherald.com
May 22, 2026 at 1:08 AM
UPDATED: Still catching this column up to one of the craziest recent days in Alberta politics, and that's saying a lot. Everything from cabinet resignations to a comms blooper that's now a national joke.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #canpoli
Braid: Two ministers quit, Smith will talk referendum on TV, legislature committee erupts
Two Smith minister quit as Smith prepares to go on TV and talk referendum question. Legislature committee erupts when UCP issues release
calgaryherald.com
May 20, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Lukaszuk's pro-Canada question may get the referendum nod Wednesday. But he and UCP are brawling over what it means. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #canpoli
Braid: UCP may OK Lukaszuk's referendum question, amid dispute over what it means
Prremier Danielle Smith and the UCP will almost certainly approve Thomas Lukaszuk's pro-Canada referendum question.
calgaryherald.com
May 19, 2026 at 9:54 PM
As separatist leaders bumble, Smith hopes deal with Ottawa will make them irrelevant. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #yyc #yeg #carney
Braid: As separatist leaders bumble, Smith hopes Ottawa deal will make them irrelevant
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's Ottawa deal is about meet the crucial tests of public approval, writes columnist Don Braid.
calgaryherald.com
May 12, 2026 at 11:21 PM
As data scandal escalates, separatists plan to flood UCP with new members. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-s... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Smith deflects as separatists plan to take over the UCP government
Premier Danielle Smith is deflecting from the increasingly tight ties between separatist and her party and government.
calgaryherald.com
May 7, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Ottawa finally wakes up to separatist daydream. They wouldn't make it easy. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #canpoli #carney #yyc #yeg
Braid: Ottawa finally wakes up to separatist dream of easy exit from Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney finally throws some cold water on separatist dream. There will be more to come.
calgaryherald.com
May 6, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Put extremist separatism and UCP disregard for regulators together and what do you get? A massive data breach that affects millions. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #bleg #abpoli #cdnoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Extremism and UCP laxity collide in a massive data threat to millions
The separatist extremists committed a huge data leak and lax government rules allowed it to stay public.
calgaryherald.com
May 4, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The biggest data leak ever? Personal data of millions of Albertan voters allegedly leaked for separatist campaign. Column. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yeg #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Private data of millions of Albertans allegedly leaked for separatist campaign
Elections Albertas comes down hard of a data breach involving millions of Albertan, apparently by a separatist campaign
calgaryherald.com
May 1, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Calgary has needed a major downtown police station for nearly a decade. Farkas vows to get one up and running, starting by year-end. Previous councils couldn't care less. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yeg #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Farkas says downtown crime keeps business away; new police station is vital
Braid: Mayor Jeromy Farkas pitched a new downtown police station to stem crime that's keeping business away.
calgaryherald.com
April 27, 2026 at 11:23 PM
How did the drawing of riding maps fall into the hands of UCP politicians? It's a strange story. Column.
calgaryherald.com/news/braid-h... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: How drawing the maps of Alberta ridings fell into the hands of the UCP majority
A judges words were hand-picked to give Alberta UCP control over riding boundaries in Alberta.
calgaryherald.com
April 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM
With separatists tied up in court, Smith now favors Lukaszuk's pro-Canada question for the Oct. 19 referendum on independence. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Pro-Canada question could get the nod in upcoming referendum on Alberta's future
Premier Danielle Smith says the Foreever Canadian pro-Canada question may be the one accepted for the Oct. 19 referendum on Alberta's future
calgaryherald.com
April 23, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Mayor Farkas is getting results for Calgary. He does it by focussing on problems, not scoring political points. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #yyc #yyccc #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: Mayor Farkas gets the goods for Calgary by focusing on problems, not politics
Mayor Jeromy Farkas gets along well with other leaders, provincial and federal, because he focuses on the city's problems, not politics.
calgaryherald.com
April 22, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Is the UCP rigging the voting system? Their actions say no - they didn't endorse hybrid ridings - but suspicion is the only sensible response.. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abgov #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: UCP gives itself suspicious power on riding boundaries, but may avoid the worst result
The UCP wants to redraw riding boundaries but may avoid the worst result, a flood of hybrid rural-urban seats.
calgaryherald.com
April 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Justin Trudeau's dazzling life and the wreckage he left behind - i.e. $1 trillion in lost investment. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Justin Trudeau's dazzling life and the wreckage he left behind
The delusions of the Justin Trudeau era cost Canada $1 trillion in investment. And he parties on.
calgaryherald.com
April 15, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Three byelection losses, four defections, a majority across the aisle, built by his own former MPs. How long can Pierre Poilievre last? Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg #Poilievre
Braid: Three byelection losses and a majority across the aisle; more hits to Poilievre's leadership
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces more leadership questions after three byelection losses, floor-crossings, Liberal majority
calgaryherald.com
April 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Need a blood test or CT scan? The UCP has a new pay- as-you-go scheme. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abhealth #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: The UCP unveils a new private-pay scheme for blood work, ultrasound and other tests
The Alberta UCP has a new plan to create private clinics where Albertans would pay for lab tests, X-ray and ultrasound, without a doc's RX.
calgaryherald.com
April 13, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The rezoning bylaw is a goner, although by law it's still in effect until August. Mayor Farkas has kept big promises (except ditching senior city staff). Interview with the mayor. calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #yyc #yyccc #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli
Braid: The blanket rezoning bylaw is finally gone. Few will mourn its passing
Braid: Mayor Jeromy Farkas keeps another campaign promise with the zoning bylaw repeal — probably the strongest start of a mayor in decades.
calgaryherald.com
April 9, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Another Conservative MP bolts to Liberals. Majority is assured by Monday night. Column.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #yyc #yeg
Braid: Another Conservative MP crosses; Liberals will have their majority Monday
Braid: Sarnia Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu's floor-crossing places the Liberals on the verge of a majority. More expected are soon.
calgaryherald.com
April 8, 2026 at 10:56 PM