Valerie Freeland
@valeriefreeland.bsky.social
Senior Policy Analyst, author of Power, Patronage and International Norms: A Grand Masquerade
First, I wonder where this concern was when half the girls I knew were starving the trauma out of our bodies in the 90s. Second, nothing will change until men become willing to blame global capitalism instead of women's bodily autonomy (the lack of which is why our mental health has NEVER been OK).
💙 Young men's mental health is declining in Canada. CBC examines rising anxiety, gambling, isolation, a lack of mentorship and the manosphere's influence on boys searching for belonging.
How do we give young men healthier communities and role models before harmful spaces fill the void?
How do we give young men healthier communities and role models before harmful spaces fill the void?
October 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
First, I wonder where this concern was when half the girls I knew were starving the trauma out of our bodies in the 90s. Second, nothing will change until men become willing to blame global capitalism instead of women's bodily autonomy (the lack of which is why our mental health has NEVER been OK).
An inquiry would be necessary even if the impacts were unforeseen. But we know both governments had FULL knowledge that these laws would cause kids' deaths. They knew. This was not just predicted, it was planned.
Advocates plea for feds to call inquiry into Alberta, Sask. trans laws | Globalnews.ca
LGBTQ+ advocates say members of Parliament need to hear from those impacted by these laws, adding that some have taken their own lives since the policies were enacted.
globalnews.ca
September 29, 2026 at 4:59 PM
An inquiry would be necessary even if the impacts were unforeseen. But we know both governments had FULL knowledge that these laws would cause kids' deaths. They knew. This was not just predicted, it was planned.
Don't forget "If THAT counted as assault, half the men I know would be guilty!" It's an anomaly of physics that someone can simultaneously be so close to, yet so far from, the point.
One of the responses I hear a lot is "I don't know any women who have been assaulted." You do, but you have shown yourself as an unsafe person to talk to about it.
I literally don’t know a single woman who hasn’t been raped, stalked, groped, harassed, or sexually violated in some way at some point in their life.
If you choose to doubt and dox survivors, just know every woman in your life is disgusted by you.
If you choose to doubt and dox survivors, just know every woman in your life is disgusted by you.
September 29, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Don't forget "If THAT counted as assault, half the men I know would be guilty!" It's an anomaly of physics that someone can simultaneously be so close to, yet so far from, the point.
Data or it didn't happen, Marco.
Americans, this is what it looks like when you're being groomed to accept yet another round of war crimes being committed in your name. Happy?
Americans, this is what it looks like when you're being groomed to accept yet another round of war crimes being committed in your name. Happy?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was a foreign actor involved in the apparent plot to attack an airbase used by the United States in the UK, without providing evidence or specifying details, on Fox News network's ‘Hannity’ program. reut.rs/4AFjO1e
September 29, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Data or it didn't happen, Marco.
Americans, this is what it looks like when you're being groomed to accept yet another round of war crimes being committed in your name. Happy?
Americans, this is what it looks like when you're being groomed to accept yet another round of war crimes being committed in your name. Happy?
Love you, Charlie, but no. Canadians are as affected by rape culture as anyone, and a good portion of your audience has had Canadian loved ones side with their abuser. It's true it won't happen this time, but only because he's our enemy, and survivors - as always - are props of convenience.
A Canadian response to the convicted felon in the White House who claims that Canada will come pleading for a deal and say, "Sir, we're sorry."
That ain't ever gonna happen.
@meidascanada.ca
That ain't ever gonna happen.
@meidascanada.ca
September 29, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Love you, Charlie, but no. Canadians are as affected by rape culture as anyone, and a good portion of your audience has had Canadian loved ones side with their abuser. It's true it won't happen this time, but only because he's our enemy, and survivors - as always - are props of convenience.
Treaties matter intrinsically before all else, but Sinclair also hits on the ludicrous false choice between honouring treaties and Canadian sovereignty. The latter is built on and around the former, so it's not treaties vs security, it's treaties as a non-negotiable precondition to security.
In 1846, Britain faced an emergency influenced by the Irish famine, so leaders repealed the country’s “Corn Laws” and restrictions on imported food and grain, transitioning to a system of free trade.
Canada resorting to its tried and true playbook
Building Canada Strong Act just another way of sidestepping Indigenous rights
www.winnipegfreepress.com
September 28, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Treaties matter intrinsically before all else, but Sinclair also hits on the ludicrous false choice between honouring treaties and Canadian sovereignty. The latter is built on and around the former, so it's not treaties vs security, it's treaties as a non-negotiable precondition to security.
Reposted by Valerie Freeland
"Receiving my diagnosis didn’t change who I was, but it changed how I understood myself. Suddenly, years of seemingly unrelated symptoms made sense." www.ehlers-danlos.com/story/disa-k/ #HypermobileEDS #hEDS
I don’t want my diagnosis to be the end of my story - The Ehlers Danlos Society
If you had met me years ago, you probably would have seen someone who looked healthy, capable, and full of energy. What you wouldn’t have seen was the constant effort
www.ehlers-danlos.com
September 28, 2026 at 4:40 PM
"Receiving my diagnosis didn’t change who I was, but it changed how I understood myself. Suddenly, years of seemingly unrelated symptoms made sense." www.ehlers-danlos.com/story/disa-k/ #HypermobileEDS #hEDS
I'm usually not a fan of naming things violence that aren't literally so, but the white nationalists' choice to gather on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land of all places, presumably informed by the proximity of Truth and Reconciliation Day and the Kamloops school's significance, is a strong candidate.
Absolutely disgusting and disrespectful behavior from Second Sons Canada. When the hell are our RCMP going to stop these white nationalists from threatening Canadians?
September 28, 2026 at 2:15 PM
I'm usually not a fan of naming things violence that aren't literally so, but the white nationalists' choice to gather on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land of all places, presumably informed by the proximity of Truth and Reconciliation Day and the Kamloops school's significance, is a strong candidate.
How would you say this connects to our exchange so far?
September 25, 2026 at 5:21 PM
How would you say this connects to our exchange so far?
Uganda walking out is such a sick burn. Museveni used to want to be a US-style neoliberal authoritarian back in the regime's earliest days, but now the US is aspiring to late-stage Museveni military governance, right down to the strategically-placed regime actors just standing near polling stations.
The only European nations with any guts and morality:
Ireland and Spain.
Ireland and Spain.
September 25, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Uganda walking out is such a sick burn. Museveni used to want to be a US-style neoliberal authoritarian back in the regime's earliest days, but now the US is aspiring to late-stage Museveni military governance, right down to the strategically-placed regime actors just standing near polling stations.
It does not, in fact, "have to be this way." It is this way because the US ignored 25 years of warnings and is still passively accepting its fascist regime's actions. Either act or change your national anthem immediately.
It's a crying shame, but the government here in the U.S. is not only a threat to its neighbors, but a menace to its own people! To the fine people of Canada, keep up the resistance and remain alert. These are dangerous times we live in. I'm so sorry it has to be this way.😿
September 25, 2026 at 2:04 PM
It does not, in fact, "have to be this way." It is this way because the US ignored 25 years of warnings and is still passively accepting its fascist regime's actions. Either act or change your national anthem immediately.
As Wednesday approaches, it's worth remembering that our sovereignty and territorial integrity hinges on reconciliation. It matters most intrinsically, but it should be becoming clear that honouring treaties and honing relationships with those with intimate knowledge of specific terrains is vital.
The PM's statement that Canada is mapping out scenarios for US military violence is a game changer.
There is no pretending that things will somehow go back to normal as long as the White House believes it can threaten violence against neighbours.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/a-reminder...
There is no pretending that things will somehow go back to normal as long as the White House believes it can threaten violence against neighbours.
charlieangus.substack.com/p/a-reminder...
A REMINDER OF WHAT IS AT STAKE
Recent polls show that as many as 72% of Canadians believe that a military invasion from the United States is a real possibility.
charlieangus.substack.com
September 25, 2026 at 2:03 PM
As Wednesday approaches, it's worth remembering that our sovereignty and territorial integrity hinges on reconciliation. It matters most intrinsically, but it should be becoming clear that honouring treaties and honing relationships with those with intimate knowledge of specific terrains is vital.
"Hardness" isn't the key variable. It's not even a meaningful concept one can analyze in conflict studies. Look instead to your country's record in holding on to rugged terrain sparsely populated by a networked population that hates you and has a long, deep memory. It has never once gone your way.
September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Hardness" isn't the key variable. It's not even a meaningful concept one can analyze in conflict studies. Look instead to your country's record in holding on to rugged terrain sparsely populated by a networked population that hates you and has a long, deep memory. It has never once gone your way.
If you had any questions regarding Poilievre's competence rather than just his moral compass, here he is displaying belief that MAID leaves a patient "covered in blood," and cosigning the implication that a person's religion has any bearing on their right to consent.
What a lying traitor Poilievre is. Quoting American fake news! #cdnpoli
September 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM
If you had any questions regarding Poilievre's competence rather than just his moral compass, here he is displaying belief that MAID leaves a patient "covered in blood," and cosigning the implication that a person's religion has any bearing on their right to consent.
Our neighbours' decline into fascism steepened a quarter century ago when they were told certain rights needed to be curtailed because their country was under attack. They had historical precedents to learn from, but failed to learn.
Are we different?
Are we different?
The changes to the Canada Labour Code in this new bill are “without precedent in Canadian law and they’re without precedent even amongst our trading partners in the G7.”
“It provides the complete and unlimited discretion to the federal minister to decide who gets to go on strike and who does not.”
“It provides the complete and unlimited discretion to the federal minister to decide who gets to go on strike and who does not.”
September 22, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Our neighbours' decline into fascism steepened a quarter century ago when they were told certain rights needed to be curtailed because their country was under attack. They had historical precedents to learn from, but failed to learn.
Are we different?
Are we different?
Your profile suggests you're American. Please stop asking the world to MAKE you stop the world's most powerful country from threatening to annihilate us. You're the only ones who can do that.
Will no one rid us of this fucking nut?
Just asking for humanity.
Just asking for humanity.
September 22, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Your profile suggests you're American. Please stop asking the world to MAKE you stop the world's most powerful country from threatening to annihilate us. You're the only ones who can do that.
Love you guys, but please don't do the "what makes you feel safe" task in schools given that, statistically speaking, every class has a handful of students who are objectively unsafe at home, and perhaps everywhere else.
Which tasks from last night's Taskmaster can we use at Taskmaster Club?
We dissect episode 3 of series 22 to pick out the bits that we can use in schools.
There will be spoilers, so if you haven't seen the episode yet, go and do that immediately.
taskmastereducation.substack.com/p/using-task...
We dissect episode 3 of series 22 to pick out the bits that we can use in schools.
There will be spoilers, so if you haven't seen the episode yet, go and do that immediately.
taskmastereducation.substack.com/p/using-task...
Using tasks from Taskmaster in schools
Series 22, Episode 3
taskmastereducation.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Love you guys, but please don't do the "what makes you feel safe" task in schools given that, statistically speaking, every class has a handful of students who are objectively unsafe at home, and perhaps everywhere else.
Once the chances of a trade deal (one the regime would ever abide by) reached zero, they couldn't be harmed any further. It doesn't go lower than zero, not even in Celsius.
Could the US's bros just tell them we're seeing other people and it needs to move on?
Could the US's bros just tell them we're seeing other people and it needs to move on?
This is the same crew that are telling Canadians to come across the border and spend our money in their state.
File under fuck right off and keep going.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
File under fuck right off and keep going.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Republican senator warns Carney: Closer ties to EU hurts chance of trade deal with U.S. | CBC News
A long-serving Republican senator from a border state is warning Prime Minister Mark Carney against strengthening Canada's economic and political ties to the European Union.
www.cbc.ca
September 16, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Once the chances of a trade deal (one the regime would ever abide by) reached zero, they couldn't be harmed any further. It doesn't go lower than zero, not even in Celsius.
Could the US's bros just tell them we're seeing other people and it needs to move on?
Could the US's bros just tell them we're seeing other people and it needs to move on?
Can we stop acting like how we "got to this point" is a mystery? Many people wanted it, and the rest ignored at least 25 years of warnings. We got here the same way you get to work: on purpose, with all necessary tools of navigation and the ability to choose.
September 16, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Can we stop acting like how we "got to this point" is a mystery? Many people wanted it, and the rest ignored at least 25 years of warnings. We got here the same way you get to work: on purpose, with all necessary tools of navigation and the ability to choose.
30 years gone, never forgotten
DNB -- Sweet in the morning (1992) by Leni Wylliams
YouTube video by dancenotationbureau
www.youtube.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:39 PM
30 years gone, never forgotten
A great juxtaposition, since M7 turned neoliberal the moment he captured Kampala, whereas now, US leadership seems to see 2020s M7 as governance goals, especially in the realm of electoral manipulation and reliance on alternative means of coercion between elections.
PODCAST: America remembers 9/11, Vance and Uganda’s succession drama reut.rs/4yuoapQ
PODCAST: America remembers 9/11, Vance and Uganda’s succession drama
America marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
reut.rs
September 11, 2026 at 2:15 PM
A great juxtaposition, since M7 turned neoliberal the moment he captured Kampala, whereas now, US leadership seems to see 2020s M7 as governance goals, especially in the realm of electoral manipulation and reliance on alternative means of coercion between elections.
Diplomatic as usual (no relation, apparently). But I wouldn't say most of us are *wondering* if the US can be trusted in our lifetimes. We've pretty much come to a conclusion, and we got there a couple of years ago. We will always remember Americans could wake up in a mood and threaten to kill us.
Chrystia Freeland gives the US a reality check:
"President Trump was elected not once, but twice, and that is causing a lot of Canadians to wonder if the United States can ever be trusted again." #cdnpoli
"President Trump was elected not once, but twice, and that is causing a lot of Canadians to wonder if the United States can ever be trusted again." #cdnpoli
September 10, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Diplomatic as usual (no relation, apparently). But I wouldn't say most of us are *wondering* if the US can be trusted in our lifetimes. We've pretty much come to a conclusion, and we got there a couple of years ago. We will always remember Americans could wake up in a mood and threaten to kill us.
Sorry everyone, I wished on the monkey's paw that old-school Burkean conservatism would return, but forgot to ask for it to replace proto-fascism and be a third voice to true liberalism and strong socialism, both with climate literacy, so this is what we got.
New piece out in The Walrus, taking a look at how Carneyian conservatism is reshaping politics and policy in Canada. thewalrus.ca/canadas-most...
Canada’s Most Popular Conservative Is Mark Carney | The Walrus
His economic agenda has scrambled the political map. The question is how long it can last
thewalrus.ca
September 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Sorry everyone, I wished on the monkey's paw that old-school Burkean conservatism would return, but forgot to ask for it to replace proto-fascism and be a third voice to true liberalism and strong socialism, both with climate literacy, so this is what we got.
As a country, we have not earned the grace of being shown the way forward by those we've colonized and oppressed. But it's on offer nonetheless, and not just in Alberta. It would not merely be cruel not to accept the challenge, it would be idiotic in the extreme.
In a province where too many people are trying to divide us, Saddle Lake is showing us another path: one rooted in compassion, community and the belief that every person deserves to be seen, supported and loved.
(2/2)
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
(2/2)
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
Saddle Lake Cree Nation asserts treaty rights over access to gender-affirming care
Saddle Lake takes steps to establish safe haven for gender-affirming care on reserved lands,
invoking Treaty No. 6 'Medicine Chest' clause.
edmontonjournal.com
September 10, 2026 at 1:48 PM
As a country, we have not earned the grace of being shown the way forward by those we've colonized and oppressed. But it's on offer nonetheless, and not just in Alberta. It would not merely be cruel not to accept the challenge, it would be idiotic in the extreme.
This was left on my windshield this fine morning, and I have not yet recovered. Why are they always so close to realizing global capitalism does this all in front of our faces, but still so far, generating some elaborate schemes pushing it back into the shadows? Also, what?
September 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
This was left on my windshield this fine morning, and I have not yet recovered. Why are they always so close to realizing global capitalism does this all in front of our faces, but still so far, generating some elaborate schemes pushing it back into the shadows? Also, what?