Erin raises serious concerns about the resource demands of data centres, particularly regarding water and energy. I note that Alberta’s oil sands already consumed 260 billion liters of fresh water in a single year, and that adding AI data centre power demands could increase water usage by 12 times. I draw a parallel to Corpus Christi, Texas, which is facing water bankruptcy due to AI data centres, LNG facilities, and petrochemical plants. I also warn that data centres (correction) require diesel backup storage for natural gas turbines at a time when refined fuel supplies are under strain globally.

I go further than what the Texas Governor has done—halting all new AI data centre permits—by calling for a complete halt to AI data centre construction and operation across North America, framing it as a choice between essential resources like food, water, and healthcare versus information systems she sees as providing no societal value. I reference a CNN report about an AI hallucination that allegedly nearly caused a major international military incident with China as evidence of AI’s dangers. I urge political leaders to consult the oil and gas industry to understand what is at stake, arguing that informed decisions must be made urgently.

The interview closes with my expressing appreciation for the Texas Governor’s decision to pause data centre permits, acknowledging it as an example of political courage needed from leaders facing these limits. I emphasize that the most urgent priority should be centering the economy on water restoration and halting all hyperscale AI data centre construction and activities, immediately.

Thank you for your time, Erin.

Check out my latest conversation with on Meidas Canada regarding diesel shortages

In place of the earlier holistic screener system, the government introduced mandatory literacy and numeracy screeners that both teachers argue are developmentally inappropriate, anxiety-inducing, and produce no meaningful data or corresponding support. Lindsay describes the current screeners as something no teacher asked for, and notes that even the expert credited with designing them bases his university courses on “screening and intervention,” not screening alone. Weber Academy, a high-tuition private school, publicly stated the government screeners were “far too basic” and provided “no meaningful or valuable feedback,” and that administering them would come at the school’s own expense. Administering the screeners requires one-on-one time, substitute teacher coverage, and additional planning burdens that fall entirely on already overstretched teachers, with any resulting intervention also placed on teachers’ shoulders rather than dedicated support staff.

The conversation also explores the political and ideological influences shaping these education policies. Tania identifies a Christian think tank called Cardus that has sent policy memos directly to Minister Nicolaides, with at least three policy directions being implemented by the government in near-verbatim alignment with those memos. One such memo, sent before the teacher strike, outlined strategies for the government to manage a prolonged strike, including paying parents directly from savings on teacher salaries and encouraging movement into charter, independent, or homeschool settings. Both teachers emphasize that the government locked teachers out three days after the strike began rather than using the notwithstanding clause immediately, which they argue was a deliberate strategy to deplete the Alberta Teachers Association’s financial resources and weaken its ability to advocate for teachers.

In closing, both advocates urge parents and Albertans to stay informed, attend school council meetings, and continue supporting public education. Lindsay warns that schools are already in crisis before October, with insufficient resources, growing class complexity, and a widening gap between government rhetoric and classroom reality. Tania notes that Nicolaides has now expanded the screeners into grades four and five, even while schools lack enough hired teachers to manage their existing workloads. Both teachers stress that the future of Alberta depends on properly funded and supported public classrooms, and that the “more is more” framing used by the minister is empty without meaningful, evidence-based action.

Want to take action?

Email your Education Minister at: education.minister@gov.ab.ca. Request that he RETURN Program Unit Funding (PUF) to public school kindergarten students and CANCEL the meaningless and harmful—void of adequate intervention—pre-screening practices.

To: mark.carney@parl.gc.ca, Premier@gov.ab.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca, premier@manitoba.ca, premier@gnb.ca, premier@gov.nl.ca, premier@novascotia.ca, premier@ontario.ca, premier@gov.pe.ca, premiereministre@quebec.ca, premier@gov.sk.ca, premier@gov.nt.ca, premier@gov.nu.ca, premier@yukon.ca

I am keeping score and expecting more

I acknowledge that I live in Blackfoot Territory, that the Treaty signed in this place 149 years ago, on September 22, 1877, was by the hand of the Blackfeet people on behalf of all other Indian tribes. An agreement to live in mutual respect with one another and the Earth, as we are the earth and each other kin. My ability to live, work and play here relies on us allowing the sun to shine, for grasses to grow, and rivers to flow as they did before settlers, like my European ancestors, began occupying this land to the edge of planetary breakdown. Twenty years of my life were dedicated to extracting oil and gas resources without appreciating the mounting environmental liabilities I contributed to while leaders, like you, whom I revered, knew better. My lifework is now dedicated to repairing the broken agreements of my ancestors, perpetuated by corporate and elected leaders. My aim is to build public support for Land Back through polluter pay, inherent rights, and climate reparations via industrial site rehabilitation and restoration. What exactly are you doing?

Where we are at instead, under your watch

The world is on the edge of international trade breakdown. The illegal war on Iran of which Canada did not stand in the way of has led to a worldwide shortage of: diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, fertilizers, guidance systems and more. The cream of the oil crop—in terms of refined product readiness—has been deleted from the global trade system. The result is the depletion of US and worldwide physical reserves in each of these areas.

Former CIA analyst and US State Department of Counterterrorism agent, wrote last week:

Alberta cannot make up the shortfall

No tax breaks, pipelines, or environmental deregulation can make Alberta’s remaining oil sands reserves extractable in time to make up for the shortfall reality today. The highly integrated Canada-US West Texas intermediate system is on the verge of collapse. As Cushing Oklahoma runs on fumes, Alberta is set to reduce our export volumes to the USA by 300,000 barrels per day or by 8% for the month of October for scheduled maintenance. The Alberta Tribute notes, “American refiners are not exposed because Alberta chose to make them exposed. They are exposed because the two systems were built to run on each other, and there is no quick substitute for that when supply gets tight, even for a few weeks.”

Instead of facing reality, AI surveillance (and environmental destruction) is the keystone of Canada’s present and future economy

Massive deployment and reallocation of resources decisions are required here and around the world in the agriculture, food, water, electric transport, power and heating systems due to the loss of more than 25% of the world’s industrial system. Instead, Canada is: playing pretend with the European Union by selling off our public assets to the billionaire class which led us here and centering our economy around AI surveillance systems, which is as far from intelligence as possible. All evidence demonstrates the certainty of environmental catastrophes and nefarious actors behind AI data centres, including our precious Alberta oil and gas industry leaders. Leaked documents and Premier Smith own legislative address explain that the purpose of these data centres is to expand the natural gas system in Alberta, not for keeping up with China. China, who nearly had a ship attacked in June due to bad US AI military intelligence.

Where will the diesel to power AI data centres come from?

Beyond creating a natural gas market—rather than holding the industry accountable for cleaning up and reclaiming inactive gas sites, as required by law—I’ve been focused on the untold water story of AI data centres; how the evidence demonstrates that the gas-nuclear-or-coal-fired power consumption related to these data centres amounts to twelve times their water use claims. It wasn’t until this week when albertadatacentrewatch.ca outlined the one million liter onsite diesel storage required for Meta’s Sturgeon County facility alone that it occurred to me: the limiting factor for any AI data centre development is diesel. What food, medicine, or water will NOT be delivered to communities because tens-of-million liters of diesel are being dedicated to AI surveillance centres—for natural gas consumption—instead?

Your courage and voice is needed

This is me sounding the alarm: your AI and fossil fuel expansion plans, via military aggressions, are failing and will continue to fail. Alberta Government advertisements blaming immigrants or the constitution for policy failures, and US websites created to feed AI algorithm results promoting a binding referendum on separatism are not strategies that will succeed in staving off the world trade system collapse now accelerating. Using our money to lie to us—to expand this highly vulnerable fossil system further, relinquishing any environmental safeguards and polluter pay regulations required to address the largest ongoing environmental catastrophe in the world—will merely result in your being even more clearly to blame for its collapse with your active or passive misleading.

Are you ready to settle the score or will you let debt tear us apart?

If you allow Alberta to fall, you will officially be breaking treaty beyond repair. If you live in Saskatchewan or Manitoba, this means your freshwater system will fail as it is dependent on Alberta maintaining its quality and quantity. Using refined petroleum products for anything other than the movement of necessary goods and services is irresponsible. No one chooses to lead the rebellion, the rebellion chooses us to lead it or to fail our kin. What character will you play at this critical juncture—a rebel with a clear cause, a cause which 92% of Albertans supports (polluter pay), or a coward or traitor when you were needed most?

In solidarity,

Jenny Yeremiy, P. Geoph

The guests emphasize that the event is relevant to anyone concerned about environmental impacts, health, property values, water, and agricultural land. Jasona stresses the importance of learning the facts and understanding how to act at the municipal level, noting that project approvals involve four separate regulatory streams. Carol urges people of all skill sets to get involved and participate on the front lines, while Kayla highlights the importance of everyday conversations and sharing information to raise awareness.

The October 1st event will be held at the local legion hall in Olds, Alberta, doors open at 5 pm, with plenty of parking! Jasona notes that people from around the world are already anticipating the live stream! The event is volunteer-run and funded, with a donation option planned for attendees. I express hope that the model developed in Olds to fight data centres can be replicated elsewhere across the province.

Want to learn more?

BIG TECH, BIGGER QUESTIONS IN ALBERTA

CJSW radio in Edmonton covered the St. Alberta data centre town hall hosted by Give Voice: a grassroots organization of mostly retired women. Keepers of the Water Director, Jesse Cardinal, Olds Resident and retired Simon Fraser University Professor, Carol Edwards, and I spoke.

BRAINS PODCAST EPISODE

DATA CENTRES: Who benefits? Who pays?

Plans for new data centres in Alberta threaten water resources and energy prices, I sat down with The Climate Lens’ Steve Bentley to discuss.

The Climate Lens Episode

1. Premier Smith’s first action in office was an attempt to exert Alberta sovereignty, over Canada, but most importantly, ahead of First Nations who proceeded all of us, and have fought for their sovereign rights since time immemorial.

2. After two court ruling, a hurdle-smashing Forever Canadian petition, we are still facing a 10-question referenda most of us do not want.

3. The US has declared war against us, yet Alberta’s Premier won’t cut them off. Despite all other provinces agreeing to fight, Canada continues to capitulate to Smith.

4. Both Smith and Carney are throwing out environmental protections, climate targets, and International law in the name of AI surveillance technology and threats to national security.

5. Developers, like Sam Altman of OpenAI, are sounding the alarm that deregulation seems to be leading to self-destruction, by way of uncontrollable AI algorithm agents.

6. Fueled by and for the fossil fuel industry who is destroying itself, and our way of life with it, with our money through illegal, unprovoked wars and genocide. Blocking renewable and restoration alternatives whilst they destroy the global trade system, which feeds us, for all the world to see.

7. The referenda agenda is already underway: students are being cut off from public school and families from healthcare. Jobs are drying up, along with our freshwater table, and any logical reason to let this agenda continue.

A rebellion is urgently needed, what are you waiting for?

The conversation opens with a focus on the ongoing situation in Gaza and Palestine. Wesam Cooley, a regular on The Gravity Well, describes the conflict as a genocide now approaching its three-year mark, continuing despite a ceasefire that Israel has not respected. Recent incidents include a building collapse where a child was found alive among dead family members, and a quadcopter drone strike that killed both a paramedic and a 15-year-old boy who had gone to help him. We note that Israeli political opinion polls show near-unanimous support for the military campaign among Israelis, and that upcoming Israeli elections are unlikely to change the direction of the genocide, as no candidate campaigns on ending it.

The discussion then expands to the broader regional war, including Lebanon, the West Bank, and Iran. Wesam explains that the US launched a war against Iran in February, and that Iran has responded by using its geographical control over the Strait of Hormuz to restrict oil flows to any nation supporting the US military action. Brent Crude has surpassed one hundred dollars per barrel, and the economic damage is described as irreversible, with rationing expected in the coming months and years. Yemen’s Ansar Allah has also seized the western coast of Yemen and is positioned to besiege the Bab al-Mandeb strait, while also attacking Saudi oil infrastructure, resulting in Saudi Arabia temporarily exporting zero oil. I add that oil and gas infrastructure damaged through bombing cannot simply be restored, with replacement timelines stretching years or decades, and that the CEO of Chevron has publicly acknowledged coming shortages of diesel, jet fuel, and fertilizer.

The conversation shifts to the geopolitical position of Canada, the Alberta separatism referendum, and the US imperial decline. Wesam argues that the US, facing the collapse of its West Asian presence, is now looking to expand control over weaker targets, with Canada being especially vulnerable. The Alberta referendum is described as dangerous not because the separatism question itself may pass, but because any yes vote on the nine constitutional questions could trigger a constitutional crisis that would be used to legitimize US intervention in the province. I note there is no defined threshold for success in the referendum act, meaning the organizing faction can declare victory on any outcome. Both speakers call for mass public action, with Speaker 2 suggesting that blocking key intersections in Calgary and demanding Danielle Smith’s resignation before October could be decisive.

In closing, the speakers reflect on the Ukraine war and the broader failure of Western institutions. Wesam states that the war in Ukraine has been lost, that a peace agreement was sabotaged by Britain in 2022, and that Ukraine is now forcibly conscripting men off the streets while running short of military age men. Russia is described as warning that continued Western drone supplies being used to attack Russian civilians may make those supplying nations legitimate military targets. Both speakers argue that the root cause of these interlocking crises is a billionaire class that makes decisions insulated from their consequences, and that meaningful change requires collective organization and the removal of that class from power. China is held up as a counterexample of a society providing affordable goods and a collectivist future, with Wesam arguing Canada should be seeking deeper ties with Beijing rather than Europe or Washington.

I prefer a future for the collective than a military state, may the force be with you if you agree.

The discussion then broadens to the role of big tech in serving state interests, including Google Maps renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” at Trump’s informal request and Zuckerberg gutting Meta’s fact-checking apparatus upon Trump’s return to office. Appel connects this to the Alberta referendum, arguing that the immigration questions underpinning it are built on fiction and that the broader separatist movement is fundamentally about liberating the oil and gas industry from federal constraints. He traces this narrative back to Jason Kenney, who amplified Alberta grievance politics around equalization payments and pension contributions, framing federal structures as conspiring against the province despite Alberta being among the wealthiest provinces per capita. Appel argues that Danielle Smith has taken this further, fusing state power with corporate interests in a manner he describes as more authoritarian than the neoliberalism practiced by Kenney.

Our conversation turns to the political landscape ahead of the referendum, with both speakers expressing frustration at the Alberta NDP’s strategic approach of targeting an imagined suburban Calgary swing voter rather than articulating a bold alternative vision. The host shares her own experience running as an independent candidate after Notley refused to discuss a just transition before the election, and argues that the NDP cannot win by trying to out-promise the UCP on oil and gas. Appel notes that Smith is skilled at framing hard-right positions, including restrictions on immigrant access to healthcare and schooling, as reasonable compromises, while the underlying claims are based on misinformation. He also raises concerns that gerrymandering of Calgary ridings may render electoral strategy discussions largely moot.

In the final portion of the conversation, Appel outlines his upcoming work, including a piece for The Walrus on the AI data centre revolt, an excerpt from his book in The Walrus, a piece in Maclean’s on Smith’s new authoritarianism, and a Globe and Mail op-ed arguing that Smith is not a separatist but that the truth is actually worse. The host reflects on the broader stakes facing Alberta, arguing that the province is being distracted by the referendum spectacle while facing genuine existential challenges around water, ecological collapse, and economic transition away from fossil fuels. Both speakers express admiration for federal NDP leader Avi Lewis as a rare political figure willing to speak honestly about these issues. The conversation closes with Appel plugging his book launch in Edmonton on October 13th and a planned event in Calgary in early November.

If you’re in the Edmonton area, get tickets for Jeremy’s book launch event here.

I describe how my career began with 12 years focused on oil and gas development, before a shift in 2013 led me to discover problems with reserve reports, including the understating of future costs and overstating of property value. This opened my eyes to environmental liabilities, and I spent the next [10] years focused on that area before being pushed out in 2022 for trying to uphold land stewardship laws. I connect this background to my opposition to AI data centres, arguing that the Alberta Government is seeking to turn wells back on production to power these facilities rather than addressing the estimated $260 billion liability issue and the underfunded Orphan Well Association.

Released today, Drew Anderson of The Narwhal reports a leaked document which outlines the Government of Alberta’s plan to create demand for Alberta oil and gas via AI data centres.

• “A leaked document obtained by The Narwhal lays out what appears to be a comprehensive set of recommendations from government staff to help the province ramp up natural gas supply to support AI data centres and increased oil and gas production — including creating a new Crown corporation and changing legislation.

• The document says “escalatory and direct measures are now required” after negotiations with TC Energy, which owns and operates Alberta’s main natural gas pipeline system, “produced no viable solutions.”

• The document points to AI data centres as a major catalyst for the proposed plan, and says that while these proposals will cost Albertans, the province risks losing investment if it can’t come up with “speed-to-market” solutions.”

Read the full article: https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-ai-data-centre-takeover-cabinet-doc/.

I call for an immediate moratorium on AI data Centre development in Alberta, arguing they provide no real value to the province and that companies such as Google, Meta, and Elon Musk’s X are misleading the public while funneling money to military and police interests. I also raise the issue of water depletion, warning that Alberta is already extracting more water than the system can sustain, and that AI data centres would accelerate that extraction toward “water bankruptcy”.

In closing, I warn that the tech industry is effectively the face of the fossil fuel industry and that the situation is existential for the province. I single out Beacon AI, noting their corporate registration is in Delaware and that PO boxes linked to them in the Cayman Islands are connected to the Epstein files, characterizing them as nefarious actors that the government should not be inviting into Alberta. I also express a personal desire to return to industry work focused on closing and restoring oil and gas sites, describing a large potential cleanup economy being held back because polluters are not paying.

Want to learn more?

BIG TECH, BIGGER QUESTIONS IN ALBERTA

CJSW radio in Edmonton covered the St. Alberta data centre town hall hosted by Give Voice: a grassroots organization of mostly retired women. Keepers of the Water Director, Jesse Cardinal, Olds Resident and retired Simon Fraser University Professor, Carol Edwards, and I spoke.

BRAINS PODCAST EPISODE

DATA CENTRES: Who benefits? Who pays?

Plans for new data centres in Alberta threaten water resources and energy prices, I sat down with The Climate Lens’ Steve Bentley to discuss.

The Climate Lens Episode

Early vote between September 8-12.

Calgary-Shaw Communities

• Shawnessey

• Somerset

• Yorkville

• Belmont

• Pine Creek

• Chaparral

• Walden

• Wolf Willow

• Legacy

Tell your Calgary-Shaw friends this is an option to send Premier Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta a strong message.

Become a member. Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Kyle Campbell, the Alberta NDP candidate for the Calgary-Shaw by-election, introduces himself as a longtime South Calgary resident who coaches his kids in basketball and baseball and works in insurance. He states clearly that he supports remaining in Canada, noting that the overwhelming majority of people in Calgary-Shaw share that view and do not understand the need for a separation referendum, particularly given its enormous cost. On the broader referendum questions, he argues that the immigration-related questions unfairly blame newcomers for the UCP government’s own financial mismanagement, and that he would not trust the UCP with any attempt to alter the Canadian constitution. He also criticizes Premier Danielle Smith for travelling to the United States during tariff negotiations and urging Canada to accept whatever terms the Trump administration offers, arguing that Canada is stronger when all provinces stand united.

VOLUNTEER WITH KYLE CAMPBELL

On the issue of AI data centres, Campbell supports the Alberta NDP’s position of pausing all new data centre implementations until proper consultation is completed, a framework is established, and clear benchmarks are set to measure whether projects are meeting Albertans’ needs. He notes that Alberta already has deep expertise in energy-intensive infrastructure and should apply that knowledge to this new sector. Regarding healthcare, Campbell shares his personal experience of being diagnosed with cancer in 2023, during which he faced a six-week wait for a basic blood draw due to the province’s privatization of blood work, and his physician had to call him from personal holidays because no one was covering her practice. He argues that meaningful healthcare improvement is achievable by consulting frontline workers, collecting their incremental suggestions, and implementing them, describing it as a listening and doing problem rather than an insurmountable one.

On public education, Campbell points out that the Calgary Board of Education has identified ten schools that need to be built within the Calgary-Shaw riding alone, and that parents returning to school found classroom conditions deeply troubling. Rising busing costs, now at $500 per child per year, are forcing families to send children out of their own communities, undermining the very reason many families move to the suburbs. He recounts conversations with parents who are homeschooling or paying for private school not out of preference but because the public system fails to support children with special needs, including those with autism. Campbell calls on the government to simply build the needed schools, hire the necessary staff, and listen to education experts, arguing the solution is straightforward.

In closing, Campbell frames the Calgary-Shaw by-election as being focused on education, healthcare, affordability, and the question of remaining in Canada. He emphasizes his belief that politicians should do what they say they will do and urges voters to participate in advanced polls running September 8 through 12, with election day on September 14. He presents the Alberta NDP as the only party with a genuine commitment to making progress on these issues and hearing everyday Albertans.

VOLUNTEER WITH KYLE HERE

Early vote between September 8-12

Monday, September 14 is the official Calgary-Shaw By-Election voting day.

We then discuss two confrontational events Mikayla attended. At a pancake breakfast, Mikayla planned to confront Danielle Smith about AISH and ADAP policy changes, and also noted the presence of Chief Warren Driechel, whom she had been seeking accountability from regarding a trip to occupied Palestine. After her friend raised issues including trans rights and AI data centres, Smith deflected with a question about social media use, prompting Mikayla to loudly challenge her for platforming separatists, resulting in the now-known “fuck your fascist pancakes” moment. Following this event, Mikayla received, and is still receiving, serious threats and was followed by separatists. At the Alberta Independence rally at the legislature, a speaker named Leyton Grey, described as an indigenous lawyer, made statements defending residential schools, and a preacher called for bringing God into the separatist movement. Mikayla interrupted the rally, called attendees traitors, and was subsequently given a 90-day ban from the legislature by provincial sheriffs, while her friend was physically roughed up and briefly handcuffed.

The discussion broadens to cover US demands on Canada, with me listing 13 proposed conditions (https://finance.biggo.com/news/934d7490-f69f-4fa3-8cec-ccecd7485b62#:~:text=According%20to%20Canadian%20media%20reports) including veto power over Canadian infrastructure decisions, right of first refusal on critical minerals at a preferred price, elimination of cultural and language protections, and the ability to sue the Canadian government. I also make reference to the Alberta Prosperity Projects “Foundation of Freedom” surrender document, which Thomas Lucaszuk suggests should be mandatory reading here:

We criticize Smith for continuing to push for an Alberta separation referendum while Canada faces these external threats, contrasting her with Quebec’s premier who refused to discuss any referendum while Canada is under such pressure. Mikayla states that Smith has collaborated with separatists, knowingly allowed them to infiltrate her party, and appears to be acting as an agent for US interests rather than representing Albertans.

Our final segment focuses on grassroots resistance and the AI data centre issue. Mikayla visited Olds, Alberta, where residents are fighting a proposed data centre that would sit across from a local home, with no adequate plan for water or noise, and where the CEO of Synapse admitted he came to Alberta for its natural resources. I raise concerns about old natural gas wells being repurposed to power data centres instead of being cleaned up through the Orphan Fund, and questions the unnecessary use of freshwater when glycol could be used instead. Both hosts conclude on a note of cautious optimism, urging Albertans to vote no in the upcoming referendum, praising growing cross-divide cooperation, and committing to door knocking and canvassing efforts through Public Interest Alberta. Mikayla closes by challenging separatists to consider what they will do when they lose the referendum, noting she has yet to receive an answer.

Become a “Together NO” volunteer with Mikayla and me: albertareferendum2026.org/volunteer/!

TAKE ACTION: meet at the Hyatt Regency (8th Avenue & Centre Street) on Wed, Sep 9 at noon.

LEARN MORE & RSVP

LEARN MORE: BIG TECH, BIGGER QUESTIONS

BRAINS PODCAST EPISODE

The Climate Lens Episode

Regarding US trade negotiations, Kyle criticizes the premier for abandoning a Team Canada approach and giving up leverage with both Ottawa and Washington. He draws a pointed contrast between the premier’s willingness to use Alberta’s resources as leverage against BC but not against the Americans, questioning where her loyalties lie. He illustrated the importance of cooperation with a story about his own grade six students, noting that fighting against others rather than negotiating guarantees no one will want to help you.

On data centres, Kyle raises concerns about the provincial government pushing the initiative through without proper community consultation or environmental review. He notes that public feedback, including at AI data centre town halls, has been overwhelmingly negative, yet the government has proceeded regardless. On education and healthcare, Kyle argues that per-student funding has fallen far behind the rest of Canada, that there are not enough schools, teachers, or education assistants, and that the healthcare system faces similar pressures. His party’s approach centres on a strategy of recruit, retain, and collaborate with frontline workers such as teachers, nurses, and doctors, emphasizing that simply hiring large numbers of new workers is ineffective if burnout drives hundreds to leave the profession shortly after.

In closing, Kyle expresses pride in having run a positive campaign and frames the Tory Party as a return to common sense, moderation, and governing for Albertans rather than for political self-interest. I express my gratitude for his participation under Pete Guthrie’s leadership, noting that the by-election and the broader issues at stake represent one of the most significant moments in Alberta’s recent history. Both Kyle and I acknowledge the courage of those willing to challenge the current UCP government, including those facing personal legal consequences for doing so.

If Calgary-Shaw votes UCP does it affirm a separatist agenda?

If you live in or near Calgary-Shaw volunteer to support Kyle and the Progressive Tories here:

Volunteer with the Tories

RSVP HERE!

Hear from this tremendous line up of speakers!

• Brad Lafortune of Public Interest Alberta

• Peter MacKay aka @petermackayteacher

• Gabby Barber Public Policy Masters Student

• Prof Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University, Department of Public Policy

• Leanne Walker aka @themaplemic aka SendPetePacking.ca

• Hassan Pirbhai aka @HassanCanadaBi

• Medeana Moussa of Support Our Students Alberta

• Nate Pike of The Breakdown AB

• Gil McGowan of the Alberta Federation of Labour

• Keira Gunn of CUPE

• Chief Troy Knowlton of the Piikani Nation

Meet & Join the Calgary Campaign Team

• Jenny Yeremiy | Campaign Lead (jenny@thegravitywell.net)

• Allison | NW Lead (yyc.sunbeam@gmail.com)

• Chasia | NE Lead (chasialloyd@gmail.com)

• Chelsea | South Lead (chelsea.loves.the.moon@gmail.com)

• Lucas | Centre Lead (lucascostello@gmail.com)

• Tobi | North Lead (tmcd243@gmail.com)

• Janel | Events Coordinator (janel.marti@yahoo.com)

RSVP & SHARE WIDELY

First, the United Conservative Party of Alberta Government will spend $130 million of your dollars for a 10-ballots-per-person, psych referendum proceeding on October 19 of this year.

Please remember to:

1. Get your special ballot here: https://specialballot.elections.ab.ca/index/8400 and

2. RSVP for Public Interest Alberta’s campaign launch in Calgary on September 1, 2026 at the Royal Canadian Legion #1 (116 7th Ave SE), doors open at 6:30 pm: https://www.albertareferendum2026.org/upcoming_events/.

Next, the UCP is due to conclude their second electoral boundary mapping exercise, promised for October 22. The boundaries they form very likely be heavily gerrymandered & unconstitutional, requiring even more taxpayer dollars to stop them through the courts. An effort remember, Albertans never asked for, since there was an Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission who was already tasked with providing new boundaries for the next election. In January, all commission members agreed upon 89 boundaries, until one member—a UCP representative—decided to issue the first-of-its-kind minority report which in turn overruled the majority report.

While this plays out, the UCP expects us to spend even more money to make Alberta’s exit official in the spring before they lose power and are unable to continue the US regime change operation. Between Hoekstra—remember to sendpetepacking.ca, if you haven’t already—and Bessant bragging about their involvement and interest in Alberta’s oil, gas, and separatist referendum, and the latest Security Watch Dog report, even Smith was forced to acknowledge who is behind the separatist agenda.

All the headlines read, “Russia-backed” accounts while the funding, faces, and objectives are fully American and of the fossil fueled kind, of this there can no longer be any doubt. Question: what have the Canadian oil and gas executives had to say about the referendum? Crickets—right?

Meanwhile in Quebec…

Parti Québécois (separatist) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announces his party will NOT explore separation until after Donald Trump leaves office because, “this unpredictability of the American administration will harm our process as well as the quality of the debate on our future as a nation.” Wouldn’t it be nice if Smith’s UCP acknowledged this existential threat, putting their fake October 19, 2026 referendum to bed? Now would be a great time to remind them of this option.

There is the option to “Let Alberta Decide” in real life

First, the Forever Canadian was “a waste of time.” Then, it was said that recallers should “wait for the next election.” Us “Water Not Coal” canvassers were told Smith “will never put the coal question to the referendum.” Now, it is “there is no way the separatists or their racist and unconstitutional agenda will succeed.” Surely this time you will do something about it—right?

Rather than humouring these 10 imaginary ballot choices, thrust upon us by the dying, US MAGA-minded empire—an empire who has occupied Alberta, and Canada for that matter, in an increasing manner, intervening in Treaty Law (#NotWithstanding) since our infancy—Albertans must definitively defend our place in Canada, condemn and strike down Smith and the UCP’s MAGA agenda either before or on October 19th! Supporting the Treaty 6, 7, 8, and 10 chiefs in the fight for freedom in real life: upholding the treaties, through mutual respect and need, once-and-for-all.

Then, and only then, should Ottawa “Let Alberta Decide” as we would truly be leading the nation in our fight for freedom from our US captures. Sovereignty is the offer, will Albertans find the courage to answer? Remind our premier she can cancel this US agenda any time she wishes.

Join Public Interest Alberta’s “Together-NO” Campaign!

Tricia outlines a “modelling chain” of distinct but linked tools: climate models provide temperature and precipitation inputs, which feed land‑surface or hydrology models that estimate bulk water supply from rain and snow before human use. Groundwater and groundwater–surface water interactions are often modelled separately because of their complexity and long timescales, while hydraulic models simulate how water moves through rivers, enabling flood forecasting and floodplain mapping that influence insurance rates. At the end of the chain, water resource management models (“worms”) incorporate human interventions such as licences, irrigation withdrawals, reservoirs, and releases to estimate post‑use water supply. These models are usually run sequentially rather than fully coupled, with each step increasing in resolution to translate global climate signals into local hydrologic and hydraulic predictions.

The discussion then turns to specific processes and uncertainties, including glaciers, groundwater, and land‑use change. Tricia notes that the contribution of glacier melt to systems like the Bow and South Saskatchewan Rivers is complex and only recently being studied in detail, with earlier climate models underestimating glacier loss because they missed feedbacks such as wildfire ash darkening ice and accelerating melt. She explains that glaciers are crucial for headwater supply and that their melt feeds both rivers and groundwater, affecting late‑summer baseflows and water temperature, which are vital for aquatic ecosystems. Land‑use changes such as logging are incorporated by dynamically updating land‑cover data from satellite imagery so hydrology models can adjust runoff responses, while other cumulative effects (like fish health) are handled by separate ecological models that use hydrologic outputs such as flow and temperature. Throughout, Tricia stresses that model choice and complexity must be “fit for purpose,” balancing computational limits and the need for timely decisions, especially for operational tasks like flood forecasting.

A major theme is the shift from traditional “standards‑based” engineering (e.g., designing for a single “1‑in‑100‑year” event) toward adaptive, risk‑based management that embraces uncertainty envelopes and integrates environmental, economic, social, and cultural risk. Tricia argues that decision‑makers must choose where within a range of possible flows to design, based on their tolerance for being wrong and the consequences for communities and infrastructure, and that this inherently political and social process cannot be automated away by AI. She calls for a federal water policy framework that centers water in governance and economic planning, asking what the “resiliency threshold” of Canada’s water supply is rather than aiming merely for “sustainability,” given that basins like the South Saskatchewan are already oversubscribed and in deficit. This includes scrutinizing new industrial developments (from oil and gas to data centres) through a water‑availability lens and recognizing water as the limiting factor in many sectors.

The conversation also highlights serious data and governance gaps. Tricia explains that many social and local water uses are poorly captured: licences are modelled at their full legal volume because actual consumptive use is not monitored, return flows from irrigation are often unmeasured, and tributary and small‑stream uses can be invisible to models.

If your body were as sliced and diced as our water system is—how do you think you would fare?

Now consider, you are ~60% water.

Seems timely to revisit Bob Morrison and I’s interview from last September with Dr. Brad Stelfox (who also appeared in The Harms of Coal Mining), a zoologist and land-use scientist who has spent over 35 years developing cumulative effects models that integrate overlapping land uses—such as roads, agriculture, oil and gas, and forestry—to show how they reshape landscapes in Alberta and beyond. His work focuses on linking social, economic, and environmental dimensions, quantifying benefits like jobs and royalties alongside impacts on natural capital, including biodiversity, soil carbon, and water quality and quantity. Stelfox argues that most models used by industry and government chase “win‑win‑win” scenarios and fail to honestly represent trade‑offs, leading to a narrative that Alberta can expand all land uses without compromising water or biodiversity—something he says has never been achieved anywhere. He points to evidence of profound losses in natural capital since Alberta became a province, with rapid ongoing degradation of water, biodiversity, and soil carbon.

In other words, Alberta and Canada need to adopt a “Less i$ more” economic model: where more land (water, air, and biodiversity) is restored rather than developed.

Brad, Bob, and I discuss how Alberta’s growing population and sharply increased per‑capita resource use have driven extensive externalization of natural capital, meaning environmental costs are left out of economic and political decision‑making.He explains that humans and land use inevitably consume water, carbon, and biodiversity, and that Alberta is no longer just drawing on “interest” from these systems but is cutting deeply into the ecological “capital.” Using native mammals as an example, he estimates that pre‑European times they made up about 99.2% of biomass, whereas today Alberta has perhaps only 4% of its pre‑European native mammal biodiversity, with most biomass now in humans, livestock, and pets. Water quality and quantity have also deteriorated, with many prairie creeks ploughed over or converted to irrigation canals and parents reluctant to let children play in creeks due to health risks, especially in southern Alberta. He characterizes Alberta’s prevailing mindset as “me here now,” focused on short‑term economic growth and local interests rather than long‑term landscape health or the well‑being of future generations.

The discussion then zooms in on southern Alberta’s landscapes and water. Stelfox describes a west‑to‑east gradient where eastern lowlands have already lost most of their biodiversity and water quality, leaving little remaining natural capital to lose, while foothills and mountains—especially the eastern slopes—are now at greatest risk. These high‑elevation areas function as “water towers,” accumulating snow and releasing critical spring flows that support fish, wildlife, and all downstream land uses, including logging, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, transportation, and residential development. He estimates that Alberta receives roughly 700–800 billion cubic meters of precipitation annually, with about three‑quarters evaporating and 130–150 billion cubic meters flowing through rivers and aquifers, forming the basis of all land uses. Yet these headwaters are being incrementally eroded by expanding acreages, roads, recreation, cattle, and especially intensive logging, which alters hydrology, increases sediment, reduces soil organics, and undermines aquifer recharge. He argues that current forestry practices diverge from best management practices on paper and are not adequately enforced, and he questions why mining, off‑highway vehicles, and riparian residential development are allowed in such critical headwater zones.

Finally, the conversation turns to policy, economics, and the difficulty of change. Stelfox notes that the Alberta Land Stewardship Act was intended to sit above other legislation and force explicit trade‑off discussions about limits on water withdrawals, timber harvests, fossil fuel extraction, livestock numbers, and even population growth, but these ideas became politically unpalatable once industry and government realized they implied constraints on economic expansion. He observes that all major land‑use sectors—forestry, energy, agriculture, transportation, residential, recreation—have experienced exponential growth yet still see their current scale as “unacceptably too small,” planning for further expansion under a growth‑driven economic model that systematically depletes natural capital. I connect biodiversity loss to Indigenous community impacts and Species At Risk (such as caribou and trout), arguing that these are indicators of ecological and ultimately human risk, and I highlight how extensive piped‑water systems around Lethbridge and Edmonton show that society is already overdrawing its “water bank account.”

A Less i$ more economy is needed, where industrial sites and access ways no longer serving us are re-naturalized for ecosystem function at scale across so-called Alberta and Canada.

You need to help Brad, Bob, and me create the political will for the polluter to finally pay.

The discussion then turns to how climate change is disrupting traditional insurance models and data, with Markham citing industry reports that centuries of actuarial data are being undermined by frequent “once in a thousand year” extreme weather events. Derek confirms that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of events, forcing insurers to rework models and reconsider whether and how to continue offering certain coverages. He explains how insurers use loss ratios, expense ratios, and combined ratios to assess profitability, and how catastrophic years push combined ratios above 100%, meaning insurers lose money. Derek outlines different insurance needs, using farmers as an example: they require property coverage, sewer backup, crop hail insurance (sometimes including wildfire), and possibly groundwater coverage, illustrating how water-related risks intersect with agriculture.

Our conversation explores practical impacts on homeowners and commercial clients, including rising premiums and coverage limitations in high-risk areas such as floodplains along Calgary’s Elbow River and hail-prone regions like Medicine Hat and Red Deer. Derek notes that brokers have become more proactive in ensuring clients have sewer backup and at least some overland water coverage, even when full flood insurance is unavailable or unaffordable, while commercial property owners are increasingly attentive to severe weather risks, though not all explicitly link them to climate change. He explains reinsurance as “insurance for insurance companies,” provided by global reinsurers who are highly attuned to climate risk and can pressure domestic insurers to limit coverage in certain geographies, contributing to higher premiums and tighter terms. Markham and Derek discuss an emerging inflection point where rising premiums (e.g., a 50% increase after hail damage) and affordability crises may finally force consumers to connect climate change with personal financial risk, potentially prompting demands for “build back better” approaches and government involvement.

In the latter part of the conversation, we broaden the lens to systemic issues: government backstopping of major events like the 2013 floods, stalled efforts to create a national flood insurance program, and the growing complexity of wildfire and cyber risks. I raise mitigation strategies such as cloud seeding in Alberta’s “hail alley” between Calgary and Red Deer, and Derek explains the use of silver iodide to reduce hail size, while noting scalability limits and possible climate-change-driven storm intensity that outpaces response capacity. They then connect water, pollution, and energy: Markham and I highlight conflicts over water use between oil and gas, agriculture, and cities under worsening drought, and Derek warns about selenium pollution from coal mines in the Oldman River system, stressing that ongoing pollution is typically excluded from commercial insurance under absolute pollution exclusions, leaving taxpayers and communities exposed. I underscore that Alberta’s regulatory framework and reduced inspection capacity mean polluter-pay principles and remediation laws are not adequately enforced, while the province continues to allow the use and pollution of roughly four million barrels of fresh water per day for oil production, raising serious questions about doubling production amid severe drought and cumulative contamination.

Want more?

Listen to Bob Sandford explain the global water bankruptcy we are facing, his report for the UN came out in January 2026.

Public Interest Alberta’s “Together NO!” campaign is ready for you!

Good Afternoon Nicoladies, Nicoladdies, and anyone in between,

The Public Interest Alberta (PIA)’s referendum campaign—opposing Smith’s United Conservative Party of Alberta waste-of-taxpayer-time-and-money, “Alberta Next” MAGA North agenda—has officially launched! Find ways to join today at albertareferendum2026.org. Not to be confused with the Government of Alberta’s propaganda referendum website at albertareferendum2026.ca—Coincidence?

On PIA’s website you may:

• Get your special ballots from Elections Alberta, free yourself from the 10-paper-ballot-per-person nightmare that will be referendum day: Monday, October 19. A reel from me about this!

• Pledge your vote here.

• RSVP for the Tuesday, September 1, 6:30 pm campaign launch event in Calgary at the Royal Canadian Legion #1 (116 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0H5).

• Volunteer in whatever way suits you best!

• Donate to the campaign, let’s beat the separatist Third Party Advertiser’s support! Your grassroots donation is the way.

• Learn more about why to choose to remain a Province of Canada and Vote NO! to the other nine questions on the FAQ page.

• Reach out to me if you’d like to be an area lead, wish to help with outreach, or if you have ideas for events to attend!

Listen to former MLA and Environment Minister for the Alberta NDP, Shannon Phillips explain why you should participate in PIA’s campaign:

Get your STAY IN CANADA. NO TO THE NINE. sign!

Alberta’s Voice STAY IN CANADA. NO TO THE NINE. campaign is well underway, please pick up a lawn sign here and pledge your support!

Send Pete Packing

ICYMI, Pete Hoekstra’s agenda for Washington was on full display on Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen. Thankfully, you can SendPetePacking.ca for it! A short from Pete Hoekstra on Real Talk

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Saturday, October 17 is the next AFL FightBackNow.ca Day-of-Action!

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) is facilitating another provincial-wide day of action like May 29th! This event will be a great opportunity to finalize your Referendum Day plans to help others vote NO to Premier Smith’s United Conservative Party of Alberta’s MAGA north agenda. You didn’t want any of this before May 2023, you have said “NO” ever since to all of it. Let’s put the separatist, anti-rights, divisive agenda to bed. Once and for all!

TAKE ACTION AGAINST AI DATA CENTRES

I’ve been invited to speak in my home town of St. Albert on August 22 from 1-3 pm at the St. Albert Curling Rink, if you’re in the area, please come by! For those in Calgary, please join the Alberta Anti AI group at 1 pm on Saturday, Aug 22 at City Hall.

Eventbrite FREE Tix HERE!

Federally, sign the House of Commons petition to BAN ON AI DATA CENTRES:

Sign HoC Petition #7427

Provincially, write Environment Minster Grant Hunter to BAN AI DATA CENTRES:

STOP AI with Alberta Talks

Municipally, call on your city councillor to BAN AI DATA CENTRES:

StopTheAIdatacentre.ca in Calgary

Send the Education Minister a Message RE: Fossil-Fueled Wildfires

No more polluting or stifling education!

Follow the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in condemning Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides’ Bill 25. “The minister told the Edmonton Journal that he also expects teachers not to speak about political and social issues not covered in the curriculum, including Alberta's separatist movement.” Nicolaides expects teachers not to speak about the most important action Albertans will take on October 19, 2026 in the history of this so-called province. He is creating a crisis for teachers rather than promoting a heathy climate for debate around key areas of concern for all kids.

Thank Nicolaides for Extreme Wildfires

If you or your family has been displaced by the wildfires in Canada this summer, thank Demetrios Nicolaides for promoting fossil fuel expansion over climate education, and freshwater restoration.

Send For Our Kids’ Polluting Education Letter to the Minister:

Send a letter to Nicolaides

To: admin@heritagefest.ca

cc: info@edjfed.org

Re: Disqualify the Israel Pavilion from Heritage Days

To Whom It May Concern,

This Instagram video of the revisionist history being supported by Edmonton’s Heritage Days festival at the Israel pavilion is despicable in three ways:

1. The pavilion personnel, provided by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, were chanting “There is no Palestine”, when Palestine (estimated to be more than 5,000 years old) predates Israel, created in 1948. These chants are no doubt intended to justify the ongoing occupation of Palestine and genocide of Palestinians being carried out by Israel and the United States. It is like singing there is no Iran, irony intended to relate to the second issue.

2. The T-shirts of the people chanting these degrading statements were also covered with lies. There is absolutely zero evidence that that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) massacred 40,000+ Iranians in the Mossad-led protests which erupted across Iran in January of 2026. Protests, no doubt, intended to provide cover for the illegal and unprovoked aggression carried out by the US-Israel war machine on February 28, 2026, officially resulted in 3,117 fatalities. Here’s an image of the January 2, 2026 Tweet by Former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo—tagging President Trump, Marco Rubio, and the current CIA director—explaining his support for “every Mossad agent walking beside” the Iranians protesting.

1. The ongoing genocide in Palestine, expanded into Lebanon now, should not be supported by the City of Edmonton in any way. This pavilion should not have been included in the first place, for these reasons. The Jewish Federation of Edmonton proved this to you in the Instagram video capturing their lies and hate.

As a person born and raised in Edmonton, I remember Heritage Days being a place to celebrate cultures and feel a sense of shared love for humanity. Allowing hate speech, propaganda-lined clothing, and inviting institutions which provide ongoing cover for the genocide of Palestinian or Lebanese people, war crimes perpetrated in Iran, or the “Greater Israel” agenda in any form, is the last thing Heritage Days should be supporting today. It’s nearly three years since October 7, 2023, triggering calls from the majority, 2/3, of Canadians wanting a ceasefire and end to the moral outrage in Palestine: shame.

Make a public apology and withdraw your support for an Israeli Pavilion at Heritage Days.

Until the Greater Israel project is put to rest, the genocide and displacement stops, and reparations are agreed upon.

Sincerely,

Jenny Yeremiy, P. Geoph

Calgary, Alberta POSTAL CODE

In response, we explores what should stop and what should replace current practices. We criticize expanding irrigation and building more dams in a context of declining natural flows and climate‑driven aridity, noting that empty reservoirs cannot solve drought and that engineering approaches cannot “outrun” climate change. We call for halting new coal mining in the Eastern Slopes, curbing excessive clear‑cutting, reforming forestry in both working forests and protected areas, and rethinking urban and industrial expansion into wildlife corridors and sensitive groundwater‑dependent ecosystems. I argue that all new fossil fuel development should cease, with industry redirected toward abandonment, decommissioning, and large‑scale restoration, including addressing hundreds of thousands of oil and gas sites and massive oil sands tailings ponds. We also highlight problematic technological “fixes,” from carbon capture and storage to atmospheric chemical injection by insurers, as examples of trying to control rather than work with nature, often creating new risks.

The conversation then turns to solutions and pathways forward, balancing individual and collective responsibility. On the personal side, Alex uses Calgary’s water‑main rupture to illustrate how simple behavioural changes—like skipping one toilet flush—can scale to millions of liters saved, while I contrast this with the vast volumes of water sent daily to oil sands tailings to show the importance of scale. Collectively, we stress the need for courageous land‑use planning that embeds cumulative‑effects science, ecological thresholds, and the value of water, space, and biodiversity, rather than entrenching status quo economic uses like timber, beef, and motorized recreation. We advocate for large‑scale, ecologically meaningful restoration—beyond “postage stamp” projects—across the eastern slopes and South Saskatchewan River basin, including removing roads, restoring beavers and wetlands, and supporting regenerative agriculture, while creating meaningful jobs for youth and reorienting environmental graduates toward repair rather than further development.

Finally, we discuss how to organize and build the political and cultural will to act. Kevin recounts how opposition to opening the Eastern Slopes to coal mining united ranchers, Indigenous communities, hunters, fishers, urban environmentalists, and people across the political spectrum, demonstrating the power of collective stewardship of common land. Building on this, he proposes a “macro” strategy of reclaiming the narrative from vested interests—e.g., resisting misframing climate‑driven fires as forest‑management failures—and a “micro” strategy of choosing one headwater sub‑drainage to fully restore as a proof of concept for water security, biodiversity, and landscape health. Lorne and Colin emphasize bioregional organizing, knitting together local leaders and existing groups in each major headwater watershed, engaging with tools like Alberta’s nature strategy survey and South Saskatchewan Regional Plan review while also building grassroots, basin‑scale voices that can steward public lands. The conversation closes with Kevin and Lorne underscoring that the eastern slopes are a gift from previous generations, part of Albertans’ “DNA,” and that honouring this legacy means not squandering it but embracing stewardship, recognizing that every land‑use choice is a water decision, and focusing one’s efforts where they can be most effective.

One outstanding question lingers: How far is too far?

According to the Government of Alberta.

Arlene traces the evolution from the Northwest Irrigation Act to Alberta’s Water Resources Act and then the Water Act, noting that groundwater was brought under Crown ownership and FITFIR in 1962, replacing the old rule of capture. The Water Act introduced major river basin divisions and approved water management plans—currently for the South Saskatchewan, Battle, and Milk River basins—which must be considered in key regulatory decisions like transfers. It also created statutory authorizations: household and agricultural exemptions with quantified annual volumes, and licences that grant diversion rights for specified purposes (municipal, irrigation, commercial, habitat enhancement, recreation, water conservation objectives, and others) typically on renewable 10‑year terms, while older licences have no expiry and are easily renewed. New licences can include water conservation objective (WCO) conditions that allow the director to restrict diversions when flows fall below set thresholds, whereas older licences may have in‑stream objectives (IOs) that are generally less protective. Arlene contrasts both WCOs and IOs with scientifically determined in‑stream flow needs (IFNs), arguing that WCOs and IOs are more politically set and often below IFN levels, limiting ecosystem protection.

Assessing the Water Act against an idealized water law, Arlene finds major shortcomings. She notes that while there are some tools to curb impacts for new licences, existing licences are strongly protected, there is no expropriation power for water rights, and cancellation is only possible when rights have gone unused for three years with no reasonable prospect of use. The Act offers only limited mechanisms to secure sufficient in‑stream flows, does not recognize or secure Indigenous water rights, and does not integrate quantity and quality regulation, conjunctive management of surface and groundwater, formal watershed governance, clear rules for alternative sources (wastewater, rainwater, stormwater, saline water), or climate change mitigation and adaptation—though the government is proposing amendments on some of these fronts. Household use has the highest priority, partially securing basic human needs. Overall, Arlene would grade the Act a “D” and says she would not pass it, arguing Alberta could have moved away from FITFIR toward more equitable systems like those in Saskatchewan, Australia, and New Zealand, but powerful sectors—oil and gas, municipalities, and agriculture—resisted change. In practice, Davin McIntosh—a water rights consultant and broker who specializes in facilitating water transfers in Alberta, with prior experience as a planning and municipal development lawyer and involvement in a significant proportion of water transfers in the Bow River Basin and Southern Alberta—points out that priority calls under FITFIR are rarely made, with Alberta preferring voluntary reductions to avoid cutting off junior users, especially municipalities whose licences are technically subject to FITFIR but whose drinking water cannot realistically be curtailed.

Davin then explains why and how water transfers were introduced. As recognition grew in the 1980s–1990s that full exercise of long‑standing rights could push rivers below environmentally sustainable levels, the Water Act added transfer provisions, and a 2007 moratorium on new licences in many areas made transfers the main mechanism for reallocating water. He describes an eight‑step process:

1. finding a suitable right (difficult because rights are rarely advertised and cancellation risk discourages signalling non‑use),

2. negotiating price and contracts despite uncertainty of approval,

3. confirming the licence is in good standing (including compliance checks and sometimes costly reconstruction of works to match old plans),

4. submitting a paper application,

5. responding to extensive and discretionary requests for information from the director,

6. publishing mandatory public notice and handling statements of concern, possible public meetings, and finally a decision. He highlights the director’s broad discretion and evolving, often unwritten policies—such as disallowing transfers “around a corner” in a Y‑shaped tributary, apportionment rules limiting how much can move from a mainstem to a tributary,

7. partial good‑standing determinations, and

8. the 10% conservation holdback that created government WCO licences but is now proposed to be scrapped due to limited overall transfer volumes.

With only about 400 transfers approved since 2007, roughly half being arm’s‑length, the conservation holdback has not significantly boosted in‑stream protection.

Throughout the discussion, we stress that enforcement of ecological needs and federal powers has been weak. Arlene notes that IFNs are not directly recognized in the Water Act, that WCOs and IOs fall short of IFNs, and that private in‑stream flow licences are not currently allowed, though government can and has issued WCO licences to itself.

More water lessons within the Water In Southern Alberta miniseries.

Let’s begin with our 2022 understanding of the message in this clip (focusing on 0:53-1:18). Chris continued with, “you’re providing the opposite point of view, the one where 9 out of 9 oppose. But because you’re not even in the ‘the Council’ they don’t see you as the tenth person worth listening to.” When Chris is right, he is right. This was the crux of the issue at the time. My opinions—and those of anyone willing to look behind the curtain with me—were dismissed as unpopular and therefore not worth investing in. Differed maintenance was the majority rule and continues to be the industry rule today. More on this to follow.

My 2026 interpretation of this scene, however, begins at 0:00 and has much deeper meaning than either Chris or I understood at the time: the country of choice to survive the zombie apocalypse—in a US film—is Israel. Mossad agents relay threats to a 10-person council in Israel who decided—beginning in 1973—to make a change. If they all agree there isn’t a threat, they would create a threat and fight anyway. This 1973 decision—to not let other nations challenge Israel’s hegemony ever again—is coming to a head, and the majority rule is that Israel is the one to blame, not Iran, and certainly not Palestinians. And what is the Israeli council doing with this information?

It seems like they’re treating us like zombies, fighting us all with their: illegal wars (and genocide); AI data centres (pipelines, carbon capture and storage, oil and gas expansion); two-tier healthcare; private misleading education; private service and private agendas. Threating functioning societies and a livable planet. Anyway, back to, let’s call it, “The Tenth Person Principle” (TTPP).

In a world of a failing majority rule—where the economy no longer represent our reality—TTPP is a crucial counter-strategy. When the head of the system is the issue, the woke, not zombie majority, need to present—and act upon—a different way forward. It’s not enough to say “no” to their agenda. It’s not enough to present them with a different strategy. Instead, seeking out and providing alternative council is needed to combat the energy and water crisis. No longer relying on the corporate and political class who created this crisis to begin with. TTPP calls on us not only to present the risks but to take the reins in executing the alternative plans we know will lead us to safety: land stewardship enforcement while developing a clean, local food and public service system for the common good.

A great example of a failing majority rule, and need for TTPP to rein, is playing out with Alberta’s First In Time First In Right (FITFIR) freshwater licensing system. FITFIR is a priority-system based on when a water licence was issued. Meaning, the first person to have capitalize on water here won, and so on. Water for you and your family is NOT the priority, and First Nations communities come LAST. Further, the system includes a “use it or lose it” clause. Meaning, if you decide to conserve water, not make use of it but rather let it stay in the system, you stand to lose your share. The system does not distinguish between borrowing or removing. Water that reenters our sewage treatment system, for example, was borrowed water. But the 310 billion liters—added to the 1.7 trillion liter tailings ponds or injected into productive formations in 2024 alone—is never expected to return, at no cost to the user. TTPP calls on us to build and enforce a water system which aims to restore water quality and security for all. It is not enough to fight changes to the Water Act, imposed by this Alberta Government, that further exasperate its inequity.

A clip from Water In Southern Alberta, Episode 3, “The Laws and Market”, Arlene Kwasniak explains the gaps in Alberta’s Water Act and FITFIR system.

The second area to invoke TTPP is to oppose the mandate of the leaders in the fossil fuel industry. For decades they have demanded more and more from the taxpayer, while differing maintenance and causing mountains of environmental liabilities. Their plan includes a fantasy solution to expansion: carbon capture and storage will never be deployed at a meaningful scale, and even if it were it doesn’t address systemwide methane venting, flaring, and leakage.

What’s worse, these heads are now actively destroying the global refinery system. First, they have been reducing Russia’s refined capacity to the point where they have had to limit diesel exports and now banned gasoline exports through 2026. Then they closed the Strait of Hormuz, reducing refined products by another ~10%. And now, they are removing another ~10% by creating a blockade in the Red Sea. The USA has taken advantage of these restrictions, selling almost every last drop in the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) system, “If inventories slip below tank bottoms at enough facilities, the WTI delivery mechanism itself starts to come under strain. That is not a theoretical risk anymore. It is the reality sitting in the data right now, and the market is pricing accordingly.” Meanwhile, their expansion plans have more limits than ever before:

1. Reservoir quality and access is depreciating: more resources, like freshwater, are needed to extract less valuable reserves.

2. More sensitive habitats, causing greater environmental harm, are what’s next to be exploited.

3. Water bankruptcy is on the horizon.

4. Supply chain limits, such as a lack of gas turbines until 2030.

5. Private investment capital unavailable: the tech bros have joined the fossil fuel companies in being cashflow negative now!

6. Alberta oil companies themselves doubt their ability to deliver.

Where is the courage within our political and corporate class to call out these limits and invite alternative plans to redirect us accordingly? For decades, scientists like Dr. Brad Stelfox, have been showing the cumulative impacts on the landscape and expressing the need for land stewardship laws to be enforced, at scale, where it matters most. The corporate and political class have demonstrated their allegiance to the heads of our system, despite the majority rule or their inability to deliver, and are committed to denying these realities, it seems. It is up to you and I to have the courage to be a tenth person saying, “No thank you, AND here’s what we will do instead.” Work up your solution, find allies who will improve upon them and spread the word. Embrace your ability to rebel, never doubt your desire to be woke and not a zombie for system which serves no one, not even the Israeli council.

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