Stephen Magusiak

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

Danielle Smith has a separatist problem. Recent polling suggests that while most Albertans would like their province to remain part of Canada, supporters of her own United Conservative Party want secession. For Smith, the problem has become too big to ignore, raising the question of how seriously the movement for independence should be taken.

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

Alberta separatism is making headlines again, this time driven largely by figures associated with far-right politics and the Freedom Convoy who are disgruntled about the federal election results. Groups within the province are now organizing a petition for a referendum and it looks increasingly like they may succeed at putting a question about Alberta independence on the ballot in some form or another next year. How likely is it that the Alberta independence movement could achieve its goals?

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

It may soon be easier for big money to influence government policy in Alberta. Through a series of proposed legislative amendments, Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party plans to open the door to increased political influence by corporations. Introduced the day after the federal election, Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act, promises major changes to political financing in the province, which has raised concerns from government-accountability advocates.

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

Analysis by Stephen Magusiak, Reporter Many of the figures closest to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre have been tied to the largest corporate lobbying firms in the country. After winning control over the official opposition in September 2022, Poilievre quickly got to work placing pro-business allies into key positions of power within the party. These included top advisors, executives and policy makers — not least of whom is key advisor Jenni Byrne, whose ties to the world of corporate...

1 month ago | pressprogress.ca | Stephen Magusiak

Jenni Byrne, among the most powerful figures behind Pierre Poilievre’s election campaign, has been described as one of the most important power brokers in Canada: “merciless,” a “ruthless tactician,” the “most powerful woman in Ottawa.” Writing in Maclean’s, Simon Lewson speculated Byrne could easily become Poilievre’s chief of staff should the Conservative leader become prime minister.