Real Talk Ryan Jespersen Teachers Choked, Nenshi Back, Trump Pissed
Oct 24, 2025
Join political insiders Erica Baroudis and Cheryl Oates as they dissect the chaos surrounding Edmonton's elections, from missing ballot boxes to calls for third-party audits. They also delve into the teachers' strike, exploring its impact on students and negotiating leverage. Former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk shares insights on the Forever Canadian petition campaign and the public's response to education funding issues. Plus, the trio discusses Donald Trump's reaction to trade tensions sparked by Ontario's latest ad campaign.
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Unusual Petition Drives Fuel Movement
- Thomas Lukaszuk described collecting signatures at farmers markets, weddings, funerals and even from a 104-year-old woman.
- He said volunteers used creative tactics like kayaking to gather petitions across Alberta.
Staff And Training Prevent Vote Night Failures
- Prioritize recruiting and training more ballot counters early to avoid operational failures on election day.
- Invest modestly in processes that preserve voter confidence even if it costs more up front.
Teachers Hold Leverage And Risk
- Teachers currently hold public sympathy and leverage, making back-to-work legislation politically risky for government.
- Passing such legislation could trigger legal battles and work-to-rule responses that impact students fast.