The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy

This episode examines Alberta’s draft South Athabasca sub-regional land use plan and its implications for woodland caribou, water, biodiversity, Indigenous rights, and long-term regional sustainability. Program director Tara Russell of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Northern Alberta explains that sub-regional plans were originally conceived to manage competing industrial and recreational uses on public lands in ways that would recover endangered and threatened caribou populations by meeting well-established habitat thresholds, including at least 65% undisturbed habitat and sufficient mature forest within each range. She notes that all 15 woodland caribou populations in northern Alberta are threatened and that most home ranges now have over 90% disturbance, leaving less than 5% undisturbed habitat.TAKE ACTION BY APRIL 9, 2026! Use the Public Engagement Guide | 2026 Created by CPAWS Northern Alberta, Alberta Wilderness Association, The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Nature Alberta to stop the eviction of caribou TODAY!Tara describes how the new South Athabasca plan overrides the earlier Cold Lake sub-regional plan and the unreleased Wandering River plan, despite years of multi-stakeholder work that had produced precedent-setting approaches such as clear habitat targets and timelines. Their analysis, captured in a public engagement guide produced with several conservation organizations, concludes that the draft plan removes caribou recovery as an explicit objective, fails to commit to restoring critical habitat to the 65% undisturbed threshold required under the federal Species at Risk Act, and provides no transparent assessment of how its measures will affect caribou or other species at risk.The discussion highlights that the sub-region is already heavily impacted by forestry, in situ oil sands, conventional oil and gas, roads, seismic lines, and recreation, yet the plan is structured around an explicit goal of doubling oil and gas development without robust mechanisms to reduce cumulative disturbance or address water use and contamination, including tailings. Proposed improvements—such as limiting primary roads, adjusting riparian buffers, setting road-density and disturbance parameters, and restoring “unproductive” infrastructure—are undermined by broad exemptions for in situ project areas and existing operations, vague definitions, lack of incentives or enforcement, and thresholds that are not tied to ecological needs.In forestry, the plan introduces long-term harvest deferrals in high-value caribou habitat, which Russell views as a positive step, but these apply only to logging and not to other industrial activities, and the harvest schedule appears to keep disturbance above what caribou can tolerate for at least the first 40 years, with no clear explanation of how habitat targets will be met. Access management and recreation provisions similarly lack ecological grounding and enforcement: road-density targets are not linked to caribou needs, in situ project areas are exempt from access rules, and off-highway vehicle restrictions are limited to a single area despite broader impacts on wildlife and waterways.The plan’s proposed conservation area within the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, envisioned as Indigenous-led, is welcomed in principle but criticized as it would still allow renewal and potential expansion of oil and gas activities and appears to be managed under rules similar to adjacent “go zones,” with no clear prioritization of species at risk. Russell stresses the need for meaningful Indigenous leadership across all nations whose territories overlap the sub-region and for conservation designations that genuinely safeguard caribou and boreal ecosystems.Economically, Tara explains that a strategy centered on short-term industrial expansion at the cost of species loss, degraded forests, and damaged waterways cannot support long-term regional prosperity and may contravene federal Species at Risk Act obligations, especially after Alberta’s Section 11 conservation agreement with Canada expired in October without its commitments being met. Tara and I warn that continuing on this path risks ecological collapse, threatens downstream watersheds including the Northwest Territories, and accelerates climate and biodiversity crises, particularly if oil production and associated water contamination are doubled.The episode concludes by framing the South Athabasca plan as one of up to 11 sub-regional plans expected under the current provincial mandate, cautioning that if similar approaches are replicated across Alberta, the result could be the expedited loss of woodland caribou (and trout species, I must add) and widespread degradation of boreal ecosystems. Tara and I emphasize the importance of public participation in the ongoing consultation (closing April 9) and encourage use of the engagement guide developed by CPAWS and partners to push for land-use planning that genuinely centers

This episode features disability advocate Zachary Weeks, who was born with cerebral palsy in Edmonton and has long worked as a spokesperson on accessibility and social justice issues, consulting on major public developments and challenging ableism and discrimination. Zachary describes his unexpected path into advocacy, shifting from training as a funeral director to volunteering with a nonprofit after facing exclusion from the funeral industry, where his potential as an advocate was recognized. The conversation centers on Alberta’s lack of provincial accessibility legislation—making it one of only two provinces without such a law—and the development of a comprehensive Accessibility Act led by MLA Marie Renaud in collaboration with people with disabilities, lawyers, nonprofits, and business groups, including the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. He explains that the proposed act aimed to embed accessibility across employment, housing, transportation, justice, healthcare, the built environment, and digital services, including accessible websites and government communications. Zach criticizes the UCP government for striking down the bill over objections to the definition of disability and concerns about “overreach” by a committee of people with lived experience, despite extensive consultations and cross-sector support.The discussion then turns to income support reforms, contrasting the long-standing Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) with the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). Weeks warns that thousands of recipients will be moved from AISH to ADAP under an assumption that many can work, despite the difficulty of qualifying for AISH and the reality that most recipients are unable to work. He highlights that ADAP will reduce monthly income from $1,940 to $1,740 after a temporary $200 transition top-up and will lower the amount people can earn before clawbacks from about $1,100 under AISH to $700, after an initial proposal as low as $300–$350. Zack argues that these changes, combined with clawbacks of the $200 federal Canada Disability Benefit, effectively balance the provincial budget on the backs of people with disabilities and undermine their ability to secure and maintain employment, especially in the absence of robust accessibility measures.The conversation also addresses broader systemic issues, including inadequate consultation with the disability community—where government “town halls” lacked even basic accessibility features like captioning—and a political climate that increasingly targets disabled people, seniors, and immigrants. Weeks and I connect these policy choices to early childhood cuts such as reduced Program Unit Funding (PUF) funding, framing them as part of a “race to the bottom” that harms current and future generations. We further explore the complexities of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), with Weeks emphasizing personal autonomy, the need for strong safeguards, and the ethical tension created when people facing chronic pain and poverty are simultaneously stripped of supports and confronted with rising costs and housing insecurity.Throughout, Zachary stresses that everyone is “temporarily able-bodied” and that disability cuts across all identities, making accessibility and income security issues that should matter to all Albertans. He calls for cross-community solidarity—across faith groups, LGBTQ+ communities, Indigenous peoples, and others—and encourages listeners to share knowledge, build alliances, and support efforts to secure meaningful accessibility legislation in Alberta. You can find Zachary at ZacharyWeeks.ca, his social media links are all there!Mark your calendar, Calgary! Markham Hislop is coming to town on Friday, April 24th, JOIN US from 6 to 8 pm at the Montgomery Community Association. As explained in this preview episode on Energi.Media, he and I will have a dual podcast discussion about the energy transition and water restoration needs in Alberta. The event is LIVE on Eventbrite, please get your tickets. If you are a member of the Recall Nicolaides team, please reach out to me directly if you’d like to attend. You are wanted there and AB Resistance has provided me with a small token of their appreciation for all the work you did. I just met with a handful of Recall leads and the exhaustion is real. Please reach out to anyone you know who was heavily involved in recall efforts and give them an extra word of thanks, they deserve it.Forever Canadian UpdatesI had the privilege of meeting Thomas Lukaszuk in Calgary Tuesday afternoon. Thomas is planning to commit another spring and summer to the “Unity Bus” to raise awareness and to get-out-the-vote for the October 19, 2026 referendum on separation and other heinous objectives. He will be hitting every town and city across the province. Thomas explained it is not a coincidence that the separatist petition announced they have their numbers this week as it is expected the petition signature collect

Seb Kennedy, an energy journalist turned market analyst, has transitioned from covering renewables to focusing on natural gas and LNG, launching Energy Flux to provide insights into these markets.This discussion highlights the volatility in the LNG market, exacerbated by geopolitical events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the US attacks on Iran leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, he shows the significant supply disruptions to oil gas and global commodities, including fertilizers and other non-energy goods, which could lead to broader economic consequences.The conversation further explores the challenges and opportunities for LNG investment in North America, particularly in Canada, where the potential for windfall profits is weighed against the risks of long-term market volatility and technical issues at existing facilities. Seb emphasizes the importance of reducing reliance on natural gas by investing in renewable energy and infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. The conversation concludes with a call for strategic investments to mitigate exposure to commodity cycles and support a transition to more sustainable energy sources.For more insights, Seb can be followed through the Energy Flux newsletter, LinkedIn, Bluesky and other digital platforms.Updates from meI am Jenny, broadcasting from Calgary, Alberta. I’m a geophysicist turned oil and gas liability expert turned podcast host and public activist. I’m here to create a better story for Alberta than one of pollution and populism by breaking through the propaganda machine. Please remember to like and subscribe to The Gravity Well, your doing so helps boost the voices and views of these stellar people and important issues.Recall updatesMark your calendar, Calgary-Bow! Markham Hislop is coming to town on Friday, April 24th. He and I will have a dual podcast discussion about the energy transition and the phase 2 project for Recall Nicolaides campaign. I will create and share an Eventbrite for this event ASAP! I am working with the other recall leads to collaborate on this as well as some water focused friends. Remember to go to OperationTotalRecall.ca to support the recall campaigns still underway.Forever Canadian on Charlie AngusMy Meidas Canada—Thomas Lukaszuk interview is out. It’s called ALBERTANS FIGHT MAGA & DEFEND CANADA. The best part, in my humble opinion, is around 19 mins in where Thomas explains the absolute impossibility of Alberta independence: physically, economically, and practically. Yes Thomas, our only market would be the USA and we would be absorbed by them instantaneously.Sign up for their newsletter to get involved at forever-canadian.ca!Water Not CoalBecome a canvasser with the WaterNotCoal.ca campaign which is underway. I am working on a couple Water Not Coal podcast conversations and am very much enjoying meeting the people who are going out of their way to sign at my home.The Coalition for Responsible Energy (C4RE)I have been working with a group called the coalition for responsible energy, you can find us by searching cleanupyourmess.ca… The Rural Municipalities Association conference is underway in Edmonton right now. There is a lot of media coverage on oil and gas site clean up happening from Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen to Markham Hislop to The New York Times.C4RE members are planning a few town halls in Provost, Calgary-Northwest and in Airdrie. Stay tuned for the dates and details!Common Purpose, Collective ActionPublic Interest Alberta: Common Purpose, Collective Action Conference in Edmonton, May 8-9.MARK YOUR CALENDAR: May 29th Alberta Day of Action!The goal is to have 1,000,000 Albertans on the street that day. This effort is being led by the Alberta Federation of Labour, please go to: Fight Back Now! - Alberta Federation of Labour, subscribe to spread the word and organize. It’s gonna be quite something! Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

Michelle Robinson (Red Thunderwoman) of Native Calgarian Podcast joins me on The Gravity Well to discuss the meaning of treaties and the opportunity for all Albertans to embrace their meaning to repair them. The Treaty 6, 7, and 8 Chiefs are leading the country and the world in upholding international agreements. Alberta is home to leadership of many forms, those who aim to uphold the treaties are operating in the best interests of everyone, Indigenous and settler people alike. Michelle reminds us the treaties were signed with the crown, not the Canadian government. They are the highest level of authority on the land, above Canadian laws. Much more to learn and discover while we seek to uphold the agreements of our ancestors. A area of education and growth for me, I am excited to explore more. Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

Updates from me:Good afternoon, I am Jenny Yeremiy, I’m broadcasting from Calgary, Alberta. I’m a geophysicist turned oil and gas liability expert turned podcast host and public activist. Defined by Mark Dorin: a person who stands up for citizen and indigenous rights and public safety then damn right I’m an activist. I’m here to create a better story for Alberta than one of pollution and populism by breaking through propaganda. We would not be living in this tumultuous time without it. Please remember to like and subscribe to The Gravity Well, your doing so helps boost the voices and views of these stellar people and important issues.Recall updatesThere are 4 recalls of interest rounding down: Recall Mickey in Calgary Cross; Recall Jackie in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville; Recall Justin Wright in Cypress-Medicine Hat; Recall Wiebe in Grande Prairie-Wapiti. Thank you again to everyone who stood up against this unconstitutional government!Recall Nicolaides is working on some data analysis for you, look to our socials for them! That’s @RecallNicolaides Shout out to all my recall Nico-laides, thanks Aimee for pointing this pun out! To get involved in phase two of the recall efforts, subscribe to Recall Nicolaides for now.PLEASE go to OperationTotalRecall.ca to support the final 4 campaigns. Also, BOOST their social media posts!The Gravity Well updatesLast week, you got a glimpse into my Calgary Citizens on Climate Change group, as Bob Sandford presented to us in it. Check out the episode titled Reclaiming Alberta from Water Bankruptcy. And I had a fabulous conversation with Wesam Cooley of Calgary Peoples’ Assembly, please check it out. We discuss the illegal and unconstitutional war against Iran in Reclaim the Middle East from US-Israel Domination. This illegal aggression is changing the global economic system dramatically . New limits are being exposed, fertilizer travels from that area and has been choked off. This will impact producers in North America. Wow! I am chatting with Seb Kennedy of Energy Flux on Monday about the changes to the oil and gas volumes before and after February 28th. That is going to be great.I also just concluded a joint podcast with Michelle Robinson of Native Calgarian Podcast. I hope to share it with you on Tuesday next week.Forever Canadian & Charlie Angus’ Meidas CanadaPhase two of the forever-canadian.ca is underway. Thomas Lukaszuk—former MLA, Minister and Deputy Minister for Edmonton-Castle Downs from 2001-2015, where I grew up—is now focused on re-activating, educating, and ultimately voting down Smith’s 9 referendum questions. Thomas and I had a stellar conversation on Meidas Canada, I am looking forward to watching it myself. Hoping it might be out tomorrow: Sunday, March 15.I am supporting the leader of the Calgary Forever Canadian volunteer effort, Janel’s been an organizing mentor, I am super grateful for her leadership. Sign up for the newsletter to get involved at forever-canadian.ca! I’m excited to see how this project grows!Water Not CoalBecome a canvasser with the WaterNotCoal.ca petition is underway. I have been bringing it around with me and now have a permanent signing location in Cougar Ridge, you can find it on WaterNotCoal.ca I am very much enjoying meeting the people who are going out of their way to sign, I met a wonderful couple from Drumheller on Thursday night. A shout out to Andrew and Jody, it was such a pleasure to meet you!The Coalition for Responsible Energy (C4RE)I have been working with a group called the coalition for responsible energy, you can find us by searching cleanupyourmess.ca. Mark Dorin has been increasing awareness in a big way lately. Firstly, Avi Lewis came to meet with Mark about the Reclamation Boom that Alberta is being held back from. Thank you to Avi for taking the time to understand the risks and opportunities for Albertans and Canadians in this space.In addition, Mark is making landowners aware of their right to address messes on their lands. Check out his conversation with Markham Hislop on Energi Media from yesterday.Common Purpose, Collective ActionI am co-presenting an Alberta Participatory Water Democracy (PWD) project with Colin Smith. It is directly related to Robert Sandford’s address to my Calgary Citizens on Climate Change (4C) group last week. Which I will get to in just a moment.Charlie Angus is a keynote speaker, and I am thrilled to be co-hosting a plenary, at the Public Interest Alberta: Common Purpose, Collective Action Conference in Edmonton, May 8-9.MARK YOUR CALENDAR: May 29th Alberta Day of Action!The goal is to have 1,000,000 Albertans on the street that day. This effort is being led by the Alberta Federation of Labour, please go to: Fight Back Now! - Alberta Federation of Labour, subscribe to spread the word and organize. It’s gonna be quite something!Jody MacPherson – AI Data CentersJody MacPherson, a journalist with a background in the oil and gas industry, is currently engaged in investigative reporting o

Wesam Cooley rejoins The Gravity Well (see Season 1, Episode 20 and Season 2, Episode 7) podcast to delve into the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics, including the ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, and the broader implications for global stability. The discussion also touched on the role of media in shaping public perception and the strategic responses of nations like Iran in the face of external pressures.Note: some audio issues occur when Wesam shares important information around the University of Calgary student protests. Here’s what Wesam was hoping to share: “The broader progressive movement in Alberta has allies in the anti-imperialist struggle and it’s important that we work together as allies. The movement against the genocide in Gaza is the best example of a mass movement in a critical historical moment that could have been so much more impactful, even on politics in Alberta, if it had received full support across the progressive spectrum.The Calgary Palestine movement has been battling police and state repression and defending protest rights that will affect the civil liberties of all of us. The most important of these battles relates to the police/provincial scandal around the crackdown on the University of Calgary encampment. You’ll remember that in May 2024 a group of students established an encampment at the U of C protesting the University’s complicity in the genocide, and the Calgary Police came in with tear gas and batons and violently dispersed them, putting several people in hospital. That police action was so controversial that it got referred to an ASIRT investigation, but the whole thing ended up getting covered up and ASIRT in the end declined to investigate. A later FOIP request revealed that a conversation had taken place between then-Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld and Safety Minister Mike Ellis where Ellis assured Neufeld that there would be no substantive investigation by ASIRT into the issue. We have it on record that Ellis and Neufeld essentially decided the result of ASIRT’s investigation before any investigation had even taken place. This was reported by Jeremy Appel at the time.In other words, we uncovered smoking gun evidence that the Smith government directly participated in an outright cover-up of what was likely the worst case of police misconduct and violence against peaceful protesters in Calgary’s history. If that had received any real attention from progressives in this province, it might have dealt a serious blow to Smith and her cronies. (Who knows, it might have been enough to even take down her government? Neufeld himself ended up resigning, for reasons that weren’t stated publicly but were most likely related to this, since the Police Commission used his resignation as an excuse to not look into this issue any further.)So when I say you have allies in the anti-imperialist movement that you aren’t utilizing, I’m not saying it in some general or sentimental way. I mean what might have been the best opportunity progressives may ever get to actually take down the Smith government is slipping through their fingers because most (white) progressives in this province still see Palestine as an “alien” issue and aren’t willing to stand with us. And they do that not only to Palestine’s detriment, but to their own as well. We’re still here, still fighting the same fight you are, and this issue is still out there if anyone wants to pick it up and help us try to blow the Smith government wide open with it.But it will require progressives to actually ally with the Palestine movement. And it seems to me that there are some “progressives” in this country who would rather see us all become Yankees than take a stand in support of Palestine.”The podcast encourages listeners to engage with these issues critically and to participate in actions that support peace and justice, both locally and globally. Here are some ways to take action: Actions for PeacePalestine, Lebanon, and Iran Rally Sunday, March 8, 3 pm at Calgary City Hall.Withdraw Canadian troops from region assisting US/Israeli aggression on IranWrite your federal representatives here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/withdraw-canadian-soldiers-assisting-us-aggression-on-iran.Daily Phone PledgeCall your MP before March 11, 2026 to confirm they are voting “Yes” to Bill C-233 to close loopholes for weapons to Israel. Use: https://armsembargonow.ca/phonepledge/ as your guide.Tell Carney: Oppose Illegal Attacks on IranJoin Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) in emailing Prime Minister Carney and Foreign Minister Anand to demand that they retract their support for illegal US-Israeli attacks on Iran and impose sanctions on Israel. Go to: https://www.cjpme.org/carney_iran.Recall updatesThe recall campaigns are down to 6: Nate Glubish in Strathcona-Sherwood Park; Recall Mickey in Calgary Cross; Recall Jackie in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville; Recall Justin Wright in Cypr

After I provide updates (see below) on the growing grassroots movement in Alberta, this episode features a discussion led by Robert Sandford, a senior government relations liaison for the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, focusing on the global water crisis and its implications for Alberta. The speaker highlights the concept of “Global Water Bankruptcy,” a term used to describe the unsustainable overuse of water resources, which is becoming a critical issue even in water-rich regions like Canada. The report co-authored by Bob and released by the UN emphasizes the need for Alberta to acknowledge its water management failures and to protect its natural water-generating capital to avoid severe consequences.The discussion also touches on the broader implications of climate change, with references to recent scientific findings predicting accelerated global warming and its potential impacts on water resources and weather patterns. Bob criticizes the current Alberta government’s policies, which are seen as neglecting environmental concerns in favor of industrial growth, and calls for a shift in focus towards sustainable water management and democratic engagement.Additionally, the conversation explores the interconnectedness of water security with food security and economic stability, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to address these challenges. Bob advocates for a reframing of the sustainability narrative, arguing that the term has been diluted and misused, and emphasizes the need for honest acknowledgment of environmental realities to drive meaningful change.Bob concludes with a call to action for Alberta to lead by example in addressing water and climate issues, suggesting that this could also serve as a catalyst for broader democratic renewal in the region.Updates from me:Good afternoon, I am Jenny Yeremiy, I’m broadcasting from Calgary, Alberta. I’m a geophysicist turned oil and gas liability expert turned podcast host and public activist. I’m here to create a better story for Alberta than one of pollution and populism by breaking through propaganda. We would not be living in this tumultuous time without it. Please remember to like and subscribe to The Gravity Well, your doing so helps boost the voices and views of these important issues.Recall updatesOK, first let me update you on the recalls. The recalls are down to 6: Recall Fir in Calgary-Peigan; Recall Peter Singh in Calgary-East; our Healthcare Minister and MLA for Red Deer North, Recall Lagrange are complete;Nate Glubish in Strathcona-Sherwood Park; Recall Mickey in Calgary Cross; Recall Jackie in Fort Sask-Vegreville; Recall Justin Wright in Cypress-Medicine Hat; Recall Wiebe in Grande Prairie-Wapiti; and saving the best for last Recall Danielle Smith in Brooks-Medicine Hat). Remember to tell your Brooks-Medicine Hat friends to call: 587-448-8911. It’s truly a 9-11 situation here in Alberta as our government now looks to mount more than $100 billion in debt.PLEASE go to OperationTotalRecall.ca to support the final 6 campaigns. It’s getting harder with the aggression from the separatist agenda. Lots of women are leading these efforts. I am so grateful to everyone who took the leap with me. Our community is 30,000 people strong, and growing! You can check out my interview with Radio Canada about the recall outcomes in the substack post which will accompany this episode.Podcast updatesI had a fabulous conversation with Mary Stuart of Desmog, please check it out. Desmog is a global news organization focused on cutting through the climate misinformation machine. Desmog’s founder, Geoff Dembicki, is an Albertan and the author of The Petroleum Papers, which is being made into a series, btw. The book outlines the climate misinformation machine centered out of Alberta since the mid-90s using organizations like the Canadian Taxpayer Federation, founded by none other than Jason Kenney. When you consider his influence on our province please understand that he started in 1995 not 2019.Remember, I have the pleasure of speaking with Charlie Angus on Meidas Canada. Please check out the few episodes I’ve done with him already, the latest being one on Danielle Smith’s address to the nation, titled: RECLAIM ALBERTA - DANIELLE SMITH IS LOSING IT.We speak about Danielle Smith’s addresses and the many grassroots movement in Alberta! Like… Forever Canadian.Forever CanadianPhase two of Forever Canadian is about to be start with a new partner the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA). Thomas Lucaszuk and the Forever-Canadian.ca campaign team are now focused on activating, educating, and ultimately voting down Smith’s nine referendum questions. I am supporting the leader of the Calgary effort, Janel’s been an organizing mentor to me. Sign up for their newsletter to get involved! Water Not CoalBecome a canvasser with the WaterNotCoal.ca petition is underway. I have been bringing it around with me and now have a

In this episode of The Gravity Well podcast with Jenny Yeremiy, Mary Stuart of Desmog Canada joins me to break down Premier Danielle Smith's addresses to the province from May 2025 and February 2026. DeSmog is a global organization working to clear PR pollution blocking climate action, including in Canada. Get your updates on grassroots movements in Alberta, focused on environmental activism and social justice. I update you on recall petitions against separatist movements against unjust government actions, such as the use of the notwithstanding clause by the justice minister, MLA for Calgary-Cross, Mickey Amery. Visit recallmickey.ca to upend him. Have your friends in Brooks-Medicine Hat text or call 587-448-8911 to remove Danielle Smith from her seat. Go to OperationTotalRecall.ca to support a recall campaign near you. Join waternotcoal.ca to gather signatures to stop coal mining in the Eastern Slopes. Or, if you aren’t a part of the Forever-Canada.ca already, join it to learn how to ensure the Alberta Government’s referendum is met with an informed Alberta public.Take ActionUse this post to write to the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board ([email protected]), let them know you oppose funding genocide and ecocide (via fossil fuel expansion). Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

In this episode of The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy, I give the week’s highlights in Alberta politics before sharing my in-person interview with Dr. Younes Alila of the Department of Forestry and Environment at the University of British Columbia. I remind you to sign your recall petition, you can find your Member of the Legislative Assembly at operationtotalrecall.ca. The episode also highlights the importance of public education, the teachers’ strike, and the role of teachers in political engagement. I emphasizes the need for collective action against government policies and the significance of using scientific evidence and indigenous knowledge in decision-making. The podcast is available on YouTube and other streaming platforms, I encourage you to like and subscribe to spread awareness of the valuable work being done in Alberta and beyond. Younes’s interview starts at ~24:30.The Gravity Well UpdatesI had three stellar conversations recently. First, with Mikayla Resists who’s been attending and sharing separatist signing locations and events to call out the misleading and treason. Andy Sytsema walked us through what Project 2025 is and what it would mean for Alberta if we were to fall to the USA. And Grande Prairie teacher, and former chair for the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s central bargaining committee, Peter MacKay on what teachers have done and continue to do to reclaim Public Education in Alberta. Please listen to those conversations.What we do in the resistance matters, it’s already making a difference. As Peter MacKay reminded me, the teacher’s strike prevented an early election in the 2025. The polls were suggesting Smith’s Government of Alberta was set to gain even higher popular support last fall. Those polls did not factor in the overwhelming public support for the teacher’s strike. They tried hard to villainize teachers but failed. Well done teachers. It is the time to be political, and you have rose to the occasion! Remember, Alberta needs a better story than one of treason and tyrants. I am proud to share the people, places, and plans to Reclaim Alberta. Join your nearest OperationTotalRecall.ca team or join The Gravity Well community.Minister Nicolaides Lashes out at City NewsCalgary-Bow MLA, Demetrios Nicolaides is upset with himself over his decision to fly the Alberta flag on Mount Kilamanjaro.As Tania Vanderland asks in this the City News article which set Nicolaides off, “It is curious to see him use this platform to raise the Alberta flag,” she says. “And it is also curious that he chose to do that as well on this Mount Kilimanjaro trip, which is a different issue that he was trying to raise awareness around.”The recall petition for Nicolaides failed to reach the required benchmark of 16,500 signatures by nearly 10,000. It was the first of 26 launched against members of the legislature in the final months of 2025. Twenty-four are against members of Smith’s caucus, including herself. Two are against members of the Alberta NDP.However, Vanderland says the failed recall bid wasn’t a total loss, as it led to political engagement.As for the flag, she wants to know why Nicolaides chose the one he did and feels, given he is a provincial minister, it is an appropriate question.“Why didn’t he raise a Canadian flag?” she asks. “Or was it necessary at all to use that platform and that moment to raise a flag? You know, I understand the trip was about his sister.””I appreciate Tania’s curiosity but Nicolaides feels quite differently. A letter (photo below) from his office explains he will make no further statements on the matter with CityNews. That they need to remove the story and apologize. Oh my! It’s important to note that recent changes made to family violence legislation in Alberta have increased the likelihood for more violent behavior by cutting the family violence death review committee. Remember, Minister Nicolaides and MLA Angela Pitt pay no mind to the more than 8,700 Albertans who formally expressed their objection to them as representatives of their constituencies. Many recalls are wrapping up this weekend, do your best to give them a final boost at OperationTotalRecall.ca.Take ActionAlberta is Canada, Canada is Alberta RallyAttend your local rally for Alberta in Canada tomorrow, Saturday, February 21. I will be in Lethbridge on Sunday to sign the People’s Petition against Neudorf as he faked his own recall campaign.Let’s bombard the CPPIB meetingI will be at the BMO Center on Monday, Feb 23rd at 6 pm. The Edmonton event is on Wednesday, February 25. The link to register for either is here: https://www.cppinvestments.com/public-meetings/.There’s a better story to be told by you for Alberta and Canada. Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

In this episode of The Gravity Well, I focus on the crisis in public education with guest Peter McKay, the former chair of the central bargaining committee for the Alberta Teachers’ Association and a Grand Prairie Middle School teacher and advocate. The conversation highlights the systematic underfunding of public education in Alberta, which has led to larger class sizes and insufficient resources for disabilities and immigrant students. The podcast also addressed the Alberta government's use of the notwithstanding clause to bypass negotiations with teachers, which has led to a lack of enforceable class size and composition conditions. The episode concluded with a call for teachers to become or remain politically active and engaged, emphasizing the need for grassroots efforts to address the challenges facing public education and other public services.The teachers’ strike has changed the direction of the political conversation in Alberta and Canada, let’s keep the conversation going. A fabulous conversation you won’t want to miss! Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

This episode begins with highlights from my collaboration with Charlie Angus / The Resistance in the “Reclaim Alberta” feature. In the latest episode: Charlie and Jenny address concerns about foreign interference and misinformation by the fossil fuel industry. Charlie highlights the importance of grassroots efforts to pushback against the impact of deregulation on the oil and gas industry. It is evident the resistance is growing.Andy Sytsema of Taking Alberta Forward, an online presence and community Andy built to pushback against “Take Back Alberta" misinformation. Andy shares a background in the oil and gas industry who calls for transparency and integrity in government and advocates for universal public healthcare, education, social services, and the environment. He researches and writes online often about issues that matter to Albertans, in this episode he shares information around Project 25: its connection to Christian nationalism and executive overreach in Alberta’s politics. The podcast also covers various recall campaigns in Alberta, encouraging public participation and highlighting the importance of democracy activism. The conversation concludes with a call to action for a rally celebrating Alberta and Canada, emphasizing unity and community engagement on February 21, from 10 am to noon. I will be at the rally at Calgary City Hall.This weeks’ actionUse this EcoJustice letter writing tool to send an email to your MLA calling for a public inquiry into the $130 billion oil and gas liabilities not dealt with. Demand a public inquiry to keep Alberta’s Polluter Pays principle alive. Add: “No More Pipelines” until the liabilities are funded.Expect a canned reply from your MLA like I received from Demetrios Nicolaides: Dear Ms. Yeremiy,Thank you for taking the time to write and share your concerns regarding Alberta’s Mature Asset Strategy and the management of historic oil and gas liabilities. I appreciate your perspective on this important issue.Managing inactive oil and gas wells is a challenge faced by energy-producing regions worldwide, and Alberta is committed to addressing it responsibly. Our government’s approach is guided by the polluter-pays principle, ensuring that companies—not taxpayers—are responsible for cleaning up their sites.Since introducing the Liability Management Framework in 2020, Alberta has made progress. The number of inactive wells has decreased by nearly 20%, from 97,000 to 78,000 as of December 2024. Industry is also meeting and exceeding annual closure spending requirements, investing hundreds of millions of dollars into cleanup efforts. For example, in 2023, companies spent $769 million on closure work—10% above the required amount.The Mature Asset Strategy builds on this progress. It was developed after consultations with municipalities, landowners, and industry to ensure a balanced approach. Key recommendations include:* Preventing insolvent operators from continuing operations* Ensuring municipal taxes and landowner leases are paid* Accelerating the closure of non-commercial wellsites* Supporting the polluter-pays principle without relying on public fundsOur goal is to protect taxpayers, uphold environmental standards, and maintain Alberta’s reputation as a responsible energy producer while supporting economic growth and good-paying jobs.Thank you again for sharing your views. Your input is valued as we continue working to ensure Alberta’s energy sector remains strong and accountable.Regards,Demetrios NicolaidesMLA, Calgary-BowHow should I respond? Get full access to The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy at www.thegravitywell.net/subscribe

This episode of The Gravity Well with Jenny Yeremiy features Mikayla, the founder of the Alberta Civic Integrity Project, who discusses her involvement in resisting fascist forces in Alberta. Mikayla shares her experiences on the picket lines and her efforts to hold the government accountable through rallies and recalls. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by Recall campaigns in Alberta, emphasizing the high thresholds required for success and the importance of civic engagement.The podcast also addresses the separatist movement in Alberta, with Mikayla detailing her interactions with separatists and the misinformation surrounding the movement (example: treaty misinformation countered by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation courtesy of Jody MacPherson. The discussion underscores the need for dialogue and the importance of standing united against divisive forcesA Fabulous Note on Recall CampaignsCheck out this fabulous post by Jon Auger on the Canadian Politics… Feed Back Facebook page:RECALL SIGNATURES ARE VOTES WALKING AWAY“Alberta, here is the reality hiding in plain sight. Recall petitions were built with thresholds so high they are almost impossible to win, but that was never the real story. The real story is what the signatures reveal. In Calgary-Bow alone, 6,519 people went out of their way to complete a formal, verifiable civic act saying they wanted their MLA gone. That petition “failed.” But those 6,519 names are not a failure. They are a record. They are neighbours who crossed the line from frustration into action, who put their identities on the record in a way far stronger than a poll answer or a social-media post. This is why recall matters for the next election. A recall signature is not a ballot, but it is something politically louder: documented evidence of a voter in that riding who is unlikely to support that MLA — or the party they represent — when the next vote comes. That is a behavioural signal campaigns and parties understand very well. Multiply that kind of civic action across dozens of ridings and you are no longer looking at paperwork. You are looking at a living map of political disengagement from incumbents that no one can spin away. And here is the part that turns this from observation into message. If you care, if you are already talking about this with friends and neighbours, then adding your name where a recall petition exists in your riding is the clearest way to be counted. Not because you expect it to “win,” but because every signature strengthens the record showing how many Albertans have already decided they expect something different. The higher those numbers climb, the louder that message carries into every campaign office, every doorstep conversation, and every ballot box in the next election.”This weeks’ effortsI am dedicating The Gravity Well podcast to the recall and other citizens’ led efforts to uphold democratic rights and institutions, creating a better story for Alberta than one of traitors and tyrants. I’ve hosted two livestreams so far: solo and with Mikayla Resists. Next week, I am hosting the former Chair of the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s bargaining committee, Peter MacKay: Wednesday, Feb 11 at 4:30 pm MT/ 6:30 pm ET.This week, I am supporting the: Recall Sawhney, Recall Fir, Recall Red Deer, and Recall Mickey campaigns. I will share these activities for you on my social media. If you are a doorknocker and up for supporting the Recall Peter Singh campaign with me on Saturday, Feb 14 from 12-3 pm, please let me [email protected] and [email protected] know. Thank you to Lindsay and Tobi for joining me there last weekend! Like Doras’ exploring! I had a great visit with Henry in Calgary-NorthWest and Chelsea in Calgary-Peigan this week. Healthy and spicy conversation both. They feel the revolution is upon us, too!Next, I am SUPER proud to be a part of the Charlie Angus / The Resistance community. Charlie is hosting me on Meidas Canada as a regular contributor. If you haven’t watched them already, I was on in December, the episode is titled: THE BATTLE FOR ALBERTA - RECALL MOMENTUM GROWS !!! And released yesterday with its new name the first report titled: RECLAIM ALBERTA - THE FIGHT BACK AGAINST MAGA.There's a better story to be told for Alberta and Canada. I am excited to share the people, places, and plans to Reclaim Alberta. Join your nearest OperationTotalRecall.ca team. Put up your Canada flags to stand with Treaty 6, 7, & 8 Chiefs and First Nations. Join the fun!Your Action for this Week: Write your MLATo the MLA for Calgary-Bow and Education Minister, Demetrios Nicolaides,I, Jenny Yeremiy, a Canadian born citizen, and an Albertan, stand with First Nations.They are protecting ALL proud Canadians in Alberta, and the safety and security of ALL Canadians.I respect and will defend Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8, alongside First Nations Chiefs and people with millions of non-First Nations people who also respect these Treaties.Reconci

In this the first episode of third season of The Gravity Well, Jenny provides updates on her activism in Alberta, including her work on recall campaigns and efforts to address provincial concerns. She shares her background as a geophysicist and liability expert, highlighting her transition from the oil and gas industry to focus on restoration efforts in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Jenny discusses her passion for environmental restoration and her wanting to be working within the fossil fuel industry to achieve these goals.The podcast also covers various recall campaigns across Alberta, with Jenny expressing gratitude for the contributions of numerous volunteers and canvassers. She highlights the importance of community involvement and encourages participation in citizen assemblies to address public issues such as public school funding, coal mining, and public health.Jenny addresses the challenges faced by teachers in Alberta, including the impact of the Back to School Act, which restricted teachers’ rights to strike, negotiate, and work in safe conditions. She emphasizes the need for public engagement and action to address these issues.The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to get involved in recall campaigns through operationtotalrecall.ca to uphold democratic values. And to focus on water through the Eastern Slope Watershed Protection Assemblies to begin with to safeguard and reclaim public interests in Alberta and beyond. Here’s that great action you can take, feel free to edit and send to any UCP Caucus & Alberta MLA you see fit!Write to Assistant-Minister of Multiculturalism & MLA for Calgary-North, Hon. Muhammad Yaseen via: [email protected] Dear Hon. Muhammad Yaseen–Assistant Minister of Multiculturalism and MLA for Calgary-North,I am writing to you as an (add if applicable: Calgary-North constituent or) Albertan who is genuinely frightened.I am watching what is happening in the United States, studying the steps that brought them to their current reality, and increasingly recognizing those same steps being taken here in Alberta. What we are witnessing south of the border is not sudden—it is the outcome of years of political decisions made when party loyalty was placed above the common good.I wrote to you or your leader asking that you protect minority groups—specifically trans youth—who already face disproportionately high rates of suicide, discrimination, and violence. I asked you not to support legislation that would strip them of their rights. I asked, directly, who the next target of the Notwithstanding Clause would be if it was used so readily against a vulnerable minority.You did not respond. Instead, you voted in favour of using the Notwithstanding Clause against teachers in Bill 2: the Back to School Act (Oct 27, 2025), which imposed terms on striking teachers: ordered them back to work into unsafe conditions without arbitration. Then on December 10, 2025, you voted in favour of that legislation I wrote you about — the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 9, on Dec 10, 2025) — which invoked the notwithstanding clause to shield multiple anti-trans laws from Charter challenge.This is not an abstract concern. It is recognizing a pattern.We are watching law enforcement in the United States become increasingly militarized and brutalized against civilians. Alberta itself has a troubling history of law enforcement struggling under strained services and a lack of preventative support. Yet you voted in support of creating an additional provincial police force rather than strengthening support and accountability within our existing systems — through legislation such as the Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 4, 2025) and prior clauses enabling an independent provincial police service.We are witnessing the murder of protesters, the abduction of children, and the detention and deportation of legal citizens in the United States. And yet, when separatists in Alberta openly praised joining the United States as a “51st state” and called for legislative changes to allow an otherwise unconstitutional separatist petition to proceed, you voted in favour of Bill 14: Justice Statutes Amendment Act (2025), which amended the Citizen Initiative Act and the provincial referendum framework to remove the safeguards that had prevented such petitions from moving forward.At each of these moments, through your privileged position of power, you have voted in ways that bring Alberta closer to the political conditions we are watching unfold in the United States—and further from the safety, freedom, and democratic stability we cherish in Canada.You cannot undo the votes you have already cast.But you can still show Albertans that you are unwilling to let the UCP lead this province further down that path. Demonstrate your lack of support for separation and the above by stepping aside from the UCP caucus and party. You can use your vo

This episode about the future, is the last of the 2025 mini-series on Water in Southern Alberta. It features experts J. Bruce Smedley, a 50-year engineer, and Kennedy Halverson, a conservation expert with the Alberta Wilderness Association. We discuss topics such as irrigation, resource extraction, and water security. The conversation highlights the over-allocation of water resources, the need for comprehensive water management, and the importance of biodiversity conservation. The podcast advocates for a dedicated water preservation agency to address these challenges and emphasizes the role of public pressure in driving much-needed change. A wonderful conversation!Introduction of Kennedy Halvorson and a Re-Introduction of J. Bruce SmedleyWelcome to The Gravity Well Podcast with me Jenny Yeremiy. I host The Gravity Well to celebrate and share the stories of people looking to empower others with the knowledge and skills required to reestablish stability in our communities. My mission is to work through heavy issues in conversation and process in order to lighten the load. I acknowledge that I live on the traditional territories of Treaty 7 and Metis districts 5 and 6. The treaties and self-governance agreements established by indigenous peoples were created to honour the laws of the land maintained balance with nature and give back to uphold reciprocal relationships. This knowledge and intention are what guide The Gravity Well conversations. I ask for genuine dialogue, real hearts, and openness to different perspectives. This is your invitation to find common ground with me. Positions taken by participants either individually or collectively do not necessarily represent those of The Gravity Well. This podcast is dedicated to the natural world, our children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and all future generations. The Gravity Well is on YouTube and streaming wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you see in here, remember to like and subscribe.Good afternoon, Bob. Thank you so much for being here again with me. How are you doing today?Bob:I’m doing okay. Fine, have a cold.Jenny:Try to get around that. Yeah. Thank you so much, Bob. Good afternoon everyone. I’m rejoined here with Bob for what is potentially our last water in Southern Alberta podcast, potentially of the well likely of the year, and potentially there may be more in the new year. Let’s see. We’re hoping to potentially have a conversation with Bob Sanford, but we’re going to bring in some of his thoughts into this conversation from Cop 30. Stay tuned for any of those details. This is episode 12 in this mini series. On this episode is on the future of water in Southern Alberta. We’ll be chatting with Bruce Smedley, who participated last year in episodes 18 and 22, and Bob and I are thrilled to welcome Kennedy Halverson of the Alberta Wilderness Association as well. We’ll get to them in a moment. Reminding folks, we have covered irrigation, resource extraction, the Water Act and licence transfer system, water modelling watershed and lake stewardship, dry land irrigated and ranch farming insurance. And then after a summer break, we returned to meet with Dr. Brad Sta Fox to learn about land use limits. Dr. David Sauchyn on climate change, Dr. David Swan and Jason Unger on water security, and Dr. Judy Stewart and Cheryl Bradley about Aquatic and health. Sorry, aquatic and riparian health. It’s been quite a learning experience. I’m so appreciative of you, Bob, for your leadership through this. This wouldn’t have been possible without you, and I’m super grateful for all the work you’ve done and for everyone that you have brought forward. And for all I’ve learned, this has just been remarkable.Bob:Well, back at you, Jenny, for all your organizational skills. Speak to this is totally disorganized on most days.Jenny:Yes, you’re very humble. You have done so much work in this and you have kept us all on track to do this. Like I said, this has been an incredible experience and I’m just so grateful for it. Okay, let’s welcome first Bruce Smedley back to the studio. Thank you so much, Bruce for being here again with us.J. Bruce:Well welcome to be here. I do appreciate it and I appreciate the work you’ve done so far in the podcast to date and I urge people to watch them. There’s a lot of information there.Jenny:Thank you, Bruce. Bruce has a master’s in, excuse me, and bachelor’s in chemical engineering. He studied in both British Columbia and Alberta. He has over 50 years of industry, government and global bank experience, which is a trifecta. It’s quite incredible in both the public and private sectors. Bob and I know Bruce from the 4C group, so that’s our Calgary Citizens on Climate Change group. We meet Thursday mornings to help each other learn and attempt different strategies to help inform people about these critically important issues and how to move ideas forward together. He also last year during episode 22, which I do encourage you to watch