Justin Brake
@justinbrake.bsky.social
📤 5323
📥 209
📝 98
He/him. Journalist. Settler. Future ancestor. Born 338 ppm. EIC
@independentnl.bsky.social
🫐
N.L. Finance Minister Craig Pardy is a landlord who owns seven rental properties. I sat down with him to discuss the housing crisis and asked him whether residents can trust a government with landlord cabinet ministers who are benefiting from the status quo.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...
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PCs have no plan to meet ambitious housing targets – The Independent
Finance minister pins housing hopes on federal funding, says his own portfolio of rental properties doesn’t put him in a conflict of interest
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs-have-no-plan-to-meet-ambitious-housing-targets/
about 18 hours ago
1
10
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
1 day ago
Boxes of archival photographs depicting Innu life in the early-to-mid 20th century have been returned to Labrador. The incredible images will soon be featured in an exhibit. But
#Innu
Nation Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini shared some with The Independent.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pho...
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Photos returned to Innu ahead of Labrador exhibit showcasing history, culture – The Independent
Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini hopes the archival photographs will help strengthen youth’s connection to Innu culture, and ultimately improve mental health
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/photos-returned-to-innu-ahead-of-labrador-exhibit-showcasing-history-culture/
0
8
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
8 days ago
Newfoundland and Labrador's finance minister says the province can meet
#climate
targets and pursue a
#justtransition
while expanding oil & gas extraction. We filed an FOI looking for the numbers the province bases its modelling on, but came up empty.
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/can...
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Can N.L. have oil and gas, and climate targets too? – The Independent
Finance minister says yes, but ATI requests show there’s no plan for how to do both — and reveal significant unpublished emissions estimates
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/can-n-l-have-oil-and-gas-and-climate-targets-too/
2
7
5
reposted by
Justin Brake
The deadline to apply for our PUBLISHER position is TOMORROW (Friday)!
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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We’re hiring a Publisher! – The Independent
The Publisher will develop and maintain the organizational infrastructure that supports The Independent’s award-winning journalism.
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/were-hiring-a-publisher/
9 days ago
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The deadline to apply for our PUBLISHER position is TOMORROW (Friday)!
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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We’re hiring a Publisher! – The Independent
The Publisher will develop and maintain the organizational infrastructure that supports The Independent’s award-winning journalism.
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/were-hiring-a-publisher/
9 days ago
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Welcome to the team, Anasophie!
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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I've arrived in St. John's for my interview with Newfoundland and Labrador Finance Minister Craig Pardy. But first, a visit to the NL Supreme Court where I'm reviewing documents from a court case involving the government's attempt to withhold information from the public. Stay tuned for that story
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15 days ago
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
18 days ago
The Independent has been shortlisted for four Atlantic Journalism Awards
#AJAs
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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The Independent shortlisted for four Atlantic Journalism Awards – The Independent
Five Indy journalists have been nominated in four categories : Heidi Atter, Yumna Iftikhar, Derek Montague, Justin Brake and Rhea Rollmann. Background
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/the-independent-shortlisted-for-four-atlantic-journalism-awards/
0
6
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
19 days ago
ANALYSIS: Canada's cuts to refugee healthcare are likely to reduce medication adherence, increase hospitalizations, and download healthcare costs to provinces, write Maria Saleeb & Neria Aylward
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...
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Canada must reverse refugee healthcare funding cuts – The Independent
The cuts are likely to reduce medication adherence, increase hospitalizations, and download healthcare costs to the province
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/analysis/canada-must-reverse-refugee-healthcare-funding-cuts/
0
5
3
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
22 days ago
OPINION: "The defunding of Memorial is not a story of fiscal misfortune or demographic bad luck. It is one of a deliberate, decades-long ideological project whose purpose is the transformation of public universities from civic institutions into market instruments."
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...
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We have given you a university — if you can keep it – The Independent
The defunding of Memorial is not a story of fiscal misfortune or demographic bad luck. It is one of a deliberate, decades-long ideological project whose purpose is the transformation of public univers...
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/columns/state-of-the-university/we-have-given-you-a-university-if-you-can-keep-it/
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
24 days ago
Our staff and contributors were named DPA finalists for their coverage of the 2025 provincial election and an art exhibit dealing with queer and trans joy and Newfoundland waters
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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Indy nominated twice for national Digital Publishing Awards – The Independent
Staff and contributors named finalists for 2025 provincial election coverage, art exhibit on Newfoundland waters and queer and trans joy
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/indy-nominated-twice-for-national-digital-publishing-awards/
0
7
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
27 days ago
ANALYSIS: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bay du Nord ambitions are out of step with the dire need to phase out global oil production, and the province’s benefits agreement with Equinor underscores the need for a new approach to fossil fuels
#nlpoli
#cdnpoli
#climate
theindependent.ca/commentary/a...
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No energy justice with Bay du Nord – The Independent
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bay du Nord ambitions are out of step with the dire need to phase out global oil production and the province’s benefits agreement with Equinor underscores the need for a ne...
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/analysis/no-energy-justice-with-bay-du-nord/
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Guess how many completed access-to-information requests the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador is withholding from the public? Read more:
theindependent.ca/news/provinc...
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30 days ago
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2
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
The Government of Newfoundland & Labrador is sitting on upward of 5,000 unpublished FOI requests. Read the latest from
@justinbrake.bsky.social
👇
theindependent.ca/news/provinc...
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Provincial government sitting on upward of 5,000 unpublished access-to-information requests – The Independent
Just 71 per cent of all completed and eligible requests are publicly available, says ATIPP Office
https://theindependent.ca/news/provincial-government-sitting-on-upward-of-5000-unpublished-access-to-information-requests/
0
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In the first episode of
#berrygrounds
Season 2,
@parismarx.com
shares a broad overview of
#AI
in the wake of The Indy's investigation into AI-generated errors in a $1.6M government healthcare report from
#Deloitte
. LISTEN here:
theindependent.ca/podcasts/rea...
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Justin Brake
Harbinger Media Network
about 1 month ago
On the return of
@independentnl.bsky.social
's 🍇BERRYGROUNDS🍇
@techwontsave.us
host
@parismarx.com
joins
@justinbrake.bsky.social
for a wide-ranging discussion about Artificial Intelligence and the ways AI is impacting our lives and the environment.
www.listennotes.com/podcasts/ber...
0
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#PressFreedom
in Canada is neither absolute, nor guaranteed. The Carney government is thinking of weakening the public's access to information. If anything, access must be *improved*. Read this important story from The Narwhal's
@meyer.bsky.social
👇
thenarwhal.ca/canada-acces...
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Federal transparency law changes could shield government emails, text messages | The Narwhal
Public interest advocates are calling for an urgent examination of proposed changes to Canada’s Access to Information law
https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-access-to-information-changes/
about 1 month ago
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When a perceived surrender of journalistic ethics threatens your network's legitimacy to produce news, you clear the air. TWO days since
@ahmadelbayoumi.bsky.social
reported this story,
@citynewstoronto.bsky.social
&
#Rogers
still have not publicly addressed the matter.
#cdnmedia
#pressfreedom
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
0
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
We're hiring a Publisher! The successful candidate will work closely with our Editor-in-Chief to support The Independent's growth in producing hard-hitting independent journalism. Click for details 👇
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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We’re hiring a Publisher! – The Independent
Publisher The Lowdown Position: PublisherLocation: Remote, Newfoundland & LabradorHours: Full time (40 hours/week)Annual Salary: $75,000Type:
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/were-hiring-a-publisher/
0
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 1 month ago
Job alert! We're looking for a reporter/editor to work from the St. John's Metro region. Details here:
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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"The provincial government needs to decide that housing will be a priority and direct the NLHC to act accordingly, rather than continue to sit on its hands while the situation becomes increasingly dire," writes Hope Jamieson.
#nlpoli
#housing
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
0
3
0
reposted by
Justin Brake
Ricochet Media
about 2 months ago
Access to information: N.L. failed to make public over 1,000 responses in a single year. Province says it’s dealing with an increase in requests, but NDP says problems may be intentional. The latest from our new
#AtlanticCanada
reporter
@justinbrake.bsky.social
:
ricochet.media/politics/pro...
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Access to information: N.L. failed to make public over 1,000 responses in a single year
Province says it’s dealing with an increase in ATIPP requests, but NDP leader is concerned that the mounting problems may be intentional
https://ricochet.media/politics/provinces/atlantic/access-to-information-n-l-failed-to-make-public-over-1000-responses-in-a-single-year
0
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Here's my first story as Atlantic Investigative Reporter for
@ricochetmedia.bsky.social
&
@independentnl.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
1
10
7
We're only giving away 15 tote bags, so don't miss out!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
0
1
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
Joy SpearChief-Morris
about 2 months ago
A look into how the RCMP set up a spy operation on Indigenous organizations in the 1970s by CBC's Brett Forester
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
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How RCMP spies infiltrated the 1970s Indigenous rights movement | CBC News
A CBC Indigenous investigation has found the Cold War-era RCMP Security Service had a widespread and intrusive surveillance operation targeting at least 30 legitimate Indigenous political organization...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/rcmp-spies-1970s-indigenous-rights-9.7134112
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reposted by
Justin Brake
Unrigged
about 2 months ago
TONIGHT
@independentnl.bsky.social
presents 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' hosted by editor-in-chief
@justinbrake.bsky.social
in conversation with
@techwontsave.us
host
@parismarx.com
at Corner Brook's Rotary Arts Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. Watch online at
riverside.com/studio/ready...
1
2
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 2 months ago
INTERVIEW: Avi Lewis wants to fight fascists, create a national non-profit grocery chain & reinvigorate our political imagination. He’s got a detailed plan for accomplishing these things, and it’s one he thinks will resonate with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/int...
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INTERVIEW: Avi Lewis says N.L. is ‘ground zero’ for the biggest challenges facing Canadians – The Independent
The federal NDP candidate says socialism and economic populism are the antidote to unfettered capitalism and the ‘epic market failures’ it has brought
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/interview-avi-lewis-says-n-l-is-ground-zero-for-the-biggest-challenges-facing-canadians/
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Tonight! 7-9 p.m. Newfoundland time / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET Join virtually here:
riverside.com/studio/ready...
about 2 months ago
0
1
2
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
about 2 months ago
LISTEN: Journalists and
#pressfreedom
advocates discuss the
@amberbracken.bsky.social
/
@thenarwhal.ca
v. RCMP trial in BC and what it means for press freedom in Canada and the public's right to know. (Transcript also available.)
theindependent.ca/news/listen-...
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LISTEN: Justin Brake talks Amber Bracken case & press freedom on CBC Radio's 'The Signal' (with TRANSCRIPT) – The Independent
An hour-long conversation led by CBC Radio host Adam Walsh, feat. Justin Brake, Geoff Budden, Karyn Pugliese, Brent Jolly and Ethan Cox
https://theindependent.ca/news/listen-justin-brake-talks-amber-bracken-case-press-freedom-on-cbc-radios-the-signal-with-transcript/
0
7
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Indigenous academics rally behind ‘pretendian’ researcher found guilty of defamation
www.aptnnews.ca/featured/ind...
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Indigenous academics rally behind Leroux after defamation loss
High-profile Indigenous scholars signal their support for University of Ottawa researcher Darryl Leroux found liable for defamation
https://www.aptnnews.ca/featured/indigenous-academics-rally-behind-pretendian-researcher-found-guilty-of-defamation/
2 months ago
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7
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“[The company] can make it seem safe. They can make it seem a lot of things. I think this will be the end of the harbour and any natural thing for us," says Valerie Walsh of Fermeuse. "There will be no whales coming in anymore, no puffins, no fishery, no boats, no anything."
#LNG
#Fermeuse
#nlpoli
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
0
3
1
For the first time ever, NL's Chief Medical Examiner is collecting data on gambling as a risk factor in suicides in this province. Thank you to Rob Csernyik for continuing to follow this important story. Our province and the Atlantic Lottery Corp. profit off gambling, but at what cost?
#nlpoli
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
0
2
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
2 months ago
Days after The Independent broke a story about the apparent use of
#artificialintelligence
in a government-commissioned healthcare report, the province added safeguards to its public procurement process in an effort to mitigate risks associated with the use of
#AI
.
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pro...
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Province updated public procurement process days after Deloitte AI scandal exposed – The Independent
Proponents and suppliers are now required to disclose any intended use of AI before the government will award a contract
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/province-updated-public-procurement-process-days-after-deloitte-ai-scandal-exposed/
1
4
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reposted by
Justin Brake
Adrian Harewood
2 months ago
LISTEN:
@ricochetmedia.bsky.social
podcast “#PressFreedom on Trial in Canada w/ the groundbreaking journalist
@justinbrake.bsky.social
A conversation about the
@amberbracken.bsky.social
&
@thenarwhal.ca
case vs. the
#RCMP
”
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
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Press Freedom on Trial in Canada w/ Justin Brake
Podcast Episode · In Bed with the Elephant · March 17 · 42m
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/in-bed-with-the-elephant/id1807424900?i=1000755675613
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Here's my report on the Narwhal/Bracken v.
#RCMP
#pressfreedom
case in B.C. Lawyers on both sides are relying on the 2019 NL Court of Appeal decision in my case (the "Brake decision"). So I wanted to dig into how the RCMP interpreted & used it to justify jailing
@amberbracken.bsky.social
in 2021.
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
0
4
1
reposted by
Justin Brake
Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ)
2 months ago
❗On Friday evening, the CAJ learned that journalist Rachel Gilmore had recently been approached in public by individuals linked to, or implicated in, an investigation she had written, and was published by The Tyee that focused on white nationalists.
https://loom.ly/z22FRzg
12
285
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
EVENT: 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' 💬 Stories & Conversation, feat. Indy Editor-in-Chief
@justinbrake.bsky.social
and tech journalist &
@techwontsave.us
host
@parismarx.com
March 25, 2026 @ 7-9 p.m. NDT More details below 👇
theindependent.ca/announcement...
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EVENT: 'Ready or not, AI is HERE' – The Independent
Last November The Independent broke the story that a $1.6-million provincial healthcare report from accounting firm Deloitte contained AI-generated errors
https://theindependent.ca/announcements/event-ready-or-not-ai-is-here/
0
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Rhea Rollmann argues
#InternationalWomensDay
#IWD2026
is not a day for celebration. Here's why 👇
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...
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International Women’s Day is not a celebration – The Independent
How do we build a fighting feminist movement?
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/toast-and-tulips/international-womens-day-is-not-a-celebration/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQabsFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2OHUycmtMYXpubkUwZWlOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmNrSG1-bp4LL-dBbpOVOR7tAVfJ0PDDsdRqo05kelmgVk280Yu0riPeVI28_aem_TdnoaH7xInFEWFeHfXjaNA
3 months ago
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NEW: Deloitte is being investigated by Newfoundland & Labrador's accounting watchdog over the firm's use of
#AI
in a $1.6-million government healtcare report that contains at least four fake citations
#artificialintelligence
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/acc...
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Accounting watchdog to investigate Deloitte over fake citations in $1.6-million healthcare report – The Independent
Chartered Professional Accountants N.L. is leading the investigation after Deloitte admitted AI was involved
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/accounting-watchdog-to-investigate-deloitte-over-fake-citations-in-1-6-million-healthcare-report/
3 months ago
1
25
17
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
"In today’s world of far-right conservative men waging war on women and other gender minorities, and with the past century’s human rights gains rapidly unraveling, there should be no illusions that we have time or cause to celebrate anything."
#IWD2026
theindependent.ca/commentary/t...
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International Women’s Day is not a celebration – The Independent
How do we build a fighting feminist movement?
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/toast-and-tulips/international-womens-day-is-not-a-celebration/
0
6
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Walrus
3 months ago
With the sky warmed by the setting sun, the scene at the refugee camp
Michelle Shephard
visits in Adré, Chad appears almost bucolic. But just five kilometres away, the war in Sudan rages on, forcing thousands into life-threatening displacement.
https://thewalrus.ca/sudan-genocide/
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"These deaths happened," says investigative journalist Nilo Tabrizy. "They’re important for us to investigate, and all of us should be interrogating what happened."
#Iran
www.democracynow.org/2026/3/4/nil...
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Who Bombed Girls’ School in Iran? Reporter Nilo Tabrizy on What We Know About Massacre, 175 Killed
After a strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, Iran, killed at least 175 people, nearly all young schoolchildren, online reports spread disinformation about the attack, including claims that t...
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/4/nilo_tabrizy
3 months ago
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"History is consistent: sustainable freedom is built by people who organize, strike, write, teach, and resist—not by foreign jets, sanctions regimes, or crowns," writes Sima Atri. "Iranians deserve more than a choice between destruction and dictatorship."
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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11
The Tony Wakeham government quietly placed an asterisk next to its promise, ‘For all of us’
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
0
1
0
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
N.L. NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on Progressive Conservative government to legislate wage increases
#nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs...
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PC's minimum wage increase 'far from a living wage,' says NDP leader – The Independent
NDP Leader Jim Dinn is calling on the PCs to legislate wage increases
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/pcs-minimum-wage-increase-far-from-a-living-wage-says-ndp-leader/
1
6
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reposted by
Justin Brake
Harbinger Media Network
3 months ago
Canada needs an independent podcast community. It's Day 15 of our Winter 2026 fundraising campaign help us reach our goal of 50 new Harbinger supporters. Challenge right-wing and corporate media - support socially and politically progressive Canadian podcasts at
harbingermedianetwork.com/join/
🔶️
0
7
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reposted by
Justin Brake
Join our team! The Indy has a small, dedicated team of volunteers who selflessly make our work possible. If you have time (5-10 hours/month), skills and a burning desire to see independent journalism flourish in Newfoundland & Labrador, apply to join our Board of Directors!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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“This war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.” 'Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression' from
@readthemaple.com
#cdnpoli
www.readthemaple.com/why-these-ir...
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Why These Iranian-Canadians Strongly Oppose U.S.-Israeli Aggression
“This war is a war of power, a war of resource and land grab, and it is nothing about democracy.”
https://www.readthemaple.com/why-these-iranian-canadians-strongly-oppose-u-s-israeli-aggression/
3 months ago
1
25
11
reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
Today marks the 4th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, many Ukrainians have made NL home. Some, like Katarina Gavrilyuk & her family, have returned to Ukraine to visit family and friends. 🇺🇦 Read our Nov. 2025 story about that journey:
theindependent.ca/news/lji/ret...
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Returning home brings mixed feelings for Ukrainians living in Newfoundland – The Independent
A recent visit home by a Ukrainian refugee living in St. John’s underscores the joys of her homeland amid the harsh reality of the ongoing war
https://theindependent.ca/news/lji/returning-home-brings-mixed-feelings-for-ukrainians-living-in-newfoundland/
0
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reposted by
Justin Brake
The Independent
3 months ago
"Each cut sends the same message, never stated outright but unmistakable: research not directly tied to immediate economic outcomes is dispensable." Read MUNL Philosophy Professor Sean McGrath's new op-ed in our 'State of the University' series 👇
theindependent.ca/commentary/c...
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Slowly killing research at Memorial University – The Independent
A university is not its buildings, and it doesn’t exist to serve private-sector interests. It is about the pursuit of knowledge.
https://theindependent.ca/commentary/columns/state-of-the-university/slowly-killing-research-at-memorial-university/
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