Former elected official. Growth accelerator. "Acta non verba" - Actions not Words. STEM, education, innovation. We need more of everything.
Calgary, Alberta
Joined April 2015
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Lisa Davis retweeted
I hope Canadian canola and seafood marketers have learned their lesson: Communist China is not, and never will be, a reliable market.
Yes, it's a big market. But there are lots of big markets that don't capriciously use tariffs to advance their aggressive geopolitical strategic goals.
The PRC has imposed three rounds of tariffs / import bans on canola and other Canadian ag exports in recent years.
They will do it again. It's a question of when, not if.
Canadian ag marketers have to end the bad habit of imagining the PRC is a reliable market, and focus instead on market diversification.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Mr. Vice-President,
Please allow me to present a different perspective.
The problem was not the Iran War. It was the cease fire.
If you start a war, you need to win it and finish it – otherwise don’t start it.
This war should have been over six months ago, with the Strait of Hormuz wide open and oil flowing. The second and third tiers of Iranian leadership should have been destroyed, and we should have supported the pro-western forces who could have taken leadership. We stood on the brink of a new, more peaceful Middle East - and then we blinked. We had a chance not only to deny Iran nuclear weapons, but to get rid of the world’s biggest supporter of terrorism.
Instead, we had a cease fire, which was followed by months of will we or won’t we finish the job. Every day was a different message. There still is. Is the war over? Is it about to begin? No one knows. There is confusion and inconsistency.
In June 2025, America was not involved. This was an Israel vs Iran issue.
No one forced the United States to attack Iran then, or in February of 2026. It was a decision made by President Trump. In my opinion, it was the right decision.
Once the decision was made, we should not have stopped until the regime fell. But instead, you negotiated a cease fire that didn’t last, didn’t work and left us in no man’s land, with higher prices and our troops still deployed.
Our troops could have been home, the Navy returned to its bases, a peaceful regime in place , new alliances forged, and gas prices below $3.00 a gallon.
No, Mr. Vice President. It’s not the war. It’s the so-called cease fire.
One of the things the data analysts on our side obsessed over was "composition"—whether the electorate looked close enough to 2024 for Republicans to win. And despite polls that showed a Democrat blowout, the data kept on telling us the same story: in some states turnout was merely OK, in other states it was downright amazing, and in no state was it catastrophic. There was a genuine sense of optimism on our team: our people were showing up.
So, I asked the smartest data guy I know, does that mean we're going to shock the world? "No," he told me. "We might do better than the polls suggest. But the data is telling us that a lot of Trump/Vance 2024 voters are pissed and planning to vote for the other guys. Our voters are turning out, but they may not vote for us."
Well, that looks prophetic now. Our voters did show up. In Florida, for example, the electorate was 9 points more Republican than Democrat, just a couple points worse than 2024. Undoubtedly there were places we could have done better on turnout. But the main problem is not turnout. The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026.
There will be a lot of infighting and arguing over what happened and why that is. One of the pollsters I really respect told me that our economic messaging wasn’t sharp enough down the stretch. I’m sure that’s true.
But the real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone.
Another pollster—one of the smartest people I know in politics, told me yesterday we’d lose the generic ballot by 13 points. I felt negative going into Tuesday, but even I was shocked by this. In his polling, he saw that a lot of Trump 2024 voters were angry and planning to vote for Democrats. He asked those voters who had abandoned us what would cause them to come back on our team. The top four answers, accounting for nearly all of the responses were:
1) End the war
2) Focus on cost of living/inflation
3) Put America First
4) Change our relationship to Israel
Our voters showed up. And the above four reasons are why many of them voted for Democrats. This is according to a pollster who nailed the results. While many spent Monday attacking Rachel Campos Duffy for calling for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, it turns out her political advice was sound. (She’s also a great person.)
In the next few months, there's going to be a lot of gaslighting. Expect to hear any number of establishment politicians say the solution to our woes is amnesty. I'm open to the idea that we should change enforcement—by focusing more on businesses that hire illegal labor, for instance. But anyone pushing amnesty is lying to you.
The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night.
If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest.
But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.
I remain hopeful about our country. To the people who are pissed off and want to say, “I told you so”: you’re right, you did tell us so. Take that energy into electing Republicans who share your worldview. To the people who are just pissed at the results, you should be. Let’s take that anger and get back to the work of saving our country.
Lisa Davis retweeted
The only reason this didn’t happen to us in our super-expensive suburban school district is that I happened to clean out my 4th grader’s backpack one day & discovered a math test with a grade of 68
When I asked his teacher about it she said, “Don’t worry, he understands the concepts”
I thought that must be right since the teacher had said it … but after that I tuned in & eventually realized my son didn’t have a freaking clue about the concepts or anything else
The next year I gave him the Singapore Math placement test, discovered he was 2 years behind, then bought the Saxon Math books & matched the two of us through them one lesson at a time
He’s teaching algebra this year
In a devastating 1rst-person piece, NYC education advocate and mom Adriana Aviles tells how her son received the highest grades in math throughout elementary and middle school in Queens’ District 26, the best in the city.
Yet now in high school, she soon discovered, “He couldn’t solve basic algebra. He couldn’t do geometry. He couldn’t compute elementary-school fractions."
“My shock soon gave way to heartbreak, then anger. The NYC education system had betrayed my son to make itself look better."
“I failed too. I didn’t scrutinize his work closely or check his performance on state test scores because I figured if his report cards were good then everything was fine.”
“I looked back and discovered he was deemed ‘not proficient’ in math on a 7th-grade state exam.”
nypost.com/2026/10/31/us-new…
Lisa Davis retweeted
The absolute kindest thing we can do for our children in schools, is to provide an environment for them that is safe, calm and dignified. Everything else flows from that.
Lisa Davis retweeted
The new K-12 federal tax credit is being strongly resisted by the AFT and NEA. What do their members think?
They support it.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Our K-12 crisis summed up:
In 2020, University of CA San Diego had 32 freshman placed in the remedial "middle school math" section.
By 2025, it was 665 students.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Anyone looking for an accountant job in Toronto?
@KPMG_Canada in Toronto is claiming they cannot not find Canadian workers to fill 15 accounting jobs.
Do you think there aren't 15 out of work Canadian accountants in Toronto? Mark Carney does. ⬇️
KPMG is trying to hire 15 foreign accountants in downtown Toronto at $80,000+ each.
In four days, Mark Carney will let corporations hire high wage occupations from abroad without even trying to hire a Canadian first.
Toronto’s unemployment rate is sitting at 7% with youth unemployment at 17%. KPMG should be hiring and training Canadians, not getting a free pass to bypass local workers.
Lisa Davis retweeted
First, like a girl! #FIRSTlikeagirl
Dropped into the STEM fair at the Legislature and got to catch up with the Sparkanovas, Alberta's first all girls Robotics Competition team.
In their rookie season alone, this team from Calgary's STEM Innovation Academy won three awards across two competitions. Incredible work.
Alberta's future in science, technology and engineering is in very good hands. Congratulations again, Sparkanovas. Keep building, keep competing and keep showing everyone what you can do.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Council vote recap | October 27, 2026
Here’s a breakdown of selected motions and how Council voted.
1. Glacier Ridge growth — GA2026-009 Approve the growth application, with operating funding in the 2028 budget adjustments and future investments considered through subsequent budgets. Carried 9–6 For: Johnston, Wyness, Kelly, McLean, Dhaliwal, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward, Chabot. Against: Yule, Schmidt, Pantazopoulos, Atkinson, Clark, Mayor Farkas.
2. Belvedere growth — GA2026-010 Approve the growth application, with operating funding in the 2028 budget adjustments and future investments considered through subsequent budgets. Carried 11–4 For: Johnston, Wyness, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, McLean, Clark, Dhaliwal, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward, Chabot. Against: Yule, Schmidt, Atkinson, Mayor Farkas.
3. Glacier Ridge growth — GA2026-011 Approve a separate Glacier Ridge growth application, with operating funding in the 2028 budget adjustments and future investments considered through subsequent budgets. Carried 9–6 For: Johnston, Wyness, Kelly, McLean, Dhaliwal, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward, Chabot. Against: Yule, Schmidt, Pantazopoulos, Atkinson, Clark, Mayor Farkas.
4. Water utility rates Approve 2027–2030 water, wastewater and stormwater rate increases and full cost recovery, with further analysis of alternative rate structures. Carried 9–6 For: Yule, Schmidt, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, Atkinson, Clark, Dhaliwal, Chabot, Mayor Farkas. Against: Johnston, Wyness, McLean, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward.
5. Waste and recycling rates Approve proposed 2027–2030 rates and charges, with related budgets and bylaw amendments returning to Council in November 2026. Carried 14–1 For: Yule, Schmidt, Wyness, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, Atkinson, McLean, Clark, Dhaliwal, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward, Chabot, Mayor Farkas. Against: Johnston.
6. Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw Adopt amendments strengthening intervention for threatening or aggressive animals, owner accountability and penalties. Carried 15–0 For: All 15 Council members. Against: None.
7. Bearspaw feeder main review spending Make review-panel expenditure totals and specified information from the CAO’s earlier update public, while keeping closed-meeting discussions confidential. Carried 15–0 For: All 15 Council members. Against: None.
8. Procurement transparency Develop a searchable public webpage or dashboard for eligible City contracts, with an implementation plan returning in Q2 2027. Carried 15–0 For: All 15 Council members. Against: None.
9. National Music Centre — postponement Postpone consideration of the loan-guarantee motion to January 26, 2027. This vote was on postponement—not approval of a loan guarantee. Carried 11–4 For postponement: Yule, Schmidt, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, Atkinson, McLean, Clark, Dhaliwal, Jamieson, Chabot, Mayor Farkas. Against postponement: Johnston, Wyness, Tyers, Ward.
10. E-mobility framework Request a report by Q1 2027 on potential e-mobility rules, device definitions and where devices can be used. Carried 15–0 For: All 15 Council members. Against: None.
11. Proposed on-street bike lane pause Pause new on-street bike lanes that remove travel lanes or reduce parking pending provincial legislative direction, while continuing pathway and other eligible projects. Defeated 5–10 For: Johnston, McLean, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward. Against: Yule, Schmidt, Wyness, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, Atkinson, Clark, Dhaliwal, Chabot, Mayor Farkas.
12. Underpass safety My motion to develop a strategy addressing drivers stopping beneath bridges and overpasses during hailstorms and severe weather. Carried 15–0 For: All 15 Council members. Against: None.
13. Transit fare strategy Pause fare-strategy public engagement until after the Q2 2027 committee meeting, with updated analysis, fare options and reporting to follow. Carried 13–2 For: Johnston, Yule, Schmidt, Wyness, Pantazopoulos, Kelly, McLean, Clark, Dhaliwal, Tyers, Jamieson, Ward, Mayor Farkas. Against: Atkinson, Chabot.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Suspensions are a necessary part of a healthy system. Without them, we can’t keep children safe, learning, and dignified. Without them, some schools and classes descend into chaotic environments where everything people claim to be against- persecution, inequality, harassment, discrimination- are multiplied. People who campaign for their reduction without the reduction of the behaviours that lead to them, are simply mistaken. Usually they have never worked successfully in a tough environment. But their advocacy flatters their self image as compassionate champions of children. In reality, what they advocate for demonstrates the opposite.
Lisa Davis retweeted
"during the last school year, a council of educators at both Palo Alto high schools rejected the [advanced math] course, arguing it would serve few students and set back equity and students’ well-being"
Right, math is harmful. Come on! What are we doing?
“If teaching math can harm students, then we have a lot bigger issues to talk about than whether to offer this course,” Nguyen told the Chronicle.
Indeed.
Brian Conrad, a Stanford mathematician, told the Chronicle that he felt math was treated as a “punching bag” for equity and mental health concerns.
“The school doesn’t cut sports teams simply because some kids are far more talented at sports,” he said.
“Why is it that the teaching of math generates much more controversy than other subjects?”
sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti…
Lisa Davis retweeted
An oldie but a goodie. In 1968 a bunch of entitled hippy bastards sent a letter detailing their specious demands to the Warden and Fellows of Wadham College, Oxford. This was their letter of reply, which speaks to how far the academy has since fallen.
Study proving charter schools achieve higher on provincial exams.
Alberta is the only province where parents can choose to send their child to government-funded, non-profit schools known as charter schools. Because these schools are run by non-profits, they get to decide how they teach, school rules, etc. Best of all, there's no tuition!
New research by SecondStreet.org found Alberta’s charter school students scored 10.5 percentage points higher on provincial achievement tests in 2024-25 than students at government-run public schools. They scored 9.2 points higher than students at government-run Catholic schools. They came out ahead in all seven subjects that could be compared.
Charter schools teach the same provincial curriculum and charge no tuition. Some focus on STEM, and others on classical subjects like math and history.
The model works in Alberta. Parents in other provinces should have the same option.
Learn more about how to fix Canada’s education system at SecondStreet.org
Read more from the source: secondstreet.org/2026/09/22/…
Lisa Davis retweeted
‘He ran into the fire’: Military medic critically injured saving fellow soldiers in CFB Wainwright fire
globalnews.ca/news/12119428/…
Lisa Davis retweeted
Bend, Oregon man who shot and killed a shooter at his daughters' school speaks out, praises female teacher for fighting the shooter, allowing him to have a clear shot.
Kaylub Giamanco says he is haunted by the sound of children pleading for their lives.
He also praised the teacher for grabbing the gunman's weapon, allowing him to take a shot at the shooter.
"I want to recognize [the teacher]. She gave me the opportunity to make my shot without losing my life..."
"I swung the door open, and I stepped in, and I fired, and they dropped to the ground... I looked down at the gunman, and he was scrambling for his weapon. And I looked at him, and I shot him 2 more times..."
Lisa Davis retweeted
ICYMI - Sustainable Development Technology Canada was created to subsidize environmental projects.
It was disbanded in 2024 with resignation of all directors after audit found 186 conflicts of interest.
@PrivyCouncilCA report cited gross mismanagement that cost taxpayers $150M.
Liberal MPs on Commons committee reject motion to recover $34 million in federal grants mistakenly paid to ineligible applicants by scandal-ridden ‘Sustainable Development Technology Canada’, labelled “green slush fund.”
blacklocks.ca/lib-mps-block-…
@jasrajshallan @melaniejoly @BetOnMePodcast @PrivyCouncilCA #cdnpoli
Lisa Davis retweeted
How can any Liberal MP in their right mind not want to go after the $434.8 million that was wrongly paid out for the Dental Plan. This is taxpayers' hard earned money. The Liberals have no right to not to try to get taxpayer monies back. This is the same as when Ms Joly said it would not be in the best interest of Canadians to recoup the billions "lost" in the Green Energy scandal.
When will the Elbows Up crowd get angry over the loss of tax dollars.
Lisa Davis retweeted
No teacher should have to endure or fear this. Criminal charges should be pursued without remorse or apology. Enough is enough.
Lisa Davis retweeted
Another strategy that should be buried in a chest and thrown into the ocean: removing the whole class because one student is being disruptive. Only in the most *extreme* circumstances should this be considered. In all other cases, the student should be exited. Otherwise it teaches them they have huge power over others.