The Walrus: How BlackBerry Staged a Comeback by Winning Over Car Companies

Dubbed “Crackberry” by ardent users—Webster’s New World College Dictionary proclaimed it the Word of the Year in 2006—the impact and influence of the BlackBerry device in the early 2000s could be found everywhere. It featured in pop song titles and explicit rap lyrics; Kim Kardashian was a loyal user; former United States president Barack Obama famously said he was “clinging” to his BlackBerry and that they would have to “pry it out of [his] hands” when he entered office.

In this explainer piece for The Walrus, I trace the history of BlackBerry and delve into why everyone’s talking about this company — once left for dead — again.

Business, Canada, Culture, Technology, The WalrusS HoJune 26, 2026BlackBerry, Crackberry, Research In Motion, RIM, QNX, EVs, RTOS, Microkernel, AI, Physical AIComment

The Walrus: Eggs Are Still Affordable in Canada. Thank Supply Management

Everyone keeps clucking about our egg prices, dairy tariffs, and supply management. The system has Trump in a huff. … I never thought reporting on *supply management* could be this interesting, but if you've ever wondered how Canada's egg and dairy industries work, why our egg prices didn't soar, grumbled about the price of milk, and what's making Trump cranky about CUSMA, my explainer attempts to break it all down.

The Walrus: When Your Landlord Is a Billion-Dollar Corporation

“In Canada, to buy a home, it’s a dream, and to rent is a nightmare.” Housing is a human right, but the rental market in Canada reveals a different reality. In my first piece for The Walrus, I examine how financialized landlords are turning the country's rental housing into a tool for profit.

2025 Digital Publishing Awards Best Feature, Honorable Mention