Jason Markusoff

Career Trajectory: From Municipal Politics to National Discourse

Markusoff’s journey began at the Calgary Herald, where he honed his ability to dissect municipal politics. His coverage of former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s tenure, including the 2015 article Naheed Nenshi, Calgary's elected dogcatcher, showcased his knack for blending policy analysis with human-interest storytelling. This phase established his reputation as a chronicler of urban governance.

Transitioning to Macleans, Markusoff expanded his scope to national issues while retaining an Albertan lens. His investigative piece on Scott Steer, The hunt for B.C.’s most notorious fisherman, demonstrated his ability to weave crime reporting with environmental policy critiques. This period marked his evolution into a journalist capable of framing regional stories within broader societal contexts.

Currently with CBC Calgary, Markusoff continues to tackle pressing provincial issues, such as separatist movements and energy transition debates. His recent analysis of Alberta’s political fragmentation in Alberta separatists getting organized underscores his role as a key interpreter of Western Canadian politics.

Key Articles and Impact

• Naheed Nenshi, Calgary's elected dogcatcher (Calgary Herald)

This 2015 profile of Calgary’s mayor blended policy analysis with character study, revealing how Nenshi’s hands-on leadership style redefined municipal governance. Markusoff’s access to late-night strategy sessions provided unprecedented insight into the challenges of urban leadership, setting a benchmark for political journalism in Canada.

• The hunt for B.C.’s most notorious fisherman (Macleans)

An investigative deep dive into Scott Steer’s defiance of fishing regulations became a microcosm for larger debates about resource management. Markusoff’s multi-source reconstruction of a Coast Guard confrontation demonstrated his ability to transform true crime into a narrative about environmental stewardship.

• Alberta separatists getting organized (National Newswatch)

This analysis of rising separatist sentiment combined historical context with contemporary political realities. By interviewing movement leaders and policy experts, Markusoff created a nuanced portrait of Western alienation that avoided simplistic caricatures.

Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations

Alberta-Specific Policy Developments

Markusoff prioritizes stories that reveal how provincial decisions impact local communities. Pitches should highlight underreported legislation or municipal initiatives, particularly those with environmental or social justice implications. His coverage of Calgary’s urban development plans exemplifies this focus.

Environmental Conflicts With Human Dimensions

Successful pitches will frame ecological issues through personal stories, as seen in his fishing regulation investigation. Proposals about energy transition challenges or land-use disputes should emphasize affected communities rather than abstract policy debates.

Crime With Systemic Implications

While Markusoff occasionally covers high-profile crimes, he seeks cases that expose institutional failures or regulatory gaps. The B.C. fisherman story succeeded because it illustrated broader enforcement challenges in natural resource management.

Pitching Tips

• Lead with Alberta-specific angles even for national issues
• Concrete examples of policy impacts on communities
• Sources willing to discuss both personal and systemic dimensions
• Historical context for contemporary issues
• Avoid speculative or partisan political analysis

Awards and Recognition

While specific awards aren’t detailed in public records, Markusoff’s longevity with prestigious outlets like Macleans and CBC demonstrates industry recognition. His work consistently appears in national conversations about Western Canadian affairs, a testament to its impact.