Nate Pike was happy, Monday, to turn the lights back on for the Alberta political web series, The Breakdown. And maybe still a little flabbergasted by the level of support that got him there. For two weeks and three days, his creation and the six years of work he put into it were taken and kept away. The Breakdown was ordered dark following complaints by MHCare and its Edmonton-based CEO, Sam Mriache. Over multiple episodes, Pike alleged MHCare was awarded two controversial contracts from the province he believes were sole-sourced, and that Mraiche later invited multiple politicians into a free VIP box for Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey games. Discussed at the injunction hearing was use of the term “Tylenot” in relation to the troubled Turkish acetaminophen deal, as well as allegations of improprieties pertaining to it and other contracts. Pike’s counsel maintained fair comment. The other side maintained defamation. Monday morning, a judge dismissed the injunction. And Monday evening, Pike was getting ready to go live again. “The best part for me is the support that I and the show have received from Albertans and—legitimately, I can say this—Canadians,” he said. “To be able to turn the lights back on—to be able to say thank you—is huge, and that’s what I’m choosing to focus on today.” Pike told CTV News Calgary he was “cautiously optimistic” about the outcome he received. “I was nervous, for sure,” he said. “I didn’t expect the initial decision that was made that saw the shutdown of the show ... that came as a complete blindside to me. “Once you’ve had something like that happen, it’s kind of hard not to look at the next opportunity for something to go sideways with a little bit of caution.” Pike is not clear of the weeds yet. The order that shuttered him followed a $6-million lawsuit filed late last year by the same company. The lawsuit is still a thing. At this point, the MHCare/Mraiche matter has also been covered by mainstream media. Political experts have suggested Pike was the target of a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) suit: a way to keep critics quiet. The many supporters who came out for Pike brought their wallets with them. A fundraiser to cover his legal costs through this ordeal has brought in more than $200,000. Pike must tread carefully for this next bit. But he also feels he has to keep treading. “One of the main reasons the show was started in the first place was to try to elevate issues that fall through the cracks,” he said. “Not being able to help those people in the small, small, small, small way the show does, that was really hard.” Albeit treading carefully, Pike has lots in mind for what’s to come. Some of it is work that was started before—and had to be put down when—the injunction began. “The wonderful thing about the province of Alberta, politically, is that it is a never-ending dumpster fire,” he said. “There is never any shortage of things to talk about.”
