In This Issue

The Story of Ed

Why we need to see justice done.

No one is above the law: not homeless people, not police—not any citizen. But we can’t know if someone has violated this principle unless we demand accountability. That’s why I was initially glad there would be a hearing for Ed. I was reminded of the idea that justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. It wasn’t enough to know that police weren’t above the law; I needed to witness this being upheld.

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Remand

Full Prisonby Jason Franson. Old Edmonton Remand Centre. 2006.


Policing the Police

How well does Alberta’s police watchdog protect citizens and officers?

Before the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team--or ASIRT-- was formed in 2008, an officer would usually have been investigated by a peer in his or her own agency. If they hadn't collaborated in the past, they'd likely do so in the future.
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Delisted

Alberta's arbitrary cutting and reinstating of gender reassignment surgery

"Why was there no consultation with any medical professionals with expertise in the field?" asked MLA Laurie Blakeman. Then-Minister of Health & Wellness Ron Liepart replied that the delisting "was not based on medical decisions." It was a matter of making "very tough decisions" based on budget cuts, he said.

On Gifted Ground

One Ukranian-Albertan reflects on forebears, Ukranian and Aboriginal

For a while at least, stories had passed down through Ukranian-Canadian families about Native neighbours who gave shelter in a storm, helped deliver babies, concocted medicinal brews, exchanged pelts for blankets--oral testimonies to first-contact "friendship."

Bookshelf

Reviews of books written by Alberta authors, published by Alberta publishers, or books that focus on aspects of our province.

African-Canadian poetry in The Great Black North; axed plans in Unbuilt City; visions of the West in A Place to Call Home


Behind the Scenes
Alberta arts institutions unmasked

 

Museum curators head into the field, Alberta Ballet dancers get hitched and arias boom among the blossoms...

Eye on Alberta
Clippings, Quotes and Controversies

 

Cops go cyber; the West goes wild; deer get off scot-free; Mar's shotgun ride; vigilante justice; quack litigants...

Wit
Practically Educated
Communication Canada.

 

It is our hope going forward that we can limit consumptions to sustainable minimums... "That's good, but you forgot to add going forward."

Meet the Minister
Jonathan Denis
Justice Minister & Solicitor General

 

Slow courts have real consequences: In 2013 Denis apologized to a woman whose sexual assault case was dismissed due to delays.
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Guide
Festivals

 

Connect to Alberta this summer through 30 matchless events and celebrations.

Postal Code
What could your community look like?

 

Some sidewalks lead to what feel like secret playgrounds and skating rinks hidden away from the bustling city.
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Highlights from Past Issues

In Our Previous Issue

The Most Unsafe Workplace in Alberta

Why farm workers have so few rights or protections

There is certainly merit to the idea that everyone should have the same rights. But the paradoxical effect of refusing to distinguish among groups of farm workers in order not to deprive any group of farm workers of rights is that all farm workers are deprived of statutory safety rights. And depriving all farm workers of rights means treating them differently from every other worker in Alberta.

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To read other "Last Issue" features click here.

From The Archives

Alberta Politics: The First 100 Years

An illustrated history

A political cartoon chronicling the diversity of leaders in Alberta’s first 100 years.

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