1 week ago Tuesday's letters: Invoking notwithstanding clause a petty distraction

Alberta’s plan to invoke the notwithstanding clause in the Canadian Charter of Rights to amend three laws that affect transgender people is another example of petty distractions instead of focusing on the big issues: housing, health, education. This clause was added to the Charter (although Pierre Trudeau opposed it) as some premiers argued that it […]

Other

2 w. ago Danielle Smith defends use of notwithstanding clause on Saturday radio show

Smith said while she believes the provincial government's case to amend the three laws would hold up in court, she's concerned the process would take too long, and is looking into invoking the notwithstanding clause as an alternative.

Culture

2 w. ago Alberta to use notwithstanding clause on three transgender laws

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plans to invoke the Charter’s notwithstanding clause this fall on three laws affecting transgender people. An internal government memo sent last week from the justice department, obtained by The Canadian Press, details the plan. It says Smith’s office has directed the notwithstanding clause be added to the legislation in […]

Other

2 w. ago Tuesday's letters: Neutral candidates' debates needed for civic elections

As a former mayor, I eagerly tuned in Friday night to watch the Edmonton mayoral debate hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. As a candidate and leader, I always appreciated the efforts of many interest groups, including the chamber, to host candidate forums and debates. But I am deeply concerned that due to budget cuts, […]

Politics

3 w. ago Top Hollywood stars, directors sign pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions

NEW YORK — Some prominent Hollywood names are among the filmmakers and industry figures who’ve signed a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions — including festivals, broadcasters and production companies — that are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” organizers said Tuesday. The group Film Workers for Palestine posted an open letter […]

Culture

last month Lorne Gunter: Bloody weekend in Edmonton heightens calls for bail reform

On Tuesday, Edmonton mayoral candidate Rahim Jaffer issued an open letter calling on big-city mayors across the country to band together and demand the Carney government bring in meaningful bail reforms, not the piddly, window-dressing reforms introduced by the Trudeau Liberals last year. “We’ve seen police in particular find it very hard to do their […]

Society