I learned the news of the death of the Hon. Murray Sinclair early this morning, just before my flight left Edmonton for Ottawa. Ever since, I've been thinking about his extraordinary legacy as a lawyer, jurist, Senator and champion of truth and reconciliation. I was so privileged to work alongside him during my early years as a Senator. But I want to say, that is was also a joyous experience. He was so funny, so full of mischief. #SenateofCanada #MurraySinclair #TRC #cdnpoli

Now that the Alberta government has introduced its controversial amendments to the Alberta Bill of Rights, I want to reshare my recent conversation with the Hon. Ron Ghitter, one of the architects of Alberta’s ORIGINAL Bill of Rights. His view of this new amendments? “Ludicrous.”

Ron Ghitter: Still fighting for rights

The Hon. Ron Ghitter was an architect of Alberta’s first human rights legislation. Now, undaunted at 89, he’s fighting to protect it.

#Alberta #ableg #abpoli #BillofRights #SenateofCanada #antisemitism #cdnpoli

When I was 11 years old, a babysitter took me to see All the President’s Men. I think she was in love with Robert Redford. But that afternoon, I fell in love with journalism - and the ideals of the crusading Washington Post. Maybe that was a Hollywood fantasy. But the WaPo remained my ideal all through my own journalism career. What a bathetic end to a legacy of excellence. Democracy dies in cowardice, it would appear. #WashingtonPost #WaPo

In Canada, the police cannot search letters and packages while they are in the hands of Canada Post. Bill S-256 would change that, and allow police the power to open letters and parcels in transit - with a warrant. Some Indigenous leaders say they need police to have those powers, to stem the flood of fentanyl onto reserve. But I have serious misgivings about eliminating very historic privacy rights. #SenateofCanada #CanadaPost #Canada #fentanyl

Everybody these days, it seems, has a podcast. But David Gray, former host of the CBC’s Calgary Eyeopener, has a plodcast - where he interviews his subjects as they walk. We talked about political polarization & radicalization as we rambled along the Rideau Canal. Have a listen!

Graydio Canada

Episode 13: The Senator- Paula Simons — Graydio Canada

Parliament Hill looks like an armed encampment these days, bristling with Parliamentary Protection officers. Politicians complain daily of threats ...

#SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #Canada #Alberta #Ottawa #yow #abpoli

I shocked some Senate colleagues, with my speech about the dark history of the eugenics movement in Alberta. Vitally important context, to our debate on Bill S-250, a bill sponsored by my Senate colleague Yvonne Boyer, a Metis human rights lawyer who has spent years drawing attention to the issue of non-consensual sterilization of Indigenous women in Canada. #eugenics #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #Alberta #Canada #ableg #abpoli #Famous5

Yesterday, on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, I had the privilege of attending a ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History to unveil the new residential schools monument, created by Kwagu’l master carver Stanley C. Hunt. Taking its inspiration from the traditional west coast totem pole, it is both ominous and inspiring. #OrangeShirtDay #TruthAndReconciliation

Alberta Unbound is back! And we kick off September with a humdinger. Come meet Kris Wells, one of Alberta’s two new Senators, who was sworn in yesterday. The right wing blogosphere has dubbed him Canada’s most dangerous senators. In this episode, I’ll introduce you to the real @npub15evw...0zst, in his own words.

Apple Podcasts

Alberta Unbound

Politics Podcast · Bimonthly Series · In this podcast, Paula Simons, an Independent senator from Alberta, sets out to debate and deconstruct some...

#AlbertaUnbound #SenateofCanada #Alberta #Canada #cdnpoli #trans #Edmonton #yeg

Good news - Health Canada has just announced its approval of the new Moderna Covid vaccine, which targets the KP.2 variant.

COVID-19 vaccines and treatments portal

COVID-19 vaccines and treatments portal

Health Canada is committed to providing up-to-date information related to vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

#Covid19 #Covid #vaccine #Canada #HealthCanada #kp2 #Spikevax

And another Senator enters the chat! I had a big walk and talk with @npub15evw...0zst this morning. I mentioned how much I enjoy Mastodon. I guess I made a compelling pitch! So please don’t make a liar out of me - instead, join me in welcoming my new Senate colleague to this wonderful community. #SenateofCanada #Edmonton #yeg #MacEwan #lgbtq #cdnpoli #Alberta #Canada