Author: Alex Hamilton

Ties to anti-abortion groups dog the UCP

Posted on by Alex Hamilton

Originally written January 2018.

As it forms a platform and prepares for the 2019 provincial election, the United Conservative Party (UCP) and its leader, Jason Kenney, may face controversy over perceived anti-abortion policy.

Minister of Status of Women Stephanie McLean sees the UCP’s abortion policies as potentially dangerous because of these ties.

An abortion rights group, Alberta Pro-Choice Coalition, and the head of a progressive non-profit group, Progress Alberta, also are concerned about Kenney, pointing to his long record of approval by anti-abortion groups.

Should Kenney become premier in 2019, they do not trust his pledge not to cut access to abortion.

On the opposing side, an anti-abortion group recently tied to the UCP said that their aims are modest, and even supported by Albertans.

In an email interview, McLean said “it’s becoming clear just how extremist and reckless Jason Kenney and the UCP really are” on women’s reproductive rights.

Continue reading “Ties to anti-abortion groups dog the UCP” →

Transit advocates worry about neglect

Transit advocates worry about neglect

Posted on by Alex Hamilton

Originally written December 2017.

After Calgary Transit narrowly avoided budget cuts, advocates say that maintaining service, and possibly spending more on transit, is needed since demand is increasing and often overlooked.

The city had wanted to cut 46,800 hours of bus service to help balance the budget, but on Nov. 29, city council voted to spend $4 million to maintain service.

The amendment to reverse the proposed cuts was put forth by the new councillor for Ward 3, Jyoti Gondek.

In a phone interview, Gondek said that the measure was necessary to maintaining a consistent vision for Calgary Transit.

Gondek said that cutting service time would eventually “force people into behaviour that is regressive, not progressive.”

She said it “seemed counterintuitive” for council to enact transit cuts while also committing to low-income transit passes and the Green Line expansion.

Continue reading “Transit advocates worry about neglect” →

Unsafe for student guilty of sexual interference to return to University of Calgary campus… never mind his potential victims

Unsafe for student guilty of sexual interference to return to University of Calgary campus… never mind his potential victims

Posted on by Alex Hamilton

Opinion piece originally published in The Weal January 29, 2018.

The Connor Neurauter controversy is a disgrace to the University of Calgary (U of C), and displays the work still required to confront sexual interference and institutional complicity in it.

Nearauter, 21, recently recieved a prison sentence for sexual interference with a 13-year-old girl in 2015. He was sentenced in Kamloops, B.C., and his sentence was delayed in order to allow him to finish his classes at U of C.

The University’s handling of the situation has been baffling at best, completely tone-deaf at worst. And, although Neurauter has now been effectively driven off campus, though not expelled, the administration still botched the situation so badly that student activists are fuming, and they should be.

Everything in the university’s conduct, from its vague and flawed non-academic misconduct policy to its clumsy and insensitive response to students, suggests a university prioritizing a convicted sex offender over the safety of students.

Continue reading “Unsafe for student guilty of sexual interference to return to University of Calgary campus… never mind his potential victims” →

City of Calgary faces hurdles before legalized pot arrives

Posted on by Alex Hamilton
The Green Room in Calgary, AB, 8 St SW
One of the medical marijuana dispensary The Green Room’s locations in Calgary.

Originally written October 2017.

In preparing for legalized marijuana, the City of Calgary faces many tough decisions for regulating cannabis-related businesses and managing public safety concerns versus benefits.

Under Parliament’s Bill C-45 passed this April, provinces and cities are responsible for licensing distribution and sale of marijuana, restricting where it can be consumed, and changing impaired driving laws.

Matt Zabloski, project lead for preparing the City of Calgary’s cannabis regulations, said that the federal government’s July 2018 target for legalization has not given the City very much time.

Zabloski said the biggest challenge has been coordinating between the municipal and provincial government.

Continue reading “City of Calgary faces hurdles before legalized pot arrives” →