Tag: Calgary

Appropriating the Alberta Advantage: a podcast profile

Appropriating the Alberta Advantage: a podcast profile

Alberta Marxists are trying to reclaim the meaning of the “Alberta Advantage” via their podcast of the same name.

At the time of its creation in September 2017, said host and producer Kate Jacobson, there were not really any leftist podcasts in the Prairie region. Now, they have been nominated for two Best of Calgary awards: Best Podcast and Best Twitter Personality.

“We’ve been really pleased with how receptive people have been to this project,” said Jacobson.

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U of C experts, athletes discuss advances in concussion research

There is a path forward from the darkness of concussions, for both athletes who suffer them and for the larger sports world, say Calgary experts.

On Nov. 15, the University of Calgary (U of C)’s Integrated Concussion Research Program held a free panel discussion of researchers, advocates, and ex-athletes, titled “Concussion: Facts, Fiction and the Future.” Read more at theweal.com

Calgary Inferno broadcasting four games on Sportsnet 960 The Fan

Originally published in The Weal, Nov. 19, 2018.

The Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) will have four of its games broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan this season.

According to the Fan’s Oct. 15 press release, they are “the first commercial radio station in North America” to do live play-by-play of the CWHL. 

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Catching up with retired Liberal MLA Harry Chase

Catching up with retired Liberal MLA Harry Chase

He has been officially retired from politics since 2012, but ex-MLA Harry Chase begins the interview at his Calgary home talking about his current efforts against a law in his second home in Parksville, B.C.

After being asked about how much time he splits between the two homes, Chase starts talking about how he’s fighting against a proposed speculation tax in B.C. that he described as “just a cash grab.”

It is an example of Chase’s political career in general: always with the knowledge that being even a lone dissenting voice can be satisfying in and of itself.

Fourteen years ago, Chase, previously a teacher for 34 years, won an upset victory as Calgary-Varsity’s first Liberal MLA. The district was thought to be deeply conservative.

After his retirement, Chase was succeeded by another PC MLA in Donna Kennedy-Glans. But in 2015, the seat was taken in the NDP wave by Stephanie McLean, now the minister for the Status of Women and Service Alberta, proving that his original progressive victory in Varsity was no fluke.

Reflecting on his electoral wins, legislative career, and the current state of Alberta politics, Chase remains proud of his progressive record. He has much he would like to offer young progressives as the province possibly heads towards another conservative government in 2019.

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Ties to anti-abortion groups dog the UCP

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.

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Transit advocates worry about neglect

Transit advocates worry about neglect

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.

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