Breaking news from the Senate. After all kinds of stalling tactic from the Conservatives, we just passed Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, 73-14. All four AB Senators, Scott Tannas, @SenKarenAb and @MSPLB voted in favour of the deal. (All Conservative senators voted against.) This deal isn't a magic solution to Ukraine's military woe, but will be an important tool in rebuilding the nation's economy. #SenateofCanada#Canada#Ukraine#BillC57#C57#cdnpoli#Alberta#FreeTrade
The Senate doesn't often sit on Monday. But we've recall ourselves to sit this evening, to deal with Bill C-62, the bill delaying adoption of MAID for people suffering from serious mental illness. The government would like us to push the bill right through, before the March sunset clause kicks in. Many in the Senate, though, might prefer to give the bill more thorough study. You can watch the debate live here - after Question Period. https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony#MAID#cdnpoli#SenateofCanada
Last year, when now-arrested journalist Brandi Morin released her powerful memoir, Our Voice of Fire, she was a guest on my podcast, Alberta Unbound. I was re-listening to Part One, and was struck again by Morin's raw honesty and her gift as a story-teller. If you missed it last year, or would like to relisten, I invite you to do so. But be warned - we discuss child abuse, rape, and other trauma. https://senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s4-episode-1-her-voice-of-fire-part-1/#AlbertaUnbound#BrandiMorin#Edmonton#SenateofCanada
If you are following the MAID debate, I invite you to read this damning dissenting report from 5 of my Senate colleagues - four of whom happen to be physicians - denouncing the report released this week calling for another delay in extending MAID rights for those with psychiatric conditions. (Note - one of the Senators who signed this dissent is a psychiatrist, another a palliative care specialist.) https://www.parl.ca/documentviewer/en/44-1/AMAD/report-3/page-102#SenateofCanada#MAID#cdnpoli
Interested in joining the Senate - but not quite august enough to be a Senator? I'm saying goodbye to a very talented staffer, who's leaving #yow to be closer to family. I'm looking for a quick-witted candidate who is willing to live in Ottawa area, who (ideally) knows something about communications law/policy or information/privacy/digital tech policy, and is able to put up/keep up with me. Ability to speak French an nice asset. Some knowledge of Alberta a bonus feature. #SenateofCanada
If you might be interested in joining my Senate office - or know someone you think might fit, you can send me a message here, or if you'd prefer, you can send a resume my director of parliamentary affairs, at Katelin.Cummings@sen.parl.gc.ca We might be hiring for either a parliamentary research assistant or a parliamentary affairs advisor - title, responsibility and pay commensurate with skills and experience. #SenateofCanada#yow#Ottawa#SenCa#cdnpoli#Alberta#Canada
I spent my afternoon at West Haven School in Leduc, speaking to Grade 9 students about the history and role of the Senate. At the end of our conversation, one of the bigger, tougher looking boys asked me for a hug. I think he may have been taking the mickey - but I hugged him anyway. Next thing I knew, a whole bunch of them asked for hugs! So hugs they got. A reminder that even the gruffest looking teens need a little hug now and then. #Alberta#Leduc#BlackGold#SenateofCanada
One of my favourite parts of being a senator? School visits. Friday, I spoke (via Zoom) to a University of Ottawa law class on digital regulation, taught by @mgeist. This afternoon, I Zoomed with Grade 6 students at Covenant Canadian Reformed School, a private Christian school in Barrhead, Alberta. Later this week? Visits with Grade 9 classes at Esther Starkman & John D. Bracco Jr Highs in #Edmonton. Great do to this, while the Senate's not sitting. #SenateofCanada#yeg#Alberta#UOttawa
If you are a professor or teacher who might like a classroom visit (in person or via video) with a Canadian Senator, here's the link to our Senate youth outreach office, which coordinates senators visits to schools, universities and colleges - as well as to groups such as a 4H, Girl Guides or Air Cadets. https://sencanada.ca/en/sengage/#about#SenateofCanada#Canada
Senators have the right - and responsibility - to visit federal penitentiaries and prisons. First thing this morning, I drove out to the Edmonton Institution in northeast Edmonton to learn more about conditions and protocols there. #Edmonton#yeg#EdmontonMax#SenateofCanada#prison#Alberta#Canada
I’m currently a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - and we are studying Bill S-230, which deals with structured intervention units, or SIUs, which have replaced the old solitary confinement/segregation cells. I was surprised to see that at the Max, at least, the SIU cells were actually bigger and brighter than the small standard cells. #S230#BillS230#LCJC#SenateofCanada#Edmonton#yeg
I want to thank all the inmates and all the staff at the Edmonton Institution who shared their stories and experiences with us, and who allowed us to take part in a moving smudging ceremony with them. This visit will stay with me for a long long time. #SenateofCanada#Edmonton#yeg#EdmontonMax
On January 1st, 2023, I quit Twitter, cold turkey. It was my New Year’s Resolution, and one of the rare ones that I kept! I have literally never looked back, and I think my year has been the better for it. Thank you to everyone on Mastodon for making this online community a much happier space. There is much I still miss about Twitter - but the Twitter I miss is gone. Here’s my column from this time last year - which proved sadly prophetic, alas. https://albertaviews.ca/goodbye-to-twitter/
@DanFox Happy to oblige. There are four officially recognized "groups" in the Senate. The Conservatives have 15 members, and still caucus with the the CPC in the House. They have their own Senate leader, Senator Don Plett - but they look to Pierre Poilievre as their party leader. They are still fiercely and proudly partisan, and take their role as opposition seriously. #SenateofCanada#cpc#SenCa#ConservativePartyofCanada#Canada#cdnpoli
Made it! Two and half hour delay on VIA - but better than a 24 hour delay on Porter. And due to a surprising paucity of taxis at the Ottawa train station, I seized the opportunity to take the LRT, which was fantastic. Straight from the train station to the Rideau Centre, for under $4. And on brand for my training day. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and moral support! #Ottawa#YOW#VIA#VIARail#SenateofCanada