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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · 4d

As Albertans brace for the first teacher strike in nearly 25 years, a new opinion piece on Parkland Institute's blog gives a frontline perspective on the government’s long war against public education.
parklandinstitute.ca/disrespect

parklandinstitute.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · 7d

My piece on western separatism in the latest edition of the CCPA Monitor (out today).
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...

Western separatism: An age-old story entering a new chapter - CCPA

Why then, if there has been no real growth in separatism as a threat in Alberta and Saskatchewan, has there been so much handwringing and teeth-gnashing about it since the federal election? Albertans ...

www.policyalternatives.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · 8d

Of course. 🙄

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · 9d

Some seriously disturbing behaviour from @ualberta.bsky.social
Where's @aasua.bsky.social in all of this?

Florence Ashley @floralashes.bsky.social · 9d

"Why would it bow to antidemocratic pressures by placing a professor on leave without their request, consent, or involvement? That any university would do this is beyond comprehension and is cause for alarm about the future of academic freedom in Canada."

What Happened to the University’s Commitment to Free Expression? Charley Kirk, uAlberta, and Me | Centre for Free Expression

I was shocked when the University of Alberta administration informed me, one of its law professors, that I was being placed on non-disciplinary leave for my social media comments in the wake of Charli...

cfe.torontomu.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · 28d

Parkland Institute is thrilled to be co-hosting this event, which will feature co-editor Rob Kristofferson, and contributors Don Bouzek, Donna Coombs-Montrose, and Maria Dunn.

Between the Lines @btlbooks.com · 28d

Don't miss the Edmonton launch of the Art of Solidarity!

Register here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-art-of...

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Sep 4

“Parental rights” is being used to roll back inclusive education and justify diverting public funds to private schools. Read Parkland Institute's new report to learn how this movement took hold in Alberta — and why trustee elections matter now more than ever.
www.parklandinstitute.ca/parental_rig...

Challenging 'Parental Rights': A Primer for Parents, Students, Educators, and Advocates

When “parental rights” means banning books and gutting protections for LGBTQ+ kids — and “school choice” means privatization — we need to ask: whose rights, and at whose expense?

www.parklandinstitute.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Aug 27

Alberta teachers are compiling lists of the books in their classrooms so the #ABGov can tell them which ones to toss. On a related note, Parkland Institute will be releasing a new report on the "Parental Rights" movement in AB next week. ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 26

"By chronically starving the city, then dangling a few tainted scraps in front of the council, Smith can ensure that the city does her bidding." My piece in the Journal on #yegcc's proposal to extend the CRL and hand over millions of tax dollars to a billionaire.
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...

Opinion: Extending downtown CRL comes at too high a cost for Edmonton

This deal reeks of the backroom dealing and sketchy arrangements that have come to define Danielle Smith and the UCP.

edmontonjournal.com

Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 26

Over 80% of allied health-care workers in Alberta report facing discrimination at work. For 13%, discrimination is just “part of the job.” What does that say about their working conditions? Join our webinar on this urgent new research.
ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 25

Similarly, if you don't agree with either statement A, or the misrepresentation of CPP premiums in statement B, then you can't move on to the rest of the survey on an AB Pension Plan. #ABGov #ABNext #NotRealEngagement

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 25

This is what the #ABGov thinks engagement looks like. In the first question in the #ABNext survey on policing, if you don't pick one of these statements to like, you cannot continue the survey. Even after watching the four minute propaganda video! #NotRealEngagement

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Reposted by Ricardo Acuña

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · Jun 20

In the 2023 election, Danielle Smith declared that "under no circumstances will any Albertan ever have to pay out of pocket for access to their family doctor or to get the medical treatment that they need."

Starting soon, Albertans will have to pay for COVID shots.

pressprogress.ca/alberta-will...

Most Albertans Will Soon Have to Get Out Their Wallets for COVID Shots

Experts and advocates sound the alarm about the new policy, which will see even health care workers have to pay up for protection

pressprogress.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 18

"We’re witnessing the deliberate expansion of a mass deportation machine designed to tear apart families and communities."

Migrant Rights Network Condemns Bill C-2's Anti-Refugee & Mass Deportation Provisions - Migrant Rights Network

TORONTO — The Migrant Rights Network strongly condemns Bill C-2, which fundamentally undermines Canada’s refugee and immigration system in violation of international obligations and basic human rights...

migrantrights.ca

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Reposted by Ricardo Acuña

Jared Yates Sexton @jysexton.bsky.social · Jun 5

Hear me out.

In a better world we wouldn’t have to watch fascist billionaires get into pissy fights or be pressured to side between a Nazi oligarch and a pedophile president.

In a better world these people would be in prison or kept from seizing power and hoarding resources.

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Jun 5

"Bill C-2 ... would give law enforcement the ability to search your mail, make it easier for authorities to pause or cancel immigration applications en masse and give spy agencies more power to collect data and share it with the U.S. authorities."

Carney's Capitulation

The Safe Borders Act is a total betrayal of the Liberals' pledge to stand up to Trump.

www.readtheorchard.org

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Reposted by Ricardo Acuña

Denise Balkissoon @balkissoon.bsky.social · Jun 4

The Strong Borders Act would allow "Canada Post to open mail based on vague criteria [and] law enforcement to get IP addresses w/o a warrant ... police will be able to ask digital service providers to hand over data voluntarily and protect them from being sued ..."

www.thestar.com/opinion/star...

Althia Raj: Border bill primed to give Mark Carney’s government sweeping new powers. Who asked for this?

The Strong Borders Act tabled on Tuesday amends more than a dozen laws that affect the rights of Canadians and non-citizens.

www.thestar.com

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Reposted by Ricardo Acuña

Harsha Walia @harshawalia.bsky.social · Jun 3

Canada tabled sweeping legislation today to increase border security, incl powers to cancel or suspend immigration docs immediately, and huge crack downs on asylum applications

While Canadians can feel smug about their nationalism in this tarriff-trade war, it's a pretext for anti-migrant control.

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · May 12

I love how even the folks wanting to separate from Canada don't want to leave the CPP in favour of an Alberta version.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Separatist group releases potential Alberta referendum question | CBC News

An Alberta separatist group released a referendum question on independence from Canada that it will petition to get in front of provincial voters later in 2025.

www.cbc.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · May 5

“Bill 54 would bring corporate interests closer to political power.” Check out my comments on the UCP's efforts to have even more big money influencing government policy in Alberta in this PressProgress story.
pressprogress.ca/alberta-to-l...

Alberta Wants to Loosen Restrictions on Corporate Financing of Elections

The new rules would allow candidates and parties to take money directly from corporations and unions

pressprogress.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 18

Awww, thanks Angella! Fully mutual!

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 15

Excited to be a part of this PressProgress event on Thursday night!!

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · Apr 15

PressProgress is going LIVE🎙️ this Thursday, April 17 for a pre & post debate live stream show featuring our news team and some special guests.

Tune in for in-depth commentary and analysis of the Federal Leaders' Debate, starting at 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT, and then again after the debate. Register below:

Federal Leaders’ Debate – Live Stream Show

Join the PressProgress news team before and after the English Federal Leaders’ Debate for in-depth commentary and analysis as Canada’s main party leaders go head to head on Thursday, April 17, 2025. R...

pressprogress.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 15

As Danielle Smith floats — but doesn’t commit to — the idea of a surgical “wait guarantee” scheme, she keeps hitting the same debunked note that privatization is the key to faster care. The data, however, begs to differ.

Alberta Premier Smith muses 'wait guarantee' for long surgery times

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith floated the idea of a "wait guarantee" to curb long surgery wait times on her talk show Saturday.

edmonton.citynews.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 8

Wait. So the #abgov will stop calling private schools by their current name, and will start using their preferred name instead? Really?!
www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...

Responding to the changing education system | Pour réagir à l’évolution du système d’éducation

Proposed changes to the Education Act would respond to changes in the education system and respond to feedback from Albertans.

www.alberta.ca

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 4

Great new piece on Danielle Smith's loyalty to big oil by Parkland Institute's founding Director, Gordon Laxer:
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/04/o...

Where does Danielle Smith’s loyalty lie?

To be charitable, perhaps it is not that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith doesn’t love her country, but that she loves Big Oil more.

www.nationalobserver.com

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Ricardo Acuña @ricacuna.bsky.social · Apr 4

Danielle Smith tried — again — to blame AHS for Alberta’s health care woes. Alas (for her), hard data has a way of catching up with misleading statements. Check out this op-ed by @alonghurst.bsky.social, author of Parkland Institute's latest report.

Opinion: Attack on AHS reveals the failings of surgery privatization

While politically convenient to blame AHS, responsibility for surgical wait times sits squarely with the government.

edmontonjournal.com

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