Category Archives: Fundamental Human Rights
Election Survey Results: What Candidates Say about Civil Liberties Issues
As a voice for civil liberties in Alberta, the Rocky Mountain Civil Liberties Association (RMCLA) asked more than 250 candidates in the upcoming 2019 general election for their views about five important issues that are essential for democratic engagement and … Continue reading
How the West will be lost this time around
Future historians might look back at this moment in history as when the West, meaning the Western world, was lost. And the defining image of that may well be a smartphone. There is a worrying trend, particularly among younger voters … Continue reading
Civil Liberties Don’t Start at 18
United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenny is calling for legislation that will enable teachers to communicate to parents that their child has joined a Gay Straight Alliance (“GSA”). The UCP’s position persistently fails to recognize that civil liberties do not … Continue reading
Public-funding of religious healthcare violates Charter rights and freedoms: The time for change is now
When the provincial government funds healthcare facilities operated by religious organizations which deny Albertans access to medical procedures prohibited by that religion, for example, abortion, emergency contraception (such as the morning-after pill) and medically-assisted dying, it violates rights and freedoms … Continue reading
Canada’s Right-to-Die Legislation
“We respect your religious views, but they cannot, in a secular society, trump our clients’ constitutional rights.” Joe Arvay, lawyer, responding to religious testimony in the Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing on assisted death On February 6, 2015 the Supreme … Continue reading
The Convenience of Covenants: Getting Around Your Rights and Liberties
RMCLA is often asked, “What are the differences between human rights and civil liberties, and how far can my liberties be restricted?” One way to think of fundamental human rights are that these are the rights protected by law and … Continue reading
Wake up and Smell the Civil Liberties!
July 5, 2017, Calgary, AB – Let me begin by stating in no uncertain terms that I do not condone the killing of anyone, for any reason. Nor do I condone the conscription of children into their parent’s wars. I … Continue reading
Change still required for greater respect of civil liberties in Alberta
Has Alberta’s Civil Liberties World Changed? Following the win of the New Democratic Party and change of government in Alberta, we have been asked if the mood about various civil liberties issues in Alberta has changed, especially by government officials. … Continue reading
Bill 202 v Bill 10: A Battle of the Bills
The Alberta Legislature has been the subject of some controversy in recent weeks. On November 20, Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman introduced Bill 202: The Safe and Inclusive Schools Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, 3rd Sess, 28th Leg, Alberta, 2014. A week … Continue reading
Slow down, let cool heads prevail
History tells us the worst laws are hastily made in the heat of crisis. It is far too easy to create greater police powers, while our civil liberties are eroded in the process. Speed can be a dangerous thing in … Continue reading