The University of Alberta and the University of Calgary Graduate Students' Associations have released a joint letter to the Premier of Alberta slamming Bill 18 and the claims that federal funding is favourably given to 'liberal' disciplines. Ping Lam Ip and I are cited.

Local government leaders are not the puppets of Premier Smith. We are duly elected officials who represent the interests and priorities of our residents. We are not elected to carry out the priorities and wishes of a UCP government. Enough is enough.

I covered a lot of council mtgs and I still remember this one.

The low income transit pass means people living in extreme poverty can take the bus for $5 a month.

They can get to appointments, classes & the grocery store. It's a lifeline. #yyccc

calgaryherald.com/news/traffic/c…

“if Albertans want to push back against the UCP’s creeping authoritarianism, they’ll need to get off the couch. Make a commitment and a plan to stand up. Democracy demands that of us, from time to time.”

This.

Time to get loud.

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

UCP MLAs have a habit of patting themselves on the back with one hand while yanking away crucial supports with the other.

The UCP cutting public transit funding for low-income folks a month after citing it as a way they’re helping them is, unfortunately, unsurprising.

#ableg

Today’s news about the provincial government’s decision to cut the low income transit passes in Calgary and Edmonton is incredibly upsetting.

This pass was a way to help our neighbours. A means for everyone to actively participate in their community. It was an essential service

I encourage everyone to share this widely.

As Dr. Wesley says, this isn't politics as usual.

'...these new measures are unprecedented.

Alberta’s drift toward authoritarianism hasn't happened overnight, but we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized.' #ableg

Dr. Wesley lays it out - the UCP is a threat to democracy.

'At a bare minimum, we should expect our leaders to respect the rule of law, constitutional checks & balances, electoral integrity, & the distribution of power.

...the UCP's shown disregard for these principles.' #ableg

This program was a game changer for people on AISH or social assistance to get to medical appointments and work. This is very disappointing. #abhealth #ableg #abmed

'Bill 20 is an attempt by the provincial government to grab more power and wield more control over how people choose to live in their own communities.' - ABmunis President Tyler Gandam

Learn how Bill 20 is threatening Alberta's communities and how it appears to fundamentally

This makes me emotional.

During the election, then Minister Jeremy Nixon spoke about the value of ADDING $$ to this program.

Now his brother, Jason Nixon is pulling ALL the funding to its two major cities?

Why are AISH & LITP always the bargaining chip?

#yyccc #ableg

Tickets are still available for a very cool event happening tomorrow evening!
Equal Voice Calgary is hosting a non-partisan event highlighting the achievements of Black Albertans.

Come for the conversation, stay for the company. See you there!

eventbrite.ca/e/fireside-cha…

Thanks to Naheed Nenshi for introducing the Low Income Transit Pass & Rachel Notley for stepping up w/ more funding to help more people participate in public life. It was a big step toward alleviating poverty. Cutting this essential program shows that w/ the UCP, cruelty is the point.

If you can't afford to pay for transit, you shouldn't have to pay for transit.

Transit punches way above its weight in terms of economic and social return on investment, and providing all people with mobility is fundamental.

This is both short-sighted *and* cruel.

I access this program, and know many others who do. This is terrible. The UCP really want to make things harder for low-income people. #YEG #ABleg

Still no reply today from the Government of Alberta on its decision. The request for comment went in 5 hours ago.

Thread from the mayor on the province's decision to cut funding for the low income transit pass program. #yyccc ⬇️

Lorne Dach, Alberta NDP Transportation Critic, issued the following statement in response to the UCP pulling funding from transit subsidy programs:

“The UCP’s decision to defund the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton’s transit subsidy programs is extremely cruel. We are in