I almost forgot to remember.

I recorded this podcast with Kristy Harcourt and Alex Marshall in April 2024, when Danielle Smith first proposed her anti-trans laws. With the news the UCP intends to invoke the notwithstanding clause - and the rising tide of anti-trans rhetoric from the US, I invite you to listen. And to hear.

The first time an Alberta government invoked the notwithstanding clause, public outrage forced a reversal in less than 24 hours. I wish to God Albertans would show the same moral fury now, when school children are outed & bullied by the government that is supposed to protect them. #ableg #abpoli

Robert Redford was my first movie star crush - and The Sting was the first “grown up” movie I ever saw. But it was All the President’s Men that shaped the course of my life and inspired me to become a journalist. What a film legacy he leaves the world. #RobertRedford

As city columnist for the Edmonton Journal, I wrote often about the crisis of homelessness. I was naive. For years, I thought people wanted to help those living on the street. It took me ages to realize that many people just wanted the homeless gone, someplace away, out of sight and out of mind.

This spring, I gave notice in the Senate that I will move a motion asking the government of Canada to investigate setting up a verified traveller program for Canadians using Canadian airports, one that doesn’t depend on a NEXUS card issued by Homeland Security. But I have question…,

"We could and should seize this moment to recruit top academic talent: undergrads and graduates who’ve either had their US student visas delayed or denied, or who’ve decided not to run the risks of being a foreign student in Trump’s America." Instead, we get scapegoating and limits.

At the risk of…well, the obvious…can anybody tell me where I can find these 4 alleged graphic images that the UCP govt is so keen to remove from our school libraries? Is there someplace on the Alberta Ed website where we can see these supposed smutty drawings? #ableg #abgov #abed #Alberta 🙈🙈🙈

Very unimpressed that a city council candidate in my ward put their sign in the grassy verge in front of my house without my permission or knowledge. Pulled it out. Then walked out of my house to see that same sign stuck in the grassy boulevards up and down my street. #yeg #yegvote

The cows of Kaleido. The 118th Ave Kaleido arts festival, now in its 20th year, kicks off tonight with a lantern parade, and runs all weekend. One of my very favourite Edmonton events: music, dance, visual arts, clown, family activities, fabulous multicultural food. #yeg #Edmonton #Kaleido

A good day to make borscht. (All vegetable grown in the Edmonton area - including hyper local beets from my sister-in-law’s Bonnie Doon garden.)

“Julie King-Yerex, co-owner of Magpie Books in Edmonton, said people have come into the shop ‘asking for our vicious compliance section.’ “ (By CP’s Aaron Souza) #Ableg #AbEd

A beautiful essay by my remarkable new Senate colleague, Baltej Dhillon, a Canadian hero. #SenateofCanada @senindepend.bsky.social #cdnpoli #bcpoli #RCMP

Current demand at the Edmonton Public Library for the four graphic novels at the centre of Alberta's new (and fluctuating) school library rules: #AbEd #Ableg #EPL #bannedbooks

I sometimes have to remind myself, that not everyone here “knows” me, the way they once did on Twitter. So let me clarify. I support vaccination, sound public health policy, trans rights, abortion rights, labour rights, treaty rights, free speech, and access to information.

A fascinating history lesson with excellent CanCon Content. #LabourDay #That’sLabourSpeltWithaU

Happy Alberta Day - the 120th anniversary of the day we became a Canadian province. In Yiddish, when you wish someone a happy birthday, you say, “Bis hundert und tzvantzig!” May you live to be 120. We did. Now what? I wrote this 3 years ago. But today seems the right time to repost. #abpoli #cdnpoli

Magazine deadlines being what they are, I wrote this in June, before the Alberta Firsters began their vile campaign against immigrant of all sorts. This column hasn’t gone stale. Instead, it’s more urgent and necessary. What are we doing to ourselves?! #Alberta #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli

Magazine deadlines being what they are, I wrote this in June, before the Alberta Firsters began their vile campaign against immigrant of all sorts. This column hasn’t gone stale. Instead, it’s more urgent and necessary. What are we doing to ourselves?! #Alberta #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli

Independent Senator @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social on the backlash against international students. albertaviews.ca/stop-scapego... #Cdnpoli #abpoli #ableg #backtoschool

On this day in Canadian parliamentary history - August 27, 1927: The 'Famous Five' ask the GG to refer to the question of women serving in the Senate to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Um, she said, in her polite Canadian way.

I have “first day of school” vibes, as I begin my week at the United Nations System Staff College in Bonn, where I am attending the Global Changemaker Academy. #GCAP2025 #UNited4Land #LearningForLand #SenateofCanada

I think this essay, which is not about Alberta, actually is about Alberta. About the resentment and fear many in our resource sectors feel when they see - or foresee - the loss of high paying jobs that didn’t require much or any post-secondary education.

This is the last weekend of Edmonton Fringe. I’ve seen some really great theatre this festival - and while I’m no longer a theatre reviewer, I want to tell you about some of my favourite shows, in case you still. have the chance to catch them. #yegfringe #yeg

Tomorrow, I leave for Bonn, Germany to attend the Global Changemaker Academy for Parliamentarians, sponsored by the United Nations, for a week of classes and lectures related to soil health, land reclamation and land use planning. #united4land #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #UN #Bonn #Deutschland

An excellent oped from my Alberta colleague, Senator Scott Tannas, leader of the @csg-gsc.bsky.social - who voices concerns many Senators share about omnibus budget bills and about respect for the Senate itself. #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #SenCa #abpoli #CSG

When I became a Senator, I started flying a lot. Back and forth from Edmonton to Ottawa - not to mention flights to conferences and events. I had never before understood the archaic way that flight attendants are paid. The clock only starts when the airplane door closes. 🧵

One of the surprise hits at last year’s #yegfringe was “Who’s Afraid of Winnie the Pooh” - a wild mash up of Albee and AA Milne. It was brilliant. It was done by Clevername Theatre, visiting from Minnesota. This year, Clevername is back with “The Peter Pan Cometh.” And it’s just as magical. #yeg

It’s a cold grey start to Friday’s Fringe - but the crowds are game, as are the outdoor performers! #yeg #yegfringe #Edmonton #EdmontonFringeFestival

Remember in the Barbie movie when the Kens create their fantasy patriarchy world, where patriarchy and horses are kind of synonymous? Well. I defy you to watch this campy separatist anthem without imagining it sung by Ryan Gosling.

Remember in the Barbie movie when the Kens create their fantasy patriarchy world, where patriarchy and horses are kind of synonymous? Well. I defy you to watch this campy separatist anthem without imagining it sung by Ryan Gosling.

A very important decision, and not just for the rights of two-spirit, trans, and non-binary youth. The SKCA has ruled that courts have jurisdiction to declare that laws unreasonably limit Charter rights and freedoms even after the government invokes the s 33 notwithstanding clause.

July saw the biggest declines in Canadian residents' air travel to the U.S. yet, with total returning travellers down nearly 26% compared to the same month in 2024. The gap between the Alberta & national totals has also shrunk considerably: U.S. travel via Calgary & Edmonton was down 21% in July.

On Gallagher Hill this afternoon for the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. On stage now? Las Cafeteras. Sunny, breezy, and pretty much perfect. Thank you #yeg. #EFMF #yegfest #Edmonton

i think this may save us from an invasion

Today, my husband and I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. And since some of you on Bluesky are new friends who have just met me, I thought I’d share this column I wrote 8 years ago, when we celebrated our silver. It’s an essay on laughter and friendship - and the value of vaccination!

Update: I can now tell you that the winners in the entertainment category were: in third place, Lebanon, in second place, Ecuador, and in first place, Azerbaijan! (I didn’t judge the food this year, but first place went to Togo!) #yeg

Popped into @audreysbooksyeg.bsky.social this morning to get my Fringe program! Reminds me of getting the Christmas catalogue as a kid. Yes, the schedule is all online. But there is something so satisfying about flipping through the pages and circling the must-see shows. #yeg #yegfringe

The Edmonton Fringe Festival is the largest theatre festival in Canada, the grandfather of all North American Fringe Festivals. Tickets go on sale tomorrow - but Fringe donors can buy early bird tickets today! (A very nice incentive to be philanthropic.) The curtain rises in 10 days. (I’m counting!)

Simultaneous interpreters must be relieved every 30 minutes or so because this work is so taxing. One must listen to what the speaker is saying and repeat it in the target language immediately. This is different from consecutive interpreting.

The Heritage Festival makes me proud to be Canadian and proud to be Edmontonian. Here are some Saturday highlights to share with you all. Headed back down this morning, to finish off my judging duties - and get a few more snacks! #yeg #HeritageFestival #Edmonton #multiculturalism

Hanging out in #Dollywood today for #HeritageDays! They call me a “judge” But I prefer “appreciation in varying degrees” 😉 Cherry on the event is my partner is @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social #Yeg #Stoodis #HeritageDays #LongWeekend

The best thing I have eaten so far at the Edmonton Heritage Festival? Liberian stewed goat cooked in sweet potato greens. I am not a food judge this year, so I say this without prejudice. Get to Liberia’s pavilion if you can. (The goat in greens goes especially well with their ginger beer.) #yeg

A little “taste” of the Edmonton Heritage Festival. Amazing drummers and dancers from Azerbaijani pavilion! #yeg #HeritageFestival

Some Happy Food Canada joy, on display at the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market! #FoodCanadaDay #yeg #yegdt

Happy Food Day Canada! There has never been a better time to buy, prepare and feast on Canadian grown or made food. I will be celebrating in the best way possible - shopping at a farmers market this morning, followed by an afternoon noshing thru the Edmonton Heritage Festival! #FoodDayCanada #yeg

Get ready! Edmonton’s magnificent 3 day Heritage Festival kicks off Saturday in Borden Park and area. (Next year, they’ll return to Hawrelak.) A celebration of multiculturalism in all its most delicious and entertaining incarnations. Here’s a little sample from the President’s Reception tonight.

Canada intends to recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025 based on certain conditions being met by the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced at a news conference in Ottawa. ⬇️Watch the full news conference #cdnpoli

So is this a real thing? I didn’t request a blue check. And I certainly didn’t pay for one! Did this just happen automatically when I hit 5,000 followers?