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MAYhem in the legislature
Calgary Buffalo
May 23, 2024
May the force be with you Calgary-Buffalo!
Just hanging with my EDA prez, Dr. Jia Hu, and our pal Darth Vader, no biggie.
They say that no news is good news…well I’m sorry Calgary-Buffalo, because I have news. It’s mayhem in the legislature and the UCP is passing bill after awful bill.
But alas, let’s do things a little differently, save the worst for last, and start out with some more cheerful tidings, shall we?
In this Issue
Leadership Race Updates
My Fine and Fancy Fundraiser
Remarkable Rachel
Latest from the Legislature
Arts and Culture Updates
Leadership Race Updates
The Calgary leadership debate took place on May 11 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. It was an amazing afternoon full of familiar faces and political parley. Couldn’t make it out? Watch it here.
The fabulous five
Shortly thereafter, Gil withdrew from the leadership race. We wish him well in his continued role as AFL president.
And then there were four….
 The Fantastic Four | 🧡 ✊ |
If you are looking for more candidate conversations, check out Alberta at Noon with Judy Aldous: Your questions for the Alberta NDP leadership candidates, or tune in and watch the Edmonton debate live on Facebook!
…
And if all this buzz, wasn’t enough, guess what? CBC has announced Calgary as the new NDP stronghold!
“Times have changed. Calgary has changed. The New Democrats certainly have changed…The Alberta NDP is now a Calgary-dominated party”
My Fine and Fancy Fundraiser
What an incredible night! All my favourite people came together.  I was surrounded by supporters’ smiles and lilts of laughter. I am so incredibly grateful for people like you! |  We enjoyed an evening of fine art, good music, and memorable moments.  I’d like to give a big shout out to my EDA volunteers who helped to make this most amazing event possible. Thank you Kat, Kelly, Ryan, Jasmin, Tim, and Alex. I couldn’t have done it without you! |
Remarkable Rachel
I can’t seem to say enough about my great friend and unparalleled leader. Neither can others. Get to know Rachel through the words of her caucus members in this article by the Canadian Press: Defining Rachel: caucus members speak of the leader beyond the microphone’s reach.
I also wanted to invited you out to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to properly close out the end of a truly exceptional era. Rachel’s Legacy Gala! Get yours now to take advantage of early bird pricing!
Latest from the Legislature
Bill 20 Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act
The UCP introduced this bill weeks ago and it was met with immediate opposition. Municipal leaders and citizens are appalled at the never ending power grabs by the UCP, into every facet of democratic life. This authoritarian bill gives the Premier and Cabinet expansive powers over municipal affairs, including the ability to fire councillors, kill or rewrite bylaws, allow political parties into municipal elections, and bring back corporate and union donations. Outraged? Me too. Take action. Sign our petition to shred this bill.
Bill 22 Health Statutes Amendment Act
This legislation aims to tear apart our healthcare system, introducing more chaos, uncertainty, and of course, more power grabs for the UCP. The bill gives the Minister of Health full oversight over the four new pillars of healthcare delivery, including making labour related changes, and opening the door to further privatization. How will this impact already long wait times, service access, and retention of quality healthcare workers?
Arts and Culture Updates
The Rosza Foundation’s Future Focus Funding Program
Rosza Foundation’s New Organizational Strategy Advisor, Jennifer DeDominicis.
The current operating context for arts organizations has brought about considerable questions and challenges for arts leaders, from looking for a new business model that fits the times, to seeking new audiences, determining programming, and many more. Beneath these questions often lie deeper worries about the viability, stability, and longevity of the organization and the role of the arts in contemporary society.
To better support organizations to tackle these questions, to co-develop strategies to move forward, and to address foundational concerns, the Rozsa Foundation, Calgary Arts Development, and the Calgary Foundation have engaged an Organizational Strategy Advisor, Jennifer DeDominicis of Distill Consulting, who will be available to arts organizations to consult with over the next twelve months, with no cost to the arts organization.
With a collaborative coaching mindset, Jennifer will work to “co-realize” a way forward with arts organizations She brings experience in strategic planning, leadership, and non-profit work and has specialized in iterative and strategic operational adaptation. Her core tenet and way of working is to equip clients with the skills to identify and articulate their challenges and by her use of co-creation methodologies to cultivate collaboration and understanding moving forward.
If you are an arts organization and would like the opportunity to meet with Jennifer, book a meeting here.
For more on the Rosza Foundation and their Future focus Funding Program, check out their website here.
Local events
Reimagining the Identity of the City
Join the conversation on Art for Social Change with the upcoming Learning Lab titled “Reimagining the Identity of the City” at Arts Commons!
Is Calgary a city that reflects you or your community? Do you feel like something is missing?
Join the Founders of The Alcove Centre for the Arts, Bethel Afework and Dennis Lee, as they lead a participatory brainstorming session to re-imagine the future of Calgary.
Learning Lab Date: May 29, 2024
Location: In-person at Arts Commons in the Arts Learning Centre (ALC)
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Click here to register!
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