An essential episode of Alberta Unbound. Chief Conroy Sewepagaham of the Little Red River Cree Nation talks about the wildfires that devestated his community, and the lack of help they’ve received to rebuild. A powerful voice all Albertans and Canadians need to hear and heed. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/alberta-unbound/id1511810939?i=1000702064761 #AlbertaUnbound #Alberta #wildfires #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #LittleRedRiver #Jasper #Canada #Cree

Still time to sign in to watch online! (https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-for-immigration-and-settlement/news-events/2025/04/lunch-and-learn-cities-of-migration/ #immigration #municipalities #SenateofCanada #Toronto #tmu #yeg #cdnpoli #abpoli

At the airport early this morning, enroute to Toronto, to speak at Toronto Metropolitan University. If you’re in #yyz and would like to attend in person - or if you’d like to watch via Zoom from anywhere - here’s how to join the conversation. https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-for-immigration-and-settlement/news-events/2025/04/lunch-and-learn-cities-of-migration/ #TMU #Toronto #migration #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #yeg

On Wednesday April 2 - a week from today - I’ll be in Toronto to take part in a panel discussion on cities in the age of migration, hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University. If you are in Toronto, come join us. (Lunch is included.) Or sign up to watch online. https://www.torontomu.ca/centre-for-immigration-and-settlement/news-events/2025/04/lunch-and-learn-cities-of-migration/ #yyz #TMU #Toronto #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada

The City of Edmonton has declared today, March 21, as Save Soil Day. I was at City Hall for the presentation of the official proclamation, and to speak to the gathered group about our recent Senate report on soil health. Tomorrow, the Save Soil group hosts a free double-bill at Campus Saint-Jean theatre: first, the documentary film Common Ground, followed by a one-woman show by Dale Hamilton called She Won’t Come in From the Fields. #yeg #yegcc #Edmonton #SenateofCanada #ualberta #SoilHealth

Happy to welcome 5 accomplished new independent senators to the Senate of Canada. We are now at full complement- 105 senators - for the first time in years. Some senior senators are due to retire this spring - but those seats will be filled by the next PM. These final senators complete Justin Trudeau’s personal efforts to reform the Senate into a less partisan, more free and independent Chamber. https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2025/03/07/prime-minister-announces-appointment-senators #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli #Canada

Elbows up. https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2025/03/03/statement-prime-minister-trudeau-on-unjustified-us-tariffs-against-canada #cdnpoli #Canada #tariffs #SenateofCanada

Three years ago, when Russia attacked Ukraine, I was one of 5 senators chosen to give a brief statement condemning Russian aggression. I reread it this morning, and it felt every bit as relevant and urgent today - especially the call to beware of Russian propaganda and far right efforts to undermine Canadian support for Ukraine. https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/simons-paula/interventions/571356/2#hID #Ukraine #Russia #cdnpoli #Canada #SenateofCanada #ForeignInterference

Week before last, I had a fabulous visit with Grade 9 students at École Avalon Junior High in Edmonton. Such a lively group, with smart, challenging questions. It was only when I was sent photos today that I realized I’d been dressed, by fluke, in the school colours! #yeg #Edmonton #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada

On the big screen! I joined former CPC leader Erin O’Toole, the CBC’s Aaron Wherry, and Marie Vastel of Le Devoir, for a panel discussion about media and politics for the Canadian Study of Parliament Group. I talked quite a bit about Mastodon, and why I had quit X. It isn’t easy to do a panel like this via video, but I did my best to be part of the conversation! #Ottawa #yow #cdnpoli #CBC #LeDevoir #CPC #SenateofCanada

Why yes. I WILL be on the Rapid Fire Improv stage with the inimitable Belinda Cornish and Jana O’Connor this Saturday. And no, please don’t ask me how I got myself into this. https://rapidfiretheatre.com/shows/three-ladies/ #Edmonton #yeg #RapidFire #OldStrathcona #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli

Orwell said, “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present, controls the past.” As the Trump regime seeks to erase Black history, trans history, women’s history - and our border - here’s my #AlbertaUnbound with author & activist Jesse Lipscombe. We discuss his family’s Black history in Alberta, Trump’s attacks on DEI, and how to find the courage - and build the coalitions - to resist. #BlackHistoryMonth #DEI #Morehouse #AmberValley #Alberta #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #yeg

My Senate colleague Peter Boehm has just returned from the Munich Security Conference, with these cautionary words about the Trump regime’s threat, not just to Ukraine, not just to Canada, but to the whole rules based international order. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6653645 #MSC #MunichSecurityConference #Ukraine #Europe #cdnpoli #G7 #JDVance #Kananaskis #Canada #SenateofCanada #ISG #SenCa

As the Trump regime sets out to erase Black history, trans history, women’s history - and the Canadian border - this new episode of #AlbertaUnbound feels urgent: my conversation with Black author & activist Jesse Lipscombe about his family’s extraordinary Alberta history and about how we find the courage and resilience to resist - by building connections, and finding radical patience. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/alberta-unbound/id1511810939?i=1000693071576 #BlackHistoryMonth #DEI #cdnpoli #Alberta #Edmonton #yeg #AmberValley #SenateofCanada

My Senate colleague Peter Boehm, Canada’s former ambassador to Germany and immediate past chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, just posted this insider’s view of the Munich Security Conference. Peter is a diplomat to his core. And his thoughtful restraint in framing this someone makes it all the more chilling. https://www.policymagazine.ca/this-year-in-munich-the-world-stage-debut-of-autocratic-america/ #cdnpoli #MunichSecurityConference #Munich #MSC #JDVance #SenateofCanada #Canada #MarcoRubio #iSG

I have always been a bit suspicious of flag waving and performative displays of patriotism. I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated Flag Day before. And the way far right Covid conspiracy-mongers hijacked our maple leaf made me queasy. Yet, on this 60th anniversary of our beautiful red & white flag, I find myself displaying one in my living room window (for lack of a flag pole.) #FlagDay #Canada #SenateofCanada #Edmonton #yeg