| The biggest peace rally in recent memory hit the streets of Calgary on February 15, drawing thousands to voice their opposition to the United States’ potential invasion of Iraq.
The Calgary rally was one of hundreds around the world that drew millions of people into the streets to show support for peace. Estimates of the number of people at the Calgary rally vary, but Julie Hrdlicka, a member of the Canadian Network to End Sanctions in Iraq, says between 5,000 and 6,000 people took part.
"It certainly was the largest anti-war rally Calgary has seen in a long time," she says.
Hrdlicka believes adding Calgary’s voice to the anti-war movement was important because the worldwide rally is already having political implications.
"It was great to see so many people out. It was great."
A multi-agency review of avalanche safety will be conducted after a series of avalanche deaths in the Rockies this winter.
The B.C. government announced the review in conjunction with the Canadian Avalanche Association and industry representatives. The goal is to develop new strategies for avalanche protection, including forecasting, public education and research.Two separate avalanches have killed 14 skiers near Revelstoke this year.
Pressure has been mounting for the Alberta government to take part in the review because it shares the mountains with B.C., but it has not commented.
The man who led Alberta teachers through a bitter labour dispute with the provincial government last year, has announced that he is stepping down.
Larry Booi, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, says two terms leading the teachers union and professional association is long enough, and he is stepping aside to make way for a new leader.
Last year’s strike led to a 14 per cent arbitrated wage hike for Alberta teachers and to the creation of a committee to study the state of education in Alberta.
The provincial government is re-examining its decision to post details about Alberta children who are up for adoption on a public Web site.
The Web site drew complaints from parents and Alberta’s privacy commissioner that too much information about the children was made public. The government responded to the criticisms by vowing to "soften" the Web site, although it hasn’t responded to the privacy commissioner’s recommendation that the site be dismantled.
The site provides the names, background and health information of children in Alberta up for adoption. |
