| Calgarian in Iraq
A Calgary activist is visiting Iraq for the second time in as many years.
Julie Hrdlicka, executive director of CANDIL (Canada, Democracy and International Law) is part of a six-member Christian Peacemaker Teams. delegation that is in Iraq until June 6.
"The world has turned its back on the people of Iraq," she said before leaving on May 21.
The delegation hopes to address detainee problems in Iraqi prisons and detention centres. Christian Peacemaker Teams says that many prisoners are innocent and are being held without charge. In the past, the organization has been able to negotiate the release of detainees.
Hrdlicka said she’s more nervous about going to Iraq than she was before her last visit, but she’s not letting that fear stop her.
"My passion for the Iraqi people and for our future is what keeps me going," she said.
Hrdlicks hopes her visit will raise more awareness about the plight of Iraq’s people.
"I believe it’s incredibly important…. The injustice that’s taken place in that country towards that country from the international community and its own leader… it’s absurd and devastating," she said.
While Hrdlicks in Iraq, she’s writing on a blog at http://candiliraqupdates.blogspot.com.
Salvation Army drug treatment
The Salvation Army downtown is resuming its drug addiction treatment program after a one-year hiatus due to lack of funding.
A $400,000 funding boost from the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) is getting the 44-client program back on its feet.
The program is badly needed. Over the past year, The Salvation Army had to turn away 20 to 30 people a month who were inquiring about the temporarily defunct program
"We had to say ‘sorry, we can’t help you,’" says Salvation Army spokesperson Gary Brown. "It was a blow to the people that weren’t able to access the service."
Brown says the situation also put strain on other treatment programs that were filled to capacity.
The Salvation Army has been helping people with drug addictions for more than 50 years in Calgary. They hope to restart the program in July.
MP pushes for transgender protection
A British Columbia MP has introduced a bill in Parliament to protect transgendered people from discrimination.
If passed, Bill Siksay’s bill will amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include "gender identity" and "gender expression" as protected grounds from discrimination.
Currently, the Northwest Territories is the only provincial or territorial government that includes "gender identity" in its human rights law.
More Money For Alberta’s Film Industry
The Alberta government has increased the value of grants that filmmakers can receive to $1.5 million from $750,000 for a single production if a filmmaker partners with an Alberta company.
Movie producers will also be reimbursed for 50 per cent of the salaries of Alberta writers, directors, composers, editors, designers and actors in order to encourage producers to hire local talent.
Films designated as small productions (with budgets of up to $1 million) will also be eligible for a greater percentage of government grants.
The new film development funding will be available for productions completed after April 1. The increase in funding is designed to make the province competitive with other provinces and U.S. states.
Walk to Fight Global Poverty
The 21st World Partnership Walk to raise money and awareness about global poverty will take place on May 29 at 11 a.m. at Prince’s Island Park.
The walk, put on by Aga Khan Foundation Canada, raises money for initiatives to combat poverty in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. All of the money raised from the walk goes to overseas projects.
Currently more than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. You can participate in the walk as an individual or as part of a team. To register go to www.worldpartnershipwalk.com or call 1-800-267-2532. |
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