| Public behaviour bylaw passes
A controversial public behaviour bylaw that critics say targets the homeless has been narrowly approved by council despite a well-attended public rally against the bylaw.
The Calgary Housing Action Initiative, a grassroots activist group working to address the housing crisis, organized a rally against the bylaw on November 20. Members say the bylaw discriminates against the homeless and the city should instead focus on creating affordable housing for the homeless. Eight aldermen voted in favour of the bylaw and six voted against it.
The public behaviour bylaw will allow bylaw officers and police to fine people for spitting, urinating, defecating, fighting, displaying a visible knife and loitering. Council supporters of the bylaw say it’s necessary in order to create higher standards for public behaviour in the city.
Mount Royal College aims to increase awareness about transgendered people
Mount Royal College is holding a Transgendered Day of Awareness on November 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Room at the college.
The event will include presentations by doctor Lorne Warneke, a psychiatrist at the gender identity clinic at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton and by Mary Valentich, a retired professor of social work at the University of Calgary. Mount Royal College’s positive space committee that aims to create more awareness and acceptance of gender diversity, is organizing the event.
Lee Easton, past chair of the committee, says at a similar event last year 60 people attended, which he says was a great response. The committee is hoping for even wider attendance this year.
"The goal is to continue to highlight the challenges that continue to confront transgendered people on a day to day basis," says Easton.
AIDS Awareness Week
The number of people living with HIV in Canada has increased by 16 per cent between 2002 and 2005. 58,000 people are estimated to have HIV. AIDS is taking a disproportionate toll on Canada’s aboriginal community, which has an HIV infection rate that is three times higher than the non-aboriginal population. There are now 40 million people on the planet living with HIV or AIDS and the numbers continue to grow.
AIDS Calgary and other organizations are attempting to raise awareness about the continuing epidemic during AIDS Awareness Week from November 27 to December 1.
On November 27 social agencies who offer services to people with HIV and AIDS will hold an information fair at city hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. AIDS Calgary will host a memorial service to remember those who have died from AIDS on December 1 at 2 p.m. at the AIDS Calgary office. For more information on other events go to www.aidscalgary.org.
Conservative leadership vote
The Conservative party will begin the process of deciding who is to replace Premier Ralph Klein this weekend. Party members will cast their first vote for leader of the party on November 25. If no candidate captures 50 per cent of the vote, there will be a second ballot on December 2 in which members will vote for one of the top three candidates from the November 25 vote. Final results of the November 25 vote are expected to be announced by 9 p.m. on November 25. |
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