Things kind of slow down in the activism scene during the summer, ergo, the listing below is kind of skimpy

I have put up several pages of information to help people get involved in the activist scene in Edmonton. Check out the menu above to see a current list of resources and information (it is a work in progress).
The idea of the Activist Agenda is to be a central hub of information to help people access that information so that they can become involved. It is focused on activism and community in Edmonton and area.

Issues presently posted on this website. Easy access to groups and information to get involved – getting active (with more to come):

• Animal Rights/Welfare/Diet
• Climate Crisis – Climate Justice
• Environment – General
• Food
• Housing/Homelessness/Houselessness
• Media
• Peace
• Petitions
• Racism
• Social Justice
• Transportation/Mobility
• Waste/Littering/Plastic Pollution

Video of the Week

https://videopress.com/v/WAJsPwer?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Forest Fires in Canada

I found this site to provide some ‘good’ daily numbers. https://ciffc.net/

July 24th, Monday Drop-in Smudging Time in PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN – “EPL invites you to a drop-in tea and Smudge in PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN in the Stanley A. Milner Library. You can come for the whole time for a quick smudge or stay and visit to learn more about the space and the classes, events, and ceremonies offered by EPL.”
Learn more about Indigenous culture and smudging.
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square Centennial Plaza
More Information: Edmonton Public Library

July 25th, Tuesday Empowering Leadership in Youth Through Community Action (ELYCA) – “Are you ready to make a positive impact in your community?
Come to our engagement session and find out more about the ELYCA program!”
“We encourage youth from equity deserving groups to participate, these include but are not limited to: Indigenous, Newcomer, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and  Low-Income Youth.”
Location: Action For Healthy Communities, 10578 113 St #100, Edmonton
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Website: ELYCA program

July 26th, Wednesday MMIWG2S Calls for Justice Reading Circle – “Join a group of caring community members for a reading circle of Reclaiming Power and Place: the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Executive Summary. In this circle, we will be taking turns reading sections and will have time to discuss, share stories, and smudge together.
This 4-Week Series is offered in partnership with the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office and will be facilitated by Kyla Pascal (City of Edmonton) and Emily Riddle (EPL). 
This is a free registered, in-person event where you will make connections with others in community and make new friends through discussion and open-engagement in a safe environment. Everyone is welcome.
NOTE: This event runs as a 4-week series on Wednesdays on July 26th, August 30th, September 20th, and October 25th
Location: Stanley A. Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square Centennial Plaza
Time: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Registration: Edmonton Public Library
Cost: Free

July 26th, Wednesday Family Nature Night – “Join Root for Trees and Nature Kids by Nature Alberta to learn about the plants in your neighbourhoods and forests. The mission of Family Nature Night is to promote positive experiences for youth and their families with nature, science and urban wilderness. Programming is designed for families and children ages 4-12, but nature lovers of all ages are welcome!”
Location: Jackie Parker Park
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Website: Root for Trees

July 28th Friday Seniors and e-bikes – Join City Councillor Michael Janz and others to discuss mobility for seniors and the integration of e-bikes into their lives. Most seniors will remember the joy and freedom that cycling gave them when they were young. E-Bikes helps to recapture those feelings and experiences while providing some exercise and experiencing the outdoors.
Time: 9 am 11 am
Location: Heritage Room, City Hall

July 29th, Saturday RuPaul’s Drag Race – I suspect that there will be some protesters outside of this. Probably people from Make Alberta Great Again, Take Back Alberta, or some other group like that.
Time: 18:00–19:30 (doors at 5:30 pm)
Location: Northern Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave NW, Edmonton
Tickets: through this site
Cost: 80$-269$

July 29th, Saturday If These Walls Could Talk: Art and Heritage Walking Tour – “Immerse yourself in the vibrant and captivating world of Edmonton’s Alberta Avenue district, a haven where creativity flourishes and artistic expression knows no bounds. Prepare to embark on a remarkable journey through this eclectic neighbourhood, where you’ll be greeted by a tapestry of breathtaking art, cherished historical landmarks, and the very essence of one of Edmonton’s oldest streets.”
Time: 13:00–14:30
Location: The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse 9351 118 Avenue NW Edmonton
Registration: Eventbrite
Cost: 40.54$

July 30th, Sunday World Day Against Trafficking in Persons – “The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.”
Hashtag: #EndHumanTrafficking #HumanTrafficking

July 31st, Monday Drop-in Smudging Time in PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN – “EPL invites you to a drop-in tea and Smudge in PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN in the Stanley A. Milner Library. You can come for the whole time for a quick smudge or stay and visit to learn more about the space and the classes, events, and ceremonies offered by EPL.”
Learn more about Indigenous culture and smudging.
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square Centennial Plaza
More Information: Edmonton Public Library

Start Planning for the Future

There are global days of action happening throughout the world. Edmonton can participate in these actions – all it takes is you.
Check in with Climate Justice Edmonton and Edmonton Youth for Climate to see if they are hosting an event to coincide with these days of action. If not, then step up and organize.

• Global Climate Strike is planned by Fridays for Future on September 15 – see Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels
• March to End Fossil Fuels is planned for Sunday, September 17th – see End Fossil Fuels for more information

Pledge to Peace

Code Pink has initiated a Summer of Love campaign called “Pledge to Peace“.
“This summer, join CODEPINK and partners to educate, activate, inspire peace in your community and around the world. Sign our Pledge to do one action and engage 5 friends in the Summer of Peace. 
You can start by putting a peace flag in your window, wheatpaste peace messages in your area, put up CODEPINK stickers, hand out flyers supporting peace through diplomacy in Ukraine, and organize a peace walk at your local farmers market. You can upload your summer of peace actions and creativity here. Don’t forget to sign up for tools, ideas, inspiration and more throughout the summer.”

Political Survey

I am sure that most of you know we had an election just over a month ago. Out of curiosity, I did the Vote Compass assessment.
The company behind the Vote Compass (Vox Pop Labs) is doing a follow-up survey. They say it takes between 15 to 20 minutes.
Here is the link if you are interested.

Information and Suggestions

If you are on Facebook, check out the Edmonton Activist Calendar page.

Please share information with me so that I can populate this with more details and information. I intend to eventually get it so that it is emailed out to people and have a better site but for now, this is what I have to offer you.

Smoke filters and improved indoor air quality – Smoke inhalation is very bad for our health. You might want to build one or more of these filters for your home or office. They cost about 60-100$ to build (it depends on where you buy your filters and fans from and you have to make sure that they are MERV-13 rated – or better). I have built several of them over the years and they work well and are easy to put together. Pay attention to airflow with the orientation of your filters and fan.

Edmonton Tool Library – a great resource for sharing tools and resources within our community. Check them out. They are also looking for volunteers to join their team.

Investing in Solar?
Solar Power Investment Cooperative of Edmonton (SPICE) makes this easy at the grassroots and organic levels. Check out how you can invest in solar installations. Solar is a climate solution and when combined with demand-side management can have a significant impact.

Petitions/Letter writing – petitions can be an effective way to raise awareness of an issue and sometimes they even work. Here is a list of present ongoing petitions in Canada that I wish to highlight:

• 8 coal mining projects threaten the Rocky Mountains. If approved, open-pit mining will contaminate the source of water for millions of people across the Prairies. Click here to send a letter.
• Tax the Rich petition. A small increase in taxation of the rich (a wealth tax) could go far to address the shortfall we are facing in government revenue AND be earmarked for healthcare and climate change action. This could be ten of billions of dollars in Canada.
• Stop Canada’s Federal Ag Gag Bill – There’s a dangerous agricultural gag bill (also known as “ag-gag”) in Parliament that could jail undercover investigators and other animal advocates who expose animal cruelty behind the closed doors of farms.
• Let’s Get Indigenous Communities Safe, Clean Drinking Water Now. FFS.
• Designate Rapid Support Forces (Janjaweed) in Sudan as a Terrorist Organization – you might remember the documentary “The Devil Came on Horseback” (this is only a short video but you can see more on the internet. Last week I stood with a group of Sudanese calling for an end to the conflict in Darfur.
• Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – Federal petition open until July 14th, 2023
• Plant Based Treaty – this portal will help you send a letter to your city councillors
• Ban on advertising – a comprehensive ban on advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of fossil fuel companies, products, and services (including gasoline, gas utilities, and internal combustion engine vehicles) to protect public health – Federal petition (e-4469). Open until September 28th, 2023
• End all fossil fuel subsidies – Federal petition open until July 27th, 2023
• Don’t let Big Oil write Canada’s sustainable jobs plan – After tens of thousands demanded a Just Transition, the Trudeau government finally announced the Sustainable Jobs Act. Unfortunately, the legislation leaves much to be desired. It has no specificity, no urgency, and does not refer to a “just transition” once. Worst of all, it leaves the door wide open for fossil fuel industry influence. Let’s make it clear to Trudeau and his ministers: Big Oil has no place in the plan for a sustainable future. Instead, let’s build a plan that is led by communities, Indigenous peoples, and workers.
• stop open-pit gold mining in Nova Scotia and across Canada – Federal petition open until August 3rd, 2023
• Drug use and Harm Reduction – Federal Petition open until July 14th, 2023
• Tell These Airlines to Stop Shipping Endangered Monkeys to Their Deaths
• Make Mental Health Accessible To All Canadians Through Our Universal Health Care System
• Call Upon John Horgan to Check Every Indian Residential School in British Columbia – I think this should be a Federal petition since this jurisdiction falls under their mandate but it is a good start.
• No raises for public servants until the minimum wage is a living wage! – every segment of the workforce will tend to stand up for what they will benefit from taking action. We need a living wage/universal basic income right across our country.
• STOP BIG OIL FROM POLLUTING OUR CLIMATE –
• Tax Big Oil to Fund a Just Transition – Canada’s oil and gas sector tripled its profits in 2022. Our governments give Big Oil subsidies and allow them to make trillions of dollars in profit while they drive the climate crisis.
• WORKERS NEED A FAIR DEAL AS THEY BUILD OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – TELL THE GOVERNMENT NOW
• Sink the fossil fuel industry’s plan!
• Email Trans Mountain’s insurers: Drop the pipeline now!
• Reject forest biomass as a false climate solution
• Stop toxic tailings pollution
• Stop Executions of Activists in Iran
• RESPECT INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ON WET’SUWET’EN TERRITORY

Volunteering

Casino Volunteering – most charities, non-profit groups (NGOs), and other organizations conduct casinos to help them out with their funding. I recently read this in a newsletter: “It was calculated that each volunteer hour generated $640 in funding to Argyll”. (This is a sizeable amount of money – I used to say that each volunteer shift provided the NGO with about 2,000$. Great return on time for the volunteer’s time.)What can you legally do that could bring in this kind of funds for a group that you support or what to see stay solvent?
Your community league, your child’s school/kindergarten, your church, community league, etc are always looking for volunteers. The local environmental group, the groups that feed people on the streets, etc also need your participation in casinos (if they do them).

Courses/Workshops

The University of Alberta has several courses on climate change and related subjects. You can find a list of them on the Climate Action at the University of Alberta website.

Water Quality

Swim Drink Fish Edmonton – Want to help Swim Drink Fish with water quality testing in YEG this summer?
Click on this link to fill out the form.

Employment

If you are looking to get a ‘green job’ you might want to check the GoodWorks website

Please send things that should be on this list to michael.kalmanovitch@gmail.com

Disclaimer – the Activist Agenda tries to ensure that the information contained within it is accurate but mistakes do happen. Please double-check events and information that are relevant to you to make sure you have the correct date, time, location, and any other relevant information.

Why the photograph of the McDonald’s service kiosk? Because AI is replacing workers everywhere. Too many food and coffee establisments are getting the customers to do the job that a human used to do. I do not support these places. I don’t use the ‘self-service’ tills at grocery stores and avoid places that only accept debit/credit cards.

Let’s try this subscribing tool.