Senator Paula Simons

Fort Road holds a very special place in the history of Edmonton - and in my own family history. I told some of that story to the reporter who was writing this story.

Henday is back! #yegquest #12DaysofHenday

Earlier this month, I was honoured to be asked by the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association's Women's Legal Forum to take part in a virtual event, honouring the Honourable Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dube, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. I think I was the only non-lawyer to have been asked to speak - and given that the list of speakers included everyone from the Honourable Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta to Barbara Billingsley, the first female dean of the University of Alberta law school, I was delighted to be included. You can watch the whole evening here. You need to register first to view the program - but there is no cost.

I was privileged today to pinch hit at the Senate’s Foreign Affairs committee today, to question experts on chemical weapons laws. Here were some of my questions for Veronika Stromsikova of the OPCW.

Alberta Independent Senator Paula Simons delivers a statement recognizing the PEN International Day of the Imprisoned Writer

I also wanted to share this thoughtful speech, from a very different perspective, from my colleague Sénatrice Julie Miville-Dechêne. It is primarily in French - but I hope some of you will be able to follow her argument.

These doctors, nurses, technicians, custodians are preparing to go into battle. They are preparing to risk their health - and their lives - to care for their fellow Edmontonians. They need our support, not our sabatoge. This is not a hoax. This is not quackery. This is, instead, a test of our moral fibre. We need to rise to the moment. Our community needs the best of us. We can head off the worst case scenario - but only if we work together to protect our hospitals, schools and care homes. And, in so doing, protect ourselves.

This is a crisis. It is well on its way to becoming a catastrophe. In Alberta, we thought we had beaten this. We thought we could manage it. We got complacent. And now we are about to pay a very high price. The numbers are far worse than they were this spring. Now is the time to show that personal responsibility Albertans feel so passionately about, if we want to keep our hospitals from collapse. Stay home, to the greatest degree possible. Cancel your trips, if you can. Rewri...te your social calendar. Is that holiday, that dinner party, that night on the town, something you’re willing to die for? Something you’re willing to kill for? Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Follow the rules - and follow your own sense of honour, well beyond the written rules. I am not a nihilist nor a fatalist. I will not give up. I believe we can protect our hospitals and schools and care homes, if we exercise courage and compassion and common sense. This is my call to arms. We can prevail. But not if we give up the fight now.

Joy, prosperity and good health to all those celebrating Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. #SenCA #FestivalOfLights #Diwali

Do you know a postsecondary student interested in public policy and current affairs? Encourage them to participate in the virtual Model Senate. While learning h...ow Parliament works, students will participate in debates, vote on legislation and conduct studies in committee. Apply by November 29, 2020: https://sencanada.ca/en/sengage/virtual-model-senate-2021/ #SenCA #SENgage

Last week, I met via video with the Grade 6 students of George P. Nicholson, who were taking part in City Hall School. This thank you note has given me a smile as long as the Golden Gate Bridge!