Edmonton Social Planning Council

Author: Web Administrator

  • Blog: 2SLGBTQIA+ , Safe Spaces, and the Intersections of Neurodiversity and Mental Wellness

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    By Amanda Labonte & Jenna Robinson

     

    2SLGBTQIA+ folks, Safe Spaces, and the Intersections of Neurodiversity and Mental Wellness 

    The Pride Centre of Edmonton is an organization that “provides a non-judgmental, welcoming space where people of all attractions, identities, and expressions can be themselves, find support, meet new people, and be part of a caring community.” (Pride Centre Edmonton, 2022) It was established in 1971 with the name GATE (Gay Alliance Toward Equality) Edmonton. In 1987, it was renamed the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Edmonton (GLCCE), and changed again in 2004, reflecting its current title, Pride Centre of Edmonton. They provide numerous supports for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and have created multiple programs including for youth, seniors, and refugees. This organization creates and maintains safety.  

    We connected with Shawndy Kowalchuk (she/her), the Youth Program Director of the Pride Centre, for a discussion on what safe spaces look and feel like for those of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Our interview examined the intersection of neurodiversity, experiences of mental unwellness, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons.  

    Feelings of Safety 

    We began by asking about how some of the folks who access Pride Centre of Edmonton’s services define safety in their neighbourhoods and the community. Kowalchuk stated that “a main theme amongst anyone I talk to, or anyone in this community [2SLGBTQIA+], is feeling safe to be themselves.”  Kowalchuk stated it is important to challenge gender stereotypes and that the Pride Centre is often “the only safe space; they come [to the Pride Centre] physically because this place doesn’t exist anywhere else for them.” For many folks, their homes, neighbourhoods and schools are not safe and people do not “feel safe to be who they are.” Further, Kowalchuk identified that some supports continue to remain ‘invisible’ because they need to “remain under the radar” for safety reasons. This can result in resources being left unknown and relies on service providers “knowing the right thing to ask.”  

     2SLGBTQIA+ folks living in rural communities can experience heightened isolation, as they are removed from many of the safe and inclusive spaces that urban centres can provide. This was particularly true before the COVID-19 pandemic, but one benefit of COVID-19 Kowalchuck shared was the forced expansion of programming to virtual platforms. Kowalchuk stated that previously the Pride Centre of Edmonton “had the odd Zoom show or something, but they didn’t have it in the same capacity.” Kowalchuck was ecstatic about the ability to ‘reach’ more 2SLGBTQIA+ folks because of online platforms. For rural youth particularly, Kowalchuck stated accessing the virtual programs can be life-changing in that “they can’t come back tomorrow to the Pride Centre, and while they have to wait a week, at least they have this once a week to look forward to.”  

     Pride Centre and Community Safety  

    Through our discussion with Kowalchuck, it was clear that creating and maintaining safe spaces is critical to the work of the Pride Centre. Kowalchuck stated one of the ways to connect is “meeting folks where they’re at and letting them come to you.” Kowalchuck identified this as a way to create connections, relationships, and in turn, safe spaces.  

    Kowalchuck discussed the strengths and community impacts of the Pride Centre of Edmonton include “giving people the opportunity to meet other people like them. It creates an avenue for representation that they don’t get to see anywhere else.” Kowalchuck continued by identifying how the Pride Centre of Edmonton fosters relationships and connections that “open a lot of doors for people in terms of support.” She acknowledged that “some people may come in for one thing and then find resources for other things, too.” In some cases, Kowalchuck stated, “[the Pride Centre of Edmonton] is the first time they have friends and [experience] other big moments where people feel safe enough to take that first step.” 

    Part of this work includes accessible resources; Kowalchuck acknowledged that online programming provided opportunities to reach a broader audience, but also stressed the importance of creating resources in multiple languages. Kowalchuck stated that community safety goes beyond the Pride Centre of Edmonton and needs to include gender affirming care in healthcare settings, which is something that continues to be a barrier for many folks.  

    Neurodiversity and Mental Wellness  

    An intersection that was identified by Kowalchuck was neurodiversity and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community; she has noticed that neuro-diverse folks have been connecting and utilizing her Youth Programming. Unfortunately, Kowalchuck stated, “there aren’t a lot of resources for folks who are neuro-diverse and queer. So, if you are a youth looking for support, you can find some general stuff, but there isn’t really anything specific” to the intersections of neurodiversity and queer. 

    When asked what Edmonton as a broad community could do to better support folks who are neuro-diverse, Kowalchuck advocated for “more conversations around accessibility and sensory issues. As an example, we bought weighted blankets and fidget toys for the office. We got them for the youth, but everyone has been enjoying them, too.” Kowalchuck shared the Pride Centre of Edmonton has a ‘Stoplight System,’ where they use coloured nametags to signify how much interaction a client wants that day. A yellow sticker indicates some communication is alright, whereas red is a signal that the person would like to be left alone at that time. This allows people to engage in social spaces and communicate what they are wanting without having to verbally state it. Kowalchuck discussed other ways of creating safe and inclusive spaces for neuro-diverse folks, including reaching out and collaborating with other organizations, and creating partnerships and relationships. 

    When it comes to mental wellness, Kowalchuck stated that mental wellness is complicated, it has a wide spectrum and intersects with broader community challenges. Kowalchuck provided an example where “you are more mentally well if you have economic stability, but if you’re struggling because you’ve come out as trans, and your employer fired you,” this can affect a person’s mental health. The Pride Centre of Edmonton can and does offer support, but there are wider systemic issues within society that compound the challenges experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. Further, to obtain mental health support, Kowalchuk explained how engaging with resources such as Access 24/7 can be frustrating when gender-affirming language, is not used. When asked about Briteline, a new 2SLGBTQIA+ support line, Kowalchuck stated that she wished there were “more things like that, it’s really great and it’s something that we’ve needed for a long time and it’s amazing that it’s local to this province.” 

    How can the broader community better support 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and create safer spaces? 

    We asked Kowalchuck how the broader community can support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who may not be able to get to the Pride Centre or perhaps cannot join in virtual sessions due to barriers they may be experiencing; Kowalchuck identified that “I connect with a lot of teachers or youth workers that ask “what can I do” – pronoun pins, posters of pride flags, literally wearing things that say you’re a safe human. That you’re somebody that they can potentially approach. It’s on their terms, but you’re still gently guiding them.” 

    Another avenue of support for 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks is to remove assumptions; Kowalchuck stated that “people know themselves best and that you can’t assume – wherever you come from, meet people where they’re at.” Moreover, Kowalchuk stated that it is “the little ‘big things that you can do anywhere to make a difference and impact.” When it comes to youth specifically Kowalchuck says, “let the youth be the expert because they are!” This includes thanking folks when they correct you on their pronouns; it requires safety and courage for one to do so, and those acts should be recognized. Lastly, participating in Safer Spaces training, expanding and supporting GSAs, and more broadly, promoting a gender inclusive world are among other ways to support 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks and foster safety in all communities. 

     

    How else can you support The Pride Centre of Edmonton and the work they are doing?  

    Chek out their resource page and resources for parents.  

     

    References:  

    Pride Centre of Edmonton. (2022). https://pridecentreofedmonton.ca/  

    Note: This is an excerpt from our July 2022 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

    [/et_pb_text][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Blog: The Divide – Cities for Cars Cities for People 

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    By Luis Alejandro Murcia Jiménez

     

    Throughout history, people have used many different types of transportation to move through and between towns and cities. From using the most basic methods, like walking or biking, to complex types of machinery, like cars and trains. The transportation method of choice has changed over time, but for a lot of our history, it was designed with walkability in mind. Our cities were made on a human scale, like old European neighborhoods. In the 1960s, many countries, especially here in North America, took a car-centric stance when designing their expanding cities. When cities are designed for cars and not people, the city tends to quickly expand outwards and spreads out to accommodate the space that cars need, like wide roads, parking lots, and driveways. This is called urban sprawl and it makes the city unwelcoming to those who do not travel in cars.  

    Urban Sprawl 

    Suburbs are an example of city design fueled by a car-centric society. Suburbs are built to separate homes away from everything else in the city. This might not seem like an issue if you live close to the city’s core, however, the further the city expands the more evident problems become. Living further from grocery stores, retailers, doctor’s offices, or anything else you need, means driving becomes a requirement. This creates barriers to access and social inclusion.  

    Living far from any destination also leads to boring commutes with little to no change in the visual environment. This creates mental fatigue (1), where commutes become so routine in our brains that people drive on autopilot without paying attention to their surroundings (2). Adding extra pressures to the brain like following a GPS, eating, talking, etc., the risk for human error rises. The combination of mental fatigue and poor city and road design (stroads) means that over 60% of accidents occur while the driver is distracted. (3) 

    Stroads 

    One of the biggest issues that urban sprawl and car dependency create in North American cities is what non-profit media advocacy organization Strong Towns calls, “stroads”. (4) Stroads are a mix between a road (which is a high-speed connecting route with wide lanes) and a street (which is a place with many locations for people to interact with businesses and/or residences). Examples of stroads in Edmonton are 124th Street, 111th Ave, and 170st Street, one example can be seen here. Unfortunately, a stroad does poorly at being either a street or a road. It does not allow for fast travel between locations, since you are always stopping at stoplights or waiting for someone to turn into a parking lot, and it is more dangerous for people heading into businesses or residences. It becomes an unsafe space by creating many points of conflict between modes of transportation (ie: cars and cars, cars and bikes, cars and pedestrians, etc.).  

    Stroads not only make roadways unsafe physically, but they also remove the social aspect from the streets. Multiple lanes of traffic and vast amounts of parking are unappealing and uninviting for people to use for leisure. This hinders people’s ability to create new connections. (5) Humans are social creatures, and the lack of social interactions is a concern to our mental health. (6)   

    What can be done? 

    While North America currently remains heavily dependent on cars, some other countries, such as the Netherlands, have noticed the safety problems and other issues that car-centric cities bring and have returned the space to the people, creating a livable environment (7).  The standard in Dutch cities is to create spaces that are inviting, charming, quieter, accessible, and safe. The city is designed for pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities, and others – not solely cars. When the cities make people feel connected and welcome, the people tend to be happier living there. (8)  

    In the Netherlands, good road and street design helps drivers and pedestrians with the previously mentioned issues drivers experience in cities filled with suburbs and stroads. Dutch roundabouts, continuous sidewalks, roadways that are designed to make drivers travel the speed limit and avoid speeding, and the concept of autoluw, or pedestrian only areas, are just some of the many ways the Netherlands makes safer, more livable environments and socially inclusive. 

    Continuous Sidewalks 

    A continuous sidewalk keeps going at a level that has no breaks or inclines. When vehicles turn onto a street, they must do a sharp turn and go over the sidewalk like a speedbump. (9) In addition to slowing down vehicles, continuous sidewalks demonstrate that this space is primarily for people, not cars. They are an inclusive part of city infrastructure because people with low mobility and disabilities can walk without uneven pathways and big steps up onto curbs and sidewalks. (10) Another benefit to continuous sidewalks would come during Edmonton’s harsh winters – the slopes where the sidewalk meets the road become very slippery adding to a lack of safety for pedestrians, and a continuous level sidewalk means people no longer risk slipping and falling into roadways.  

    AutoLuw 

    There are many options that both Canada and the City of Edmonton can pursue to improve walkability and livability in the interest of creating a safe social environment. A straightforward solution is creating “almost car-free” zones. Unfortunately, in the past when such proposals have been made there has often been great opposition to the change – mostly from people who fear that losing car space will mean fewer people can access the area. In the Netherlands, there are places known as “AutoLuw,” (11) which are more effective regarding safety in densely populated and highly visited areas with lots of businesses, like downtown. 

    Stroget, a shopping area in Copenhagen, Denmark, experienced resistance in the 1960s (12). Many shop owners, traffic engineers, and public transportation groups expressed concerns and fears about the consequences of converting the area into a pedestrian-only shopping area. Most of the fears were for loss of business profits from a reduction in customers in the area. In the end, Stroget’s transformation to a pedestrian area was a success in both urban and commercial aspects and businesses saw an increase in customers. The area became more friendly to people and saw an increase in people who were passing by, choosing to stay and visit the businesses in the area. It is important to acknowledge that such strategies are not a one size fits all solution for many areas. It requires a strong foundation of population density and viable access to car-free locations. If city planners have cars in mind and expect people to drive to these locations, then the plan has already failed.  

    Edmonton is currently working on multiple projects (13) to change our current car-centric situation by exploring improvements in our active transportation system in multiple locations. (14) The focus of these projects is people that “walk, bike, and wheel”. The city is also piloting a pedestrian- and bike-only corridor downtown, like the autoluw concept previously mentioned for one year. (15) 102 Ave will remain closed for motor vehicles next to the new Valley LRT.  

    Vehicles have shaped our cities extensively in unsustainable and pedestrian inaccessible ways. They have created an unsafe social environment and have pushed us far from each other.  Fortunately, there are many options for our cities to take to bring back people to the streets and create a safe livable Edmonton.   

     

    References 

    [1] Ma, J., Gu, J., Jia, H., Yao, Z., and Chang, R. (2018). The relationship between drivers’ cognitive fatigue and speed variability during monotonous daytime driving. Front. Psychol. 9:459. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00459      

    [2] Safety Driven. (2021, March 2). Distracted driving and your brain.  Safety Driven: Trucking Safety Council of BC. https://safetydriven.ca/resource/distracted-driving-and-your-brain/ 

    [3] Dingus, T. A., Guo, F., Lee, S., Antin, J. F., Perez, M., Buchanan-King, M., & Hankey, J. (2016). Driver crash risk factors and prevalence evaluation using naturalistic driving data. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(10), 2636–2641. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1513271113  

    [4] Towns, S. (2021, May 24). What’s a STROAD and why does it matter? Strong Towns. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/3/1/whats-a-stroad-and-why-does-it-matter  

    [5] Back, M. D., Schmukle, S. C., & Egloff, B. (2008). Becoming friends by chance. Psychological Science, 19(5), 439–440. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02106.x  

    [6] Yen, I. H., & Syme, S. L. (1999). The social environment and health: A discussion of the epidemiologic literature. Annual Review of Public Health, 20(1), 287–308. 

    [7] Hembrow, D. (2011, January 10). Stop the child murder. A View from the Cycle Path. http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2011/01/stop-child-murder.html   

    [8] Seveno, V. (2022, March 24). The Netherlands once again one of the happiest countries in the world. IamExpat. https://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/dutch-expat-news/netherlands-once-again-one-happiest-countries-world#:%7E:text=The%20Netherlands%20as%20the%20world’s%20fifth%20happiest%20country&text=This%20year%20sees%20the%20country,their%20lives%20were%20in%20balance 

    [9] Weetman, R. (2020, May 10). Design details 1. Nicer Cities, Liveable Places. https://robertweetman.wordpress.com/2018/11/13/design-details-1/  

    [10] Gagnon, F. (2017, April 5). Raised crosswalks and continuous sidewalks: “Pedestrian priority” – Briefing note – For up-to-date knowledge relating to healthy public policy. Policy Commons. https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1933480/raised-crosswalks-and-continuous-sidewalks/2685251/   

    [11] Hembrow, D. (2013, February 13). “Nearly car free” areas. A View from the Cycle path. http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2013/02/nearly-car-free-areas.html  

    [12] Yassin, H. H. (2019). Livable city: An approach to pedestrianization through tactical urbanism. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 58(1), 251–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2019.02.005  

    [13] City of Edmonton. (n.d.). City-run projects & plans. https://www.edmonton.ca/projects-plans  

    [14] City of Edmonton (2022, June). Active Transportation Network Improvements. https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/active-transportation-network-improvements-project  

    [15] Mertz, E. (2022, June 14). Edmonton will keep 102 Avenue closed to traffic for 1-year pedestrian pilot. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/8916732/edmonton-downtown-102-avenue-closure-pedestrian-corridor/  

     

     

     

    Luis Murcia’s goal and passion is the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society. In 2013, he came to the University of Alberta from El Salvador and graduated with a BA in psychology and a minor in philosophy. He is striving to develop into a person that can help others become their best self. 

    [/et_pb_text][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Blog: Roe v. Wade and the disproportionate implications for Black women in the United States

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    By Jenna Robinson 

     

    The recent overruling of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court presents serious challenges for folks in need of abortions and for reproductive rights in general. It is critical that conversations and discussions remain inclusive as this decision not only affects women, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community may experience extensive harm as a result of this ruling.  

    There are important distinctions in abortion and healthcare access among women and marginalized groups. Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous (Native American) Peoples will be disproportionately affected by this overruling which was decided predominantly by white people. This blog post will analyze the devastating effect it will have on Black women in the United States.  

    When exploring issues such as this, it is important to amplify and prioritize Black voices. The writer of this blog post is a white settler residing in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan (Edmonton) and references primarily Black voices. When researching this topic on your own, we encourage you to center marginalized voices. 

    This blog post is the third installment of a series that discusses what the overruling of Roe v. Wade means, who will be disproportionately impacted, and what abortion and reproductive access is like in Alberta. To read the first two blog posts, click here.  

    Poverty and Healthcare Access among Black Women  

    Experiences of poverty originate from and are reinforced by experiences of racism, sexism, and other systemic inequalities. Black women are disproportionately affected by poverty in the United States (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). In 2013, 25.7% of Black women over the age of 18 reported living below the poverty line, causing this population to have the second highest poverty rate among racial and ethnic groups in the country (Status of Women in the States, n.d.). Indigenous (Native American) women were ranked highest, with 28.1% of women over the age of 18 living below the poverty line. Black women on average make 63 cents for every dollar a white man makes in the United States (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). The correlation between wage and experiences of poverty among Black women (in addition to many other barriers) affects the money and resources they can dedicate to childcare, food, and healthcare (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). 

    Black women and other marginalized populations generally receive a lower quality of care from healthcare institutions due to systemic and institutionalized racism. This directly impacts their health and morbidity rates. “Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women” (National Partnership for Women and Families, 2018). Health conditions such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage account for 26% of pregnancy related mortality in the United States (Tucker, Berg, Callaghan & Hsai, 2007). While white women experience similar rates of pregnancy related health conditions, Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from them. There is a clear discrepancy in access to, and treatment within, healthcare systems for Black women. 

    Due to the systemic and institutionalized barriers, abortion rates for Black women have been and will continue to be affected.  Roughly 40% of women who access abortions in the United States are Black and they account for the highest percentage of people who access safe abortions (Lenzen, 2022). As a result, they will be among the most affected by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  

    Implications of Roe v. Wade for Black Women 

    The overturning of Roe v. Wade will exacerbate the systemic barriers that influence healthcare access, particularly the access to safe abortion. Maya Richard-Craven (2022) states that the “[lack] of access to a safe abortion is another means of control in a long list of ways that Black women have been suppressed.”  

    Since individual states now have the authority to ban abortion, and many have already started, people will have to travel out of state to areas where abortion is still legal and safe, assuming they have the means to do so. However, the higher and disproportionate rates of poverty among Black women will reinforce systemic barriers and create an even greater lack of access due to having less financial and emotional support that can be used towards travel for a safe abortion. This does not mean abortions will stop in states who ban abortion, it means safe abortions will stop.  Those in need of an abortion, who cannot afford to travel, may turn to dangerous, life-threatening alternatives. Legalizing abortion and making it accessible allows those seeking to terminate a pregnancy, an option that promotes their safety and wellbeing.  

    Many of those who support the overturning of Roe v. Wade argue that they value all human life and that they do not want anyone dying. A common response made by pro-choice advocates is that this ruling is simply another tool used to control bodies. Intersectional scholars and critics are expanding on this conversation to better encapsulate what is actually occurring; Dr. Melina Abdullah, the cofounder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, argues that this overruling is “a pro-poverty agenda, a racist agenda, a sexist, patriarchal and misogynistic agenda, a control agenda – an agenda that feeds the criminal system of injustice” (Richard-Craven, 2022). This decision has implications beyond abortion and causes threats to other Supreme Court rulings that impact marginalized communities. Rulings such as Griswold v. Connecticut, Lawrence v. Texas, and Obergefell v. Hodges, legalized same-sex marriage and relationships, as well as contraception. In short, analyzing Roe v. Wade through an intersectional lens helps identify the devastating impacts and unique experiences it has on many marginalized communities in society.  

    We encourage you to continue the conversation and to engage in materials to help guide these discussions. Please see some of the resources listed below.  

    Resources by Black Authors  

    Roe v. Wade’s Impact on the LGBTQIA2S+ Community  

     

    References 

    Status of Women in the States. (n.d.). “Poverty and Opportunity Full Section”. https://statusofwomendata.org/explore-the-data/poverty-opportunity/poverty-and-opportunity-full-section/#pofig4.4.   

    National Partnership for Women and Families. (2018). “Black Women’s Maternal Health: A Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Persistent and Dire Health Disparities”. https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/reports/black-womens-maternal-health.html.    

    Tucker, M. J. & Berg, C. J. & Callaghan, W. M. & Hsia, J. (2007). The Black-White Disparity in Pregnancy-Related Mortality From 5 Conditions: Differences in Prevalence and Case-Fatality Rates. American Jounral of Public Health, 97:2 (247-251).   

    Lenzen, C. (June, 2022). “Facing higher teen pregnancy and maternal mortality rates, Black women will largely bear the brunt of abortion limits”. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/30/texas-abortion-black-women/.   

    Craven-Richard, M. (July 2, 2022). “Roe v. Wade Has Higher Stakes for Black Women”. The Magazine fo the Sierra Club.  https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/roe-v-wade-has-higher-stakes-for-black-women  

     

     

    [/et_pb_text][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Blog: The Impacts of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade on Individuals Experiencing Poverty

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    By Mariska Konnik

     

    On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court ruled to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that provided constitutional access to abortion across America for nearly 50 years. This landmark decision will limit the access to abortion substantially as it gives individual states the power to implement laws that restrict or ban access, as well as create consequences for medical experts providing the procedure such as confiscated licenses or incarceration. (1) This event is likely to substantially shift the landscape regarding reproductive rights, causing a significant impact on women, girls/youths, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals, especially those experiencing poverty.

     

    The overturning of Roe v. Wade resulted in the court ruling 6-3 to uphold a Republican-based Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. (1) Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan heavily criticized the decisions of the majority, closing their statements by stating, “with sorrow – for this Court, but more, for the many millions of American women who have today lost a fundamental constitutional protection – we dissent.” (2) In 1973, the original Roe v. Wade ruling established that an individual’s decision to have an abortion was protected under rights that stem from the U.S. Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment which outlines the protection of a citizen’s right to “life, liberty and property.” (1)

     

    The impact of this decision is set to have substantial impacts on the rights of many individuals within the United States, with many already being seen just days after the announcement. President Joe Biden, in response to the decision, stated “the health and life of women in this nation are now at risk… The court has done what it’s never done before, expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans that had already been recognized. The court’s decision to do so will have real and immediate consequences.” (2) This is already being seen as many abortion clinics in the states with “trigger laws” regarding abortion have promptly stopped administering them as they assess what this ruling means for them. (1) The Justices opposing the overturning decision have stated how “from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of,” (2) alluding to the limitations that are going to be felt by women all across America. Additionally, those same Justices spoke on the impact this decision will undeniably have on women experiencing poverty, stating “above all others, women lacking financial resources will suffer from today’s decision.” (2)

     

    This ruling is set to have a considerable impact on women, girls/youth, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals who are experiencing poverty. This comes at a time when both the pandemic and the economy have had intense impacts on women, specifically within the workforce. The wage gap, lack of affordable childcare, and lack of paid leave for pregnancy are barriers that low-income individuals already face within society. In addition, there is the gendered expectation that pregnant individuals are expected to take on the responsibility of childcare, impacting both their living wage and their overall well-being. (3) With the limitations imposed on abortion access, women are left with little opportunity to engage in the workforce if pregnant, causing significant impacts on their lives. The Turnaway Study, conducted by Dr. Diana Foster, a professor at the University of California San Francisco, found that women who were denied an abortion were four times more likely to be living below the Federal Poverty Line. (3) Additionally, this decision is set to have an impact on the cost of healthcare, an issue that already impacts many Americans financially. Previously, health insurance coverage for abortions was already limited, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade set to further limit this to the point where there may be no coverage available. (5) Individuals living in states restricting abortion access will also face the challenge of travelling across the country to have the procedure provided to them, causing additional financial struggles through travelling costs, and the complication of out-of-state health coverage. (2,5)

     

    This adds further complications to those who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families by removing the ability to make decisions that impact not only their wellbeing, but the potential well-being of their family. (3) Consequences of this may include children being raised in impoverished families or growing up with a lack of opportunities due to the circumstances the pregnancy occurred under. Dr. Foster’s research demonstrates that children born as a result of a denied abortion were more likely to live below the poverty line. (3) The impacts that the Roe v. Wade decision is set to have on individuals experiencing poverty is undeniable and places a further barrier to the well-being of pregnant individuals and their families.

     

    While this landmark decision is based in the United States, it is important to think about the consequences it may have within North America, and the broader scope of the world. A statement released by Planned Parenthood Toronto explains how “every time a high-profile right-wing stunt is carried off in the US or Canada, it opens the door slightly wider here in Canada. It shifts the benchmark of what is acceptable to even debate.” (4) While there are no laws governing abortion in Canada, accessing abortion services are not a simple or easy process, and may call into question the existence of these limited services that do exist. (4)

     

    The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is one of sincere magnitude and is likely to have an undeniable impact on women, girls/youths, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals throughout America. Going forward, there is likely to be intense discussion, debate, and protest surrounding this topic, and the decision made on June 24th, 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court is one that will not be forgotten.

     

     

    End of text reference list (chronological):

    Gollom, M., & Iorfida, C. (2022, June 24). U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion rights up to states. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ussc-dobbs-abortion-ruling-1.6495637

    de Vogue, A., Sneed, T., Duster, C., & Cole, D. (2022, June 24). Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html

    Corbett, H. (2022, June 7). How Overturning Roe v. Wade Can Impact The Economy. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hollycorbett/2022/06/07/how-overturning-roe-v-wade-can-impact-the-economy/?sh=17ece6af632f

    Datta-Ray, M. (2022, June). Planned Parenthood Toronto on Roe v. Wade Press Release. Planned Parenthood Toronto. http://ppt.on.ca/planned-parenthood-toronto-on-roe-v-wade-press-release/

    Nova, A. (2022, June 27). Here’s how the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision could affect health insurance coverage. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/27/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-decision-could-affect-health-insurance-coverage.html

     

    Mariska Konnik is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta with a BA in Criminology. She has a passion for social justice and hopes to assist individuals within the Edmonton community by sharing information and resources. She hopes to become a lawyer to continue her passion for social justice.

    [/et_pb_text][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Community Matters (July 2022) — Community Safety

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Community-Matters-July-2022.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the June 2022 Community Matters (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#008ac1″ custom_margin=”||19px|||” custom_padding=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

    Note: This is excerpted from the July 2022 edition of our Community Matters publication. 

    Welcome to the second issue of our new quarterly publication, Community Matters.

    As with our inaugural issue in March 2022, Community Matters aims to inform the community about social issues that impact citizens and connect the dots between social issues, evidence, and policy. We aim to use this space to give a voice to local agencies, ESPC volunteer writers, and staff members alike.

    Each edition will spotlight a specific social issue and demonstrate the intersectional nature and impact on equality. Our goal is to use evidence as we continue to inform on the issues affecting individuals and families.

    While our first issue focused on gender (in)equity, this issue will focus on community safety.

    Community safety has many components and facets. Safety can be defined and experienced differently by each community and each person’s unique lived experience. Many think community safety means responding to crimes and social disorders through policing and the criminal justice system, the dialogue needs to be even more broadly focused on preventative measures and promoting social cohesion.

    When discussing community safety, we need to frame the conversation around promoting a community that is inclusive to everyone, especially those who are marginalized. If we center the conversation exclusively to the concerns of dominant or privileged groups, we run the risk of further endangering or marginalizing those who have already been struggling.

    Crime in Chinatown, safety concerns at Edmonton transit facilities, hate-motivated crimes against Black and Muslim women, and the alarming rates of lives lost due to drug overdoses and poisoning are in part tied to the still unresolved social problems such as affordable housing challenges and the rise of homelessness, the closure of safe consumption sites, untreated mental health and trauma, food insecurity, income inequality, systemic racism, gender inequity, and more. A failure to meaningfully address these issues will only exacerbate wider community safety concerns and the incidences of crime.

    A community that addresses everyone’s basic needs and supports, will reduce the number of incidences where police response is necessary. Community safety can be fostered and supported through relationships and connectivity.

    With this issue of Community Matters, we hope to play a part in shifting this mindset and amplifying the voices of those who felt very much unsafe, excluded or isolated in their own communities for quite some time. This edition includes topics surrounding areas of School Resources Officers, Universal Basic Income, Edmonton Indigenous Court, and Food Insecurity; we have input from organizations and agencies like Bear Clan, Community Outreach Transit Team, Neighbourhood Empowerment Team, Boyle MacCauley Health Centre and The Pride Centre. We invite readers to delve deeper into these topics.

    We hope this endeavour broadens the conversation and helps spark positive social change amid a truly challenging period for our city.

    – Susan Morrissey, Executive Director

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Blog: June 27th is the 51st Anniversary of Canadian Multiculturalism Day

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    By Jayme Wong

    Monday, June 27th, 2022 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Since 2002, this day marks and celebrates the contributions to Canadian society by individuals of various backgrounds and their diversity [1]. Placed between National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st and Canada Day on July 1st, Canadian Multiculturalism Day celebrates the diversity that makes up the nation’s vibrant cultural tapestry. However, is one day a year enough to celebrate and promote multiculturalism?  

    In the simplest sense, multiculturalism is the acknowledgment of multiple cultural identities. In Canada, this means “ensuring that all citizens keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry, and have a sense of belonging” [2]. Multiculturalism is considered an important foundation of Canadian society, having been enshrined by law in the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1985. The Act “recognize[s] and promote[s] the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage” [3]. The policy also encourages, fosters, and promotes the advancement of multiculturalism, calling for equitable participation and treatment of all individuals in Canadian society, regardless of cultural, ethnic, or racial origin. How citizens go about finding their sense of belonging is not explicitly prescribed by doctrine and, while Canadian Multiculturalism Day provides an opportunity for Canadians to openly promote and celebrate their cultural heritages, there is no account for how Canadians should address these key features of their identities the other 364 days of the year. 

    Canada’s multiculturalism policy has always stood in stark contrast to the United States’ “melting pot”, which encourages the assimilation of newcomers to one common culture. In recent years, American scholars have denounced the melting pot theory in favour of the “salad bowl”, “where cultures of different shapes and sizes can coexist” [4]. One main difference between Canada’s multiculturalism and America’s salad bowl is that ours is an ideology that has been acknowledged by the government and protected by law. However, whether law is enough to prompt action from the citizenry to make multiculturalism a reality and promote national unity, is still up for debate. 

    Does having multiculturalism enshrined in policy actually make a difference to social attitudes? Both Canadian and American ideas have been the subject of deep scrutiny with proponents of the melting pot/salad bowl theory rejecting multiculturalism and vice versa. Critics of multiculturalism, such as D.C.-based writer, Kenny Xu, suggest that multiculturalism creates differences instead of minimizing them: “[M]ulticulturalists create [a] yawning inequality in our society: between those who believe in and benefit from America’s cultural melting pot and those who reject it and become strangers in their own land” [5]. While others, like Alberta’s former Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, Leela Sharon Aheer, suggest that the differences are a strength: “Multiculturalism is a choir, where many different voices join together to create beautiful music. It is also the foundation to this province, and the key to building a vibrant and inclusive future” [6]. 

    Regardless of the ongoing debate, both multiculturalism and the melting pot/salad bowl are still just ideas – ideas that stay in text unless they are manifested into reality by actions. While the Canadian Multiculturalism Act does call upon federal institutions to “generally, carry on their activities in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada” [3], this includes the ongoing colonization and inhabitation of Indigenous lands and reluctant support for the accommodation of religious diversity [7].  

    Hate incidents in Canada reported by South Asian and Southeast Asian people increased by 318% and 121%, respectively, during 2021 [8].  In 2019, 46% of Black Canadians aged 15+ reported experienced at least one form of discrimination in the past five years [9]. Regardless of the federal government’s mandates, it is up to the citizenry to ensure that Canada’s multiculturalism actually lives up to its name. 

    [/et_pb_text][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][dmpro_image_hotspot img_src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screenshot-2022-06-27-085447.png” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”65%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”Screenshot 2022-06-27 085447″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/dmpro_image_hotspot][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    This Canadian Multiculturalism Day, I invite you to join the celebrations that are happening around the province. Actively celebrating each other’s cultures and embracing our differences is what enables Canada’s national mosaic. But, remember that multiculturalism includes the good, the bad, and the ugly – the ridges and fractures that appear when multiple cultures come into contact and confront each other for the first time. While the Canadian Multiculturalism Act ensures that there is infrastructure in place to support culturally diverse endeavours, it is the individual actions made by Canadians that ensure multiculturalism’s effectiveness.  

    End of text reference list (chronological): 

    [1] Proclamation Declaring June 27 of each year as “Canadian Multiculturalism Day” (SI/2002-160). Retrieved from the Justice Laws website: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SI-2002-160/page-1.html 

    [2] Multiculturalism. (2022, May 30). Government of Canada. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/canadian-identity-society/multiculturalism.html 

    [3] Canadian Multiculturalism Act. (R.S.C., 1985, c. 24 (4th Supp.)). Retrieved from the Justice Laws website: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-18.7/page-1.html 

    [4] Vidal, Jennifer. (2018, December 16). America the Salad Bowl – but some vegetables are more equal than others. Medium. https://medium.com/immigration-nation/america-the-salad-bowl-4883f9a77ad2 

    [5] Xu, Kenny. (2021, February 16.) What Multiculturalism Has Wrought. City Journal. https://www.city-journal.org/why-immigrants-favor-melting-pot-over-multiculturalism 

    [6] Canadian Multiculturalism Day: Minister Aheer. 2021, June 27. Red Deer News Now. https://rdnewsnow.com/2021/06/27/canadian-multiculturalism-day-minister-aheer/  

    [7] Jedwab, Jack. (2011). Multiculturalism. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/multiculturalism 

    [8] Balintec, Jessica. (2022, April 3). 2 years into the pandemic, anti-Asian hate is still on the rise in Canada, report show. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/2-years-into-the-pandemic-anti-asian-hate-is-still-on-the-rise-in-canada-report-shows-1.6404034 

    [9] Cotter, Adam. (2022, February 16). Experiences of discrimination among Black and Indigenous populations in Canada, 2019. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00002-eng.htm 

     

     

     

    Jayme has a BA in English and Philosophy from the University of Lethbridge and an MA in English and Film Studies from the University of Alberta. She currently lives in Edmonton with her partner and their cat. 

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]