Our Primetime This Week Panel looks at the beginnings of a legal framework for indigenous people, wellness expert David Stephan is dropped from health expos, Calgary public art program gets 'honoured' and the right to bare arms according to a former Prime Minister.
PM announces new legal framework for First Nations people
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is promising a new focus on the rights of Indigenous people in Canada, and part of it relates to a new legal framework.
Even though Indigenous rights are included in the constitution, Indigenous people often have to fight to them in court.
The family of Colton Boushie, a young Cree man shot and killed in Saskatchewan in 2016 was in Ottawa to hear Trudeau’s announcement. Just days earlier the man on trial for Boshie’s death, Gerald Stanley, was acquitted. Trudeau spoke of how the legal system treats Indigenous people. One aspect of the framework would include changes to how juries are selected.
Man convicted in son’s death dropped from wellness expo lineups
Alberta father David Stephan has been dropped from the lineup for a wellness expo, which included stops in Edmonton and Calgary. His scheduled appearances to promote products to improve brain and thyroid function caused a backlash on social media.
In 2016 Stephan and his wife Collett were convicted in the death of their 19-month-old son Ezekiel for failing to provide the necessaries of life. The toddler died of meningitis in 2012 after his parents tried treating Ezekiel with natural remedies like garlic and horseradish rather than take him to a doctor.
When some heard Stephan was a keynote speaker at the events, there were calls for a boycott of the upcoming shows and their sponsors. Sobeys and Flaman Fitness, along with publication The Edmonton Muse cut ties with the Expo. Rick Thiessen with Health and Wellness Expos of Canada said they cut ties with Stephan, as well.
Stephan posted a video on Facebook where he blamed “trolls” supported by the pharmaceutical industry and the media for the controversy.
Calgary’s public art program “honoured” with lifetime achievement award
The City of Calgary’s public art program received a lifetime achievement award this week, but it is likely not one it is celebrating.
At the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s annual Teddy Waste Awards, the program was awarded for being one of the worst offenders in wasting tax dollars. CTF says the program won for more than a decade of gaffes, including Bowfort Towers, which was accused of being culturally insensitive, the giant blue ring near the airport and a reflective sphere that inadvertently started fires.
Canada’s first female prime minister says sleeveless dresses on women broadcasters is “demeaning”
Kim Campbell, Canada’s first female Prime Minister, is being criticized for tweets where she said women broadcasters wearing sleeveless dresses undermines credibility.
“I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses – often when sitting with suited men,” read the tweet, which included a link to a blog post by a US speaking coach. “I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas!”
Her comments caused a stir online. In a tweet Ontario’s premier said she often exercises her right to bare arms. Others pointed to a photo of Campbell with bare shoulders in a provocative photo from 1993.
Campbell replied she was not presenting the news at the time.
Our Primetime This Week Panel is made up of: Dan Taylor, comic and pastor at Disciples Church in Edmonton; Chris Varcoe, Calgary Herald business columnist and Tristin Hopper, National Post reporter.
