We only caught wind of the motion last Sunday from the Ethno-Cultural Community Council of Calgary. (ECCC) Many of us quickly wrote letters, videos and used social media to help raise awareness of the motion. We heard there was a lot of pressure from the Conservative and Official Opposition to repeal the Act. Now it was time to see if our week long effort and being present at the legislature will make a difference. (Links to see ECCC position paper).
Early Monday morning we were warmly greeted with coffee, muffins and smiles from the ECCC and a big white bus! We were a very diverse group of First Nations & Metis, LGBTQ, Women, Ethno-Cultural, Disability Communities and Concerned Citizens who dedicated themselves to witness the voting of Bill 502.
Upon our arrival of the legislature, we were introduced as guests of MLA Teresa Woo-Paw. We also had a brief meeting with her afterwards and just prior to the presentation of the Bill, a quick hello to Deputy Premiere Dave Hancock to express our concerns over the Bill. A smaller group also met with MLA Linda Johnson. Our group grew bigger as people from Edmonton also joined us on both sides of the public gallery.
After 5 hours of patiently waiting for the debate, the Bill was presented by the Wild Rose Party and we heard many MLAs speak in favour or against. (For a complete detailed discussion of the debate, please visit the Alberta Hansard for (March 17th afternoon sessional notes of the 28th Session beginning on page 280).
Perhaps one of the more emotional debates came from Alberta Liberal House Leader Raj Sherman, who described what to was like to grow up in Alberta coming from another country; what it was like in their first week of living in Canada when all his mother's children came home with black eyes and beatings. And then he said what was the most damaging of all were the names he was called and how these names made him feel shame for the colour of his skin. He went on to speak in support for previous MLAs stating how the criminal justice system was not enough to capture and address the daily activities and events that happen in people's lives because of difference.
When it did come time for the Speaker to call the vote time in favour of the Bill, we heard people say yes in favour, and our hearts sank a little...
And finally, when asked who is not, an overwhelming 'NO' echoed all over the walls of the house. Never has the word 'No' been such music to our ears.
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At the Alberta Legislature after the debate of Motion 502 |
We then saw the MLAs look up at us from both sides of the assembly. They waved and smiled up at us. We were overwhelmed. Democracy at its best.
Thank you to all who made this a day of hope for many generations of Albertans to come. Enjoy your free speech with the security of knowing your rights are protected for another day.
To learn more about all the collaboration and get in on the conversation, please visit the Hate Speech Hurts Everyone FaceBook Group.