The Alberta Medical Association is speaking-out against the new code of conduct guidelines issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

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Last week, CJSW News spoke with David Harrigan, the director of labour relations for the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA). The organization had filed a grievance over the new code of conduct guidelines issued by Alberta Health Services.

The Alberta Medical Association, the organization representing Alberta’s doctors, has now joined the UNA by voicing concern over the code of conduct. CJSW’s Joe Burima spoke with Dr. Noel W. Grisdale, president of the AMA.

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The Alberta Green Party has been de-registered as a political party in the province. The party removed itself from the provincial slate because of concerns over the legitimacy of financial returns.
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CJSW’s Nathan Taylor spoke with leader Joe Anglin about the recent move, the possibility of criminal charges, and what the party plans to do next.

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You may want to look underfoot next time you wander through Calgary’s downtown. Non-profit groups are planting flowers and greens in some of the city’s most unlikely spots. This week, CJSW News presents a special on urban and guerilla gardening. Coverage includes video and audio from groups and individuals connected to this green movement.

This CJSW News special contains audio from two groups.

First, CJSW spoke with members and activists of the Calgary Food Policy Council. The group has organized a community garden the corner of 6th Avenue and 3rd Street SW - the heart of downtown and corporate Calgary. CJSW News reporter Steve Loo interviews 4 gardeners to discuss gardening, community building, food policies, and dreams about feeding all Calgarians.

To round-off our special, CJSW News spoke with Aviva Zimmerman, a member of the Provincial Boom Commmission. This summer, the PBC created a guerilla garden in front of the old Cecil Hotel.

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» Watch the Video

» Watch the Video

This past week, KyotoPlus’ Pedal for the Planet made its way through Calgary. CJSW News spoke with Martina and Nadia Novac, who are cycling their way to Ottawa in support of changes in our environmental policies. We also sat in on speakers Alex Doukas of the Canadian Youth Delegation and Jeh Custer of the Sierra Club of Canada.

Check out the Pedal for the Planet website.

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The University of Calgary has announced that 200 jobs will be cut this fall. The move has been presented as an effort to battle the university’s $14.3 million deficit. CJSW News spoke with representatives from external relations, the faculty association, and the students union.

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Some great news! The CJSW News program will be moving from Mondays at 11am to Tuesdays at 10am! This will allow us to piece together outstanding news stories on Mondays for your listening pleasure Tuesday mornings.

The United Nurses of Alberta has filed a grievance over the new code of conduct guidelines issued by Alberta Health Services. David Harrigan, director of labour relations for UNA, spoke with CJSW’s Joe Burima. The two discussed the unions concern about the timing of the code, as well as the so-called “condescending” wording of the document.

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Mount Royal College has recently announced that regular parking permits have sold-out, leaving only weekend and evening passes. Parking permits at the college were put on sale July 2nd and sold-out in a record five days. This is a dramatic change from last year, when passes were available well into August and September. CJSW spoke with a college representative and with one lucky student that was able to get a pass.

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Earlier this month, the small community of Braeside in south-Calgary found itself in the public’s eye and on the front-page. The opening of a methadone clinic in the neighbourhood received a vocal and critical response from many community members, prompting the clinic to search for a new location.

CJSW’s Joe Burima spoke with community members, key players, as well as an individual coping with addiction.

Organizations For Individuals Coping With Addiction

Calgary and Area Addictions Service Guide
http://www.calgaryaddiction.com/
(403) 648 2207

Calgary Mental Health and Addictions Services
http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/mh/
(403) 943 1500

Distress Centre
http://www.distresscentre.ab.ca/
(403) 266 1605

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The Provincial Boom Commission is a group of artists with some of its members experiencing homelessness.
On Sunday, July 5th, the PBC planned a guerrilla theatre demonstration on the Stampede LRT overpass to alert visitors to issues of homelessness in the city. The group was particularly concerned with bylaws that may be used to target homeless individuals such as ones prohibiting loitering, spitting, or public urination.

One the phone, founder Aviva Zimmerman outlined the strategy. At 1 pm, the PBC team would start to assemble and have mascot costume, wigs, blindfolds and cameras ready.
At 2 pm, the show would begin on top of the LRT overpass for as long as possible before bylaw officers came to ask the demonstrators to leave Calgary Transit property.

CJSW News arrived just as the demonstration began. The PBC entertained crowds going to and from Stampede Park with a game mascot Nigel Kirk calls “Pin the Bylaw Ticket on the Homeless Chimpmunk.” After 30 minutes, bylaw officers told the demonstrators that they could continue as long as they relocated to the sidewalk 5 meters away from the LRT ramp and staircase at 15th Avenue. After relocating, the PBC continued their demonstration for the rest of the Sunday afternoon.

Listen to the Interview:

» Watch the Video