Tom Engel
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tomengel7.bsky.social
Tom Engel
@tomengel7.bsky.social
Lawyer (criminal defence, civil rights), Past President Canadian Prison Law Association, Chair Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association's Policing Committee, North River Ranger, Lead Vocals UC Law Gastroelectric Kazoo Band
Congratulations to the UCP and Danielle Smith and their antivax, conspiracy theorist supporters on this achievement.
#abpoli
#antivax
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta's role in Canada's loss of measles elimination status embarrassing, former chief medical officer says | CBC News
The latest federal data shows Alberta accounts for 38 per cent of Canada’s cases.
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Reposted by Tom Engel
10 years after request by Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, success! Now we will find out what Alberta Corrections canteen & phone contractors paid to govt from funds from prisoners, their families, & supporters.
This is a national issue.
#Prison

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November 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
“I think he would have,” Danielle Smith told reporters on Friday morning.

Dead wrong.
Imagine what Lougheed would think of this UCP government, in general.

#abpoli

www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/arti...
Smith says predecessor Lougheed would also have used notwithstanding clause
Alberta’s premier is defending her government’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end a weeks-long teachers’ strike and says Peter Lougheed would have done the same.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Tom Engel
By using the notwithstanding clause pre-emptively - which, again, they *can* but *need not* do - the UCP is not simply admitting that their laws are breaching Charter rights and bypassing the courts.

They are further admitting that their laws cannot be justified in a free and democratic society.
November 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Tom Engel
Using the Lougheed Doctrine, governments should only invoke the Notwithstanding clause if they have exhausted all other options.

This includes a full-throated, public defense of their law as placing "reasonable limits... as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society" (s1).
November 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Tom Engel
After mostly eliminating red light and speeding cameras in cities, Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen is now considering raising speed limits on rural highways to 120 km/hr. www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
Have your say on highway speed limits
Alberta’s government is engaging with Albertans on increasing speed limits on rural highways.
www.alberta.ca
November 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Tom Engel
Brilliant reporting and writing here. An absolute pleasure to read.
November 8, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Reposted by Tom Engel
And that's a wrap. We had a sold out fundraiser! Many volunteers behind the event, including 3 bands. We had some great silent auction items. All-in-all a great success. Thank you everybody for believing in the work I and the @coalition4jhr do!
November 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"This increase corresponds with growth in the number of people living unsheltered or in temporary shelters in our city, which reached 2,468 in 2024, & an increase in enforcement [by Edmonton Police Service & City] against homeless encampments."
#yegcc

edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Edmonton doesn't have to be the frostbite capital of the world
Severe frostbite injuries are entirely preventable - together, let’s work towards a city where no one gets left out in the cold.
edmontonjournal.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The Ostrich cull reminded me of this:
"Alberta premier Ralph Klein, said, any "self-respecting rancher would have shot, shovelled & shut up." Many farmers and ranchers cheered Klein's grassroots "common sense" back then, but it's no longer 2003.

www.realagriculture.com/2015/02/time...
It's Time to Bury the Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up Mentality
Last week's announcement of a new BSE case in Canada involving a cow born in 2009 has many in the beef industry nervously watching cattle prices and fearing border closures. This is a very natural rea...
www.realagriculture.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Law Union of Ontario
Policing Subcommittee

PRESS RELEASE
October 30, 2025

The Law Union of Ontario strongly condemns the Carney government’s proposed bail reforms as being harsh, punitive, counterproductive and unsupported by the evidence.

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November 7, 2025 at 12:35 AM
"The three men were never charged, however, because provincial Crown prosecutors decided no charges should be laid."

AGAIN!

#Police #PoliceAccountability

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Lethbridge officer searched ex-Alberta MLA on database after overhearing 'tail end' of conversation: report | CBC News
After "completely unsatisfying" investigation outcome and no criminal charges, Shannon Phillips plans to continue with lawsuit against her city's police.
www.cbc.ca
November 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Reposted by Tom Engel
The larger issue here is that, according to credible public health experts, the UCP govt is imposing an ideological, anti-vax agenda that will undermine public health for many years. A baby needlessly died of measles in Alberta because its mother was unvaccinated. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
"The last few days — oh, and Manitoba’s premier — have made it clear that the facts don’t matter, however.
Blind rage is far easier than careful consideration."

#RuleOfLaw

www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion
Opinion – Winnipeg Free Press
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
www.winnipegfreepress.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Premier Kinew: “You’ve got to find a way to communicate that makes people pay attention".
Advocating that prison staff arrange for prisoners to murder other prisoners did get attention.
"He said Manitobans agree with his perspective."
#RuleOfLaw

www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Manitoba premier Kinew stands firm on support for pedophiles getting jailhouse justice
Premier Wab Kinew defended incendiary remarks he made Monday supporting punishments outside the justice system for those who access or possess child pornography.
www.winnipegfreepress.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Calgary police are on a rampage downtown, using drones to find people and clear them off streets. Posting photos of unhoused folks they arrest (see twitter).

It’s collective punishment for social disorder and violence they have failed to improve with prior violence.

Film the cops if you see them.
November 6, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Reposted by Tom Engel
“This first use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause in an act of the Alberta legislature is a stain upon your record & undercuts the credibility of the many calls you have made for all levels of government to respect the rights of citizens.”

ATA to Smith today.

#abpoli
November 5, 2025 at 8:46 PM
"Justice Sotomayor raised the issue of the Ontario govt’s anti-tariff ad featuring former president Reagan’s words. The ad angered Trump so much that he broke off trade talks with Canada & threatened to slap on another 10% tariff."

So it was a good idea!
www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps...
‘Complete mess’: Trump-appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices question president’s lawyers over tariffs
The U.S. Supreme court weighed in on one of the most economically significant cases in decades, with huge implications for Canada.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 AM
"while also trying to connect people to supports."

Which, in all likelihood, aren't available.
#Police

calgaryherald.com/news/local-n...
'Arrests will be made': Calgary police launch enforcement blitz in city's centre
More than 100 Calgary police and bylaw enforcement officers descended on downtown as part of an enforcement crackdown focused on safety.
calgaryherald.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:14 AM
The Tales of Patrick - Episode 1

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The Tales Of Patrick Episode I REUNION
YouTube video by Stolen Bike Films
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November 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM