Maureen Hiebert

Political Scientist, Fellow CMSS University of Calgary, genocide studies, law and politics, LOAC, AI and AWS. Living on Treaty 7 land

[Team Servicerottie🇨🇦🐕‍🦺🦽 @servicerotties]

Hey @cityofedmonton, I’d really appreciate if you could tell us why a service dog team was refused access on Public Transit yesterday? According to the handler they were on the Valley Line northbound LRT platform at 66th st & 38th Ave. When the train pulled in the driver announced over the loud speaker that dogs were not allowed. The dog was clearly identified as a service dog by it’s vest (although the provincial Service Dog Act does not require this) and the handler has a Province of Alberta Service Dog ID card. The driver wouldn't open the doors and the train drove off leaving the Service Dog team AND about 20 other passengers (witnesses) on the platform. That must have been an incredibly humiliating experience. The incident was reported to 311 and the operator questioned if the dog was vested, displaying a clear lack of training about Service Dog Legislation. I’d like to know why, if there was any question of the dog’s legitimacy, they were never asked for the Govt ID card? The incident has been reported directly to the director of the provincial Service Dog Program and I've offered to assist with filing a human rights complaint. This team trained with a government qualified service dog training organization I work with, so I have a personal interest in this and want answers.
This isn't the first Transit issue brought to me. A team recently shared how a bus driver loudly made the comment “if it's a REAL service dog it will sit” when the handler had the dog standing on a bus so it would be in a position to offer balance support as the handler was standing. Transit employees, like most other city departments, require training on disabilities, accomodations, and ableism. I've personally experienced driver’s that don't even lower the bus before dropping the ramp and have almost had a wheelchair tip over because of the grade. I've had driver’s intentionally engage with a service dog attempting to get it’s attention. City council members like @michaeljanz and @AshleyASalvador keep promoting Transit but continue to do nothing to address the issues the disabled community face trying to access and utilize it.
These issues could all have been prevented with proper training. I’ve asked you over 200 times to implement this! How many more times do people with disabilities have to be cut off from their community, be humiliated or discriminated against before something is actually done? It’s been a full week since I've been able to access businesses less than 250 meters from my home because of the city’s snow clearing policies. I've had rec centers that have no idea where their pool deck wheelchair is and have no appropriate surface for a person with a disability to get changed on. Tax dollars funded Janz's events where there was no accessible entrance!Many of us get penalized $2 a bag every time we order groceries because we can't pick up a box from a wheelchair, while using a walker or might be missing an arm. Your accessibility policy states the city is committed to identifying and removing barriers. I've done part of your job and identified a bunch for you. Now do your part and remove them.
Do we need to have a line of wheelchair users go down the road because we can't have winter sidewalk access? Would bringing 50 service dog teams to city hall with protest signs help motivate you? Personally, I don’t bother dealing with about 90% of access issues, barriers, ableist slurs etc that I encounter as there's so many and it's exhausting, but if need be we can start hitting 311 with each one and filing human rights complaint every time. I can assist other disabled community members in doing the same. Today, I'm going to ask everyone I know to reach out to the city on social media, DM council members, call, email, write etc and request that city immediately take steps to implement a disability training policy for all city employees, managers and council members, form a dedicated disability and accomodations team. Not next year. Now.

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@servicerotties Indeed it is!

[The Weather Network @weathernetwork]

Kuno @servicerotties warmed hearts with his daily weather updates. Today, we’re remembering the clever canine and the joy he shared.

His legacy reminds us that weather can connect us all. Rest easy, Kuno, and may there always be sunny skies where you are. 🌈☀️

@MurphTWN

[WeRateDogs @dog_rates]

The Dogs of 2024

[J Street @jstreetdotorg]

“When did your Jewish and democratic DNA get so sick that [an Israeli] legislator stands here and declares that among 2.3 million [Palestinian] people, there isn't one innocent person?”

A powerful speech from Rabbi MK @KarivGilad

https://t.co/tHc9kKostr

[CDA Institute @CDAInstitute]

Dr. Rob Huebert & Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer unpack Canada’s new Arctic foreign policy—what it gets right, what’s missing, and what it means for our sovereignty, security, and diplomacy in the North. https://t.co/vXntrUPqQK

[Zoryan Institute @ZoryanInstitute]

The Zoryan Institute is proud to announce the recipient of the 2024 Roger W. Smith Memorial Prize is Isabella Sella Voll! Isabella is an engaged, thoughtful, and passionate genocide scholar who embodies Roger Smith’s values.

[UCalgary Arts @UCalgaryArts]

@CMSSCalgary hosted a two-day conference commemorating 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force, held against the backdrop of increasing U.S. pressure to boost defense spending https://t.co/PgRtBOx9EQ

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@RenanLevine Oy indeed

[UCalgary Arts @UCalgaryArts]

The Centre for Military, Security, and Strategic Studies is hosting a conference on campus exploring the past and future of the Royal Canadian Air Force as it celebrates 100 years https://t.co/XFBI3QzGf8 @CMSSCalgary @RCAF_ARC

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@JoyceWhiteVance Guess I’ll be discussing this in my law and armed conflict seminar next week. Yikes! Your concerned Canadian neighbour ( and Cafe Insider listener)

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@Capt_ChengXu @UofT_PolSci @UofT Huzzah! Congratulations Dr. Xu!!

[Yad Vashem @yadvashem]

The world mourns the passing of renowned Holocaust scholar Prof. Yehuda Bauer, Z”L (1926–2024). A pioneering researcher & global authority on Holocaust history, Bauer's wisdom & dedication enriched our understanding of this dark chapter. YV extends condolences to his family.

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@aoife_macnamara 😂❤️

[Team Servicerottie🇨🇦🐕‍🦺🦽 @servicerotties]

Hey!! It's us!!!

https://t.co/byjrdwFrjm

[Zoryan Institute @ZoryanInstitute]

September 30th is #truthandreconciliation day. This day is an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect and learn about the history and legacies of residential schools in Canada.

Read more about this day here: https://t.co/olpkV1ysc6
#trc

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@CWLemoine She’s clearly thinks the same about you!

[Zoryan Institute @ZoryanInstitute]

The Institute's Academic Board has a new member! Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, the distinguished international jurist and former International Criminal Court President from 2018 to 2021 will join the Institute's Academic Board on October 1, 2024 #icc #zoryaninstitute #humanrights

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@JLisaYoung

[Maureen Hiebert @_mhiebert]

@BrentTerhune @Funnybonewdm Tovah likes Marge’s message