@Paulatics@mstdn.ca

Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 1d ago

Alberta doesn’t have an immigration crisis - but it surely faces an economic crisis, if the government succeeds in chasing immigrants and investors away with its racist referendum questions. In the Senate last night, I rose to denounce the scapegoating of migrants, to tell some hard truths, and to laud the economic and social value of newcomers to Alberta, especially for rural renewal. I hope you will share and boost my remarks so that more people can hear them before they vote. https://youtu.be/to7o-4rwHKQ?si=wPe22Rknr7kgu5n4 #cdnpoli #ableg #abpoli #Alberta #Canada #SenateofCanada #immigration

Watch: Senator Paula Simons denounces Alberta's anti-immigrant referendum questions

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 1w ago

With so (so) much talk about Alberta separatism. But what about a counter factual? Suppose Rupert’s Land had never joined Canada in the first place? I explored that idea in this essay 8 years ago. It seems apt to share it again here - as we prepare for Truth and Reconciliation Day. It offers a useful reminder that Alberta didn’t enter Confederation the way that BC or Newfoundland or PEI did, and that our history is radically different than the Upper/Lower Canada paradigm. But I don’t think my counter factual musings would resonate with our current crop of separatists! https://ecf.ca/news/to-revive-and-not-revise/ #yeg #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #abpoli #cdnpoli

Edmonton Community Foundation

To Revive and Not Revise

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 2w ago

Replying to

If you prefer, you can always stream Alberta Unbound from my Senate webpage. But whatever your choice, this is an important behind-the-scenes look at how the No campaigns are coping with Elections Alberta’s tough finance rules, the atomized media ecosystem, and the seeming passivity of the Carney government, the NDP opposition, the CPC, and the Alberta business community- and why immigrant communities are afraid to speak out on the anti immigrant questions. https://senatorpaulasimons.ca/en/media/alberta-unbound/ #yeg #yyc

senatorpaulasimons.ca

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Elon Musk wants to put a million new satellites into space. Meantime, his old ones keep falling out of the sky - and landing on the Canadian prairies! This week, I rose in the Senate to launch my inquiry in the many problems caused by satellite pollution. (With many thanks to @sundogplanets@mastodon.social) https://youtu.be/mH-FDPCtiXM?si=zOZV-GPn4qyOVkOf #cdnpoli #Starlink #SpaceX #saskatchewan #Canada

Satellite Inquiry: Falling Space Junk and Skyrocketing Congestion, Pollution and Liability Concerns

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 4w ago

Excited and proud to be joining this great panel tonight to discuss the meaning of the noxious nine referendum questions, and how to mobilize around them. If you’re in Edmonton, come join us! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/referendum-teach-in-tickets-1997805759807 #yeg #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #Alberta #Canada #notothenine

eventbrite.com

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 3mo ago

Boosted by @trending@homestead.social

I am really disturbed at the way the Senate is being “pressured” to pass complex, important and deeply flawed legislation without proper study and debate. Bill C-16 is just the latest example. Under the cover of protecting victims, the government is rolling back important constitutional protections. Few people have noticed. So I’m telling you. https://youtu.be/vhfJqlJdc3A?si=EWWI9vtR6zJD8zjd #BillC16 #cdnpoli #SenCa #femicide #coercivecontrol #Jordan

Bill C-16 - In the name of protecting victims, we are rushing laws that may backfire

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 9mo ago

As many of you will know, I’ve been campaigning for more than a year to get the Govt of Canada off X. This week’s Grok nonsense pushed me over the edge - and I said a very bad word! https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/01/07/get-the-fk-off-there-mps-senators-call-on-government-to-abandon-x-twitter-following-wave-of-grok-porn/487023/ #cdnpoli #X #Grok

hilltimes.com

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Why yes. I did give a speech in the Senate about the joy of sex. A speech about sex and libraries, and the dangers of trying to censor what our teens can read and watch and do online. In a world full of digital risk, we need to teach our kids media literacy, and sexual literacy too. https://youtu.be/mEsf_qQzvpg?si=dCTTLIW5dBDjanVs #ableg #abpoli #Bill28 #porn #bookbans #cdnpoli #BillS209 #SenateofCanada #AI

Oh, for the love of sex! The climax of Bill S-209

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

My latest column, on the false promise of LLMs and generative AI. I’m not afraid of machine intelligence. I’m afraid of human stupidity. We are taking what could be a useful tool, and abusing it to delude each other and ourselves. https://albertaviews.ca/ai-fever-dream/ #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli #AI #yeg #Edmonton

Alberta Views

AI Fever Dream - Alberta Views

AI has made it simple to strip everyday photos of women and girls, turning them into instant fake porn. Indeed, AI can manipulate photos...

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Out of curiosity- what instances are y’all on - and why? What are the pros and cons of the various instances you have chosen?

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

RE: @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

This story just gets darker and weirder. AI slopaganda combined with foreign interference and good old fashioned greed. Are Dutch YouTube influencers sabotaging Alberta politics and Canadian unity just for lols and cash? Or are they themselves being manipulated by someone with a malicious political agenda? #cdnpoli #Canada #Alberta #separatism #abpoli

mstdn.ca

Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦: "This story from @thetyee broke while our Standing…" - Mastodon Canada

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

https://albertareferendumb2026.ca/#top #ableg #abpoli #cdnpoli (I didn’t make this. But I’m delighted to share it. I hope others will too.)

Alberta Referendumb 2026

Alberta Referendumb 2026 is an independent parody and political commentary site analyzing Alberta

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Replying to

This story from @thetyee@mstdn.ca broke while our Standing Senate Committee on Transport And Communications was meeting to conduct hearings on generative AI. I was able to sneak in a related question at the tail end of the meeting. https://youtu.be/0HAgoeteUcI?si=0SfsXU5owPeXuPC0 #ableg #cdnpoli #TRCM #Canada #ForeignInterference #YouTube #AI #separatism

How do we tackle AI slop interfering with Alberta's possible separatism referendum?

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Today is a national day of mourning. Flags on Parliament Hill are at half mast. The Senate sitting today was very short - with only statements on the tragedy of Tumbler Ridge - and the double child homicide in Kitigan Zibi, Quebec. Two small communities facing unimaginable sorrow. So many children lost. As Canadians, we grieve together - even as we struggle to understand.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

No. No. Nine times no. Five very smart Albertans, from across the province, and across the political spectrum, tell me why they think Danielle Smith’s nine referendum questions are racist, or useless, or both. And we ask - why is there no No campaign as yet?? Please do give this vital episode a listen! https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/alberta-unbound/id1511810939?i=1000756773602 #ableg #abpoli #Alberta #AlbertaUnbound #yeg #yyc #cdnpoli #SenateofCanada #DanielleSmith #NaheedNenshi

podcasts.apple.com

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Well. Senate debate on C-12 is over. The bill has now gone back to the House with two amendments- but to my sorrow, all our other amendments failed. Still, I’m proud of the two dozen or so senators from all parts of the Chamber who stood together to fight for justice for immigrants, refugees, international students and those on work visas. We made our arguments with passion, reason, evidence and courage. I hope courts will take note in the future. #C12 #BillC12 #cdnpoli #Canada #immigration

mstdn.ca

Mastodon Canada

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 8mo ago

Replying to

Here is a link to the full transcript, complete with all my “you knows” and “likes” and other verbal tics. Most embarrassing to see them all spelt out, though I love the note about my snarky laughter! https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/the-aih-transcript-for-january-8-2026-9.7041553

CBC

The AIH Transcript For January 8, 2026 | CBC Radio

As It Happens transcript

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Replying to

Senator Senior’s amendment to Bill C-12 passed - a nice surprise. I had less luck with the amendment I proposed tonight, to try to put some meaningful parliamentary oversight on the mass cancellations of visa and permanent residency cards. I thought my amendment was elegant. But it may have been too clever for its own good! https://youtu.be/AFPJWRPW9O4?si=toJ-9Thv51U0XiNG #C12 #BillC12 #immigration #cdnpoli #Canada #SenateofCanada

Bill C-12: On immigration, Parliament should not surrender its prerogatives to the executive branch

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Replying to

@leavex@mastodon.social Oh this is terrific! I hope I can be a role model. I managed to convince my caucus, the Independent Senators Group, to quit X. And after we took the lead, the two other independent Senate groups also stopped using X. I haven’t succeeded in getting every individual Senator to leave - yet. But the three Senate groups have stopped using it for official comms.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

RE: @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

ICYMI

Debate on Bill C-12 continues today, with two more amendments pending. #cdnpoli

mstdn.ca

Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦: "I usually take time to craft and hone and practic…" - Mastodon Canada

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

RE: @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

ICYMI

mstdn.ca

Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦: "My latest column, on the false promise of LLMs an…" - Mastodon Canada

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Bill C-9 sets out to address the very real threat of hate and hate crimes in Canada. But striking the balance between protecting our safety and protecting of civil liberties isn’t easy. I dig into some messy questions and painful histories here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=mtaZjAmQZxE&si=vGRpVw3B3rgxNzMY #cdnpoli #Alberta

Bill C-9 - How do we balance fighting hate with protecting civil liberties?

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Happy World Théâtre Day! I’m blessed to live in Edmonton, a city with such a brilliant and inclusive theatre scene. To honour the day, I rummaged through my archives, to share this documentary we made about the resilient, remarkable Edmonton Fringe Festival! https://youtu.be/UnX77xl5skw?si=pfsWY6RFn7LdBFC7 #yeg #Edmonton #WorldTheatreDay #EdmontonFringeFestival #cdnpoli

Uniquely Albertan: The Fringe that Almost Wasn't

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

I have already done so! https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/simons-paula/interventions/684894/28#hID

SenCanada

Senator Paula Simons Topic Intervention 684894 - 28

Senators

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Perhaps the most important episode of Alberta Unbound we’ve ever recorded. How should we respond to those 9 nasty questions? https://www.podbean.com/ei/pb-tfx3t-1a7c4d3 #ableg #abpoli #AlbertaUnbound #SenateofCanada #cdnpoli

podbean.com

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

With C-12 headed back to the House, we have resumed debate on another troubling piece of legislation, C-14, which purports to reform our bail system. Here’s what I had to say about that last night at second reading. https://youtu.be/ETH4j0C51X4?si=RWBLuWLOalkYupCt #cdnpoli #yeg #bail #Edmonton #Alberta #remand

Clogging courts and overcrowding remand centres, C-14 will not solve our criminal justice system

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

A new and timely Alberta Unbound - playwright and author @martychan@mstdn.ca on Alberta’s noxious Bill 28, book bans and the racism renaissance. This is - I guarantee - a delightful listen, because Marty is a delightful story-teller. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/alberta-unbound/id1511810939?i=1000761098829 #AlbertaUnbound #ableg #abpoli #bookbans #cdnpoli

podcasts.apple.com

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Replying to

@bougiewonderland@freeradical.zone @sundogplanets@mastodon.social That dapper fellow is Speaker Pro Tempore Rene Cormier - who in his other life was an actor and stage director. He makes a great audience.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Replying to

@dragonfrog@mastodon.sdf.org @sundogplanets@mastodon.social The FCC filing reads like a fever dream. It is one of the oddest legal documents I have ever seen.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Replying to

Bill C-12: On immigration, Parliament should not surrender its prerogatives to the executive branch

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Replying to

@jdp23 @Em0nM4stodon @eff The Online Harms bill is still gestating; no sense yet of when it might emerge. On the other hand, Bill S-209, which would require proof of age 18 to access porn finished at committee today and will come back to the Senate in two weeks. (It is not govt legislation, but rather the Senate equivalent of a private member’s bill. We call them Senate Public Bills.)

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 7mo ago

Replying to

@sleepy62@social.vivaldi.net OMG I needed that laugh tonight! Thank you.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@davecb@hachyderm.io @thetyee@mstdn.ca It’s in the post below.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 8mo ago

Replying to

@DavidM_yeg@mstdn.ca This is such an important point. Also, to be blunt, how many people under 30 are on X at all?

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 6mo ago

Replying to

@bougiewonderland@freeradical.zone @sundogplanets@mastodon.social He is what you might call the deputy/back up speaker. He shares duties with the Speaker and leads Committee of the Whole.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 18mo ago

Replying to

@teledyn @RoyBrander @dkmackinnon So you could say that the Senate killed the bill - but only passively aggressively. The upshot? As I understand it, in Alberta - and in Ontario - Canada Border Services can't search devices. In other parts of the country, they can. It's absurd. But as we see these stories from the US, I feel more than ever that the independent Senate did the right thing.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 18mo ago

Replying to

@ECityMom @teledyn @RoyBrander @dkmackinnon Exactly. The Alberta court case doesn’t bind other jurisdictions. But it would carry great weight - as it did in Ontario.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 3mo ago

Replying to

@magnesium@infosec.exchange Well, first, we don’t have a House of Representatives; in Canada, we have a House of Commons. The Senate will start its official study of C-22 in late September, after the summer recess. We’ll begin with second reading speeches; then the bill will be sent to committee for public hearings and in-depth study. We’ll be looking for expert witnesses, pro and con. We’ll also look for written expert briefs. Too soon to know which committee will study the bill - could be National Security and Defence, or Legal and Constitutional Affairs. (I’m on the latter.) I’m compiling a list to suggested experts now. But what does NOT work? Bot campaigns that spam Senators with thousand of identical emails!

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 3mo ago

Replying to

@magnesium@infosec.exchange Many senators have hard questions about this bill. Others strongly support it. It is rare for the Senate to defeat a bill outright. We are more likely to propose amendments and to ask tough public questions - all the more critical here, given the truncated study in the House of Commons. You could start by contacting the Senators from your province, or target the ones on the National Defence and Legal committees. (Check the Senate website for names and emails.)

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 2mo ago

Delighted to share episode 3 of the Kreisel Lecture series - a powerful conversation with Canadian authors Richard Van Camp, Shani Mootoo and Lise Gaboury-Diallo. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BU0ksBRTRYDIlHraUUNlE?si=R4jId20zT4eXpJmVdmzSFQ&utm_source=copy-link #AlbertaUnbound #ualberta #yeg #Alberta #canlit #Canada

Spotify

The Kreisel Lecture (Part 3/3): The Duty of Story

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@landley@mstdn.jp I just cut and pasted the link. That’s how it came.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 2mo ago

Alberta Unbound is available on every major podcast app - and can always be streamed from my Senate webpage. https://senatorpaulasimons.ca/en/media/alberta-unbound/

senatorpaulasimons.ca

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 5mo ago

Replying to

@mjbarton@mastodon.online oh yes we do. Well, the first 9, anyway. https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/increased-control-over-immigration-nine-questions-on-alberta-referendum-in-october/

‘Increased control over immigration?’ Nine questions on Alberta referendum in October

CTVNews

‘Increased control over immigration?’ Nine questions on Alberta referendum in October

Premier Danielle Smith says a referendum is to be held on Oct. 19 to ask Albertans about how they want the province to deal with immigration as well as the Constitution.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 3mo ago

Happy Canada Day! A message to Canadians - especially my fellow Albertans.

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Senator Paula Simons🇨🇦 @Paulatics@mstdn.ca

· 3mo ago

Replying to

Also available here! https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/alberta-unbound/id1511810939?i=1000774705364

podcasts.apple.com

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