Has Social Media played a part in bringing Bill 44 change?

I have been given this link from a friend who is watching the Bill 44 debacle closely, and I must share the good news. As most of you know, I am steadfastly against this horrible piece of legislation, and particularly the Section 9 piece which places teachers in a very difficult position when teaching topics like religion/evolution and sexuality.

Well you can imagine my surprise and happiness to see that my MLA, Minister of Education Dave Hancock, might be the reason behind a delay in rolling it out. Or at least delaying the contentious Section 9.

I have to believe that this is a direct response to the lobbying done by everyday Albertans. Social media tools in particular have been an excellent resource for getting ourselves heard, and I have to think that the Twitter debate that some of us participated in during the third reading of this legislation, was the genesis of the reconsideration. That debate, taking place in real-time between citizens and our government while they were sitting under the dome, was a real watershed moment for public interaction. Also engaged, young Albertans created a facebook group some 11,000 strong against this legislation. I think we can say with some certainty that these are citizens (maybe netizens) that have never participated in politics before.

Here is an excerpt from the ATA website on the reason for the delay.

Although Bill 44 passed third reading and was given royal assent in June, it will not come into effect until it is proclaimed by an order of provincial cabinet. Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett unilaterally declared earlier this month that he would proceed with proclamation in October or November; however, Minister of Education Dave Hancock has since called upon his colleague to further delay proclamation of those sections of the bill that would affect education.

Hancock’s request is consistent with the advice provided by the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta School Boards Association that Section 9 not be brought into effect before more explicit direction can be provided to teachers and boards about its interpretation and implementation and, preferably, not in the middle of the school year. This would effectively delay proclamation until September 2010. In the interim, other sections of the bill could be proclaimed separately.

It may sound horribly naive, but I actually think that we as a Social Media community made a difference here. But then again, I am an optimist.

Comments

[Julio]

Bill 44 is a great idea and long overdue. It should be enacated immediately.

[Walter Schwabe]

I would agree Chris, SM amplifies communications and the government is at the present time not able to effectively respond. That said, they're learning to listen. Nice post.

[bingofuel]

This is tremendous news, Chris, and I've no doubt it's due to the engagement of citizens we witnessed thanks in part to social media and people like you, Ken Chapman and others.

Keep moving the ball forward and lets hope section 9 is thrown out entirely