Duncan Kinney

Duncan Kinney (born 1982 or 1983) is an Edmonton-based Canadian journalist and activist. He is the founder and executive director of Progress Alberta and the editor of The Progress Report.

Duncan Kinney
Born1982 or 1983
NationalityCanadian
Alma materMount Royal University
Occupation(s)Journalist, editor, and activist
OrganizationProgress Alberta
Notable workThe Progress Report (newsletter and podcast)

Early life and education

Kinney was born in 1982 or 1983[1] and grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and has a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism from Mount Royal University.[2]

Career

Kinney founded Progress Alberta in 2016,[2] and works as the organizations executive director.[3] He is also the editor of the left-wing media outlet The Progress Report.[4] At The Progress Report, Kinney oversees a newsletter, a podcast, and investigative reporting.[5][6]

Activism, views, allegations

In 2015, Kinney called upon the Alberta government to meet its promise to reduce methane output by 45% by 2025.[3] In June 2021, Kinney satirically ran for the Senate of Canada, despite being a senate abolitionist.[7]

Kinney is a long-time critic of Edmonton Police Service, having criticised their budget, their use of armoured vehicles and their actions removing homeless camps.[5] In March 2022, the police revoked Kinney's press credentials.[8]

On October 14, 2022, Kinney was charged with mischief and appeared in court on November 10, 2022 in relation to allegations that he vandalised the Roman Shukhevych statue in Edmonton.[4] Kinney is accused of spray painting “Nazi monument” and “14th Waffen SS” on the statue outside the Edmonton’s Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex during August 2021.[4] Kinney had previously reported on the vandalism, which he wrote was undertaken by an "unknown person or persons".[4] In March 2023, Kinney pleaded not guilty to the charges.[9] In May 2023, Kinney's lawyer complained that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spoke about his trial during an election debate.[10]

In mid February 2023, Kinney submitted a complaint about Edmonton Police Services, claiming that officers assaulted him during a news conference.[11] Later the same month, an investigation cleared police Edmonton Police commissioner Anne Stevenson of trying to influence a police investigation into Kinney.[12][13]

In May 2023, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith falsely accused Kinney of painting a swastika on the monument and stated that he pleaded guilty to the charges. Smith apologised for both errors in August 2023.[14]

Personal life

Kinney moved from Calgary to Edmonton around 2009.[2]

See also

References
  1. "1 charged in connection to 2021 vandalism at Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex". Edmonton. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  2. Tubb, James (11 Sep 2021). "Duncan Kinney running to end 'fake senate election'". medicinehatnews.com. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  3. Graney, Emma (1 Aug 2017). "'So much more than cow farts': Coalition urges speed on methane regulations". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  4. Wakefield, Jonny (11 Nov 2022). "Kinney now facing mischief to religious property charge for allegedly spray painting Ukrainian cemetery monument". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. Boyd, Alex (2022-10-29). "A journalist broke a story about vandalism. Now police claim he did it". thestar.com. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  6. Noakes, Taylor C. (7 Nov 2022). "Canada Has a Nazi Monument Problem". jacobin.com. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  7. Johnson, Lisa (15 June 2021). "Alberta votes to urge prime minister to save two vacant Senate seats for those nominated in October". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  8. "Alberta journalist charged with mischief in vandalism of controversial statue". CBC. 25 Oct 2022.
  9. Wakefield, Jonny (30 March 2023). "Progress Alberta head pleads not guilty to vandalism of statue and cemetery". Edmonton Journal.
  10. Wakefield, Jonny (18 May 2023). "Lawyer says Smith inaccurately commented on Duncan Kinney vandalism case: 'It could prejudice the jury'". Edmonton Journal.
  11. Kinney, Duncan (16 February 2023). "Kinney files complaint against Edmonton police, claiming officers intimidated him at news conference". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  12. Wakefield, Jonny (6 June 2022). "Edmonton police commissioner asks mayor to investigate councillor over 'ethical issue'". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  13. Wakefield, Jonny (28 Feb 2023). "Third-party probe clears Coun. Stevenson after ex-police commission colleague's complaint". edmontonjournal. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  14. "Premier apologizes for comments about The Progress Report's Duncan Kinney". CTV News. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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