B8 PURPLE REIGN ENDS SWING DANCERS DESCEND ON RED DEER THIS WEEKEND
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LANA MICHELIN TALKS TO IAN TYSON, WHO HAS NO PLANS TO SLOW DOWN
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www.reddeeradvocate.com
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Network to boost diversity BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF A new community-driven network designed to foster a place where everyone is welcome officially launched on Thursday. T h e Red Deer Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) Network will help the city in its vision to be “a vibrant, healthy, a n d d i - TAZ KASSAM verse organization that supports a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone feels safe and can fully participate in community life.” Taz Kassam, co-chair of the Red Deer WIC Network, said the goal is to address the 10 common commitments that have been outlined by the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CCMARD). One goal is to involve the community by giving members a voice in anti-racism initiatives and decision making.
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Bella DeCoste riding her horse, Chance, does a trick called a Stroud Layout at Westerner Park on Thursday. DeCoste and two other young trick riders were featured Thursday during a Trick and Fancy Riding demonstration. Red Deer plays host to the Mane Event at Westerner Park through this weekend. The 10th annual Mane Event has become Canada’s largest horse expo featuring equine based clinics, presentations and seminars, a trainers challenge and an equine only trade show. The expo opens each day at 9 a.m. For a full schedule of events visit, red-deer.maneeventexpo.com.
See NETWORK on Page A2
Judge clears Duffy of all charges in expense scandal BY THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Mike Duffy walked out of an Ottawa court a free man Thursday after a judge cleared him of all charges while at the same time delivering a scathing indictment of the Prince Edward Island senator’s former political masters. Duffy sat almost totally still throughout the four hours Justice Charles Vaillancourt spent dismantling the Crown’s argument that the senator had deliberately defrauded
the public purse by claiming invalid living and office expenses and had engaged in corrupt behaviour when it came to paying that money back. Vaillancourt all but wagged his finger in admonishment at the Crown as he
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repeatedly questioned their decision not to extensively cross-examine Duffy or try to challenge his testimony with witnesses of their own during the trial. But the justice’s harshest words were aimed at the Prime Minister’s Office under Stephen Harper and its conduct regarding a decision by Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, to give Duffy $90,000 to repay his living expenses.
MIKE DUFFY
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Duffy back in Senate following acquittal Page A7
Vaillancourt said he did not see it the same way as the Crown, which had argued Duffy’s actions were driven by “deceit, manipulations and carried out in a clandestine manner” when he took the cheque. “I find that if one were to substitute the PMO, Nigel Wright and others for Senator Duffy in the aforementioned sentence that you would have a more accurate statement,” Vaillancourt said. Please see DUFFY on Page A2
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ABC 83420 2016/02