Duncan Kinney (born 1982 or 1983) is an

Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...

-based Canadian journalist and activist. He is the founder and executive director of Progress Alberta and the editor of ''

The Progress Report ''The Progress Report'' is a Canadian left-wing newsletter and podcast published by Progress Alberta and operated by Duncan Kinney. Organisation ''The Progress Report'' is a newsletter and podcast written and hosted by Duncan Kinney. Its wo ...

''.

Early life and education

Kinney was born in and grew up in

Calgary, Alberta Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Canadian Prairies, Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,30 ...

, and has a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism from

Mount Royal University Mount Royal University (MRU) is a public university in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. History Mount Royal University was founded by Alberta provincial charter by the Arthur Sifton government on December 16, 1910 and officially opened on September 8 ...

Career

Kinney founded Progress Alberta in 2016, and works as the organizations executive director. He is also the editor of the left-wing media outlet ''

.'' At ''The Progress Report,'' Kinney oversees a newsletter, a podcast, and investigative reporting.

Activism, views, allegations

In 2015, Kinney called upon the

Alberta government The Executive Council of Alberta (the Cabinet) is a body of ministers of the Crown in right of Alberta, who along with the lieutenant governor, exercises the powers of the Government of Alberta. Ministers are selected by the premier and typicall ...

to meet its promise to reduce methane output by 45% by 2025. In June 2021, Kinney satirically ran for the

Senate of Canada The Senate of Canada (french: region=CA, Sénat du Canada) is the upper house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the House of Commons, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada. The Senate is modelled after the B ...

, despite being a senate abolitionist. Kinney is a long-time critic of

Edmonton Police Service The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is the municipal police force for the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The current chief of the EPS is Dale McFee. The service has three deputy chiefs two sworn members and a civilian member. Chad Tawfik is r ...

, having criticised their budget, their use of armoured vehicles and their actions removing homeless camps. In March 2022, the police revoked Kinney's press credentials. 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. 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. Kinney had previously reported on the vandalism, which he wrote was undertaken by an "unknown person or persons". In March 2023, Kinney pleaded not guilty to the charges. In May 2023, Kinney's lawyer complained that Alberta Premier

Danielle Smith Marlaina Danielle Smith (born April 1, 1971) is a Canadian politician and journalist who has been serving as the 19th premier of Alberta since October 11, 2022, and leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) since October 6, 2022. Smith ent ...

spoke about his trial during an election debate. In mid February 2023, Kinney submitted a complaint about Edmonton Police Services, claiming that officers assaulted him during a news conference. Later the same month, an investigation cleared police Edmonton Police commissioner Anne Stevenson of trying to influence a police investigation into Kinney. In May 2023, Alberta Premier

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.

Personal life

Kinney moved from Calgary to Edmonton around 2009.

References

External links