Duncan Kinney | |
---|---|
Born | 1982 or 1983 |
Nationality | Canadian |
Alma mater | Mount Royal University |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, editor, and activist |
Organization | Progress Alberta |
Notable work | The Progress Report (newsletter and podcast) |
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.
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]
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]
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]
Kinney moved from Calgary to Edmonton around 2009.[2]