<div>TLDR: This fundraiser is in response to a politically-motivated police investigation against me. One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
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<div>I’m Duncan Kinney, former editor of the Progress Report, an independent news site doing accountability and investigative journalism focused on holding the powerful to account.
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<div>My journalism focused extensively on the Edmonton Police Service, and I have uncovered many stories exposing EPS misconduct, misspending and misappropriation.
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<div>As a result, the EPS made me the only journalist they ever stripped of press credentials and, in October 2022, the Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit charged me with the 2021 alleged vandalism of two monuments, one dedicated to Nazi collaborator Roman Shukhevych and the other to the 14th Nazi Waffen-SS Division. This Nazi Waffen-SS division was the same unit where last year a veteran was given two standing ovations by MPs in parliament, causing an international scandal and the resignation of the Speaker of the House.
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<div>I have pled not guilty, and am still awaiting my trial.
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<div>But in the meantime, this has taken an enormous toll on my life and my family. The process has cost us nearly $75,000 and I’m still awaiting trial, with the costs continuing to mount.
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<div>Fighting to uncover truths that Alberta’s wealthy and powerful don’t want exposed is important and fulfilling, but far from financially rewarding. I’m a father to an 8-year-old, and we need your help. Please give what you can, and please share this with your networks.
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<div>The details:
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<div>Here’s why the EPS would be interested in silencing me. Since 2020 I’ve done numerous reports on the EPS that upset them, including:
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<li>Revealing that the EPS had a surveillance plane they kept secret for more than 20 years
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<li>Documenting Chief Dale McFee’s attendance at a United Conservative Party political fundraiser where MLAs raced each other in T-Rex costumes
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<li>Forcing the Edmonton Police Commission to reveal Chief McFee’s salary of $340K a year, making him the second highest paid municipal police chief in Canada
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<li>Reporting on an academic study that found that 76 per cent of EPS officers didn’t carry Narcan
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<li>The EPS dedicating three detectives to the case of Connor McDavid’s missing laptop
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<div>In October of 2022 I was charged by the EPS Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit for the alleged vandalism of a monument dedicated to the 14th Nazi Waffen SS division and the statue of Nazi collaborator Roman Shukhevych. I have written about these monuments prior to the vandalism and covered the vandalism, which occurred in August 2021, on the Progress Report.
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<div>While I was charged with mischief under $5000 I was also charged with “Mischief in relation to a structure that primarily serves as a monument to honour persons who were killed or died in consequence of war.” The maximum penalty for this charge is 10 years in prison.
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<div>The EPS and Alberta’s crown prosecution service are making no distinction between the alleged vandalism of a monument to a Nazi Waffen-SS division and a cenotaph honouring Canadian veterans.
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<div>My trial won’t be until sometime in 2026.
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<div>Former Chief Dale McFee and the now-new chief Warren Dreichel have also personally intervened in my case and submitted a 44 page application to act as an intervenor in my pre-trial applications. They were successful and this adds additional legal complexity and prep hours for my legal team. Please contribute if you can.
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<div>Also, Danielle Smith, the far-right premier of Alberta and ally of McFee, said in 2023 that I had pled guilty to painting swastikas. She later withdrew those remarks and and apologized for them.
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<div>All funds raised will go to my legal defence fund to help cover legal costs.
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<div>UPDATES: I will be updating this page regularly.
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-journalist-demands-records-in-vandalism-case" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here's a good summary</a> of the pre-trial application process and the abuse of process and massive amount of EPS resources dedicated to my investigation
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<li><a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/edmonton-police-chief-dale-mcfee-duncan-kinney" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here's a summary</a> of the chief's successful efforts to become an intervenor in my case and the first week of pre-trial hearings
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<li><a href="https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/premier-apologizes-for-comments-about-the-progress-report-s-duncan-kinney-1.6507929" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read about Premier Danielle Smith’s apology to me</a> and her withdrawal of her comments about my case.
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Duncan Kinney Legal Defense Fund

Duncan Kinney Legal Defense Fund

Still $40,067 to go. Help us build momentum.