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<div>Hi, my name is Nate Pike and I host the Alberta Politics Podcast, The Breakdown.
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<div>And I need your help because I'm being sued for $6 million by one of the most controversial figures in Alberta politics.
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<div>Over the last year, The Breakdown has been providing commentary and research into the ongoing scandal involving the province of Alberta's procurement of masks and medication through a company called MHCare, run by Edmonton business man, Sam Mraiche as well as the ongoing media coverage of Sam Mraiche hosting UCP Ministers, MLA's and staffers attending hockey games in Sam Mraiche's skybox.
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<div>The masks Reportedly had <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/face-masks-provided-by-ahs-are-substandard-says-group-of-alberta-doctors-1.5560340" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a lot of problems</a>.
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<div>The medication not only <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-documents-show-childrens-medication-imported-from-turkey-clogged-tubes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allegedly had problems</a>, but because of the way the deal was structured, taxpayers money is currently earning a private company <a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-turkish-pain-medication-42-million-outstanding" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a lot of money in interest</a> <a href="https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-turkish-pain-medication-42-million-outstandingwhile" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">while</a> Albertans have very little to show for the deal.
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<div>We broadcast an episode on this a while back and we were even in contact with a law firm representing Mr Mraiche in the run up to the show with the clear communication that if we made any factual errors we would welcome correction. 
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<div>Despite the fact that we have made sure all of our commentary has been rooted in either established publicly reported facts or publicly available corporate records, both I and the show have become the target of what we believe is a SLAPP lawsuit, which is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.
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<div>SLAPP suits are designed to silence voices.
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<div>I, and the show, refuse to be silenced.
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<div>Too often today, the rich and the powerful use their massive resources to try and silence critical voices.
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<div>I believe that we need to stand up to the rich and powerful.
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<div>I also believe that all of our coverage and has been truthful, accurate as possible, in the public interest and fair comment and I stand by it.
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<div>While the show does enjoy modest support through our Patreon page, I work professionally as a Paramedic in Calgary and do not have the resources to fight back against what I believe is a completely unfounded and spiteful lawsuit.
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<div>Please help.
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<div>If you believe in the importance of freedom of expression and of being able to hold the rich and powerful to the same standards that anyone else is held to, please contribute what you can.
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<div>Thank you, and I the show will remain committed to keeping the conversation going for as long as we possibly can.
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