024: Civil Duty and Civic Disobedience: Marco Van Huigenbos's Story

In this episode of Dialogue Over Division, we spoke with Marco Van Huigenbos. Marco immigrated from the Netherlands to rural Alberta in 1996, building a life centered around farming, business, and family. At 26, driven by his dedication to his community, Marco ran for municipal council. Marco provides examples of some of the issues he was involved with while in his role, and he also shares the frustrations he faced and complexities he encountered. He describes how public officials on a local level are held to account more readily due to the smaller area they are charged with. He had citizens approaching and asking him questions at the grocery store highlighting the importance of governance and accountability at local levels. As government officials mismanaged C0vid, Marco felt that citizens' voices were being ignored. This frustration led him to participate in the Coutts protest as a form of civil disobedience. His participation resulted in a charge six months later and ultimately his conviction. On July 22, he will be arraigned in connection with this matter. Marco's journey invites us to consider the importance of civic engagement in ensuring that every citizen's voice is heard, despite the challenges and frustrations that come with holding the government accountable. If we don't know about the problems, we cannot fix them. Marco's involvement exposes some of these issues. Listen now and share your thoughts on this crucial topic. Do you see Marco as a criminal or a dedicated citizen striving to be heard? This podcast series is your guide to becoming a more informed and engaged citizen. It's a call to action for you to take an active role in maintaining the vitality of our democracy. Connect with Eva Chipiuk: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chipiuk.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X/Rumble/YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@echipiuk⁠⁠⁠ Eva Chipiuk is not your typical lawyer. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Science, a Law Degree and a Masters of Law in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Eva has made a career representing David in the fight against Goliath. She has represented clients against large energy companies and the government. Her unique education and work experience has empowered her to represent clients and protect their rights in a unique and a more holistic way. Eva believes that in order for Canadians to be familiar with their legal rights and political systems, they must become active members in the democratic process. On this podcast, “Dialogue Over Division”, the goal is to empower Canadians to learn and engage in meaningful conversations about democracy and how we can come together as a nation to make a difference. Together we can work towards a brighter and more united Canada.