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The Current

Residents get to still call Michener Centre home, Premier Jim Prentice haults shut down

In 2013, the Alberta government announced it would close the Michener Centre and move the 125 residents into group homes. Now the Alberta Premier announced the Michener Centre will remain open. Bill Lough was behind the campaign to save the centre, but he's cautious about celebrating....
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The Current8:08Residents still calling Red Deer's Michener Centre home, Premier Jim Prentice haults shut down: Checking-In Interview - Oct 2, 2014
In 2013, the Alberta government announced it would close the Michener Centre and move the 125 residents into group homes. Now the Alberta Premier announced the Michener Centre will remain open. Bill Lough was behind the campaign to save the centre, but he's cautious about celebrating.

In 2011 we spoke to Leilani Muir, an Alberta woman institutionalized at the age of ten at what was called the Provincial Training School for Mental Defectives, later known as the Michener Centre. Leilani Muir was unknowingly sterilized and later successfully sued the Alberta government for what happened to her and hundreds of others sterilized under Alberta's old eugenics law.


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Ms. Muir vs. Alberta Government on Wrongful Sterilization

Listen to Leilani Muir's Story



Because of stories like Leilani Muir's and other residents of the Michener Centre, in 2013, the Alberta government announced it will close the 90 year old facility. Given the history of the institution, you'd think most people would have greeted that announcement as good news. But for residents and their families, the news was devastating.

At the time of the announced closure, we spoke to Bill Lough -- president of the Society of Parents and Friends of Michener Centre. His brother David lived there for 27 years.

Well, a campaign to save the Michener Centre worked. And Bill Lough -- President of the Society of Parents and Friends of Michener Centre -- joined us on the line from Sundre, Alberta.


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