Achi news desk-
Hundreds of people took part in anti-United Conservative Party protests in communities across Alberta on Saturday, sharing their dissatisfaction with government policies.
The Enough is Enough protests and rallies took place in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Sylvan Lake, Vermillion and Medicine Hat all throughout Saturday afternoon.
Many of those who took part in the protest expressed their dissatisfaction with the UCP, saying that their MPs are not hearing their concerns.
Rebecca Brown, the organizer of the protest in Calgary, works in health care and said she has seen it “slowly disintegrate” since the government of former premier Jason Kenney.
Brown told Global News that the rallies are not focused on one specific issue, but a wide variety of policies and decisions made by the United Conservative government in the last few years.
“I think it is high time for the silent majority to become a much larger majority because right now the small minority is the strongest,” he said.
Brown also said she wants Albertans who have traditionally voted conservative to consider other options, claiming the UCP does not uphold conservative values.
“They’re not conservative and I think that’s what people need to open their eyes to,” he said. “If they can realize these are not conservatives and look at other options … This government is lying to you.”
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David Grey, master of ceremonies for the protest in Edmonton, said the only way to change the status quo is to “provide heat” through actions such as demonstrations and protests.
“These men are not competent in most areas of government when it comes to getting things done. They make decisions based on who they’re going to hurt, not who they’re going to help,” he told Global News.
“Stop inventing an agenda. Stop inventing a mandate. Most of the things they are doing now that are hurting Albertans were not discussed during the election or set aside at the election, and that is dishonest.
“People are quite ticked off. There are many people who are being hurt by this government.”
Diana Batten, NDP MLA for Calgary-Acadia, said the rallies send a message to the UCP that its politicians are not listening to what Albertans need.
“Albertans need help now: housing, health care, cost of living, education … There are so many life-changing things that need to be taken care of, and the government is not responding to that,” he said.
“I think we need to look at how they carry out consultations… It seems that all (the UCP) does is telephone consultations, which are not the same because they but talking to a handful of Albertans and they are not representative.”
Shane Getson, the UCP’s chief government whip, said in an emailed statement on Saturday that the party always supported the right to “peacefully and lawfully protest.”
“If anyone has any concerns about government policy, they are free to reach out to any of our MLAs through their constituency offices,” he said.
“Recent polls show, however, that Albertans overwhelmingly support our government’s efforts to grow the economy, balance the budget, create jobs, attract investment, keep life affordable, and fix the health care system for everyone. We remain focused on moving the province forward. “
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
