Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder, Adrian St.Onge

POLITICS

Medicine Hat anti-UCP group aims to raise awareness of ‘harmful’ policies

May 27, 2024 | 11:42 AM

A new anti-United Conservative advocacy group held an inaugural rally in front of Medicine Hat city hall Saturday raising awareness and protesting the Alberta government’s policies on transgender youth, the economy, climate, education and municipal affairs.

AWARE Medicine Hat says it is not affiliated with a political party and but instead aims to inform and educate citizens about the Alberta government’s “harmful rhetoric and destructive policy changes”.

“Once people have that knowledge and that accurate information, they can make their choices,” AWARE president Michelle Sauve told CHAT News during the group’s “Enough is Enought” protest.

“We’re not all going to think the same things about these important issues but we feel that if people move fast, they might feel a bit differently.”

Coun. Andy McGrogan questioned Alberta’s municipally-focused Bill 20, advocate Kim Large condemned the UCP’s transgender policies and former local NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk blasted Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to the economy during the rally that featured a variety of speakers.

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Having various voices was an intentional broad approach with the aim of creating conversation with as many people as possible, Sauve explained.

“We just really hope people start opening their ears and their eyes to what’s happening with our current government,” she said.

The lineup of speakers addressed over 100 people gathered in front of city hall Saturday. Others walking past to attend the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival across the street occasionally stopped and listened in.

AWARE Medicine Hat held a rally in front of city hall. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

While has been backlash to the UCP’s proposal to leave the Canada Pension Plan, ongoing reorganization of the health care system and other policies, it’s unclear if AWARE will activate a groundswell of support for the opposition at a local level against Smith’s government.

Smith was elected Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA with 66.5 per cent of the vote in the 2023 provincial election while Justin Wright was elected with about 62 per cent of the ballots in Cypress-Medicine Hat.

Into the future, AWARE organizers said they will be visible at Pride rallies and community events.