‘Elbows Up, Canada!’ non-partisan gathering promotes unity in Medicine Hat

Schnare said residents of Medicine Hat can do their part in standing up against common forces that are coming against Canada.

“Reach out to your politicians. I mean, that’s what we have members of Parliament for,” she said.

“Write them, make your voice heard. And I think it’s important for people to realize that we’re all on the same page. We’re all in this together.”

Schnare said as Canadians, now is the time to be more unified than ever. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Organizers describe “Elbows Up” as a national movement that celebrates and stands up for Canadian sovereignty, pride and freedom.

However, it was also a phrase frequently used by Prime Minister Mark Carney during the federal election campaign.

Stan Sakamoto, an organizer of the event, said no matter what party one leans towards, the whole objective should be focused on being Canadian.

“Talk to your elected politicians and keep encouraging them that we have a voice, so use that voice,” he said.

“Just stand up for Canada, be unified.”

Sakamoto said with the movement for provincial Premiers to rally together and eliminate cross-provincial trade barriers, all of Canada is going to come together.

“That’s a great thing that is happening right now,” he said.

Sakamoto said no matter what party one leans towards, the whole objective should be focused on being Canadian.. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Event attendee Shelley Ewing said she thinks there’s a lot of people in this part of the country that are hurt at the way the election turned out.

“But even saying that, you’re still Canadian. You’re still here,” she said.

“We still want you to be here, even though we maybe disagree on some things,” she added.

“You’re part of Canada, and we want you to stay, and we want you to work with us to try to make things better.”

Ewing said with the recent federal election, it’s important that people start to realize how lucky we are to live in this country, and to have the things that we have.

“We can all maybe start to listen to each other a little more, and try to understand that there are problems that need to be addressed,” she said.

“We can maybe move forward and try to do them with constructive solutions, rather than getting people sloganed and upset.”

Ewing said a lot of the complex problems Canada may have aren’t solved through anger.

Ewing said with the recent federal election, it’s important that people start to realize how lucky we are to live in this country. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Schnare said often as Canadians we’re known for being apologetic, and not necessarily being very public about our pride in our country and in who we are.

She said to her, the phrase “Elbows Up” encourages Canadians to stand up against those trying to take away Canadian sovereignty and rights.

“For me, I think of hockey and I think of our Medicine Hat Tigers right now,” she said.

“‘Elbows up, boys, and get the job done and bring home the trophy’. That’s what it means to me.”

Schnare said now is the time to stand up and say that we’re proud to be Canadian.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘Elbows Up, Canada!’ non-partisan gathering promotes unity in Medicine Hat

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