Nenshi has two day visit to Medicine Hat

He said that Medicine Hat is really special.

“It’s unbelievably beautiful natural landscape, unbelievably devoted people in the community,” Nenshi said.

“Every time I come here, I just feel like this is the real Alberta,” he added.

“I’m always thrilled to be here, and I hope to spend a lot more time here.”

Nenshi said this is his fourth time in Medicine Hat this year.

“My second time in this parade, which is so great, love being out in the community,” Nenshi said.

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Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi participating in the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede parade for the second year in a row. Curtis Cruickshank/CHAT News

Nenshi has been the leader of the Alberta NDP and official opposition since June 22, 2024.

He won a byelection in the Edmonton-Strathcona riding a year and a day later on June 23, and was officially sworn into the legislature last week on July 14.

Nenshi said that he kept telling himself it wasn’t a big deal getting a seat, saying he had been working full time for a year and it was just sort of a box to tick.

“But then when I went to, MLA orientation, and then when I was actually sworn in, I’m only the 987th person to ever serve as a member of the legislative assembly, and that was really humbling,” Nenshi said.

“I thought to myself, it’s not just a box to tick. I now have 50,000 people plus that I look after, and they’re expecting me to do a great job for them, and that was a really big deal for me.”

Nenshi was a three term mayor in Calgary from 2010 to 2021, and said that provincial politics are more different than he thought it would be.

“One of the great things about city councils, even though sometimes it can get messy, is that it is non partisan. People listen to one another. They’re not backed into how they vote,” Nenshi said.

“Partisan politics is quite different, and particularly with this government. This government is the most political government I’ve ever seen. Sometimes I say that they’re not interested in governing,” he added.

“They’re just interested in scoring political points, and people are collateral damage, and that’s been actually quite surprising to me.”

Medicine Hat’s electoral boundaries currently have the community split between two electoral ridings Cypress-Medicine Hat and Brooks-Medicine Hat.

The NDP have historically received more support within Medicine Hat than the rural communities surrounding it.

Nenshi said there is an electoral boundary commission that will be reporting in October with a draft map.

“Take a look at that draft map, and if you don’t think it’s representing the people of Medicine Hat, there is an opportunity to appeal it, to talk about it,” Nenshi said.

“It’s important to do that, because we want to represent people’s needs,” he added.

“On the parade route, it was pretty amazing. People were cheering. People were super happy to see us.”

Nenshi said he has had discussion in Medicine Hat where people say the current United Conservative Party government take them for granted, figuring they will always have their vote.

“Healthcare is in a shambles. Education is a problem. They’re blowing up the most successful housing system in the country that made Medicine Hat world famous for ending homelessness,” Nenshi said.

“They don’t seem to understand the impact of what they’re doing on everyday people, and I see a lot of frustration, so my job is to help people understand that if they’re frustrated, they don’t have to stand for it, that people in Medicine Hat deserve better, and that we offer them better,” he added.

“When I announced that I was running for leader, and since then, I’ve had the opportunity to really get to know the community very well. Get to know a lot of local leaders very well.”

During a meeting with NDP supporters on Wednesday night Nenshi said he heard from people from every walk of life.

“Why they’re passionate about change, and that was pretty exciting for me, We’re doing something that we’re calling the Better Together summer, and we’re doing town halls, like the premier is doing,” Nenshi said.

“We’re also just meeting people where they live, at community events like the stampede, at the dog parks, at music festivals, just talking to Albertans and many of our volunteers and MLAs you’ll find on your doorstep this summer, just chatting with people, and that’s been great.”

Nenshi had one last word of advise for those enjoying the stampede this week.

“I want to wish everyone a happy stampede, and have a mini donut for me,” Nenshi said.

by Jesse Gill

Nenshi has two day visit to Medicine Hat

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