By Darren Rathwell

'She is so scared to lose her job'

Conflicting viewpoints on MLA Glasgo from her constituency board

Sep 23, 2021 | 5:41 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo is facing some jarring criticism from the president of her own constituency board today.

Local UCP association president Jeremiah Benoit says Glasgo has refused to express her viewpoint on anything vaccine-related, including the latest restrictions exemption program, because she’s worried about being turfed as MLA.

“She’s scared to say anything in regards to (the exemption program), that’s against what (Premier) Kenney has said, or maybe not in line with that. So she won’t just give an opinion. She’s so scared to lose her job. I think what she’s doing is Jason Kenney is telling her what to say and she’s saying what she has to to keep her job,” Benoit told CHAT News.

Glasgo and her Benoit have differing opinions on the new program that requires proof of vaccination at businesses and various operations by clientele aged 12 and older, unless the establishments abide by special protocols.

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However, board member Chris Hellman says Glasgo “continues to have his full and undivided support.”

As well, Benoit told CHAT News Glasgo’s constituency board is united in opposition to the program, but Hellman says that isn’t the case.

“I’m not excited about any type of restrictions but I also recognize that (COVID-19) numbers have got to a fairly outrageous point in Medicine Hat and region, and .. our ICU is full and measures have to be put in place,” Hellman said.

Glasgo isn’t fazed by Benoit’s comments, calling the negative reaction “democracy in action.”

“I’ve been pretty clear with my board and (the board president) that when you hold a membership in a political party, it doesn’t mean that you have to ride in lockstep with everything the party says,” Glasgo said.

“(My board president) has my personal number and I think he’s a valued volunteer for our constituency association as well as our president. I have had many conversations with him, very frank conversations about exactly what I believe,” Glasgo added.

But Benoit said he failed to hear from Glasgo about her personal take on the exemption program and other measures.

“Especially as (being) part of her board, you would think an opinion would be OK off the record, not recorded, all of that stuff. She’s so scared to give an opinion. All she says is ‘all I can tell you is what I’m told to say,'” Benoit said.

He says local UCP board members also take issue with recent actions by Premier Kenney. Benoit says Kenney changed his tune about pandemic restrictions not long after speaking with them via Zoom earlier this month.

“After he personally promised all of us there would be no more lockdowns after that Sept. 7th meeting, or (promised) no more restrictions, I think a lot of people feel really betrayed,” Benoit said.

He added the board was in the process of drawing up a motion for a leadership review early next year but found it unnecessary when other UCP boards did it first. The review is set for next spring.

Benoit says he hopes the best leader is in place for the next election, whether it’s Kenney or someone else.

NOTE: This story has been updated with comments from another member of the board.