By Hayley Ferguson

Local A.T.A. election forum cancelled because of no UCP attendance

Apr 3, 2019 | 4:28 PM

Medicine Hat, AB– The Alberta Teachers Association local number 1 has announced they have cancelled their all-candidates forum on education planned for Monday as the local UCP candidates weren’t going to attend.

In a statement, the ATA said Cypress-Medicine Hat candidate Drew Barnes declined the invitation saying he would only be participating in last night’s debate hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Chat News made multiple calls to candidate Barnes today and received no response.

We also asked Brooks-Medicine Hat candidate Michaela Glasgo for a response regarding her attendance.

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Glasgo provided a statement saying 

“Michaela Glasgo has been focused on door knocking and meeting people on the ground since her nomination last year. Michaela has given the community many opportunities to meet her during campaign events, forums and at the doors, one on one.”

The local Medicine Hat teachers association has hosted public forums in previous elections and have had all the candidates attend.

Medicine Hat College political science instructor Jim Groom says he doesn’t believe this will hurt the UCP campaign.

“I think what they perceive is that the ATA is not in their corner and that they may be in an uphill battle to be in a debate with them controlling the agenda and the questions. Although I think generally speaking people, everybody, wants a debate that is going to be open and above board and unbiased”

The ATA locals for Prairie Rose and the Medicine Hat Catholic teachers are hosting their own candidates event from both Cypress-Medicine Hat and Brooks- Medicine Hat on April 10th.

Candidates will be given 3 minutes to make a statement which will be followed by a meet and greet with those in attendance. It is unconfirmed who will be attending.