Premier Danielle Smith celebrated the opening of her Medicine Hat campaign office with a crowd of constituents Wednesday.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Danielle Smith opened her campaign office to a crowd of approximately 150 people Wednesday, and while she received a warm welcome from supporters, reaction was mixed from those not in attendance.
The crowd began forming at Smith’s local campaign office (located at 20 Third St. SE) shortly before the new premier’s expected 11:45 a.m. arrival. While the opening event ran behind schedule by roughly 15 minutes, the additional time allowed for the crowd to grow, before former Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Frey took the stage, followed by Smith.
Smith took a few minutes to address the crowd, sharing some of her main platform points and encouraging them to take part in two upcoming campaign events – a rally at the Brooks Heritage Inn on Saturday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and a rally at the Medicine Hat Lodge on Sunday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. – before stepping into the crowd and speaking one-on-one with those in attendance.
Jack Humeny, one of the first to chat with Smith, says he was impressed by her willingness to address issues he feels are most important to Albertans, and felt the crowd responded.
“People here are speaking more openly,” Humeny told the News. “It’s encouraging. We need to start putting the province first and then we can start work again in the federal realm.”
Gina Ziegler and Lana Kuystermans were also impressed with Smith’s platform and expressed trust in her vision, which they believe will benefit southeast Albertans and beyond.
“I hope she gets in,” said Ziegler. “I am one of the unvaccinated who have been discriminated against. Your health concerns should be your concern and nobody else’s and Danielle Smith gets that.”
As well as supporting Smith’s outlook on COVID vaccinations, Ziegler also approves of the premier’s promise to end a health consultation with the World Economic Forum and proposed restructuring of Alberta Health Services. As well as her intention to revitalize Alberta’s oil and gas industry through the construction of pipelines.
“Danielle Smith speaks truth for Canadians and human beings,” said Kuystermans. “She has the betterment of humanity in her heart.”
Danny Fieldberg also believes Smith would be an asset to the region, if elected, due to her position as premier.
“It’s a good opportunity for our region to have a direct link to the Premier’s office … to at least get our concerns past the gatekeepers,” said Fieldberg. “(Because) I think we want to dispel the myth that southeast Alberta is the forgotten corner.”
While a large portion of event attendees were already decided on voting for Smith, some relayed to the News they came out to learn more about her platform before deciding on which candidate they will vote for.
Reactions of those not in attendance were mixed. A number of individuals approached by the News downtown Wednesday expressed disapproval with Smith but would not provide their names for a comment. However the overwhelming majority of people approached either had no knowledge of the byelection nor the premier’s visit to the city, or expressed no interest in following such.
