Demonstrators gather outside the Brooks-Medicine Hat Constituency office on Saturday morning.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Weekly protests outside Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith’s Constituency office continued on Saturday, and gathered citizens say they will continue until something changes.
In attendance at the most recent demonstration was Edmonton-Rutherford MLA and shadow minister for Forestry and Parks Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouse, who said she was approached by locals and decided to journey down to hear their concerns.
“Folks, as I understand it, have been coming for five weeks to stand outside the premier’s office to tell her to resign, that they’re fed up with the scandal,” said Calahoo-Stonehouse. “That the cuts, the chaos and the corruption are just too much, and it’s time for an ethical, competent government.”
She said her constituency office in Edmonton receives roughly 1,000 emails a week regarding various aspects of Alberta’s government, and while these are largely from those she represents, they do come not just from throughout the province, but outside it as well.
“I get emails from all over the province and outside of the province as well, particularly when Daniel Smith had gone down to America, lots of Canadians had taken the time to write about their dismay about that action,” said Calahoo-Stonehouse.
She added that the education strikes and ongoing investigation into the government’s health-care procurement practices are also frequent topics of concern for Albertans.
Shelley Ewing, Medicine Hat resident, said she has been heartened by the support shown for the demonstrations, both in the increased number of protesters each week, but the number of affirming comments or honks from motorists passing by as well.
“We did get told to move to Quebec,” said Ewing. “But overall, it’s very positive and from people of all kinds of political leanings. This isn’t a partisan issue, and I think people know that. Part of democracy is transparency, and everyone deserves some honest answers.”
The presentations, which call for answers regarding various policies and decisions as well as the resignation of Smith, continue to be held Saturday mornings outside the constituency office.
