Miyashiro rallies campaign supporters

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on December 18, 2024.

NDP candidate for Lethbridge West, Rob Miyashiro held a support rally with Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi by his side and many other supporters on the last day of advance voting at his campaign office on Saturday.
“We came here to celebrate our leader, we came here to push us through to the ballot on Wednesday,” said Miyashiro.
Polls open today at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
“We’re hearing from a lot of people … that they’re tired of what’s going on with this government, they’re tired of the chaos in health care, they’re tired (of) underfunded classrooms, they’re just tired, they’re just tired of the craziness of this group.”
Miyashiro said the rally was the kind of push his party needed to get to the finish line.
“It shows the kind of support we have,” said Miyashiro.
“A lot of these people aren’t just from Lethbridge West, they’re from the county, they’re from Coaldale, they’re from Lethbridge East. These are people that are coming here to show support for our leader Naheed Nenshi and for the effort that we’re putting forth in Lethbridge West.”
Miyashiro has enjoyed going out and knocking on doors to hear peoples concerns.
“They’re looking for some relief from the UCP government,” said the candidate.
Miyashiro has been hearing mostly from riding residents about their health care concerns.
“People in Lethbridge are really scared because we just lost a couple of doctors a few weeks ago,” said Miyashiro.
“Naheed was here when we were talking about that and that puts a big fear into people because they’re wondering is my doctor next.”
Nenshi spoke about the experience he and Miyashiro had at Park Place Mall on Black Friday.
“The fact that people were coming up to him saying thank you for all your service, we’re thrilled to have you as our next MLA, makes me understand the quality of candidate we have here,” said Nenshi.
“This is exactly the quality of candidates that your Alberta New Democrats attract, people who are passionate about the community, who are passionate about change and who know that better is possible.”
A byelection challenge Nenshi brought up was that the UCP cynically put it near Christmas.
“They don’t want people to vote, they don’t want students to vote,” said Nenshi.
“But also because of the ongoing Canada Post strike, Elections Alberta has not been able to vote out your voter cards.”
Postal workers returned to the job across Canada on Tuesday after being ordered back to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Nenshi has been thrilled with the number of people helping with Miyashiro’s campaign.
“Whether you’re long-time New Democrats, whether you’re Shannon Phillips New Democrats or whether you’re new to us, your passion for this province and for this city is like nothing I’ve seen before,” said Nenshi.

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