One education forum put on by a local chapter of the Alberta Teachers Association is cancelled, but a related event is still going ahead as planned despite overtures that conservative candidates will not attend.
Late Monday, ATA Local No. 1, representing teachers in the public school board, announced the group was cancelling its April 8 “meet and greet” for candidates of the two area ridings in the provincial election. It also expressed disappointment that UCP candidates Drew Barnes and Michaela Glasgo wouldn’t commit to attend, and said it hoped to hear from all parties on education policy.
Another forum set for April 10 will go ahead as planned, according to its specific organizers, the ATA locals which represent teachers at Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education and Prairie Rose School Division.
“We’re not going to cancel ours just because the UCP candidates are not coming,” said co-organizer Scott Raible, a former city mayoral candidate and a teacher with the rural board.
“We hope they will reconsider but we have a great event planned.”
Organizers told the News on Wednesday that, originally, their event was slated to take place April 2, the same night as the Chamber of Commerce booked forums this week. After some rescheduling, eight of nine other candidates are confirmed for the April 10 meet and greet that is open to the general public.
The event is set to take place from 7-8:30 p.m. that night at the Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club.
