Medicine Hat’s anti-UCP group aims to raise awareness of “harmful” policies

County Clerk Andy McGrogan questioned Alberta’s municipal-focused Bill 20, attorney Kim Large condemned the UCP’s transgender policies and former local NDP candidate Gwendoline Dirk sharply criticized Premier Danielle Smith’s approach to the economy during a rally that included various speakers.

TO READ: City councilor says amendments to Alberta Bill 20 are ‘insufficient’

Sauve explained that having different voices was an intentional, broad approach, intended to strike a conversation with as many people as possible.

“We just hope that people start opening their ears and eyes to what is happening with our current government,” she said.

The list of speakers addressed more than 100 people gathered in front of City Hall on Saturday. Others who were passing by to attend the Rise Up hot air balloon festival across the street stopped and listened from time to time.

Despite the backlash against the UCP’s proposal to exit the Canada Pension Plan, the ongoing health care overhaul and other policies, it is unclear whether the AWARE program will generate a groundswell of support for local-level opposition against Smith’s government.

Smith was elected as Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA with 66.5% of the vote in the 2023 provincial election, while Justin Wright was elected with approximately 62% of the vote in Cypress-Medicine Hat.

AWARE organizers said they will be visible at Pride rallies and community events in the future.