The Alberta government has introduced a number of ways to ignore its citizens; from inserting earplugs during debates to drawing the shades in their offices when protesters descend on the Legislature grounds.
In their own minds, they’re both figuratively and literally blocking out Albertans they don’t want to listen to; because that is the governance of our time.
Imagine, for a moment, if the Notley-led NDP would have donned ear plugs during the Bill 6 debate. Or had they drawn shades during the anti-Bill 6 protests.
But that didn’t happen.
Instead, the NDP’s Minister of Agriculture, O’Neill Carlier, drove to Bassano in southern Alberta on a wintry day to address people in the agricultural industry who were concerned about Bill 6. Because that’s what a government for all Albertans does.
A government for all Albertans doesn’t place pro-oil posters in the windows of the Legislature to mock people with differing points of view.
A government for all Albertans doesn’t draw the shades when thousands of Albertans, young and old, come to the Legislature to demand action.
No; those are the actions of a government who wants to ignore those who disagree with their plans.
This is the government we elected in Alberta. A government who swore they would govern for all Albertans but mocks those who disagree with them and shuts them out when they come calling, demanding an audience.
Greta Thunberg came to Alberta to show solidarity with those who want change but have no support in the Alberta government. She came to lead the way in Edmonton. And she did.
She showcased the inaction of our Alberta government.
She showcased the inaction of the United Conservative Party.
This is not just Alberta’s problem but only we can provide a solution.
This post is opinion.
Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean
contact: [email protected], [email protected]
Twitter: @Mitchell_AB for all the commentary; @thisweekinAB for posts; @politicalRnD to guess “who tweeted that”?
Categories: General
