The Premier of Alberta recently spoke at a Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce event prior to an upcoming byelection. The Chamber hosted the premier for a keynote speech and question period, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the premier and the United Conservative Party candidate, John Middleton-Hope. According to Cyndi Crane, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, allowing individuals to speak from the heart and share their perspectives adds a special power to advocacy efforts. The advocacy work done by the Chamber has resulted in positive interactions with the government, such as the Team Lethbridge trip to the Legislature, which have produced favorable outcomes. The event also provided a platform for the UCP to campaign for the upcoming byelection, with Middleton-Hope emphasizing the importance of strong advocacy in representing the citizens of Lethbridge.
Middleton-Hope expressed his commitment to providing effective advocacy for the citizens of Lethbridge-West once elected, highlighting the significance of having diverse voices in the Legislature. The Premier hopes to call the byelection soon but acknowledges that time is running out. Premier Danielle Smith expressed surprise at the lack of interest from the leader of the official Opposition in seeking a seat in the Legislature, noting that traditionally, a colleague would step aside for the leader to enter. The NDP candidate for Lethbridge-West, Rob Miyashiro, urged the Premier to call the byelection promptly, emphasizing his party’s readiness for the election. The election must be called no later than January 1, 2025, as mandated by Elections Alberta.
The event served as a platform for the Chamber of Commerce to engage with the government on various policies and initiatives, with a focus on supporting mid-size cities like Lethbridge. The discussions included the possibility of running test pilot programs in these cities to gather data and inform decision-making. The Chamber’s efforts, including the Team Lethbridge visit to the Legislature, have been well-received by the government, leading to positive outcomes for the community. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for the United Conservative Party to campaign for the upcoming byelection, with Middleton-Hope emphasizing the importance of effective advocacy in representing the citizens of Lethbridge.
Middleton-Hope underscored the significance of having diverse voices in the Legislature to ensure strong representation for the citizens of Lethbridge-West. The Premier expressed a sense of urgency in calling the byelection, as time is limited before the deadline mandated by Elections Alberta. While waiting for a decision from the leader of the official Opposition regarding seeking a seat in the Legislature, the Premier suggested that a colleague might step aside to accommodate the leader’s entry. The NDP candidate, Rob Miyashiro, urged the Premier to call the byelection promptly, asserting his party’s readiness for the election and emphasizing the need for timely action to ensure effective representation for the constituents of Lethbridge-West.
Overall, the event showcased the importance of advocacy and community engagement in policy-making and representation. The discussions between the Chamber of Commerce, government officials, and candidates for the upcoming byelection highlighted the need for diverse voices in decision-making processes. The positive outcomes of the Chamber’s interactions with the government, as well as the campaign efforts of the United Conservative Party and the NDP, underscored the significance of active participation in the political process. As the election deadline approaches, there is a sense of urgency among candidates and stakeholders to ensure that the citizens of Lethbridge are effectively represented in the Legislature.
