As advance polls come to a close ahead of Monday’s election, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) hosted a pro-Canada protest and march on Saturday, Oct. 17 to object to the upcoming referendum.
Spearheaded by AFL President Gil McGowan and AFL Secretary Treasurer Cori Longo,
the protest began at City Hall in Downtown Calgary and marched towards McDougall Centre.
“You are not alone. This is the second province-wide day of protest, and we're happy to report this is one of only 15 demonstrations being held across the province today, sending a message to Danielle Smith about what we really think about her damn referendum and her efforts to turn our province into MAGA North,” said McGowan upon his arrival at McDougall Centre after the march.
The protest began at City Hall with speeches from McGowan, Longo and Tsúut'ínà Nation Elder Bruce Starlight who also shared a prayer.
“This morning, we are going to march and we are going to rally. We're gonna start right now by moving down Stephen’s Avenue Mall and we're gonna make some noise.” said McGowan at City Hall.
Longo, AFL's Secretary Treasurer, also helped in rallying the protestors.
“Are you ready to take the first step to taking our province back?” asked the AFL Secretary Treasurer to protestors which received cheers and chants of agreement in response.
The protest began at 11 a.m. and ran until 1:30 p.m., amassing a large crowd supporting the cause.
“90 per cent of working age Albertans are workers. They’re not bosses, nor politicians or billionaires,” said Longo at City Hall, “This is our province, and we make it run. Let's make sure they never forget that and let's never forget that ourselves.”
“We just commissioned a poll at the AFL, from Abacus Data, one of Canada's most respected polling firms,” McGowan explained when attendees arrived at McDougall Centre. “It showed that the majority of Albertans think we shouldn’t even be having this referendum at all.”
The Abacus Data report identifies three key insights referenced by McGowan.
It states 56 per cent of Albertans believe the province should not be holding a referendum compared to the 30 per cent of Albertans in favour of the referendum.
Among United Conservative Party (UCP) supporters, the Abacus Report states 44 per cent do not believe the referendum should be happening.
According to the Abacus Data, majority of Albertans are expressing frustration with 43 per cent and anger with 31 per cent.
20 percent of Albertans report feeling hopeful, 12 per cent excited and 6 per cent happy pertaining to the referendum.
Insight two in the Abacus Data states the cost of the referendum and the impact on unity drives public anger leaving Albertans most likely to blame the Premier Danielle Smith for the referendum occurring.
Insight three highlights a widespread fear of foreign interference with specificity on the United States as a main concern.
“Perhaps most chillingly, our poll showed that more than 60 per cent of Albertans think that the referendum has opened us up to foreign interference campaigns,” McGowan added.
The protest welcomed speakers including representatives from the AFL such as McGowan and Longo, Tsúut'ínà Nation Elder Bruce Starlight and various representatives from labour groups in the province.
Alberta New Democrat Party (NDP) leader Naheed Nenshi also gave a speech at the Oct. 17 event in Calgary.
“I'm gonna use a phrase that no one has ever used before,” said Nenshi, “It is time for all of us to take back Alberta, and that starts with all of you voting.”
“This referendum is not about sending a message to Ottawa, this referendum [...] is about sending a message to Danielle Smith.” continued Nenshi, “On Tuesday, we continue to fight for a better and stronger Alberta, and we do that together,”
At City Hall, the AFL welcomed three local Calgary influencers to speak including Gabby Barber, a graduate student at the University of Calgary pursuing her Masters of Arts in Cultural Anthropology.
“They use complicated wording to trick people into making a vulnerable population even more vulnerable. They want to restrict accessible health care and education,” said Barber.
“Alberta is essential to Canada and vice-versa,” she said, “As long as we show up to the polls in droves, we’ll show the rest of the nation what Albertans really want, a united Canada.”
During the march to McDougall, the Gauntlet interviewed protestors who were in attendance.
“I think it's all come to a boiling point, and with the referendum right around the corner, I think now more than ever, it's important to get out there. It’s our last chance to get the message across,” said attendee, Bronwyn Howell.
According to the AFL, they describe the weekend before the referendum as a “historic showcase of citizen action and mobilization,” stating that Pro-Canada protests and marches are scheduled for 15 towns and cities across Alberta including Calgary and Edmonton.
“[The referendum] is a waste of money. It doesn't serve the taxpayers and the people of Alberta,” said attendee Hailey Smeatos.
This referendum comes at a contentious time in which the UCP is increasing private-sector delivery of health care, last year’s Alberta teacher strike and expanding AI infrastructure, as reported previously by the Gauntlet.
“I’m also here to protest AI and the data centres. I think it's a huge waste of our resources. We need to be protecting our earth and not destroying it,” Smeatos explained. “It also creates much misinformation, including within our elections, which is why referendums like this exist in the first place.”
Protesters marching toward McDougall Centre could be heard chanting various phrases including “No to the nine!” and “Who decides? We decide!” as well as calls for Premier Danielle Smith to resign.
McGowan wrapped up the protest speeches after numerous speakers shared their thoughts.
“We have come full circle, wherein I started this rally today by saying that we're asking you and your friends and colleagues and family members to do two things. First, to vote, like your future depends on it because it does. But second, to protest and organize the day after the referendum to save our democracy,” McGowan said.
“We all know what to do today. Both get your friends and family to vote and get ready to fight. Stand up to a rogue government, an emboldened separatist movement and a bullying authoritarian neighbour south of the border,” McGowan added.
The protest ended with multiple crowd-wide chants before rally-goers sang the national anthem and vacated the McDougall Centre lawn shortly after 1:30 p.m.
