Preparing for the Legislature

With so many communities across our riding, I spend most of the summer flitting about like a bumble bee from one delicious flower to another! The BBQs, markets, and events don’t stop with the onset of fall. As we got closer to the end of October, I start to turn my focus to the legislature with more targeted meetings to discuss your important issues that need to come to the legislature floor. There are always so many things to talk about and fall session is so short!

Your stories, concerns, and ideas help shape how I represent you in Edmonton. I’m deeply grateful for every message, meeting, and chat. The MLA on Tour events in September and October focused on the teacher strike, your challenges accessing healthcare services, and general chats about the increasing cost of living. I know that many of you are struggling with these things, and I am always working with my colleagues to find solutions and hold our government accountable to best serving you.

Over the past few months, I’ve met with individuals and stakeholder groups to discuss key issues like water, wildlife, and economic prosperity for all from large industry to small entrepreneurs. I also spent some time in September and October traveling to other parts of Alberta, focusing on the Eastern Slopes from north of Grande Cache to Sundre to the Livingstone Range. I’ve been out on the land chatting with people about grazing, land use management, coal mining, caribou, forestry, beaver dams for wetland restoration, recreation management, and hunting and trapping. Traveling to other areas has helped me develop more perspective and be reminded again how big Alberta is and how complex addressing these issues is. I’ve been reminded of the importance of adequately planning for and addressing cumulative effects – the additive impact of human activities across the landscape. When we look at the big picture, we can see how intricately connected our economy, environment, and culture truly are. With this understanding, we can come together to discuss how we work together to build better together moving forward.

Working Together for Change
It’s been heartbreaking to hear how the recent teachers’ strike—Alberta’s largest collective action in history—has affected families in Banff-Kananaskis. Students have faced uncertainty about their futures. Parents have had to rearrange work schedules to support their children’s learning. And teachers—dedicated professionals—were pushed into action to have their voices heard. This strike was entirely preventable and stems from this government’s ongoing failure to properly fund public education and truly listen to the concerns of teachers.

With the strike, I heard many heartfelt personal stories, and it made me reflect on my own. My elementary, junior high, and high school teachers helped me become the adult I am today. I was reminded of Mme Klapstein whose unrelenting kindness warmed my heart when I felt frustrated, Mr. Ursulak who introduced me to Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and helped me see that I am best when I am just myself, Miss Cimino who taught us to question what we were supposed to take for granted and to stand up for what we believed in, Mr. Ferrar who made world history interesting and helped us see a world beyond our school walls or our city.

I am immensely grateful for them and so many more. At the heart of this, standing with teachers is about our kids – getting them back in the classroom with the supports they need to succeed. Helping our kids thrive and build a better Alberta in the future. They are our future leaders and they can only be their best with the support of great teachers. And teachers can only be their best when we support them to do their jobs, by reducing class sizes, addressing classroom complexity, and recognizing the incredible gift of time and attention and wisdom they share with our kids.

In the face of adversity, Albertans have come together in powerful ways to stand up for public education. Tens of thousands of Albertans took to the streets to protest the strike and urge the government back to the negotiating table. Many more sent emails and letters to my office and those of my colleagues. Your courage and solidarity have reignited my belief in the strength of collective action and the power of community to drive change. My colleagues and I will continue to stand with you in the fight for better classroom conditions and meaningful investment in our public education system. Stay Loud, Alberta!

Stay Informed and Connected

There are many ways to stay up to date with my work:

Follow me across social media for regular updates
Visit my new blog for deeper dives into key issues
Watch my speeches & questions in Question Period on my YouTube channel
Scan the QR code in ad to access all these resources in one place

My staff and I will continue hosting in- person MLA on Tour or Trail Days events at different locations across the riding. Stay tuned here and on my socials and we’ll be sure to chat soon!

Sarah Elmeligi

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