How is it September already?! I’ve had an incredibly busy summer traveling all around the riding and connecting with you, your families, and friends, and our incredible communities. From parades in Canmore & Banff, pancake breakfasts and BBQs in Priddis and Jumping Pound, community clean ups and resident days in Rocky View County and Elbow Valley, Pow Wows in Tsuut’ina and Mînî Thnî, and fun filled days at annual festivals, fairs like Canmore Folk Fest, Bragg Creek Days, the Millarville and Priddis fair, and the Ghost Lake Regatta. MLA on Tour events, meeting with community groups, and door knocking in local communities have also given me a chance to have those more personal conversations and find out what is top of mind for you right now.
I am so grateful for a diligent and committed team of staff and volunteers during these summer months to help me be everywhere all the time. You may have opened your doors this summer to find me or my staff hoping to chat – if we missed you, look for the leaflet we left with information about how our office can help residents. Having the opportunity and the time to chat with you both one-on-one and at community events is exactly what I need to best represent you in the House. After all, how can I represent the great people of Banff-Kananaskis, if we haven’t chatted? Thank you for welcoming all of us and giving us a chance to listen to your stories.
We’re hearing that people in our riding are growing increasingly frustrated and angry that this government isn’t listening, continuing to push an agenda and spend money in ways that don’t address the real problems that Albertans are facing. Many residents are sharing worries about being stretched thin by rising costs and the uncertainty that looms over our economy. Over and over, we’re hearing from families who want a school in their communities and are worried about a possible teachers’ strike; educators who have too long been struggling to support our kids properly in overpacked and underfunded classrooms now forced to collective action to be heard. Facing a lack of information available to the public, people are asking us questions about this government’s decisions regarding coal mining and the huge cost of settlements, hunting regulations, and changes to health care and vaccine availability, wondering where and how they can get their covid & flu shots this fall.
Overwhelmingly, people are sharing their concerns that this government’s agenda shows that they aren’t listening to Albertans. Through the Alberta Next panels, the government is seeking public approval on major overhauls that support separatism like pulling out of the Canadian Pension Plan and replacing the RCMP. Frustrating folks is the feeling that they’ve been asked these questions before and have answered with a resounding “NO thanks”, and yet here we are… being asked again.
People are understandably worried that these sweeping changes are risking our jobs, our public services, and wasting our money – without offering stability or solutions to the real challenges Albertans are facing. I hear you and I share those frustrations.
Maybe your concerns are mentioned here and we haven’t had a chance to connect, but there’s still a couple of months before I’m back in the legislature. Your voice matters: your emails and conversations at our ongoing MLA on Tour events are what continue to guide my actions. Here are a few more ways to make your voice heard and join together in holding our government to account:
Action Pro Tips: Advocate Effectively for Issues Important to You
Better Together: Talk to your family and neighbours about your concerns and find out their thoughts. Find people and organizations who share your passions and/or concerns. Boost your impact by participating in a group campaign or initiative. Volunteer. Donate. Support one another.
Get Loud: Amplify messaging by sharing information and content across social media, the kitchen table, and community events. Learn more and ask questions directly at an Information Session, Open House, or Town Hall. Get your opinion on record by filling out a public survey. Join a protest or rally. Our voices are louder together.
Speak Out. Again, and Again: Call or Email all the government representatives with your concerns – it keeps everyone on the same page and increases accountability. Start at the top of those responsible for your specific concerns: the Premier and the Minister for the related government department. Be sure to CC the Shadow Minister (the member of the official opposition who mirrors the minister’s portfolio) and me as your MLA. Including me on your correspondence with the Premier and Ministers not only alerts me to investigate issues that are important to me, but it also gives me materials in the legislature for Question Period and Bill Debate. When I stand up and say: “The Good People of Banff-Kananaskis are telling me…”, I need to know what you need me to say! When you CC me as your MLA, my office is tracking your concerns, and I am proud to stand in the House and share your views and needs.
Sarah Elmeligi
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