Alberta referendum rallies make final push as advance voting wraps up

With Alberta’s referendum just two days away, supporters on both sides of the debate took to the streets on the last day of advance voting to make their case to voters, but strong winds have disrupted some of the campaigning.

The Alberta Federation of Labour originally organized 15 rallies across the province Saturday, but cancelled its Okotoks event last-minute due to heavy winds. An independence rally organized by Let Alberta Decide — slated to start at 3 p.m. outside the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton — has been delayed due to the weather. The event is still expected to continue later this afternoon.

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The AFL’s Calgary rally managed to wrap up before the weather turned, with hundreds of supporters gathering outside city hall to campaign for Canadian unity, as well as protest the United Conservative Party and Premier Danielle Smith.

Led by AFL President Gil McGowan and secretary-treasurer Cori Longo, protesters moved through downtown towards McDougall Centre, chanting phrases such as “who decides? We decide” and “whose streets? Our streets.”

“I came all the way down to Calgary to show my support for fighting back,” said Barbara Bodugel, a Rocky Mountain House resident.

Bodugel came dressed with her grievances on her sleeve. She wore what she called the “cape of corruption,” which was made out of UCP advertisements and mailers. She also carried a small puppet of Smith, which Bodugel said was serving “fascist pancakes.”

She said she supports Alberta staying in Canada, but that she attended Saturday’s rally to ensure the province remained for future generations.

“ Many of the decisions will directly affect my children and my grandchildren. This is not the direction I want my province to go in,” she said. “We are a kind, accepting, welcoming province, and I am married to an immigrant, and I do not want a province that does not welcome people.”

Also in attendance was Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, alongside NDP MLAs Janet Eremenko of Calgary-Currie, Julie Hayter of Calgary-Edgemont and Court Ellingson of Calgary-Foothills. As Nenshi addressed the crowd, he emphasized the work is not over yet.