Alberta Federation of Labour organizes rallies to push back against provincial government

Alberta Federation of Labour organizes rallies to push back against provincial government

Concerns range from separatism to health care to coal mining in the Rockies

Thousands hit the streets across Alberta on Friday to push back against the provincial government.

The Alberta Federation of Labour spearheaded 21 protests in 15 communities across the province to galvanize the public in what the AFL called the "Day of Protest."

“Why are we protesting? Because it's our democratic right and our democratic duty,” AFL president Gil McGowan told those who joined a rally in Edmonton.

Protests were planned for towns and cities across the province, including Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat.

The AFL said Albertans are angry about several different issues, including how the provincial government has dealt with separatism, health care, coal mining in the Rockies, data centre expansion and what the union organization describes as attacks on worker rights and human rights.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine was at the Edmonton protest and said this is a time for others to speak up.

“I come in good faith and humility," he said. "Today we are gathered here to speak with one voice to this government and to tell them clearly, we had enough of your manufactured division.

“For more than 150 years, First Nation people have stood up for our rights, our lands, our waters and our children. We have defended treaty through every generation. We have defended in the face of broken promises, political games and governments that thought they could ignore us —today is no different.”

In a statement to CBC News, the Alberta government dismissed the value of the protest and pointed to investments in various sectors like health care, education and jobs.

“We are putting a historic $8.6 billion to build and modernize schools across the province, helping reduce class sizes and pressure on teachers and other educational staff,” said Hunter Baril, press secretary for the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. "We are leading the country in job creation and have the most resilient economy across Canada in the face of global economic uncertainty.

“While Gil [McGowan] is focused on political stunts, our government will continue its work to keep Alberta the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

Matthew Barnfield told CBC News in Edmonton he has been a conservative voter for 40 years.

He said that changed after Premier Danielle Smith's government came into power.

“The last election I voted NDP, and I'll probably do it again, because I don't see any other option right now in Alberta,” Barnfield said

Livia Barnfield, whose two daughters are teachers, said she was appalled when the notwithstanding clause was used to end a provincewide teachers strike last year.

“They'll probably go somewhere where there's a better premier, because this one we have … she’s destroying Alberta.”