Thread by @RageMunicipal

We're going to jump in and out on today's @TheAUMA leaders' forum. On the agenda: discussion on the elections and plebiscites.

Guest speaker is @RachelNotley

Notley to municipal leaders: "You protected public health even as some demanded you do not."

Notley says the internal fighting in the UCP is taking away from focus. Says the 2021 budget was not good.

"The economic plan ... was absent, and by that I mean, like Ferris Bueller absent."

Talking of cuts to municipalities. "It's another message sent to municipalities that the founding principle of the MSI, of partnership, is in jeopardy."

Adds: "They ripped up the big-city charters."

Notley on the UCP: "They're also using your elections to fight their own political battles ..."

On this, this newsletter is in deep agreement.

Notley to municipalities: If we win in 2023, "there will be no systemic attempt to break you down or freeze you out."

Now we're hearing from @AndrewKnack on the principles of local democracy.

@AndrewKnack now offering a 'how we got here' on the coming elections and all those ... changes.

Knack says there's significant anecdotal evidence that the toxicity of the political landscape is dissuading candidates from running.

#yegcc #yyccc #ableg

@theauma now voting (by Zoom poll) if 'respectful' should be added as a voting principle.

Passes with 98 per cent support.

* of note, we use 'per cent' and not %, because we're not monsters.

@AndrewKnack says @theauma was disappointed that senate and referendum questions are going to be on the municipal ballots.

From the chat: "I wish the Premier and the Opposition leader would stop posturing when they speak here. It makes it so hard to listen to either with any form of respect."

Poll on support for candidates committing to principles during the election gets 91 per cent support.

This meeting is going on a break.

This account is going to remind you that if you care about the October municipal elections, you should sign up for our newsletter.

We're six away from hitting 350 subscribers!

#signup #supportlocal #ableg #Elections2021