Thank you. I’ve been overwhelmed, and admittedly, deeply moved by the support I’ve received over the last while from Albertans encouraging me to run to be leader of our party.
I thought about this a lot. I did.
What I hate most is that I feel like I’m letting some of you down. I hope you’ll understand that now is not the time for me.
My focus will continue to be on being the best darn MLA I can for the people of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood.
I’m reminded daily of the honour it is to be in this role, and I won’t ever take it for granted.
We’re facing a lot. The climate crisis. Attacks on trans rights. Privatization of healthcare. These issues and more demand that we be unapologetically progressive in how we respond.
Ministers responsible for the Status of Women across Canada are meeting in Nova Scotia.
Alberta doesn’t have one, since they killed the ministry. There’s a parliamentary secretary, but did they send her?
Naw, they sent one of the Jasons™️ instead. Were no women MLAs around? 🤔
So, go forth Jason Luan, and boast to your federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues about the great work the UCP is doing when it comes to women.
Like, um…well, hopefully they don’t ask about GBA+ since your government killed that. Or any sort of intersectional approach.
Or about all you’ve done to centre women’s voices throughout the pandemic. Yeah, maybe don’t talk about that.
Or about how you’ve supported women-dominated professions like teaching and healthcare… shit, stay away from that one too
So the bad news is the roads are terrible and I couldn’t even see the highway. The good news is I get to discover Duchess, Alberta! Be safe out there, friends! ❄️
Update: I’m usually a tough guy and just keep going, but legit it was wild out. Shoutout to the guy on the highway who was pulled over and said go to Duchess!
Anyway I’m now drinking a beer at the hotel and everyone is sweet. One lady even offered me her place to stay! Berta! 💖
Update! Did you ever wonder what you can get for $40 a night in Duchess? 😍
Wow. I don’t think I can fully explain all the feelings that I’m feeling!
I’ll do my best by sharing my deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone who came out to our nomination meeting today.
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It’s been the honour of a lifetime to represent the people of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood for the last three years. And for you all to put your faith in me once again to represent our riding means the world.
Thanks again, friends. Let’s do this. Let’s elect an NDP government, and let’s build a better Alberta, together.
Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a day we reflect on the murder of 14 women at École Polytechnique in Montréal on December 6, 1989.
We remember them.
And we remember the countless women who have lost their lives to violence.
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We must, however, acknowledge that violence against women disproportionately impacts racialized women, and in particular, Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.
We cannot truly make progress on gender-based violence if we do not act on systemic racism, and the historic and current barriers that Indigenous people face.