News
Calgary's supervised consumption site has proven to be a contentious topic for many Calgarians — especially those living and working in the Beltline community where the site is located.
The site saved over 600 people from overdose, but there are some who think there are improvements to be made in Alberta's current harm reduction model. Experts claim that decriminalization of drug possession for personal use is in order to keep drug-using Calgarians alive.
- By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton and Laura Balanko-Dickson
Screams and cheers filled the Big Four building Tuesday night as the United Conservative Party swept the NDP from power after only one term.
- By Alannah Page
As Albertans await election results, the Calgary Journal pulled together a wide swath of tweets from a busy day of voting in the province.
We begin with just plain funny.
Reporter Madeline Smith with Star Calgary used a gif to hint at the fiery nature of politics in Alberta’s 30th provincial election.
We begin with just plain funny.
Reporter Madeline Smith with Star Calgary used a gif to hint at the fiery nature of politics in Alberta’s 30th provincial election.
And CTV reporter Chris Epp chimed in on the likely delays in getting the votes counted thanks to a massive voter turnout at advance pollsIIT’S ELECTION DAY IN ALBERTA #abvote pic.twitter.com/M6AurQ0YuB
— Madeline Smith (@meksmith) April 16, 2019
So I don’t know the fate of the whole pie but I DO know I ate the majority of it. That’s the math that helps us call elections before all votes are in. I call it the “First Past The Pizza” system. #abvotes
— CTV - Chris Epp (@CTVchrisepp) April 17, 2019
Ideological tweets filled up the Twitter sink as well, from the political left, right and in between.
Shane Wenzel, a self-described UCP member, explains just because he’s done with the NDP government does not make him an extremist.
I’m a member of the @Alberta_UCP I’m not a white supremacist (I don’t even know one), I’m not a homophobe (clearly) but I do want The Alberta Advantage back with a strong economy. The last 4 years have not been good in this province. Just get out and vote!#RachelIsDone #abvote
— Shane Wenzel 🇨🇦 (@79reasons) April 16, 2019
An angry Edmonton physician used the platform to take aim at the NDP bureaucratic handling of resources for cancer care in the province.
I am an Alberta physician. I have experienced NDP's disastrous policies in our healthcare system. Under NDP, my cancer patients lost access to live-saving therapies due to corruption & wasting of resources by NDP-appointed AHS Execs who misused money with no NDP oversight #abvote
— William Makis MD (@MakisMD) April 16, 2019
Despite the anti-NDP sentiments, there was no shortage of love for NDP Leader Rachel Notley and her government.
The president of the Alberta Federation of Alberta, Gil McGowan, aligned unabashedly with the NDP, as did self-described left-winger Lucy Love.
Today, I’m voting for my kids’ future. I want it to be a future filled with hope, happiness, tolerance, opportunity and solidarity; not a future characterized by anger, fear, hatred, division, inequality and stagnation. That’s why I’m voting for @RachelNotley. #abvote #abpoli
— Gil McGowan (@gilmcgowan) April 16, 2019
Today #Alberta votes, I’m voting for the #LGTBQ community rights, for healthcare, for my child’s future education, for $15.00 min wage, for overtime pay, for $25.00 daycare, for the average Albertan, For the economy, for #Notley #ABelection #ableg #NDP #BetterOffWithRachel
— Lucy Love (@TheBlueGem3) April 16, 2019
Non-Albertans chimed in as well, with this tweet from an Ontarian who calls herself a bleeding heart Liberal upset with Doug Ford’s leadership.
Good luck #abvote, don't make the same mistake we did. The extensive damage a Conservative gov't can do in only one term (actually, one year😒) is breathtaking. They only know how to govern for the past - we need to focus on our future now more than ever.
— Jackie (@Jackstar009) April 16, 2019
Sincerely,
Ontario pic.twitter.com/OYnclJlWYZ
Some tweets came from street-level, including concerns from Alberta Party candidate Gar Gar who questioned a woman who was taking down his election signs.
Speechless; taking down election signs in broad daylight & the danger of normalizing this type of behavior interferes w/ our democracy. Should not be tolerated. Regardless of intentions. #abpoli #abvote #calgaryeast #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/fcekFYHuFU
— Gar Gar (@GarGar4YYCEast) April 15, 2019
Election signs must be removed 72 hours after polls close.
- By Alexandra Nicholson
As we approach the close of polling stations at 8 p.m., Journal reporters are heading into communities to find out how Calgarians feel about the Alberta election.
Our reporters will be at the Big Four building (UCP), the Red and White Club (NDP), Junction Food. Stage. Bar. (Alberta Party) and at Liberal Leader David Khan’s campaign headquarters on Centre Street.
Reporters will be tweeting all the action, so follow along and join in the conversation. Stephanie Hagenaars and Stephanie Babych are at the UCP headquarters, Bailey Gingras is reporting on the Alberta Party campaign, Christian Kindracuk is at Liberal headquarters and Noel Harper is with Calgary NDP supporters.
You can also follow the Calgary Journal on social media as we provide live updates throughout the night.
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You can follow all the results live from Elections Alberta.
- By Journal Staff