About 450 vehicles participated in a convoy through Red Deer Saturday morning, according to Alberta RCMP.
The convoy, which saw Albertans from Edmonton and Calgary converge on Red Deer, led to the “Red Deer Family Tailgate Party” on Burnt Lake Trail, just west of Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
“Albertans getting together to join in unity to show that we’ve had enough,” the tailgate event’s Facebook page said. “We the people have a voice and we will be heard.”
During Saturday’s convoy, about 20 traffic violation tickets were issued, said RCMP Const. Patrick Lambert.
“Most of the drivers were compliant with traffic safety laws,” said Lambert.
The event took place the same day the United Conservative Party’s Special General Meeting, which featured a leadership review of Premier Jason Kenney, was originally scheduled for.
It was supposed to be a one-day in-person vote today in Red Deer, but two weeks ago, the UCP board changed it to a provincewide mail-in contest.
The board said widespread interest — with 15,000 party members expected to make the trip to cast a ballot — made the one-day in-person option impossible.
Even though the SGM was held virtually, the premier was still in Red Deer Saturday to broadcast his speech.
—With files from The Canadian Press
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