Organizers of a provincewide campaign to challenge provincial government plans to slash $2 billion in spending are bringing their message to Central Alberta.
A free town hall meeting hosted by Public Interest Alberta is set for Olds on Monday and meetings will follow in Red Deer on Tuesday and Rocky Mountain House on Wednesday. They are among 22 meetings that will be held across the province, ending in Calgary on Feb. 16 and Edmonton the following day.
Bill Moore-Kilgannon, executive director of the public interest organization, said the town hall meetings are open to anyone concerned about the government’s spending plans and its impact on education, seniors, health, disability services and post-secondary education.
“Those are the five main areas we’re going to be focusing on,” said Moore-Kilgannon on Thursday. There will be discussions of how those kinds of programs are instrumental to the quality of life in communities and should be protected.
The message that will be taken to the town hall is that the public has a voice.
“I think people might be concerned about cuts but they need to recognize that in our democracy we can take steps and actions to raise awareness and put pressure on the politicians to not be cutting these vital services in our community.”
Public Interest Alberta encourages people to write their MLAs, send letters to local newspapers or distribute information online to raise awareness of the potential threat to services.
“Local communities need to show that they’re not just going to sit idly by and allow public services in their communities to be cut.”
The Central Alberta Council on Aging is one of the groups adding its voice to the campaign and is encouraging people to turn out for the town halls.
Those looking for more information or to register should go to www.jointogetheralberta.ca
Upcoming meetings include:
l Olds — Olds College Faculty Centre, 4500 50th St. from 7 to 9 p.m.
l Red Deer — Golden Circle Seniors Resource Centre 4620 47A Ave. from 7 to 9 p.m.
l Rocky Mountain House — Walking Eagle Inn, Clearwater Room, 4915 and Hwy 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com