Alberta Next town hall was nothing more than a rally for UCP
By Lethbridge Herald on September 27, 2025.
Editor,
I attended the Alberta Next Panel here in Lethbridge on Sept. 11 because I felt it was my civic duty to get informed and to participate. I had already watched the videos on the website, so I had some idea what to expect.
What I did not expect was that the audience consisted mostly of people who already staunchly supported the proposals, and that a portion of those were not from our Lethbridge area at all. One came from Cochrane; another said she had been to all the Alberta Next panel meetings, to which the moderator replied that she was a favourite of his. Considering that I registered the first day possible and did not receive a location until the morning of the event, I wondered how these two people managed to get an invitation.
The second, and the most disturbing thing that I did not expect was the atmosphere of meanness and mockery. Whenever some one said something the crowd did not like, they started heckling and booing. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of (approximately) five hundred people and voice one’s opinion. Â
It can be daunting when you are a minority voice. Being mocked and booed felt like an act of bullying. One woman lamented that she was disturbed with the “us versus them…us versus the immigrants…us versus Ottawa” language. The reaction from the crowd was loud and nasty.Â
This was an Alberta taxpayer paid event, and I felt like I was at a political party rally. I witnessed a display of disrespect and political violence. I had hoped for a civil exchange of ideas, but this was far removed from such. What was worse was that the moderator made no effort to quell the spite thrown at the more vulnerable minority. He made no effort to enforce his own rules of respect, and on a few occasions, joined in on the heckling himself. What was the most disturbing was that our Premier and the Alberta Next panel allowed this all to happen right there in front of all of us.
I don’t care much about political stripes, but I care deeply when vulnerable people are jeered and abused by those in power. Certainly, we can do better than what I witnessed at the Alberta Next rally.
Ernie Engbrecht
Lethbridge
-8
The Nazi analogy has been way over used , but I can’t think of a better example. Hitler (and Trump for that matter) was elected. Future generations ask “how did that happen , what were they thinking?”. Well, we are living it. future generations will question how we allowed extremists to rule.
As long as Albertans allow a minority with extreme views to hijack our political system by allowing this minority to select the conservative candidate, then the rest of the province blindly voting Conservative (because that’s how we vote), this cycle will continue.
I’ve been accused of being a lefty here , truth is , I’m a slightly right of centre Conservative. There is no one to represent me today.
My conservative friends and I have been called a liar, traitor, left-wing nut, communist, closet Liberal, and a socialist and in every case it was a fellow senior doing the name calling that’s how stupid they are.
Want to bet the crowd was mostly easy to fool seniors proving what idiots they are. I spent many hours attending these gatherings during the Klein days and it was no different then.
Seniors allowing these Reformers to make fools of them.
Even Klein was overheard at one these gatherings saying to one of his MLAs that he could tell this senior fools anything he wanted to and they would believe it.
That’s how stupid they are, and we have certainly seen enough of it in these newspaper blogs, haven’t we?
As a bank manager the police officers and I soon learned why they have such a horrible reputation for being so stupid. Con-artists and Politicians love how stupid they are and make their living treating them like morons, because it’s so easy to do, isn’t it ?
They were definitely not “All” senior citizens what so ever! Actually it was wonderful to see a vast array of participants, male, female, various ethnics, some new immigrants and the like. A very good cross section of involved Albertans.
No I agree with you however many who aren’t seniors have told me that they don’t have time to follow politics so they vote however there parents or grandparents do and some then wish they hadn’t .
Ha ha ha ha ha, good one. Statistics don’t support your joke! Voters 50+ are constant voter demographic in all levels of electoral contests.
*a swirl of dust appears and once settled, someone with intellect begins to speak * Ahem – Perhaps the moderator and those hosting the event can take a lesson or two in how Charlie Kirk presented dialogue on college campuses. Many many times he’s been heckled, as well as the ones trying to present their arguments and points of views. However, Charlie still told those heckling to, in a polite manner, to please let the person speak. As well, Charlie did not interfere with what was being said, instead take the time to listen. Listening with the intent to respond to what is being said, not what’s already scripted in mind. The art of conversation has lost it’s way long ago, and it’s dividing us immensely. We need to start learning to agree to disagree or come up with some middle ground solution. After that, we can go out for some ale and celebrate Oktoberfest. Cheers
er … nobody here’s talking about whassisname. *poof back to obscurity*
The Alberta Next Panel was very well publicized as well the panel was held in several communities throughout the province. Ernie Engbrecht was somewhat correct in stating that it appeared to be a UCP rally! The participants who attended were very much in agreement and in favour of the proposals and vision of Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP.
It is paramount to emphasize that this was not a UCP “Rally” however the Mr. Engbrecht was obviously tuned into what Southern Albertans support and that being the direction of the UCP. Welcome to reality.
The Alberta Next Panel was not closed off to anyone! The Lefties, and all the others who sow discontinue and disinformation to make themselves feel better about themselves, were all allowed. It was their own fault they didn’t show up. Typical, they whine, complain and attack others falsely on their keyboards, yet they won’t come forward to panel and express their concerns.
The only thing they were asked was to keep on topic ‘AND BE RESPECTFUL’, but as we have seen on this forum, they cannot seem to be respectful.
Why are we still on this whining about the panel? That was weeks ago! It appears that is the NDP way: complain, falsely accuse, spread disinformation, and demand more money while the rest of us pay the price.
I think they believe if they say something it is true, or that everything they see in media must be true, or that they are the majority! Unbelievable! Get a life!
They twist everything around and even pick parts of quotes by people made during debates and then use it against, knowing that it is out of context!
It is sad to see such desparate acts just to try to gain support, spending hours putting together information to disinform and misinform people!
My impression from reading the letters and comments in this forum are the NDP are an angry, hateful group of people who don’t appear to have any respect for themselves or others! I thought smoking pot was supposed to mellow people, or so many use to state! The addicts on the streets show more respect!
Certainly a happy, loving post, SW… Thanks for grounding us all in harmony.
Another idiot who labels anyone who doesn’t agree with him a NDP. He isn’t smart enough to understand that us true conservatives aren’t interested in supporting his pals Reformers and watching them financially destroy us like he does.
This coming from a fool who is paying one of highest costs of living in North America while he ignores what these Reformers are doing to us, that’s how stupid he is, isn’t it?
You are who say what is talking about. Reformers, Klein, Lougheed, anti Smith, oilman friends, stupid seniors, idiots who don’t vote NDP, the list of your despair is endless.
As our lawyer friends would say you are obviously one of them who feels guilty about what you’re doing and aren’t smart enough to change.
These are not idiots who don’t vote NDP these are former conservatives who are trying to stop these fake conservatives, Reformers, from destroying us and you are too stupid to understand that , aren’t you?
If you don’t like being called stupid , stop acting that way? You are just another idiot who can’t understand why no one agrees with you but aren’t smart enough to understand Why, aren’t you ? Whats it like to be that stupid?
This panel is nothing but a UCP rally paid for by the taxpayers. Queen Smith will then say that the majority of Albertans responded positively to her agenda. The meeting are stacked with her supporters and dissent is muzzled. She’s a joke. George
How was the meeting “stacked” ? Anyone and everyone was welcome to attend. The people who were at the meeting were good old, common Albertans, their support was evident at the meeting and was evident at the polls! Carry on Premier Danielle Smith!
Was stacked??? All I saw covered in the local media was the head of Friends of Medicare, Lethbridge, with the normal comments. I guess if you say stacked enough it becomes the truth.