I warned it was going to get worse on
@RealTalkRJ
, but the fact that the 2024 fire season has started in February should have our entire country on full mobilization... Are we ready?
#cdnpoli
#wildfires
The last time Alberta called a state of emergency using the Emergency Management Act was in 2016 during the Ft. Mac Wildfire. Federal assistance is critical. A state of emergency should have been called yesterday and we should have Canadian water bomber groups in the air by now.
A firefighter on the ground has told me there are places in Alberta where life is at risk, and there are no assets to send to help.
Northern First Nations are under threat right now. Without the Canadian military, there is no way to evacuate them.
DO NOT WAIT
@ABDanielleSmith
The oil and gas industry experienced profits up by 1000% since 2019, adding an extra $38 billion to corporate coffers in the last 12 months. Meanwhile in
#Alberta
1 in 6 children live in poverty.
Excuse me while I throw up.
I would never step foot in the
#Stampede
and nor should our tax dollars. It's rot with abuse...
Child abuse.
Gender-based violence.
Animal abuse.
The Calgary Stampede sexual assault scandal should be the last straw of one of the most cringe gatherings in Canada.
Watching the late update from
@ABDanielleSmith
▶ She calls the
#ABWildfire
disaster unprecedented, which is untrue.
She did NOT call a state of emergency even though evacuations are now approaching 25K Albertans and there are 45 more working fires since this morning.
#abpoli
Very proud of
@GreenPartyAB
🌿
We went from a forgotten 7th place ▶ To 3rd in one election cycle!
What a platform. What tenacity.
And we did it with almost no money... We did it because we offered real solutions. We did it for the right reasons.
We will keep Demanding Better
@TheBreakdownAB
Can confirm. Since being on unpaid leave from my fire dept. I put my name in to pause my campaign & fight these fires. GoA called ▶ checked off all the boxes for skills and training. I was told I would go, would be contacted by AEMA. Prepared myself and family... Then nothing...
🔥BREAKING ‼ Peace River has been requesting aircraft but just keep hearing "no resources available"
This is a disaster. Our firefighters and Northern communities are in trouble. They deserve better. I'm furious.
Add an additional water tanker flight group to our fleet: Our air tanker program is aging and has decreased in size since 2014. It's time to invest in a new water tanker flight group to match the current risk and replace older aircraft.
People forget these as part of their emergency go bags... Now is the time to fill memory sticks and keep them on you.
Mine has copies of my ID, passport, important documents, writings, family photos, wedding pix, etc.
#Wildfires
I'm actually getting hate messages because of this... Apparently people don't understand that free post secondary is something that happens around the world from India 🇮🇳 to Norway 🇳🇴
Alberta is rich. We are getting robbed. Stop fighting over the scraps. Demand more.
Just met with the Council of Alberta University Students
@CAUS
I listened to their asks but feel like we can go WAY FURTHER to help students that are starving and struggling 🔽
1)
#UBI
for students
2) Free Tuition
3) Universal Mental Health Care
Demand more from
#abpoli
I also did my Masters in Disaster Emergency Management specializing in Wildland Urban Interface
#WUI
fire 🔥
I helped advise policy in this regard for municipalities.
#abpoli
🚒 If you leave your dog in the car when it is hot (Let alone plus 30°C) 》I will not hesitate to smash your window...
30°C outside is 43°C inside
86°F outside to 110°F inside
#heatwave
Spending NYE with my centenarian grandmother 🎉
Over the last 100yrs she is most surprised by the complete takeover of politics by big money and the power of large corporations/billionaires in society.
She is most impressed by medical advances in treating disease and injury.
My goal is to help others & do my best to protect our future from hate, corporate greed, political selfishness, & ecological destruction. I don't want my son to think it isn't worth standing up and working hard for the good, even when the odds & resources are often against us. 🌿
I was asked by a reporter from the
@globeandmail
how I felt now that Smith called a state of emergency
#ABWildfires
First of all... Better late than never.
I was relieved because streamlining resources to help Albertans is critical. However...
🌿 The
@GreenPartyAB
headquarters got a new air filter
#ABWildfire
We could only find MERV 11 at the stores but it will do. For 100 bux we cleared the smoke very quickly.
I recommend P/N95 masks outside today. I didn't have one on door-knocking earlier. Feeling it 🤧
#abfire
Toy drive for
#ABWildfire
evacuees!
From my experience in shelters during Ft. Mac
#wildfire
- Kids were bored and didn't have any toys to play with (& parents couldn't get a break)
If in
#Edmonton
- Small toys can be dropped off at my campaign headquarters: 4216 114st NW
🔥
#abpoli
🔥
#ableg
🔥As wildfires continue to impact communities and property in
#Alberta
, it's essential that we invest in the resources and tools necessary to protect our province. The
@GreenPartyAB
#wildfire
resilience plan includes:
Inside info is that
@YourAlberta
is scrambling with these fires. There are currently close to 100 firefighters at the Hinton training center waiting to be trained. We are extremely shorthanded! THIS IS WHY I AM IN POLITICS > Disasters are a policy failure...
#abpoli
🚒 My son came to visit me on my last shift for a while 💚 I'm taking a non-paid leave from firefighting to campaign full time in the upcoming election
@GreenPartyAB
My aim is to listen at every door in Edmonton-Rutherford to best represent my community in this election
#abpoli
Thank you Albertans for putting pressure on
@YourAlberta
to call a state of emergency.
I still have not heard anything about utilizing Federal resources or evac strategies from Northern communities...
#abpoli
#ABWildfires
Serving as the leader of the
@GreenPartyAB
has been one of the great honours of my life.
Today I step down with the hope that the ripple for change we have made during my three years as a volunteer leader and the great strides we made in the last election will one day echo
🚅 High speed trains and the creation of a Public Transportation Agency responsible for coordinating the safe and efficient delivery of Inter-urban and rural public transportation... Yes it's in the platform
@GreenPartyAB
#abpoli
#AlbertaElection2023
I continue to be frustrated that politicians will help create worse case scenarios through climate inaction, lack of adaptation, ignoring best practices and defunded public services ▶ then tell us not to worry because they will throw OUR money at the problem until it goes away.
❗Public announcements should be mandated to have a sign-language interpreter present.
#ABpoli
has no such requirement, and as a result, the Deaf community are excluded from televised or live public statements about the
#ABWildfires
@YourAlberta
please remedy this immediately!
The raped and abandoned Cheviot Coal Mine East of Jasper. This will be the Eastern Slopes. It's okay to join us in being angry! It's okay to join us in wanting action! It's natural! Pretending it isn't happening... That's not okay. Because we can't do it without you
@GreenPartyAB
I am not media so I can't call my questions in. However...
If this is "unprecedented" then why is it taking so long to call a state of emergency?
They originally said they were slow because of the election... In my opinion this is political nonsense. Call the emergency
#ableg
Our politicians seem to eat humble pie and act collaboratively when disasters strike but can't come together to make decisions for the safety & security of Albertans in the
#ableg
to stop disasters from happening. Like poverty in our society, disasters are also a policy failure
The first question is from.... Rebel News.... Which stokes a conspiracy theory around prescribed burns which has nothing to do with the current wildfire situation not the cause of the 103 working fires ▶ burning almost 130K of hectars over the last 7 days.
They say a picture is with a thousand words.. What words are we saying when we allow this to happen to an iconic mural created by Indigenous artist Kalum Teke Dan
@cityofcalgary
??
If
#Alberta
met royalty targets in place when Peter Lougheed was Premier, the province would have $1 TRILLION in our Heritage Fund by 2039
Instead we argue about transitions & tax
Our wealth goes to international shareholders
Taxpayers hold over $230 BILLION in clean up costs
"The
@GreenPartyAB
have outdone themselves by nominating the most candidates the party has ever put up in its 12-year history. Even more impressive is that they’re ahead of the AB party & the Libs, meaning they’re the 3rd largest party in terms of candidates" via-
@CanadianPolling
With nominations closed...
NDP: 87 candidates
UCP: 87 candidates
No other party has more than half a slate.
Alberta Party has only 19. Liberals 13. What declines for these parties.
If I am your Premier, I will defend Alberta’s interests, and its industries.
Just like when I went toe-to-toe with British Columbia’s NDP government to get the Trans Mountain pipeline built.
🚩 When you start to make undergrad tuition unaffordable you create a two tiered class system where only rich kids have access to higher education.
#abed
Excuse me while I lose my mind at the state of our political priorities on
@RealTalkRJ
with a very patient
@ryanjespersen
.
Thanks again for having me on this morning Ryan.
#abpoli
Bring back the funding program for rural firefighters: Rural fire departments often struggle to provide their volunteer firefighters with the tools and training they need to respond to fires safely and efficiently.
Stop spraying glyphosate to kill fire-resistant aspen trees: The practice that kills fire-resistant aspen trees is counterproductive and harmful to the environment. By preserving these trees, we can create natural firebreaks that can help prevent the spread of wildfires
That is why the
@GreenPartyAB
will continue to provide systemic solutions for the wellbeing of Albertans & a proactive voice for big issues. At this point, we have become the party of disaster management and resilience. Our platform priorities are here
Just met with the Council of Alberta University Students
@CAUS
I listened to their asks but feel like we can go WAY FURTHER to help students that are starving and struggling 🔽
1)
#UBI
for students
2) Free Tuition
3) Universal Mental Health Care
Demand more from
#abpoli
Smith won't respond to the lack of proactive measures.
Wildfire AB spokesperson says they have resources "on the way" and crews are working hard.
Mike Ellis does not add anything other than a "we will get through this" sidenote.
Reinstate the Alberta Rapattack program: The rappelling program has proven to be an effective way to quickly respond to wildfires. By deploying firefighters from helicopters to the ground, we can attack fires when they're still small and prevent them from endangering communities.
"Homelessness comes at a cost; estimates are that it “costs” the government $100,000 per year for each unhoused person in terms of health care, shelters, corrections, and other programs. As taxpayers, we should be furious about this." via
@edmontonjournal
Keep speaking out! Keep making noise! Keep marching in the streets! We must not look away from the atrocity that continues to unfold in
#Gaza
.
Keep waging peace anyway you can. Keep calling out
#Isreal
for the genocide of
#Palestinians
.
Keep calling for a permanent
#ceasefire
We are not stealing votes. We are earning them ☑️ We are not pulling from the NDP. We are pulling from the disenfranchised, the youth and those courageous enough to demand more from our representatives to serve the people of this province.
Add an additional water tanker flight group to our fleet: Our air tanker program is aging and has decreased in size since 2014. It's time to invest in a new water tanker flight group to match the current risk and replace older aircraft.
After carrying
#PTSD
for 14 years I stepped back and asked for help.
💚 THANK YOU to all the people that supported me as I did the work. Today is my first day back responding on the 🚒
If you're suffering ▶ please speak out. I know it is tough but no one can do it for you.
🔥 HOPE NEEDED 🔥
We face the largest
#wildfire
crisis in history.
We must unite and act now to prevent future catastrophes.
Solutions exist! In no particular order - Let's talk about them:
(For those with expertise - Please feel free to add to this list)
Increase prescribed burning practices through the utilization of Indigenous traditional knowledge: Prescribed burning is an effective way to reduce fuel loads and prevent the spread of wildfires utilizing a more sustainable approach to wildfire management.
The unfolding
#Alberta
pension scandal is a perfect example of why voters must never allow a majority government.
#Corruption
Vote in minorities at all costs.
Demand electoral reform for
#ProportionalRepresentation
.
Reminder for those that evacuated 🔻
#ABWildfires
Also... This is a reminder for the admin & payroll
@YourAlberta
@AlbertaWildfire
PAY YOUR FIREFIGHTERS!
▶I'm told that firefighters are not being paid on time and its an ongoing issue. How disrespectful.
#abpoli
#ABWildfire
Those that unfollowed me because of my allyship to the trans community on display in this picture ▶ I hope that you will one day find peace in your heart and acceptance for all humans and the BEAUTIFUL expressions of their love and spirit.
#loveislove
#yycpride
#PRIDE
Reopen and expand lookout positions: Fire lookout towers are critical in detecting fires early and allowing firefighters to respond quickly. By reopening and expanding lookout positions, we can reduce the time it takes to detect fires and prevent them from becoming larger.
It's important to note that these policy changes should be part of a broader effort to address climate change and environmental issues in the province. The UCP and NDP do not take these issues seriously. Get involved - - and help us
#DemandBetter
The public needs to wake up to the fact that at this point in the
#OverdoseCrisis
we are responding to over 1000 O.Ds a month on the firetruck in just Edmonton alone. The crews downtown are going like clockwork every 30min to another overdose every shift.🚒
@ryanjespersen
#yegdt
It's gross.
🚩 Everytime I'm online there's either an NDP ad that attacks Danielle Smith or there's a UCP ad that attacks Rachel Notley.
Millions in donations from Albertans used for mudslinging. Shameful.
#DemandBetter
🚩 Alberta is the only province where people need a permanent address to receive financial assistance from government social services ▶ Another barrier that keeps people down in a viscous cycle. 🌿 Breaking that cycle saves taxpayers $21,000 per housed person each year.
2 party systems never work for the people. 2 party systems never benefit the masses. We are your choice to break that system.
@GreenPartyAB
is 3rd in polling trendlines and have more candidates than all the smaller parties combined. See our big solutions:
Thank you to Edmonton Rutherford for the incredible support! Especially from amazing local businesses like Mimi's who has embraced us so much they put our sign on their wall! 💚
#VoteGreen
#DemandBetter
Amend our forest harvesting practices that leave behind high fuel load: Current practices can leave behind high fuel loads that increase the risk of wildfires.
Please share and amplify:
Great to see farmers push back!
Profiteering must be called out and regulated!
🚩Retailers are posting record profits...
"Farmers are, in many cases are posting either record or close-to-record losses and low margins.”
If we want
#ClimateAction
▶Alberta can start by replacing the corrupt Alberta Energy Regulator and raise royalties to stem profiteering. By collecting our fair share now we can implement proven actions from
@ProjectDrawdown
to trigger the largest job boom in Alberta's history.
The fact is that if the NDP and UCP had been doing their jobs to ensure the regulator followed the law for industry to simply clean up their mess it would result in 10,000 full-time jobs, $780 Million in employment income & a $2 Billlion GDP increase every year for 25yrs!
#abpoli
The Alberta NDP is suspending local campaigns in the ridings impacted by the wildfires and evacuations.
-Drayton Valley-Devon
-Lesser Slave Lake
-Central Peace-Notley
-Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland
-Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville
-West Yellowhead
-Grande Prairie-Wapiti
#ableg
#abvote
Another door knocking day in Edmonton-Rutherford! Incredible people and lots of excitement that a party leader is finally running in this riding!!
#abpoli
#ableg
– at Royal Gardens Community Hall
"We cannot ask people to care about the end of the world until
#Greens
show that we care about the end of their month"
-
@NajibJutt
As I reflect back on the
@GreenPartyAB
's historic leap from 7th to 3rd in the last election, I want to acknowledge my advisor and campaign manager
Wait.... We are the only party that talks about wildlife management and habitat protection in our platform...
Right... Because what have pollinators or biodiversity done for us lately? 🤯
#DemandBetter
#abpoli
#AlbertaElection