FORT MCMURRAY — A provincewide protest is being held by the Alberta Federation of Labour on Saturday as part of its Fight Back Now! campaign against the provincial government.
The Fort McMurray rally will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kiyām Community Park.
Organizers are encouraging people to bring signs, noisemakers and friends. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available, with DJ Qpid scheduled to appear live on location.
There are currently no public events scheduled in Fort McMurray by groups campaigning for Alberta independence.
The Alberta Federation of Labour describes Fight Back Now! as a campaign representing unionized workers across the province. The organization says it launched the campaign because it believes the Smith government is taking Alberta in what it calls a dangerous direction.
The federation argues the government has exceeded its mandate across several areas, including health care, education, affordability, pensions, policing, coal development and the use of the notwithstanding clause.
The AFL says Alberta’s public health-care system has faced chronic underfunding and understaffing while private delivery expands. It also criticizes provincial funding for public schools while arguing private schools have received increased public support.
The campaign opposes efforts to withdraw Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan and replace the RCMP, saying those moves run against the wishes of most Albertans.
It also objects to coal development near headwaters, arguing mining could threaten rivers that supply water to much of the province.
On affordability, the federation says wage growth has failed to keep pace with rising living costs.
The AFL has also criticized the province’s use of the notwithstanding clause, particularly in labour disputes, and argues it has been used to override Charter-protected rights.
Alberta separation is another central focus of the campaign. The federation describes separation as a risk to pensions, health-care coverage and Charter rights, while arguing the government should instead focus on affordability, health care and education.
The stated objective of Fight Back Now! is to organize opposition to those policies and encourage Albertans to participate in rallies, volunteer activities and other campaign actions across the province.
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