Three vital byelections in June

An opportunity to send Danielle Smith a message.

Albertans have an opportunity on June 23 to send Danielle Smith and her UCP government a very loud and clear message by electing three amazing Alberta NDP candidates.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is running in Edmonton-Strathcona. Gurtej Singh Brar is our candidate in Edmonton-Ellerslie. And Bev Toews is working hard in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.

The UCP government is destroying our public health care. They are responsible for an affordability crisis—high youth unemployment, low wage growth, high electricity bills and insurance rates that keep going up. And they will make all of our problems worse by inciting a separatism referendum.

There are over 700 confirmed measles cases in our province compared to just over 1,100 cases in the entire United States. Emergency room wait times and surgery wait times are unconscionably long because Danielle Smith and the UCP fund CorruptCare instead of public health care.

We are also still in a cost-of-living crisis with too many of our fellow Albertans struggling to make ends meet. Under Danielle Smith and the UCP, Alberta now has the worst housing affordability in the country. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home but for so many that goal is slipping further out of reach.

And as a proud Albertan and a proud Canadian, I am outraged at Danielle Smith’s attempt to change the focus from her government’s incompetence to fanning the flames of separation.

The majority of Albertans know as a country; we are stronger together. Watch Naheed call out Danielle Smith’s separatist agenda here:

On June 23, Albertans can vote for a team that puts people first. Alberta’s New Democrats are ready to tackle the housing crisis, invest in health care and education, bring down the cost of living and stand up for a strong Alberta and a united Canada.

Annual General Meeting

We are just a couple of weeks away from the social event of the summer!

Join me and the Calgary-Elbow NDP for our annual general meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 at Windsor Park Community Association.

We will take care of a little important business and elect a new executive. If you are looking for a way to make Naheed Nenshi our next premier, please consider helping out with the Calgary-Elbow NDP constituency association.

We also need board members who are willing to organize events, fundraise, knock on doors, and contact voters to help us win in 2027, or sooner if the election is called early.

Coming out to the AGM is a great opportunity to meet, and even be part of, the team working toward winning the next election!

And, of course, there will be an opportunity for you to financially contribute to winning government in 2027 for a better Alberta in a united Canada.

This meeting is for Alberta NDP members only. You can renew or sign up for your membership here.

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend. I hope to see you there!

Town Hall

There is a lot going on in Alberta politics right now and I want to hear what you are happy about or concerned about. Please join me on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Elboya Britannia Community Hall, 416 Park Ave SW, for an opportunity to learn what I’ve been working on and discuss the issues that are most pressing for you. Perhaps sovereignty, health care and affordability might come up.

Hope to see you there. Everyone is welcome.

Pints and Politics

We are adjusting the time for Pub Night this month to a 7:30 p.m. start time.

I hope you can join me on Thursday, June 19 at Marda Loop Brewing Co., 3523 18th St SW, for some informal and enlightening conversation on a warm summer evening.

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Stampede Pancake Breakfast

Join me and many of my Alberta NDP Caucus colleagues at the Haysboro Community Association, 1204 89 Avenue SW, on Sunday, July 6 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to enjoy a free pancake breakfast. Come for the pancakes, games, and fun hosted by your MLAs.

Marda Gras Street Festival

I am looking forward to taking part in this wonderful festival which is celebrating its 40th year.

So much fun for the whole family with an opportunity to connect with the Marda Loop community and local businesses, and also enjoy live music, dance and entertainment.

We need volunteers to help out at our booth on Sunday, Aug. 10. Please send us an email if you can spare some time to pitch in at the Calgary-Elbow booth.

Fundraising Update

Friends, Naheed Nenshi set us a massive fundraising target. His direction to Calgary-Elbow was to reach 80% of last year’s total donation amount by June 1. In just five months, we had to hit 80% of our 2024 donations. And I’m pleased to report that, because of your hard work, we exceeded that target!

But there’s more to do. We are at a fundraising disadvantage compared to the UCP, a gap that threatens to make winning the next election harder than it needs to be. Please donate if you want a better future for Alberta. And please send us an email if you’d like to host Samir for a fundraiser at your home.