The Future Starts Now

We have elected a new provincial government with the UCP holding a slim majority. This is another historical group. Seated in the legislature we have 38% women, 14% are visible minorities, and 3% indigenous members. While we have a long way to go to see true representation in our government, we are in the future.

The hope that we had at Women On Fire was to have a significant impact in the outcome of the election, and while we may have been a small drop in the ocean of influence, it felt like cramming the night before a final to be honest. The results speak for themselves. We now have over 3 years to build a sustainable accountability movement in Alberta and with your help that is what we are going to do. As we have asked you to do since January of 2023, we are going to continue to ask you to get moving and to DO things, the more we do now the more effect we will have over the next four years, and maybe that will mean a significant improvement for many of us in the province.

We have three big themes that we are going to focus on immediately:

1. Momentum

2. Accountability

3. Mobilization

1. MOMENTUM:

We are at the beginning of a new cycle. No longer in the pits of despair, we can see that with a long runway to build toward the next election (which for those marking their calendars will be (at the latest) on Monday, May 31, 2027), we can use the time to build a sustainable and powerful plan. The winds have shifted, we have adjusted our tack, and we will use the natural force that has built up from this change. We can see the positive impact our WOF have made in the province, so well done everyone. In the 22 communities that participated in our campfires between February and May 2023, all 22 communities elected change candidates in their riding, either supporting the incumbent non-UCP candidate or electing a new candidate to represent their community in the government. Now our focus is going to be about accountability in the legislature.

2. ACCOUNTABILITY

Our PRIMARY focus for the next four years is going to be holding the government accountable to serve us. Which we would do no matter how the election results turned out, but this will be critically important between now and May 2027.

This means being aware of the overt and covert actions that the UCP are undertaking and checking to see if they match with our values, vision, and the direction we want Alberta to move in.

3. MOBILIZE

We have been collecting ideas and inspiration. With our newfound energy we are going to mobilize. And we need your help.

Our recommendation is to focus on your local district. Understand that the biggest motivating force for your Local Elected - is staying elected. They will spend a LOT of energy ensuring that they continue to hold their position and represent the people who got them to the floor of the Assembly.

In preparation for the work ahead of us, collect the following information to have on hand for when our call goes out to mobilize.

1. Find the name, website, constituency office, and Legislature office contact information for your Member of the Legislative Assembly.

2. Sign up for your MLA’s email or newsletter updates, invites to local events, and propaganda of all descriptions so that you are clear about what their priorities are (this information is a bit harder to find, but if you google your Local Elected’s name – they will likely show up on their party’s website).

3. Find out where your MLA stands on the issues of the day – Public School funding, Public Health Care funding, creation of a provincial police force, creating an Alberta Pension Plan, Housing, Affordability, the environment. Review their voting history and find out who their biggest campaign contributors have been.

4. Set up a Google News Alert to receive an email notification whenever your MLA is in the news.

5. Research on Google News what local reporters have written about your MLA. Find and follow those reporters on Twitter or other social channels and build relationships with them. Before you attend or plan an event, reach out and explain why your group is protesting and provide the reporters with background materials and a quote. Journalists are on a deadline – even those who may not agree with you – appreciate when you provide them with easy material for a story.

We are going to start sending out homework assignments to help you stay on track, if you have an hour or 10 minutes you will be able to make an impact and together each of these actions will create momentum, accountability and hopefully mobilize all of us.

If you want to be part of our WOF-Pack, sign up for our newsletter. Let us know how you are doing on your homework and let us know if you need any help.

We can do this.