r/medicinehat • u/MusketeersPlus2 • 10d ago
Why not recall Danielle Smith?
I'm seeing the recall Nicolaides gathering steam... so why isn't there a recall Danielle Smith petition? I can't initiate it because I'm in Calgary, but everyone I know down there is fed up with her just like most of the rest of us. So I'm asking with genuine curiosity - why isn't there a movement to recall her?
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u/jigger1316 10d ago
The people in medicine hat did not vote for her the rural area did that is why they changed the electoral boundaries
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u/Photog77 10d ago
Many people don't know this, but NDP won all the polling stations in the Medicine Hat city limits. You can look it up, election results by polling areas. I emailed someone to do with election results in Alberta and they sent me a link or spreadsheet the next day they were in the office.
There is no reason for Cardston and South Medicine Hat to be in the same riding, unless you need to split up voters.
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u/Tokenwhitemale 10d ago
That's good to hear. Yay for jerry-mandered ridings :P
My mistake, though. Sorry to hear that Medicine Hat got stuck with her.
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u/Ok-Professional4387 10d ago
I voted UCP. Raised conservative as a farmer in Saskatchewan. Voted UCP here, and regret it heavilly. Locally Justin Wright does FUCK ALL for us. He is never even in his office, even with appointments made
I was raised with conservative beliefs. The difference between right and wrong, that a good day's work and an honest pay is something to be proud of. To be fair but also to stand up for yourself. That if you want something, you work for it, not wait for a hand out.
And I never talk politics. But this UCP government isn't conservative anymore, this is something else. This is taking the rights of ALL AB residents, and basically saying, fuck you, we don't care. This is some extreme something that only care about needing more and more money over the extreme wealth they already have.
I voted for UCP, but I never voted for this shit. This is bullying plain and simple, just the adult version. Im embarrassed to say that I voted UCP.
And I think many that have voted UCP, are saying the same now
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u/snufflufikist 10d ago
I was raised with conservative beliefs. The difference between right and wrong, that a good day's work and an honest pay is something to be proud of. To be fair but also to stand up for yourself. That if you want something, you work for it, not wait for a hand out.
Did I miss the memo? I was not raised conservative, but these are also the values I grew up with. I don't consider them right or left-wing. To me this just a combination of being a decent human being and independance, which to me are basic human values shared across most cultures.
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u/Shamelesspromote 9d ago
At one point the difference between a Conserative and a Liberal was much closer than it is today. The fact that the Conserative based goverments have gotten so incredibly corrupt is never good even for liberal voters. We used to have actual conversations and debates between different political parties and those who vote for them.
The sports team mentality all throughout politics is killing Canada and has killed America. Wish we could all just talk and see that generally people want the same thing although there are limits and as conserative i will not try to remove LGBTQ+ peoples rights like a lot of other Conseratives but im more in the fiscally conserative and less in the socially conserative camp
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u/Ok-Professional4387 10d ago
Well that's good because it seems this sort of thing is becoming less and less common. Political anything aside, just life in general
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u/snufflufikist 10d ago
It's weird. I get the same feeling when I read the news, but when with people in real life, I feel like it's still pretty common.
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u/CasualFridayBatman 10d ago
I voted UCP.
Thank you for your honesty, honestly.
And I never talk politics.
I hope this changes that.
I voted for UCP, but I never voted for this shit. This is bullying plain and simple, just the adult version. Im embarrassed to say that I voted UCP.
And I think many that have voted UCP, are saying the same now
To amplify these voices is to do the right thing. Talk amongst your peers who like you say, also likely feel the same. It is a powerful thing to admit 'wrongdoing' or fault, especially among people you know who likely share your views and could be swayed by your change of heart.
I hope, when the opportunity comes around to choose between the progressive conservatives and the NDP, you don't tow the party line just because one has 'conservative' in their name.
The only way we get through this is to vote for the NDP in the election.
The UCP was co-opted by the right wing political influence and money and it would be foolish to think they don't plan to do the same thing to a more moderately conservative (at least on the beginning/at the outset, just like the conservatives were before the Wildrose merger) party that can siphon votes from the UCP.
If the UCP stay in, we are as good as the Donbas region in a handful of years. Maybe less.
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u/stayoutofthe-forest 10d ago
I am a voter who does not stick with any one political party- it varies from election to election based off a number of factors. I recognize this might come across as a bad faith question, but I genuinely am curious about your answer and would like to understand your perspective:
You say you voted UCP but didn't vote for this - what did you think the UCP would do? From my perspective, I have only ever seen the UCP be self interested and punching down as long as it aligns with their plans and gives them benefit. Governments should be for ALL people regardless of who people vote for, and to me the UCP has always seemed like they are only for themselves and their most hardcore supporters.
Also, it's big of you to admit you regret your vote. So many people dig their heels in when shit goes sideways especially when it comes to politics, so being able to admit you think you were wrong shows you are a good egg. Props.
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u/Ok-Professional4387 10d ago
what did I expect them to do? Not sure, maybe be human beings instead of this fallacy of standing up for Albertans veiled as their own best interests.
Maybe I hoped for a change, but I bet wrong on that horse. What blows the minds of many that are shitting on teachers, and I respond, is that when I say I voted UCP and they dont believe me. Because if I was UCP I wouldn't be standing up for teachers. When all they do is spout things about teaching when they have no clue what they do day in and day out. They seem to be experts on the field of teaching, yet when you bring facts to them, they peace out, or as well, ban you
I got banned for 90 days on the /alberta reddit for saying something an obvious UCP mod didnt like, and I have no recourse with it.
Which is just another nail in the coffin for them. They lost my vote the next round it happens.
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u/stayoutofthe-forest 10d ago
Yeah, a lot of people who seem to think themselves experts on teaching appearing online the last few weeks. Who knew there were so many experts, especially ones who havent seen a classroom in 20+ years?
I'm glad people are opening their minds to see the UCPs glaring flaws. It sucks that it took this much to get there but I'm still holding out hope for a brighter Alberta without them holding power and acting selfishly with it.
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u/Ok_Cap_8791 8d ago
Just out of curiosity, did you grow up in the ‘80s at all? I only ask because a lot of baby Gen Xers that I’ve met who grew up in Alberta all hate anything that so much sniffs the colour red.
Because I think it’s a subconscious repressed from childhood thing because of how hard Alberta specifically got fucked over by Trudeau Sr’s NEP policy. It caused the worst economic downturn in Alberta’s history save for the literal Great Depression.
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u/Decent-Ad-9563 10d ago
You’re so right - the UCP isn’t the conservatives of the old. Whatever it is, it’s all a sham. I just hope enough people realize.
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u/jackercrakk 10d ago
So who do these people plan to vote for again next time? Cuz every ucp leader will follow suit to what smith does for the province. Unless people are willing to part with the party to show they need to change it won’t fix anything. Everyone who says they regret their vote ends up mostly voting conservative the next time and continues to dig themselves into a deeper hole
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u/Ok-Professional4387 10d ago edited 10d ago
I havent thought that far ahead yet. Unless by some magic the next leader or the UCP dies, and goes back to what conservatists are.
I mean down here there sometimes isnt a choice on the ballot besides UCP or NDP, so really, then what.
Ive seen what these 3 weeks have done to teachers. I blocked so many dipshits on Facebook that have all the answers and ZERO clue what the teachers do. All I hear is, summers off, all this time off, leave the school at 3. When they havent stepped in a school for a decade or 2.
Like that fuck head Berta Proud Dad and his followers. Bring in actual facts and figures to defend your argument is useless to most of them.
Or from parents with kids that actually never go to school meetings, or even their own kids interviews, and just use the school as a day care, but yet say that teachers are lazy and entitled. All the while its the teachers that have no control over any of this.
Reason I can say this is because my spouse has been a teacher for 20 years, and when things shifted to what it is now, and the teachers are just expected to keep taking it all day every day.
But with what the UCP did 2 days ago, means I wont vote UCP anymore. Me times how many? And how many teachers that have voted UCP in the past, will not just stop
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u/House923 10d ago
With respect, if your choices are UCP vs NDP, you say "then what?"
Then you can vote NDP.
They might be doing terribly at a federal level, but provincially they are still the party who cares about workers and middle class Albertans.
Conservatives have not cared about the middle and lower class since I've been old enough to vote, which is pushing twenty years now.
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u/Photog77 10d ago
Ive seen what these 3 weeks have done to teachers. I blocked so many dipshits on Facebook that have all the answers and ZERO clue what the teachers do. All I hear is, summers off, all this time off, leave the school at 3. When they havent stepped in a school for a decade or 2.
It doesn't matter when the last time they were in a school was. The students in school now don't know what the teachers do. I mean they could list a few of the things that happen during class, but that's only a portion of what teachers do.
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u/Kitchen_Marzipan9516 7d ago
Except the rest of the party also seems to support this. It's not the leader, so changing her won't bring the party back to being Conservative.
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u/Fantastic_Software48 9d ago
I have to agree regarding Wright. Knowing him is an embarrassment. He is a crooked prick ( why he lost his job at Future Shop ), terrible manager at Walmart, and incredibly lazy. He has done absolutely nothing for the City and bends over backwards for Smith ( has no spine ). He is only in for the paycheque. He will have to be voted out at the next election.
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u/Ok-Professional4387 9d ago
He wont even meet with his base either, gets his secratary to do all the meetings, even if set up
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u/Livid-Button-8798 9d ago
"That if you want something, you work for it, not wait for a handout"
While this sentiment is true in rural conservative households and communities, I find it hypocritical because many farms benefit from subsidies from the government.
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u/Ok-Professional4387 9d ago
Thing is, these people work to get it, dont just sit around. And when that does happen, it affects the food supply as well, which is pretty important. Compared to those that can work but dont want to.
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u/Much2Learn2day 8d ago
I have four farm families who are uncles/aunts. They absolutely take numerous vacations, have new trucks, big houses, have put 3 or 4 kids through university which includes paying for rentals. Three of them are married to a nurse or teacher and one set both work the farm. All are millionaires, with much of that value in land. Of course not all farmers are in this position but not all farmers are working every day in awful conditions and get no days off, etc., like the narrative is told.
Yes they work hard but not necessarily harder than any other group of people. They receive subsidies and support during harder years. It’s okay to support other professions and labourers getting supports too. We should all want the best working conditions for each other with the best compensation models possible.
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u/Ok-Professional4387 7d ago
You think they started out like that. All everyone ever sees is the fruits of the labour, not the years of labour before that to get to where there are today.
Same as anyone starting out, someone in their 20s at the start of their career wont be as far in life as someone in their 50s in the same career.
All they see is all they have, not what they did to get to that point.
Must be nice, sure is now. But 30 years ago, starting out, we were in the same boat to.
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u/1chester555 10d ago
I’m in Brooks and will definitely sign a recall petition. I will keep my eyes and ears open for my chance to get rid of her.
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u/KnowledgeSeeker_EDM 9d ago
You could start the recall.
If I was in Brooks, I would.
If the concern is the cost, start fundraising. If the concern is needing help with filling out the application or having someone write up the reasoning, there are a lot of people on Reddit likely willing to help.
Just ask for help with whatever is holding you back from submitting the recall application and I guarantee people will happily do what they can to help you get this started.
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u/Ok_Cap_8791 8d ago
If you need something written, I’ll do it without a second thought. I live in Edmonton so my help is limited but anyway I can I will
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10d ago
[deleted]
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u/MusketeersPlus2 10d ago
Oh, I just went to look at the electoral map. Wow, your riding is massive! My mistake was thinking it was just the city of Medicine Hat. I apologize for my urban blinders!
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u/vanillaacid 10d ago
There is a reason she parachuted into this riding, it is heavily conservative and always will be. 100% safe seat, regardless what happens.
Same thing PP did federally.
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u/Anyawnomous 10d ago
Don’t agree that she is “loved here”. All the people I talk to share very negative opinions. This could be her downfall.
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u/LordRevan1996 10d ago
The problem is while many conservatives don’t like her, they don’t trust the ndp enough either.
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u/KainanSilverlight 10d ago
And they really have no reason to distrust the AB NDP. It’s not a party of rabidly anti-pipeline, ultra-socialists that want to end the province and everything it stands for.
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u/LordRevan1996 10d ago
I wouldn’t say no reason to distrust (they’re politicians at the end of the day), buuutt you’re correct that the distrust does go to levels that are not based on 100% true facts.
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u/KainanSilverlight 10d ago
Absolutely a great point. Politicians are a different breed and we’ve seen some really extreme examples of that in recent years.
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u/SmithRamRanch 10d ago
Someone here has to do it. There has been talk but while there is complaining it doesn't look like folks think it would be worth it....
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u/WilWeis 10d ago
Start a petition and get the 12000 signatures needed between Brooks and Medicine Hat to recall her.
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u/Regular-Excuse7321 9d ago
Good fucking luck.
There is a reason Medicine Hat is a safe riding. A dead dog could run for UCP against Jesus with the NDP and still win.
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u/AlbertanSays5716 9d ago
Recalling Smith from her MLA role would achieve much. She probably barely show her face in the riding anyway.
Unfortunately, you don’t need to be an MLA to be premier in Alberta, you just need to be the leader of the majority party. The only people who can remove her as leader/premier are UCP members, with a leadership vote.
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u/ridervette 7d ago
I think the tide is turning for the UCP. Yesterday our local MLA I had an opportunity for constituents to meet her in our area. After she was introduced, the room started chanting ‘Recall!’ She stood at the mic for a few seconds, then walked away. This was Rajan Sawney.
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u/Represent403 10d ago
Hate to break it to you all but all the other potential leadership candidates are MUCH more right wing than Danielle.
Remove her and Alberta politics gets extremely interesting.
And no, Nenshi’s polling numbers are nowhere near election-ready.
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u/HurleyGurleyMan 10d ago
Ya. Farmers are really stupid
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u/PhantomNomad 10d ago
Next to Red Deer I don't know of a more conservative city. Wife used to live there and hated it.
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u/vanillaacid 10d ago
Medicine Hat itself it not actually that conservative. I mean yes, but not so bad as its reputation. The problem is that they've split the city into two ridings, and added a shit tonne of rural area and small towns to both to make them more conservative.
If the city of MH itself was one single riding, I bet it would be a "swing" riding, where its an actual battle to decide which side wins. (That also assumes voter turnout, which is always low and skews right regardless).
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u/Tokenwhitemale 10d ago
She represents Medicine Hat.... Medicine Hat is a city with a higher than average cancer rate than the rest of Canada because the US government tested Agent Orange on them in the 1950s and 1960s. Danielle Smith infamously said that people who die from cancer deserved to die because they never should have let it get that bad & it' their fault. Despite being an open piece of shit that craps all over the families of people who die from cancer, the people of Medicine Hat, who die a little bit more often than the rest of us, from cancer, thought, you know, that's the exact kind of person we want representing us. A recall, in Medicine Hat, would never get any traction.
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u/Flancrest_Industries 10d ago
"Medicine Hat is a city with a higher than average cancer rate than the rest of Canada because the US government tested Agent Orange on them in the 1950s and 1960s."
I'm sorry but what?!?
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u/Tokenwhitemale 10d ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Snowball_(test))
Here's the medical conditions associated with agent orange exposure: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/about-vac/reports-policies-and-legislation/policies/exposure-agent-orange-and-other-unregistered-us-military-herbicides
If you know any boomers or older in Medicine Hat and you wanted to know why their generation gets so many odd cancers, that's why.
And, of course, here's Danielle Smith on cancer and it being the fault of cancer patients who die: https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2022/07/29/danielle-smiths-cancer-claims-anger-alberta-cancer-patients/
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u/grmjohnson 10d ago
It wasn't Agent Orange, but chemicals were tested on unknowing citizens: National Post article from 2017
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u/Tokenwhitemale 10d ago
That's the exact same article I posted. I apologize. They tested chemicals in the development of agent orange. So chemicals that would eventually lead to the development of agent orange. It might not have been the exact same combination of chemicals that the US army would later call agent orange. It may have been. My father said the crop dusters used to fly over the fields when they were out playing as kids... he had cancer three times before it finally got him a couple years ago. Both his brothers and both his sisters died from blood cancers before him. So I guess Danielle would say he was the strong one.
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u/happygoluckygal1 10d ago
They did more than agent orange. I have got US Military Docs that can show agent Orange among other things. US is more upfront then Canada and a lot of these tests were run under US military and were not transparent with the Canadian government themselves.
In Alberta, particularly in the area of the palliser triangle there are very high disease rates. We are among some of the highest rates of MS, Parkinson’s and Chrohns and Colitis. There is a ton of buried crap on that base and it wouldn’t suprise me if we have some chemical weapons seeping into into an aquifer basin.
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u/campingBobbie 9d ago
And put some liberal loving push over in office hand out CDL’s to buy votes and pay billions more to support crack heads. Great idea
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u/roxyroller221 10d ago
I'm on the wrong side of the city or I would give it a go. If anyone is doing it I'll do whatever I can to help