Smith shuts down legislature grounds for MAGA-friendly artist
Rakhi Pancholi, Alberta’s New Democrat Caucus Deputy Leader, issued the following statement on the shutdown of the Legislative grounds due to a highly controversial concert:
“Danielle Smith is now wasting public resources so that her favourite MAGA-friendly artist can perform a concert at the Alberta Legislature grounds today. Public servants are being sent home, officers are being deployed from doing legitimate public safety work to manage this contentious event, and the roads around the public’s Legislature are being closed.
“This is an unacceptable use of a public space that is meant to be inclusive, welcoming, and safe and that belongs to the people of Alberta. The UCP government denies permits for some performances in this very same space, while wasting taxpayer money to support an artist who spreads hate towards thousands of Albertans.
“Every other government in Canada has refused to grant a permit for this concert in public spaces. Once again, Alberta stands apart in wasting money and fueling division.
“This is a nightmare of Premier Smith’s own creation. It’s a waste, it’s a distraction, and it’s more evidence that the UCP government has its priorities wrong.”
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