UPDATE: The shadow budget consultation will be held in the Whispering Ridge Community School library at 10320-149 Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m.
People are asked to register in advance here.
Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard says she is happy to have members of the opposition in Grande Prairie as part of their province-wide shadow budget consultation.
Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said during a brief press conference on August 14th that the NDP will happily listen to Albertan’s concerns about the upcoming budget, suggesting that it’s not something she thinks Premier Jason Kenney will take part in.
“I think it’s healthy. The job of the opposition is to hold the government’s feet to the fire, and I think they’re taking it seriously and it’s important,” Allard said.
Allard, who prior to being sworn in as an MLA, hoped the wide partisan divide between parties was something they could put in the rearview mirror as they began work in the legislature. She says opportunities like this will allow for both sides to hopefully come together over an educated debate.
“I think it’s an important piece of democracy that we have an opposition that is digging in as well. How do you critique something you don’t really understand, and I think they’re pushing to really understand the current realities and they will then have the capacity to push back on budget decisions they don’t agree with.”
The town hall will take place in the city on September 17th, with a location yet to be announced.