A line of supporters stretched along the sidewalk outside 417 Riverfront Ave. S.E. on Wednesday as the Forever Canadian movement celebrated the grand opening of its new campaign office in downtown Calgary. Former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of the movement, greeted attendees and emphasized the importance of Canadian identity.
Office Opens Six Days a Week
The new office will be open six days a week for Calgary and area residents to pick up Forever Canadian lawn signs. Lukaszuk described the scene as "like Christmas for Canadians," noting that people are eager to show their pride. "Everywhere we go, people come out and they pick up their lawn signs and they want to show their pride in being Canadian . . . that being Canadian is not where you live, but who you are," Lukaszuk said. "We are Canadian, this is part of our identity, and nobody has the right to take that away from us."
Leaders Call for Unity
Lukaszuk stressed the need to embrace both the Canada and Alberta flags as symbols of patriotism and pride. "I served Alberta for many years in office, and we need to make sure that we embrace the Alberta flag as much as we embrace the Canadian flag," he said. "The only way we can do it is by being open to conversations, by sharing information and by showing that being a proud Albertan means being a proud Canadian and vice versa."
Ward 4 Coun. DJ Kelly said it was fitting to open the office on Canada Day between events in Eau Claire and the Confluence. As a member of the Calgary Salutes committee, Kelly learned more about connecting with shared history. "I believe that we are definitely better together than we are apart. That’s what Confederation was in the beginning and that’s what Confederation still is," Kelly said. "It’s all about us coming together to share the strengths that we have. Alberta has some definite strengths that we bring to Canada, and I think we’re better as part of the country than we would be on our own."
Nenshi Speaks on Referendum
At the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada Day event in Prairie Winds Park, NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi acknowledged that this year’s festivities felt heavier amid the separation debate, but said it has also shown Canada’s strength. "This is a chance for us to celebrate unapologetically and without compromise the greatest nation on Earth," Nenshi said. "We are proud Canadians, we always will be proud Canadians, and we will send a message to politicians 120 days from now, which is don’t threaten the future of our country."
Leading up to the October referendum, Nenshi said he will continue to help get people involved in For Alberta, For Canada, a political campaign that advocates against separatism. "You shouldn’t have to choose, and the premier making us choose is just not just bad politics, it’s actually inhumane," Nenshi said. "We need to tell everyone that there’s no difference between being a proud Albertan and a proud Canadian."
