Medicine Hat Pride group protests premier's parade appearance

Back in her home riding on Thursday after high-profile trade meetings in Ontario this week, Premier Danielle Smith served as honorary parade marshal for the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede and officially opened the annual fair that dates back to 1887, saying this year's theme, "Spirit Untamed," resonated with her.

"Yes, that untamed spirit can sometimes lead to clashes and challenges," Smith said, "but more often it fuels our resilience, our hope and our optimism."

It was a rain check of sorts for Smith, who is also the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat. She was scheduled to be parade marshal and open the event last year, but was pulled away by the worsening Jasper wildfires.

On Thursday, Smith rode in an open-top carriage to lead the parade through the city's centre. She was cheered along the parade route, but not all who showed up were happy to see the visiting premier, perhaps underlining some of the "challenges" she referred to in her speech. 

Activists decry trans legislation

A local Pride association said it pulled a planned float from the parade after finding out that Smith would be the marshal.

The Prairie Pride Guild of Medicine Hat and District said in a statement two days before the parade that it couldn't celebrate "with someone who is actively rolling back trans rights for Albertans."

Jenni Barrientos, the guild's president, said the Alberta government's Bills 26, 27 and 29 are harmful to transgender individuals across the province. 

The bills introduced various news rules largely affecting transgender and 2SLGBTQ+ youth. 

Among other changes, the legislation will ban doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16.

Bill 27 introduces various policies for transgender youth in schools and Bill 29 includes rules for transgender athletes. 

Smith has described the laws as "pro-parent" policies, but multiple legal challenges have been filed.

"Due to her anti-trans legislation and policies that she's passed under the UCP we felt that it was a really poor choice and it didn't reflect well on the Stampede in general," Barrientos said. 

"So we did not feel comfortable being in the Stampede parade at that point."

A spokesperson for the Stampede declined comment.

Instead of participating in the parade, over a dozen Pride members took to a bridge overlooking the route to chant "Stop Bill 29" and "Stop harming trans kids" as Smith's carriage passed under. 

Alberta New Democratic Party Leader Naheed Nenshi, who is aiming to replace Smith in the next election, was also in attendance. 

It marked his second visit to the city since he was elected leader of the Alberta NDP last year. 

The Opposition leader said the parade was an opportunity to promote a united Canada in an area that's home to some supporters of the Alberta separatism movement. 

Among the floats featuring local businesses and service clubs, several people carried Alberta flags and marched behind a five-ton truck displaying a banner reading "Alberta Sovereignty Now!"

"The premier has started a fire she won't be able to put out by giving voice to folks who want to break the nation apart," said Nenshi.

Smith did not speak with reporters, but is scheduled to take part in some public events in Medicine Hat and Brooks on Friday.