Greta Thunberg’s planned visit to Alberta creates divide between ministers over meeting
Posted October 15, 2019 6:40 am.
Last Updated October 16, 2019 6:58 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A teenage climate activist is planning to make an appearance in Alberta and is sparking a lot of discussion within the Kenney government.
Greta Thunberg announced last week she will be visiting the province and on Sunday she tweeted that she was in Montana.
A Calgary Councillor and a TsuuT’ina leader have already reached out to Thunberg for the chance to meet with her and have her speak at local events.
While Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage also tweeted saying she would welcome the teenaged activist who has ruffled the feathers of some in the energy industry.
“An opportunity for Greta to come here with an open mind, see our beautiful province and learn how Albertans are proud to produce energy the world needs with the highest environmental, social, and governance standards. Then she should visit other energy-producing countries,” Savage said.
Greta we are delighted you are coming to Alberta. Please come to Calgary! We will recognize you in Council Chambers and have you address us. Maybe you can speak at our Climate Change Symposium if your sked permits. It would be great for you to examine our City of Calgary Plan
— Di Colley-Urquhart (@BigRedyyc) October 14, 2019
And Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon said he has not heard from Thunberg about a meeting and says she is unaware of what the province needs.
“When you look at some of Ms. Thunberg’s comments, she doesn’t understand our province and she doesn’t understand the reality that to accomplish climate change goals worldwide, that we need Alberta as part of that solution,” Nixon added.
Her arrival also sparked comments from former Premier Rachel Notley saying we need to be open-minded, even if you don’t agree with everything Thunberg says.
“While I obviously don’t agree with every prescription that Greta is proposing, I definitely do agree that we have a problem and we need to take that problem seriously,” Notely said
Good day Greta. I am Chief Lee Crowchild from the TsuuT’ina Nation. I would like to personally invite to our great Nation while you are here in Alberta. You are my guest and we will do what we need to do to have you speak to the province with the voices of the Alberta Nations.
— leecrowchild (@leecrowchild) October 13, 2019