Alberta Talks – Our Year in Review

Alberta Talks Our year in review
Image: four houses. Between February and November 2023, our team knocked on doors and called phones in suburban Calgary, engaging our neighbours in conversation about Alberta’s oil & gas economy in the face of climate change and the rising cost of living. This Deep Canvassing is the practice of changing hearts and minds that reaches across lines of difference through compassionate conversations.
1st image: Two overlapping speech bubbles. We had vulnerable conversations with 403 neighbours. 2nd Image: Clipboard. 62 percent of our neighbours added their name in support of ending provincial tax breaks to oil & gas companies. 3rd image: Three hands raised over a heart. We trained 6 staff and 86 volunteers and went out canvassing 34 times.
Image: Glowing Heart. THE IMPACT OF DEEP CANVASSING. 39 percent of hearts and minds shifted from unsupportive or undecided to being more in favour of ending tax breaks to oil & gas companies. Deep Canvassing - having a compassionate and non-judgemental conversation with one of our staff or volunteers - is the most powerful approach known to build consensus on polarizing issues.
Image: cartoon houses with solar panels on their roofs between wind turbines. Aug 3rd: OUR Alberta government implements renewable energy BAN. We responded by mobilizing Calgarians to brainstorm effective pushback tactics at two “Stand Up for Renewables” townhalls. 110 community members joined at least one event, and provided input on the next steps to secure reliable and affordable energy in our province.
1st image: Two overlapping speech bubbles. In the past 6 weeks, staff & volunteers called 2275 Albertans, and spoke at length with 386 people. 2nd image: Clipboard. 87 percent of Albertans we spoke to added their name in support of ending the ban on large-scale renewable energy. 3rd image: Megaphone. We connected 102 Albertans to their MLAs office to ask for an end to the ban.
Lit Drop: Ending Tax Breaks to Oil and Gas Companies. we made an impact by dropping over 12,000 flyers in Calgary & Edmonton, raising awareness about the need for local solutions to combat the climate crisis and address the escalating cost of living. Image: mailbox
We continue to grow as organizers and cultivate wellbeing in our staff and volunteer climate action community. Together, we aim to gain the support of 1000 Albertans to End the Ban before February 29th 2024. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! May every being be safe, happy, healthy, and live with ease