Premier Jason Kenney's decision to fine the organizers of the Bowden rodeo has absolutely nothing to do with public safety and health, and everything to do with suppression and punishment for free speech.
If this event was such a danger to the public, it would have been shut down before it even got started, or at least after the first day.
But instead no action was taken against the Northcotts until 10 days after the event. Why is this? How does this keep us safe? Would you let the SWAT team deal with a shooter after the weekend because it was five minutes to quitting time on Friday? Of course not.
Everything that could be done, would be done, for public safety.
The simple fact is, the Northcotts are being fined because they gave the Wildrose Independence Party, who are opposed to the UCP, a public platform to spread their message.
While I personally found their ideas too extreme, I will defend their right to have these views. What Kenney is doing is trying to silence political opponents, and that is reprehensible.
Drop all charges against the Northcotts and shame on you Kenney.
Matt Campbell,
Mountain View County
