On a sunny Saturday afternoon Alberta Green Party leader George Read attended the Alberta Greens first ever summer BBQ July 28th in Edworthy Park “We often think about politics as something distant and far away. Really politics is about community and friendships. It is about caring for the planet and the people around you,” said Read.

Alberta boasted the lowest voter turnout in Canada at 41% in the last provincial election. The Alberta Greens have a plan to connect with the average voter this summer.

“We are making politics fun, again.” Said Read

Summer BBQ’s have a long political history in Canada but this was the first time the Alberta Greens have ever had one. There are a number of BBQ’s planned for this summer as the Alberta Greens kick-off a grassroots push. “We are planning to connect with Albertans by coming to them in person at the community level,” said Read. “BBQ’s are just the start.”

The event was well attended. The Edworthy BBQ was jointly hosted by the Alberta Greens and the Green Party of Canada Calgary Center EDA. The weather was beautiful. People played horseshoes and badminton. Green Party notables like Kevin Colton, the former Federal Organizer for the Green Party of Canada roasted hot dogs on the BBQ.

When asked why more people don’t vote Read said, “Mostly because they have not had a chance to connect with a community of people that gives it meaning. It is too abstract. That is why we are meeting people on their own terms.”