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Commentary: Figuring out Adriana LaGrange’s sly visit to Innisfail

Music Class WEB
Alberta Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange (back row) visits a music class at École John Wilson Elementary School during a visit to Innisfail on Feb. 6. Photo courtesy of Chinook's Edge School Division

It has been a scary last few weeks for democracy in Canada, and especially so here in Innisfail.

First we have the Trudeau federal government coming out with what initially looked like a suggestion that media outlets ought to be licensed, an issue that thankfully was caught by the Tory Opposition and the national media. The feds were forced to retreat.

And then we have a recent visit on Feb. 6 to Innisfail from Alberta Education Minister Adriana LaGrange that went entirely unnoticed. That’s because there wasn’t any advance notice from either the provincial government or Chinook’s Edge School Division.

But the school board did tell us via email the following day that LaGrange did come. We were told advance notice wasn’t given because her time with the board of trustees was “very limited." A followup call to the school board revealed LaGrange’s visit was “private” and all business.

However, LaGrange had plenty of time to tour the Innisfail Schools Campus. In fact, Chinook’s Edge kindly sent us numerous photos of LaGrange’s tour.

What is disturbing here is the why of it all. Why would either the school board or LaGrange’s office consider this visit private when she is out and about at a venue with 1,500 students and staff? That sounds mighty public to me.

And why was there a need to shield LaGrange from the media and not let reporters ask her about pressing important education issues, like teachers’ pay, transportation fees and rising costs, the ever increasing troublesome issue of rising enrolment and diminished funding, or even vaping? Was this a decision from the ministry?

This access issue goes to a cornerstone of democracy: the constitutional right of the press to follow, engage and challenge elected officials on issues of import.

And it must be said we did receive a newsletter on Feb. 11 from the school board about LaGrange’s visit, and it was predictably all gushy.

"I've worked side by side with you for many years," said LaGrange in the newsletter. "I would like open and honest communication, so we can collaborate and build on our relationship."

This, folks, is all so very wrong. The public deserves better, not propaganda. Your kids had a visit from a provincial cabinet minister whose portfolio is of sacred interest – education, and the media was left so far out of the loop that no notice was given she was even coming to town. We were not afforded the right to do our job, to represent the people, the governed.

The public deserves far greater respect, not some hidden self-serving agenda that only benefits the governors.

Johnnie Bachusky is the editor of the Innisfail Province.


Johnnie Bachusky

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