The local Yellow Vest movement is distancing itself from political organizations. The protest last Saturday was almost attended by a minor political party called the National Citizens Alliance (NCA). They’re an unregistered federal party that believes in Canadian economic and cultural nationalism.
Daniel Vicks, a local Yellow Vest protester, says the group was told online that they’re not welcome at the rallies. He adds that they’re not affiliated with any political parties, and are mainly focused on political reform.
“We’re about political reform, right? Changing our political system so that our government has accountability and answers to Canadians. Right now it doesn’t seem to be doing that, and seems to be more about the global interest,” says Vicks.
Reports show that the Yellow Vets movement in Medicine Hat is looking to change their name. After reports of violence and death threats against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Yellow Vest Canada Facebook group, their organization wants to rebrand. Vicks says that their course of action is the right thing to do, and the local Yellow Vest group may take similar steps.
“We want to elect some representatives to speak for us, but moreso vet anyone who would come out and try to put themselves in front of us, such as this NCA,” says Vicks. Ultimately, the local Yellow Vets group wants more power in the hands of the people through referendums and electoral reform.
“We want to vote. We’re looking at a voice on the global compact, we’re looking at a voice on the carbon tax. There should be a referendum on the carbon tax, and the 2030 agenda, which will lead to a Canada that’s more directed outside of Canada, by globalists and foreign interest, rather than inside of Canada by the electorate.”
Shortened to the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. They’re broad and independent goals that focus on a variety of initiatives, such as poverty, hunger, health and climate change. It’s a non-binding document resulting from the Rio+20 conference held in 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The local Yellow Vest group adds that they’re for keeping promises to First Nations, such as ensuring clean water for their communities and providing fair treatment.