Article content continued

A variety of issues brought protesters to the streets in Edmonton. Rob Thiessen and Andy Gawlak said they were spurred to attend the protest — their first ever — because they are fed up with the provincial and federal governments.

“The NDP has done nothing for Alberta,” Thiessen said Saturday, adding he wanted to protest the carbon tax among other issues.

Both Thiessen and Gawlak said they’ve struggled financially despite working as a truck and bus driver respectively.

“The Liberal government is making it more difficult to live,” Gawlak said. “In my opinion, we’re not going to be a stable country in a few years because of this.”

The organizer of the Edmonton march refused to speak to reporters, saying he distrusts media. He told Postmedia he was a former member of the Soldiers of Odin.

The counter protesters carried placards saying “Migrants Welcome” and other messages, mostly pro-immigration.

Things were relatively more calm in Calgary.

Also in bright yellow vests, dozens of Calgarians gathered across the street from city hall Saturday as they expressed concern over the direction they feel Canada is going.

The hundred-odd demonstrators chanted “Trudeau must go” as they enticed drivers along Macleod Trail to honk their horns.

One protester, Orion Fike, said he was there to show solidarity with others standing against the United Nations.

Fike said it is important for people to be able to come and protest the way they are.