In a city that gave Ralph Klein his political start and a province that has been in a Conservative stronghold for over 38 years, it can prove frustrating finding an outlet to discuss values and ideas that waiver from the political norm.
Inside the Hop In Brew, a quaint, two-storey Victorian-style pub in the heart of Calgary’s Beltline, a group of concerned citizens meet to hash out political ideas, criticisms and debates over hearty pints of beer and long-stem glasses of wine. The members of Drinking Liberally are decidedly fed up with the current political state of Calgary.
“Increasingly, many people feel like this province is a bastion of right-wing conservatism, and it is easy to feel isolated if you are a lefty,” says Darlene Ford, founder of Drinking Liberally’s Calgary chapter.
For just over a year, small groups of politically engaged people have met to engage in political debate in a place that is safe, warm and non-partisan. It’s one part think-tank and one part support group with a splash of booze on the side.
Ford founded the Calgary chapter after learning about a similar group in Vancouver. A conference call to Drinking Liberally’s head office in New York gave her the green light to start a group here.
The organization has only a few basic rules. Its chapters cannot be affiliated with a political party and can’t be used to push a political agenda. “Drinking Liberally is about promoting democracy one pint at a time,” says Ford. “Although we are a left-of-centre group, I encourage everyone, even those with dissenting views, to come out and take part in the debate. Promoting dialogue is the only way we are ever going to see real change in this province and this country.”
With 250 chapters, Drinking Liberally has been weighing in on tough political issues across North America for over five years. There are now chapters in every U.S. state, and two in Canada. Tonight, despite a small turnout, members of the Calgary chapter discuss everything from the merits and downfalls of unions, to NAFTA, to the recent hike in the age of sexual consent. Nothing is off limits here. As the sun lowers in the sky, the drinks flow, and opinions become a little more boisterous. The group’s volume increases, and it is apparent the more drinks a person consumes, the more likely they are to speak their mind — hence the reason Drinking Liberally is held in a pub.
As if they’d been friends for years, the group jokes, laughs and talks about jobs and families. However, most of the people who attend may have heard about Drinking Liberally through a friend, but have not previously met each other prior to joining the group.
“We’re inclusive… everyone is welcome,” says Kevin Woron, co-host of the Calgary chapter. He says people from all walks of life show up to Drinking Liberally meetings — musicians, politicians, journalists and government employees, and many who have come from other provinces to make Calgary their home, attend. Member’s ages span from 18 to 65 plus.
Drinking Liberally relies mostly on word-of-mouth, Facebook and e-mail to recruit new members. On any given night anywhere from half a dozen to 20 members are in attendance — numbers Woron hopes to see increase. “The success of Drinking Liberally relies on more people coming out for it to sustain itself,” he says.
Ford believes this will be a crucial year for the group in terms of membership and spreading the word about how much fun Drinking Liberally can be. Although dismal turnouts in the last provincial election could be a sign of disinterest in politics or wide-spread apathy, Ford sincerely hopes “the new generation of voters here can see past tradition and status quo to be their own political voice and vote responsibly.”
And although Drinking Liberally may face its share of challenges finding members in Calgary, those who do go usually find their way back time and time again. “It’s great to look across the table and see someone, pint in hand, nodding in agreement as you rant,” says Ford.
Woron agrees. “Members take a good feeling away from the meeting. They find they aren’t alone in this conservative regime, and they learn more about the issues or share what they know more of with the rest of the group.”
Drinking Liberally meets at the Hop In Brew (213 12th Avenue S.W.) every second Thursday at 7 p.m.
