Every Member - Every Vote

The Real Costs to Attend a UCP AGM

Democracy has a price, but it should be the same for every member

The UCP's AGM committee has done a commendable job over the last two years in dramatically reducing AGM fees, especially for Youth and for Early Birds. However, for the majority of the Members, the AGM fees are a small part of their overall expense to attend.

It is also likely that members that have to travel a long distance to attend the AGM will make their ticket purchase decision later due to worries about weather, driving conditions, and ability to take time off work, which means not being able to take advantage of early bird pricing and making other logistics such as renting hotel rooms more difficult.

So, while attendance fees are equal for all UCP members, costs to attend are dramatically different across the province.

Travel Costs

Assumptions

distances rounded for ease of costing
fuel price average $1.50 per litre
average distance drive per litre 10 kms
members travel 2 to a vehicle; stay 2 to a room

Other Costs

Hotel - $180 per room - $90 per person; some long distance attendees (use 50%) may need an additional night (e.g. Lethbridge and Medicine Hat to Edmonton; Lloydminster, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie to Calgary)

Meals - $20 per meal Friday night, Saturday breakfast; 2 additional meals for attendees travelling from far away

AGM fees - not included as all attendees will pay same cost, based on date of purchase and age

Travel Distances between major cities and AGM host cities

	Calgary	Red Deer	Edmonton
Medicine Hat	275	425	575
Lethbridge	175	325	475
Calgary	N/A	150	300
Red Deer	150	N/A	150
Edmonton	300	150	N.A
Lloydminster	550	400	250
Grande Prairie	700	550	400
Fort McMurray	700	550	400

Total Cost to Attend an AGM in host cities (2 sharing vehicle and room)

	Calgary	Red Deer	Edmonton	3 Year Average
Medicine Hat	$211	$234	$301*	$249
Lethbridge	$196	$219	$286	$234
Calgary	$0	$153	$175	$109
Red Deer	$153	$0	$153	$102
Edmonton	$175	$153	$0	$109
Lloydminster	$298*	$230	$168	$232
Grande Prairie	$320	$253	$190	$254
Fort McMurray	$320	$253*	$190	$254

Breakdown of Costs marked with *

	Medicine Hat-Edmonton	Lloydminster-Calgary	Fort McMurray-Red Deer
	6.5 hr each way	6.25 hr each way	6.25 hr each way
Hotel	$135	$135	$90
Fuel	$86	$83	$83
Meals	$80	$80	$80
Total	$301	$298	$253

Other Costs not accounted for or included in above

forgone wages or need to use vacation days
day care costs
parking in host city

Costs for members travelling as singles will be significantly higher - at least $600 for most situations.

This doesn't even include all of the reasons why a person might not be able to attend outside of financial ones, such as work or family commitments, inability to arrange child care, mobility or health issues, and inclement weather.

Costs for various regions' members to attend as a couple are as much as $152 per year more than others, and could be close to $400 more for some members travelling alone. There are several other potential costs, on a case-by-case basis, that would increase these costs. There is a high probability that the largest reason for a large portion of the UCP membership to not attend is the cost and the other legitimate reasons. A true grass roots party would not allow a blockade to take place at the entrance to an AGM meeting site, but the cost to attend is a blockade.