Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 177
(June 15, 2011)


The process of picking Alberta's next premier was triggered by Premier Stelmach with his formal letter of resignation - the letter, dated May 27th, indicated that Mr. Stelmach's resignation will become effective on October 1, 2011. 

The Candidates -
While there are six declared candidates for Premier Stelmach's job - Ted Morton, Rick Orman, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths, Gary Mar and Alison Redford - rumor has it that there are at least two others who are seriously considering their entry into the race.  Dave Hancock (currently Minister of Education and Government House leader) and Gene Zwozdesky (currently Minister of Health and Wellness) are being touted as possible campaigners - both are very capable chaps.  Officially, candidate nomination papers (along with a $40,000 deposit) will be accepted at Progressive Conservative headquarters between June 17 and July 15.  Balloting for leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta (and therefore, Premier) will begin on September 17th but the newly elected PC leader will not take office until the swearing in ceremony scheduled for October 1, 2011 - there could be a run off ballot prior to October deadline.  Of the eight possibilities, six are sitting members of the Alberta Legislature and for them the transition from campaigner to Premier would be, in at least one respect, a straightforward, relatively uneventful journey.  For two candidates, Rick Orman and Gary Mar the situation is quite different - both have extensive experience in past Progressive Conservative governments but neither is a sitting member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and that means: should either Rick Orman or Gary Mar win the leadership race, the winner would be running government from the visitor's gallery (until he wins a seat in the Legislative Assembly through a by-election or a general election).  Further information on the campaign time lines is starting to come out from PC Party headquarters.  Eight PC Party Leadership Forums have been scheduled for July 21, 28; August 11, 18, 25; September 1, 8 and 15 - seven locations have been identified:  Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary and Edmonton.  Adding an eighth location and matching dates to locations has not been released.     

The Issues -
After Premier Stelmach's letter of May 27th, 2011 the declared candidates have started to come forth with some generalized statements on how they would deal with a number of important issues facing Albertans - so it's a little early in the campaign to judge individuals, their respective leadership qualities and how each would stack up to the threats and challenges of being Premier, Province of Alberta.  For me I'm looking for each of the candidates to issue clear, understandable platform statements (along with their proposed implementation strategies) on 4 major areas of concern to many Albertans.  First there is the concern over how Alberta government programs are being delivered, specifically Alberta's HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION programs.  Second there is the concern over PROPERTY RIGHTS, particularly in rural Alberta.  Third is the question of whether Alberta's ROYALTY regime is functioning properly and whether it works toward Alberta's ECONOMIC GROWTH and DIVERSIFICATION OBJECTIVES.  And lastly on my list of priority questions for Alberta's next Premier; how will the Progressive Conservative Party leadership maintain its grassroots support and distinguish itself opposite the popular WILDROSE ALLIANCE PARTY?