Election Campaign

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 205 (January 25, 2012)

Whispering in the Wind

Albertans Going to the Polls – Likely Mid-April:
Premier Alison Redford has made her intentions quite clear; the 5th Session of the 27th Legislature will commence business on February 7th, 3:00 pm. Premier Redford has also tweeted that her government’s budget will be tabled and debated in the Alberta Legislature starting February 9th. When all is said and done, Albertans can expect to be going to the polls sometime in the first half of April.

Election Preparations:
All Alberta’s political parties are identifying candidates to fill the 87 seat Legislative Assembly – incidentally, that’s up 4 seats from the 2008 election where 83 seats were contested. As of Monday, January 23 rd the Alberta PC Party has nominated 63 candidates; the Wildrose Party has nominated 79; Liberals have nominated 25; the New Democratic Party has put in place 73 candidates; and the Alberta Party has nominated 12. Over the next couple of weeks the various parties will complete their nomination (appointment) process and I expect to see a full slate of 87 candidates for each of the major political parties – for the Liberals getting a full slate might be difficult.

Constituency (People) of Interest:
For the people in the Smoky Lake region, the ATHABASCA – STURGEON – REDWATER constituency is of particular interest – and what might be even more important are the individual candidates running in “our” constituency. For the Alberta PC Party, incumbent MLA, Jeff Johnson is the candidate. Jeff Johnson is the sitting member of the Alberta Legislature and is presently Minister of Infrastructure on the Alison Redford’s team. Jeff Johnson resides in Athabasca, nevertheless he is a frequent visitor to the Smoky Lake area – he has come to the Smoky Lake area numerous times, offering funding support to various area projects. On an informal basis, Jeff has participated in a number of social events, just to meet and talk with local residents – Jeff Johnson participated in the 2011 Christmas Light-up event and was at the 2011 Agricultural Society’s New Years Eve event. Travis Olson is the Wildrose Party’s nominee for the Athabasca – Sturgeon – Redwater constituency. I met Travis Olson briefly last fall in Waskatenau and I hope to see him again to discuss how he personally views the issues facing Smoky Lake and more generally the issues facing the province – from the internet Travis lives in Athabasca; is a graduate of Olds College; volunteers with the 4H and coaches a local basketball team. Travis considers himself to be a libertarian in his approach to government. Running for the New Democratic Party in the Athabasca – Sturgeon – Redwater constituency is Mandy Melnyk. Mandy Melnyk was raised in the Waskatenau area and she considers herself to be a beef, pork and poultry producer that sells directly to the consumer. Mandy studied journalism at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, has farmed in the Peace Country and has been very active at the provincial executive of the Alberta NDP. Mandy currently resides with her family in the Waskatenau area.