INNISFAIL - Devin Dreeshen is in his third election campaign and this time around he notices a distinct and “interesting” difference.
“It's interesting how polarizing this campaign is compared to others,” said Dreeshen, who has been the UCP MLA in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding since winning a byelection in 2018.
He noted that in the 2019 general election, as well as the 2018 byelection, there were strong Liberal and Alberta Party candidates but in 2023 it’s a race that is unquestionably just between him and the NDP’s Jason Heistad, a popular four-term Innisfail town councillor.
“We are going into this election with all the pollsters saying it's just a two-horse race. That kind of makes the discussions at the doors a little different and obviously the makeup of the election signs that people see out and about,” said Dreeshen. “It’s really just like the U.S. system with just two parties vying for a majority. So, it's been an interesting election in that regard.”
Dreeshen is fully aware of the challenge he’s facing in the upcoming election.
Heistad is no parachuted candidate. He has strong roots in the community, and is outspoken and knowledgeable on the issues.
However, Dreeshen says he’s ready to counter him successfully on any issue, particularly at the scheduled candidates’ forum on May 16 at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104.
“I have been elected now for almost five years in the legislature debating the NDP, so I am quite used to it,” said Dreeshen. “I like political debates and always look forward to forums, and the questions that come in because it's always interesting to see people that take the time to come out and hear the issues that matter to them.”
So far on the campaign trail the number one issue he’s hearing from residents is affordability; an issue that has been driven home by the rising costs of fuel and groceries and one he maintains is the result of the current policy alliance between the federal Liberals and NDP.
He believes a new NDP government in Alberta will only make that situation worse. With that in mind, Dreeshen is calling this provincial election the “most important” one in a “long time.
“There is an NDP Liberal coalition in Ottawa and if the NDP win here in Alberta they will have two years of having a NDP provincial government and an NDP coalition federal government, which would be the first time in the history of Canada to ever happen,” said Dreeshen, adding more hopefully that the country could also see a Conservative government federally and another in Alberta.
“I really do think this election is ultimately set up as kind of like a heavyweight fight for the direction of Canada.”
