INNISFAIL – Brandon Pringle believes he has found a political home that is for many deemed controversial but definitely the right fit for him.
Pringle, a 50-year-old Penhold resident, originally was going to run for the Independence Party of Alberta but changed course just over a month ago for the Solidarity Movement of Alberta (SMA).
The new political party was co-created by former Calgary Conservative MP Rob Anders and Artur Pawlowski; the latter recently convicted for his involvement at the Coutts border blockade in 2022.
Pringle said he has more than 30 years experience working in the financial and hospitality sectors, as well as being a sales and branch manager in the new home construction supply industry.
He currently works in the grocery department at Red Deer’s Real Canadian Superstore.
Pringle said he’s running in the 2023 provincial election because the current situation in the province is “absolutely and completely and totally untenable."
“The two main parties are claiming they are the way to go, Well, the last eight years in Alberta have been absolutely atrocious,” said Pringle. “The current government is not representing Alberta. Justice is an absolute mess. Crime is out of control. The healthcare system is on life support.”
He said the SMA is a “legitimate grassroots” organization that is not necessarily aiming for independence but an option if all else fails.
“We need people that are grassroots; that are not career politicians. The people are ready for change,” he said.
For that change to happen Pringle emphasizes SMA will do whatever it takes to protect Alberta from federal government “attacks”, which he maintains has been going on for more than half a century.
“We have done everything in our power to try to work with Ottawa and we are completely and totally mistreated,” said Pringle. “We’re not going to sit on the sidelines anymore. Enough is enough.”
As for his party’s leadership, Pringle said he has full confidence with the controversial Pawlowski, who he heralded sympathetically as being on the front lines but then had to endure two months in prison for the crime of preaching a sermon.
“He wasn't even on the Coutts border. He was in a bar saying, ‘hold the line,” said Pringle.
He added confidence is so high with Pawlowski’s co-leadership the aim in the election is set with a realistic goal of winning three seats, including the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding.
“I'm absolutely committed to win,” said Pringle. “We're going to go to every little town that Devin Dreeshen has ignored. He keeps printing out all the things about, ‘well, I did this and did that'.
“All they (politicians) care about is what they think is going to help them politically.”
