Some of the candidates seeking election in the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre ridings have addressed Mountain View County council, outlining their respective plans and taking questions from councillors.
The appearances took place during the April 10 council meeting.
Nathan Cooper, United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, told council it has been a “pleasure and honour” to serve as an MLA.
“I hope that we will continue to build a strong relationship with our municipalities,” said Cooper. “We are committed to working closely with municipalities.”
He said a “strong, robust economy” is important for strong rural communities.
He said he plans to be a “strong voice and advocate for rural Alberta” if re-elected.
Councillor Al Kemmere asked Cooper about the future of municipal sustainability initiative (MSI) funding, which supports rural communities.
“We remain committed to funding MSI as it was traditionally,” Cooper said.
Reeve Bruce Beattie asked about Bill 6 and whether a UCP government would repeal and replace it. Cooper said yes.
“I also think that a number of protections that are currently in place will remain in place,” said Cooper.
Dave Hughes is an Alberta Advantage Party (AAP) candidate in the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills riding.
“We need radical changes in government,” said Hughes. “I promise to work for you and be accountable to you. The government works for the people and should listen to the people.”
An AAP government would scrap Bill 6 and the carbon tax, and cut MLA pay, he said.
It would also reform the education and health system, he said.
Councillor Peggy Johnson asked about what the AAP plans to do to promote agriculture.
“We should clean out waste and get maximum use of our taxpayers’ dollars,” said Hughes.
Dawn Berard is a Freedom Conservative Party (FCP) candidate in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
An FCP government would reform the immigration system, lower overall taxes, reform health care, and do more to fight rural crime, she said.
“Crime has become a big issue,” said Berard. “We don’t feel the victim should be on trial; the criminal should be on trial. I think we should have the right to bear arms for the purpose of protection. There would have to be strict policies.”
An FCP government would hold referendums to decide key issues, she said.
Councillor Kemmere asked how an FCP would inform Albertans about issues to be considered in referendums.
She said the FCP would use the internet to provide that information.
Jason Nixon is the UCP incumbent candidate in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
He said a UCP government would focus on economic development.
“We will continue to focus on getting Alberta to work because this is ultimately the solution,” said Nixon. “That will be our focus if we have the opportunity to form government.
“We have to recognize that rural Alberta is essential. Our value to the province is equal or more because this is where the resources are.
“We will be bringing in a corporate tax rate cut. Ultimately we have to create stability in this province. The number one priority has to be attracting investment and getting people back to work.”
The UCP would rescind the carbon tax and push for the building of pipelines, he said.
Kemmere asked how a UCP government would make up for the loss of carbon tax revenue.
“We need to find efficiencies elsewhere,” said Nixon.
Candidates Chase Brown, Kyle Johnston, Allen MacLennan, Joe Anglin, Jane Drummond, Gordon Francey, Jeff Ible, Paula Lamoureux and David Rogers were invited to address council but did not attend the April 10 meeting.
