INNISFAIL - Citizens proved to provincial election riding candidates at a forum Monday, April 8 they wanted to make their vote count for Central Alberta's future, not only with hot button questions about the economy, pipelines and the carbon tax but also health care, education, FCSS funding and mental health resources.
The forum at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion attracted well over 100 citizens, with six out of the seven registered candidates attending.
Despite the fractious tone of the overall provincial election campaign, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding candidates were courteous and respectful to each other during during the two-hour forum, which relied on a question and answer format with topics chosen from online submissions.
The evening's most passionate moments came when NDP candidate Robyn O'Brien, while answering a question on health care, claimed her party was the "only" party to make a commitment to move on the expansion of the Red Deer hospital.
"A lot of people have said maybe it's vote buying, however, I have not heard any other party step up to make that promise. It is imperative that it happens," said O'Brien, adding the NDP were responsible for making sure the $24 million replacement Autumn Glen seniors residential facility in Innisfail was built.
However, Devin Dreeshen, the current UCP MLA for the riding, reminded the audience the original deal to build the local replacement seniors facility was made by an agreement between a federal Conservative government and an Alberta Progressive Conservative government in 2015 before the provincial NDP came into power.
"It got delayed by this NDP government and it finally got through and is getting built," said Dreeshen, adding that the Red Deer hospital expansion was already on Alberta Health Services' priority list after the last election. "It was Rachel Notley that removed the Red Deer hospital from the priority list in the first year of government."
While Dreeshen was clearly popular with the audience, Danielle Klooster, the riding's Alberta Party candidate, was also warmly received. Following the forum she said there is room in this election for an upset.
"The vibe is very different this time than on previous occasions," said Klooster, who is running in her third provincial election on behalf of the Alberta Party. "There are people coming out of the woodwork saying they obviously don't want the NDP and are either scared of Jason Kenney or are unhappy with that direction as well.
"Quite honestly if we end up with a minority government, which party ends up with the sewing vote and being in the power position? That could be the Alberta Party's position," she added. "Whatever happens to the Alberta Party I am seeing a very, very different vibe in the election in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding this time so I do feel we are ripe for an upset."
The other candidates at the forum were Brian Vanderkley with the Alberta Advantage Party, Chad Miller, representing the Freedom Conservative Party and Independent Ed Wychopen. The audience was told Lauren Thorsteinson, who is representing the Reform Party of Alberta, was not able to attend.
The next and final all-candidates forum in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding is set for Wednesday, April 10 at the Penhold & District Library in the Penhold Regional Multiplex. The forum starts at 6 p.m.
The Alberta election is on April 16.
