Bowden's Ed Wychopen has faithfully voted in every election for the last half century but now a definitive corner has been turned.
"For 50 years I voted in every election, provincial, municipal and federal. I haven't missed one. In those 50 years nothing has changed and it has gotten worse," said the 68-year-old retired transportation company executive. "There is absolutely no power out west. We are being taken for granted, and we are being raped for our resources and money and we get nothing back."
Today Wychopen is a committed Alberta separatist. He wants the province to leave Canada.
"I have come to the conclusion that Alberta would do very well, thank you very much, on its own," he said.
He's running in the Alberta election as an Independent candidate. Wychopen said he talked to many people about his political aspirations and somebody said, "Why don't you put your money where your mouth is? Why don't you run?"
"You know what? That caused me to run," said Wychopen, who decided it would be best to do so as an Independent.
"I started looking and at the time there was several associations and groups and I am loosely associated with a group called the Alberta Freedom Alliance (AFA) but they have yet to achieve party status," he said.
The AFA bills itself as a group of grassroots individuals dedicated to the cause of Alberta separation.
While Wychopen insists he's committed to his mission, the effects of two knee operations have forced him to limit his campaign, as he's not able to door-knock. He also does not have a group behind him for support but promises his message will get out to the people.
"I am fully self-funded and I am going to attend all the forums," said Wychopen.
