INNISFAIL/RED DEER - Albertans ushered in a majority government for Jason Kenney and his United Conservative Party with an unofficial 63 seats in the April 16 election.
The NDP unofficially claimed 24 seats.
Here in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake riding, incumbent Devin Dreeshen unofficially retained his seat, earning 9,750 votes, more than 70 per cent of the total votes cast.
The NDP’s Robyn O’Brien came in second with 1,988 votes, or 14.6 per cent of the total, Danielle Klooster of the Alberta Party came in third with 1,425, or 10.5 per cent of the total vote.
Chad Miller, the candidate for the Freedom Conservative Party had 225 votes, Brian Vanderkley of the Alberta Advantage Party earned 107. Independent candidate Ed Wychopen finished in sixth place with 71 votes, while Lauren Thorsteinson, representing the Reform Party of Alberta, had 51. The final vote count will become official when Elections Alberta officials finish the counting of out-of-area votes for each riding, including Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
"The writing was on the wall, that Albertans were focused on the economy and they wanted a government that actually was defending and promoting Alberta," said Dreeshen. "It's humbling. To see all these supporters, so may volunteers and voters throughout this last year, it's really great to see and I'm thrilled to be a part of this," he added.
Dreeshen noted the message of the economy, jobs and pipelines that Kenney and the United Conservatives focused on.
"It truly resonates (with voters)," he said. "We're seeing the results of that today."
Once back in Edmonton, Dreeshen said the new government will focus on their first priority, the carbon tax repeal act and get down to work for the people of Alberta.
"We've talked about the summer of repeal, of extending the legislature longer into the summer to try to kick-start the Alberta economy," said Dreeshen. "There's a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. It's important and we owe it to all the supporters and voters to fulfill our campaign promises and work hard to govern for Albertans," Dreeshen concluded.
The NDP's O'Brien said she felt "fabulous" with her second place result of almost 2,000 votes. O'Brien, a 33-year-old Sylvan Lake resident, said she will be watching Dreeshen carefully to ensure he takes care of the interests of his constituents.
"I know Dreeshen was asked recently by the (media) what he could do for his riding and he didn't seem to think there was a lot that could be done. I happen to disagree. I think things like the hospital, the ambulatory care centre, mental health and daycare are huge. What I have heard from people at the door is that families matter."
O'Brien said it is a "huge concern" for her and the NDP that the UCP could make serious cuts to social programs, which were built up as a high priority by the defeated Notley government over the past four years
"Obviously that is a huge concern. Dreeshen actually voiced that at the Innisfail forum when he said he would cut child and family social services. That is a huge concern for me. The kids in the area mean a great deal to me," she said, noting the Notley government cut child poverty in half over its four-year term in power. "I challenge, I challenge Kenney to do the same. Balancing the budget is a worthy goal. I don't think they can do that while maintaining social services that people depend on."
Alberta Party candidate Klooster noted her result was a slight improvement from her fourth place finish in the 2015 election.
"We really wanted to run a campaign of hope. This has been a really difficult time for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake and these last number of years have been really challenging and people are frustrated and angry," said Klooster. "But that we think is not the best way to chose your representative. You want somebody with a vision and a plan and hope for our region.
"Despite how others were campaigning, our commitment was to run a positive hopeful campaign and really show leadership to the other candidates as well as to the constituents," she added, noting the economy and rural crime were big issues she heard on the campaign trail.
"A lot of people were concerned about some of the other big issues (including) the carbon tax, the pipeline and (people) wanted to know our stand on social issues."
Alberta Advantage Party's Vanderkley said the final election result on April 16 was "a vote of fear to get rid of the NDP", adding he hopes Jason Kenney will do "something good for everybody.
"He needs to get people working and hopefully he doesn't cut too much stuff and hurt too many more people," said Vanderkley. "Clearly, we have an ultimate dictatorship again for four years and he can do whatever he wants. It doesn't matter. No one can stop him.
"That is the problem with our system," he added. "There's got to be a better way. You have politicians who promise for a month, and they do whatever they want for four years and there are no repercussions. We need checks and balances and we don't have them and that is why we are in a big mess in Canada."
Wychopen, an Independent candidate, campaigned to have Alberta leave Canada. The 68-year-old retired transportation company executive said from the start he was a separatist and that it was time Alberta went about its business alone.
He said he was pleased he was able to get his message out with many people expressing to him they were unaware Alberta faced the kind of challenges he brought forward in the campaign.
"What I wanted to do was to get people informed and I think I accomplished that," he said. They can't unhear the truth or unhear what I said," he noted, adding his first attempt at politics will be his last.
"I can gladly go back to being retired. I've done my point. How many people can say they ran? How many people can say they got up and got their point across? I can, and that is good enough for me," he said.
Miller, the candidate for the Freedom Conservative Party who came into the campaign almost two weeks after it started, said he was grateful for the opportunity for a chance to represent the people.
With Kenney and the UCP winning a big majority, he says they now have an obligation to the people to deliver on their promises.
"He (Jason Kenney) has to live up to the bark. His bark has to have bite," said the 38-year-old oil and gas consultant from Sylvan Lake. "If you say something you got to do it, and that means a lot in the oil and gas industry. If you say something you better mean it. Just don't say something and not do it because that will throw a tailspin, and obviously in the belief and your trust in the leader. Hopefull he can back up what he is preaching."
Thorsteinson, who was unable to campaign due to minor surgery, said the UCP victory on April 16 shows that the NDP win in 2015 was "actually a PC (Progressive Conservative) loss" and the current election result was the change Albertans were looking for four years ago.
"What I would like to see from (Kenney) is for him to help the average Albertan," said the Reform Party of Alberta candidate. "I know he said he's lowering taxes for businesses. I would also like to see him lower regular income taxes for people because I know a lot of people are struggling with that. That is a huge issue for people."
