The leadership hopefuls for the Alberta Progressive Conservatives will be at the Olds Legion on Thursday during the founding meeting for the new Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency.
The new constituency borders will take effect once the writ is dropped for the next provincial election.
Ted Morton, Alison Redford, Doug Griffiths and Doug Horner will be speaking at the meeting on how they plan to lead the PCs into the future, following the announced resignation of Premier Ed Stelmach.
Dave Hogarth, president of the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency association, said he is hoping for a big turnout at the meeting.
“I would hope so. I think it's a good time to meet these candidates (and) the possibility of a new premier. Might as well meet somebody up front,” he said.
Hogarth said since the constituency association was having its Annual General Meeting, members thought that since a guest speaker was needed to address members, it might be a good idea to get all the leadership candidates together.
The meeting is open to anyone who would want to take out a membership, which costs $5.
While final details were yet to be worked out early last week, the constituency AGM, elections of officers and details around the founding of the revised constituency association will take place in addition to the candidates speaking.
The new constituency takes in the northern portions of the Airdrie-Chestermere and Foothills-Rockyview ridings. A small portion of the southeastern edge of the riding will be ceded to the Drumheller-Stettler riding.
As for current Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Richard Marz, he said he hasn't yet made a decision on whether he would be seeking another term when the next election is called. He said the main consideration on whether or not he would run again would depend on discussions with his wife, Jan, with whom he hasn't yet broached the subject.
“I've had a lot of people asking me about it and we're about a year out from the election and that's about the time I really start talking over my future with my wife and family. I appreciate that so many people have asked me to do it again, but I haven't made my mind up for sure yet,” he said.
Marz said he would probably start considering the decision once the current sitting of the legislature is finished. Marz said he is currently 66 years old and has served as the MLA for the past 14 years.
Marz said whoever does become leader won't factor into his decision on whether or not to run again.
Doors open to the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to commence at 7 p.m.
"I think it's a good time to meet these candidates (and) the possibility of a new premier."Dave Hogarth, president, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency association
