This week's scheduled election of a new Alberta Progressive Conservative leader and premier marks the unofficial start of the next provincial election campaign.
And for each party the race leading up to the next provincewide vote holds both promises and risks – with the ruling Tories facing the biggest challenges on several fronts.
For residents of West Central Alberta, the run up to the next provincial vote should provide a good chance to gauge the parties on key issues facing the region, such as the need for improved school and highway infrastructure, and the growing need for healthcare facilities for seniors and others.
If the current polls hold true, Gary Mar will be elected PC leader on Oct. 1, replacing premier Ed Stelmach. For Mar the challenges will then come quick and heavy.
Mar will need to defend his high-profile record as a past provincial cabinet minister. As one of Ralph Klein's top ministers, Mar oversaw controversial changes in the healthcare system, changes that reverberate to this day.
Although it's been several years since he was in cabinet, Mar will still need to answer questions about his healthcare decisions and why he made them.
As well, until he fights and wins a provincial election as premier, Mar will have to lead the province from the less-than-ideal position of being without a clear mandate from Alberta voters.
If the provincial economy, for example, takes a turn for the worse in the months to come, Mar could find himself facing the need to make major decisions affecting every Albertan without the clear backing from those same residents.
Obviously the opposition parties will be making Mar's record in government a focus of their respective campaigns.
“He's the father of our current health crisis,” said NDP leader Brian Mason. “I think it's clear that he's going to move towards private health care in this province after the next election (PC leadership race) and if he's elected as premier.”
The opposition Liberals have recently elected a new leader, Dr. Raj Sherman, a former PC caucus member. As a medical doctor, Sherman is sure to make healthcare one of his party's top priorities in the next campaign.
And Danielle Smith, the leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party, now finds herself as one of the most experienced party leaders, second only to Mason.
The upcoming campaign will be a chance for Smith to finally prove, or disprove, her leadership abilities.
The election of a new PC leader later this week marks the end of the brief and controversial Ed Stelmach era – and the beginning of a new, multi-sided political battle.
-D.S.
