Editorial
New premier faces many challenges
Premier-designate Alison Redford's razor-thin win over Gary Mar in last weekend's Progressive Conservative leadership vote leaves her facing many challenges, both within her party and provincewide.
For the opposition parties, the challenges are no less daunting, particularly if the newly elected premier can unite her party quickly and head to the polls while she's still on a roll.
As with all other Albertans, residents in West Central Alberta also have a lot at stake in the battles now pending in the run-up to the next election.
Redford, who will be sworn in as premier in the coming weeks, has already started to outline her provincial election campaign strategy.
She reportedly said she will start working immediately to fulfill her key leadership campaign pledges, including restoring more than $100 million in education, launching a public inquiry into allegations of political meddling in the health-care system, and starting work to bring in a balanced budget.
“I believe it's entirely feasible to do it and I haven't changed my mind on that," she said.
Of course making promises and fulfilling them can be two entirely different things, and the opposition parties and the general public will be watching closely from this day forward to see whether Premier Redford lives up to her assurances.
Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith has been quick to throw down the gauntlet against Redford, making it clear to all that she plans to challenge the new premier now and down the road on her record and conduct as part of Ed Stelmach's cabinet.
“Redford must prove she is willing to change the culture of the PC party. But given her perplexing leadership campaign – in which she ran against nearly every major government initiative and policy decision that she helped make – Albertans must ask if she can be trusted,” said Smith.
Recently-elected Liberal leader Raj Sherman has surprised no one in saying that health care will be the top issue in the next election campaign.
NDP leader Brian Mason says the Legislature should be called to session sooner rather than later so opposition parties can question Redford's plan.
Over the coming months the various political leaders will be criss-crossing the province to get their respective messages across to voters. When they visit West Central Alberta they will no doubt hear about the need for more infrastructure funding, improvements to hospitals and schools, and closer cooperation with other levels of government.
This week Albertans are welcoming Alison Redford to the premiership, wishing her well and thanking her for assuming this vital and sure-to-be challenging public service role.
