Byelection candidates in southern Alberta forum face questions from voters

A candidates' forum was held in Olds on Tuesday night, where voters asked candidates about affordability, infrastructure and other issues.

A candidates’ forum in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills was held Tuesday night on the same day that advance voting began in the byelection.

It’s one of three ridings currently up for grabs; the other two are in Edmonton, including Edmonton-Strathcona, where Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi hopes to earn a seat.

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Voters in southern Alberta are focused on several issues including food prices, the energy industry, provincial spending and Alberta separation.

A byelection is being held in the riding because its former representative Nathan Cooper stepped down to become Alberta’s envoy in Washington, D.C.

Four candidates are running: Tara Sawyer for the United Conservative Party, Beverley Toews for the Alberta NDP, Bill Tufts for the Wildrose Loyalty Coalition and Cameron Davies, the leader of the Republican Party of Alberta.

“This byelection is a choice. A choice between a strong United Conservative voice or a divided movement that lets the NDP back in,” Sawyer told the forum, which was hosted by Mountain View Freedom and took place at the Olds Sportsplex.

Davies said his party is seeking to take advantage of the tenuous relationship between Alberta and Ottawa to push an agenda of separation.

“Alberta’s culture is grounded in the foundations of faith, family and freedom,” Davies said.

Political scientist Lori Williams says it will be an interesting race to watch.

“Add to all the facts that the one separatist candidate that has ever been elected in Alberta, history happened in what was old Didsbury. In other words, overlapping with this current riding.”

Williams was referring to Gordon Kesler, who was elected to legislature in 1982 as a member of the Western Canada Concept in the riding of Olds-Didsbury.

Two-and-a-half months later, Kesler lost his seat in the 1982 general election to the then-Progressive Conservatives.

Williams called this sentiment lingering in the same area for more than 40 years interesting.

“That suggests that there may be a bit more opportunity in this particular riding, both in terms of its history and just in terms of current political dynamics,” she said.

Toews was not present at the forum due to a previous commitment.

Advance voting is available until Saturday at the Olds Regional Exhibition, Carstairs Community Hall, Centennial Place Arena in Three Hills and Standard Community Hall.

Election Day is Monday, June 23.

(With files from Jacqueline Wilson)