Counting on the number of seats in Alberta Legislature, Alberta Party, now boost three seats, the third largest party growing in popularity and trying to perfect the craft of France’s revolutionary president, Emmanuel Macron, who built a political powerhouse in under a year, sweeping the presidency and the parliament in months.
Alberta Party leadership debate took place on January 24, 2018, at the Lister Conference Centre in Edmonton. It was an exciting debate with questions and answers from a moderator, between former Edmonton Mayor and former Alberta Government Minister, Stephen Mandel; commercial lawyer Kara Levis; and Calgary-South East MLA, Rick Fraser.
Like the other two candidates, Mandel came across as a champion of diversity and inclusion. He made his point with this line, “…If culturally diverse, we (Alberta Party) will become a major force in Alberta…”.
Levis highlighted her work on women issues especially women in leadership. She also talked of inclusion “…I will go out and ask people what is holding them back…we need to see diverse candidates in all riding…”. She added, “…If we lead by example, the province will follow…”.
MLA Fraser summarized diversity and inclusion this way, “…The sole responsibility (of the government) is to ensure that nobody falls down…”.
Seniors issues came up and the candidates drew wisdom from minority communities who take care of their old at home with limited use of care homes.
Non of the three candidates believe in carbon tax with each having a different solution to curbing Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions. Mandel trust technology and will like to add value to Alberta’s oil and gas products before they get to market. So too is MLA Fraser who added that he joined the Alberta Party because he believes that humans have an impact on the environment. Levis says she cannot see the relationship between the carbon-tax and emissions reductions.
There were no new big exciting ideas to get people to jump off their seats even though all candidates talked of doing things different and did their very best to sell hope for a better Alberta.
The next debate is scheduled for February 8, 2018, 6:00pm – 9pm, at Best Western Village Park Inn 1804 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, sandwiched between several meet and greet events in rural Alberta. The vote for the leader of the Alberta Party will take place between February 25-27th, using a preferential online ballot.
