The weeks of preparation and anticipation are over, but it is still yet to be seen what impact this year's election will have.
Albertans continue to wait anxiously for NDP leader Rachael Notely to be sworn in as the new premier of our province and what her first decisions will be. Being in this province for only just six months now, I have to say I am shocked. Not so much at the outcome of the election, but at the basis behind why Albertans voted for who they did.
Here in the Bonnyville – Cold Lake riding Wildrose candidate Scott Cyr was elected as the new MLA, bringing in just over 46 percent of the votes. While this time around locals decided to put their faith behind the Wildrose instead of the Progressive Conservatives, the real surprise was who came in third: Josalyne Head. The young NDP candidate, who lives, works and goes to school in Edmonton, didn't show her face once in this riding. She didn't do any kind of campaigning.
To this point, it is still unclear whether or not this young women even knows if she was the local candidate or if she's even ever stepped foot in this riding. Yet, Head (who more frequently goes by Thornton-Dunn) somehow managed to capture over 2,100 votes. Watching the votes come in on election night, I thought the only possible explanation must be that the votes were counted wrong. I couldn't (and still can't) fathom how our local NDP candidate got even one vote.
Over 2,100 people in the Bonnyville – Cold Lake riding were willing to risk having essentially no MLA. Even if you don't particularly like the PCs, the Wildrose or the Alberta Party, is having no one to represent the area better? With everything this area is hoping to achieve in the near future, a regional waterline, healthcare funding and improvements to highway 28, one would think the residents would want someone who could lobby the government for them.
I've heard time and time again, “well it's more to make a statement”. I hate to tell you, but when it comes to small, rural areas, you're not voting for the provincial leader you're voting for your local one. Who Bonnyville – Cold Lake chooses as an MLA is not going to have an outstanding impact on who gets in as premier. Just because you “hate the PCs” that's not a reason to risk having four years with an MLA that you have no idea whether they'll be present or not.
The Bonnyville – Cold Lake riding has one of the worst scenarios when it comes to NDP candidates in Alberta, thankfully common sense prevailed and she was not elected. Unfortunately, the same scene was played out across the province. For whatever reason (I'm sure we all have our own theories), NDP candidates who are far from qualified were voted in as MLAs.
The youngest NDP MLA is a mere 20 years old representing the riding of Edmonton – Southwest. I'm not saying that it isn't important to listen to the province's youth, but there is a reason the saying goes “the leaders of tomorrow” not “the leaders of today”. At 20 you do not have the knowledge or life experience to take on a role that will see you sit in the provincial caucus. Furthermore, it is still unclear what choice these young MLAs will make when it comes to pursuing their post-secondary education or jumping right into their newly found provincial responsibilities – they won't be able to sustain both.
One thing's for certain, the next four years will be unlike what Albertans under the age of 40 have become accustomed to. Actions speak louder than words so all we can do now is wait and see what the first actions of our new premier and her government will be.
