Local reaction following last week's election run the gamut from disappointment to relief to a willingness to work with whatever government is in power no matter which party they come from.
Local reaction following last week's election run the gamut from disappointment to relief to a willingness to work with whatever government is in power no matter which party they come from.
Early polls predicting the likelihood of a Wildrose government were proven incorrect and Albertans elected another majority Progressive Conservative (PC) government after hitting the polling stations last week. Local PC candidate and incumbent MLA Genia Leskiw defeated her challengers and retained her seat for the Bonnyville - Cold Lake constituency.
Out of an eligible 20,377 voters in Bonnyville - Cold Lake, 9,807 turned up at the polls. The unofficial results, still waiting for verification from Elections Alberta, have Leskiw receiving 4,815 votes to Wildrose challenger Roy Doonanco's 4,126 and Liberal Hubert Rodden's 536. New Democrat candidate Luann Bannister received 330 votes.
Mayor of Cold Lake Craig Copeland was impressed with a higher voter turnout than expected in Cold Lake, saying the city has been labelled a "sleepy little place that doesn't vote and participate."
"We're a sleeping giant," he said.
"We've been that way for many, many years up here and there is starting to become a political awareness...an awakening process. People are starting to recognize that Cold Lake is taking an interest in politics and could be a force to be reckoned with provincially and federally. I was excited from that standpoint."
Bonnyville Mayor Ernie Isley took an opposite point of view, expressing disappointment with the number of voters from Bonnyville who took to the polls, blaming that, in part, for Doonanco's failure to win the constituency.
"I was expecting Bonnyville would come out a little stronger in support of Mr. Doonanco," he said, later adding, "Bonnyville sat back and said they liked to be shafted and I'm just wondering if they really understand what the future holds in store for them if things stay as they are."
He said Doonanco did better in the rural areas but it was Cold Lake that came out strongly in support of Leskiw, causing her to win the seat, to Isley's disappointment.
Copeland was pleased with Leskiw's victory, saying, "We had three strong candidates running and I knew Roy would be a good challenge for Genia but I was happy to see Genia win, just because of Genia Leskiw, not necessarily the party."
He said Leskiw's hard work as MLA in the past earned her votes that may otherwise have gone to Doonanco, particularly in Glendon and in the town of Bonnyville.
"Glendon and the town of Bonnyville didn't really support the Wildrose in the numbers that I think the people behind the Wildrose had hoped for," he said. "I think that speaks to who Genia Leskiw is and it goes back to the fact that people like Genia for what Genia brings to the table."
"I know Genia worked really hard on any issue you wanted to bring to her and if she couldn't do it, she would connect you with the right minister," he added, saying many of the aides of the ministers who visited the area commented on how Leskiw was one of the hardest working MLAs at the legislature.
However, Copeland added, Doonanco's accomplishments could not be overlooked.
"There are 1,000 people who voted for the Wildrose out of Cold Lake," he explained. "I think that's really significant and I think Roy should recognize that he got that kind of strength out of Cold Lake...He should be proud of those numbers.
"I'm happy for Roy, actually," Copeland added. "I thought he did a great job in collecting that many votes for a first time (provincial) politician. I think he deserves a lot of credit. As much as nobody likes to lose, I think Roy should be commended for doing as well as he did."
I think (Leskiw) deserved to get in," Copeland said. "At the same time, I think that the amount of people that supported the Wildrose, particularly up in Cold Lake, should send a message to the PCs that there are some things that they're doing that people aren't happy about. I think that has served as a wake up call...People are unhappy so things have got to change. I think the PCs have got to revisit some of their policies and the direction they were going in."
Provincially, Isley said the Wildrose and its leader Danielle Smith did well, despite not living up to the expectations of the polls going into the vote.
"Danielle did very well if I compare the Wildrose movement to the PC movement back in the 60s," he said. "In 1967, Peter Lougheed went in with six seats and was the official opposition for one term before he won in '71. To sweep from nowhere into power is a pretty difficult thing to achieve but I think to sweep from four seats to 17 is a very significant achievement. Danielle will now get the opportunity to prove to Albertans that she has the ability to govern and I think the next election could be a far, far different thing."
As for Ed Rondeau, Reeve of the MD of Bonnyville, he is satisfied with the results of the election.
"If we have a PC MLA and a PC government, from our perspective, that should be a good thing," he said.
"From an MD point of view, we work with whatever government is there and right now, I'm happy to continue our relationship with the PC government.
"Some people think it's a bad choice, some people think it's a good choice, but you know what? It's the people's choice."
