With local MLA for Bonnyville – Cold Lake Genia Leskiw announcing last month that she would be retiring at the end of her current term, two prominent Lakeland residents have been quick to come forward and state their intentions with a possible provincial election looming.
Having spent the past ten years embroiled in the local municipal political scene, Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland said he would let his name stand for PC party nomination in our local constituency in a meeting with media last Tuesday (Jan. 27).
Joining him in the race is former local Wildrose candidate Dixie Dahlstedt
“With the recent announcement that MLA Genia Leskiw will be retiring after the current term, I feel that this is a great opportunity for me to step forward and represent everyone in the region on political matters,” Copeland said. “With my ten years in municipal politics and a strong understanding of the issues faced in the Bonnyville – Cold Lake constituency, I feel that I am well prepared to represent this region.”
Copeland has been extremely vocal on a variety of regional issues during his time as mayor of Cold Lake, and he believes it to be “absolutely critical” that our next provincial representative continues to press home the importance of such projects as the development of Highway 28, expanding local health care services in the region and the eventual construction of the regional waterline.
Dahlstedt, who last month decided against running for the Wildrose party in our local constituency, believes there has been a “dramatic change” in the political landscape in Alberta over the past six months, one that has seen her shift towards supporting the provincial PCs.
“Premier Prentice has called for the right to unite to tackle the serious financial challenges we are facing. The premier has changed the tone of politics in the province in just a few short months, garnering confidence and support for his administration, and I would like to stand with him,” Dahlstedt said in a release to media last week.
While she too believes the development of Highway 28 and ensuring our local health care facilities are well looked after are “top priorities”, Dahlstedt indicated she would press home the need for a solution to livability issues members of the military face in Cold Lake, while also stating she would do what she could to take care of the two First Nations communities in our region, as well as local farmers and ranchers.
“My family (contributed) to the early establishment of this community and we have made it our home for generations,” Dahlstedt said. “This only serves to strengthen my conviction to represent this constituency, and I would honour the people to the best of my ability, with every fibre of my being.”
In speaking to the Nouvelle last week, Leskiw said she was pleased to see two local residents coming forward and implored local residents to vote for the best candidate, regardless of where they live.
“The people of this area will have to decide who they feel is going to represent the area the best,” Leskiw said. “I hope the public won't look at either of the candidates and say ‘oh, (lets vote for Copeland) because he's from Cold Lake' or ‘(lets vote for Dahlstedt) because she's from Glendon'. I hope they look at it from the standpoint that these people are seeking to represent the area and I hope they select (based on which candidate is the best) than location.”
Should Copeland be successful in his bid, it would mark the first time in well over 40 years that an MLA representing the Bonnyville – Cold Lake constituency has come from Cold Lake.
If nominated, Copeland would also have to step down from his position as mayor of Cold Lake, while he would also have to vacate his job managing the provincial fish stocking program for the Alberta Environment Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD).
While some residents have taken to social media to raise their concerns over Copeland's ability to fairly represent Bonnyville after spending so long as mayor of Cold Lake, Copeland himself stated unequivocally that would not be an issue.
“Your job as MLA is to represent the entire riding. That's what you're elected to do,” Copeland said. “You really have to work with everyone the best you can and I'm confident (I'll be able to do that).”
“(I'm taking this step because) our area is a great place to live and raise a family. I look forward to the opportunity, if nominated, to represent this constituency for the PC Alberta party, in the next provincial election and make this an even better place to live.”
All candidates must have submitted their nomination papers, including a document signed by 25 local residents, by Feb.13. A nomination vote is set to take place a week later on Feb. 21.
