Ray Danyluk, a former Lac La Biche/St. Paul/Two Hills MLA and Minister of Transportation is officially jumping back into the political arena. Danyluk, who had served as MLA since 2001 and lost his seat in the last election, announced that he would be running for the president of the Progressive Conservative party, a position that would see him back in his familiar governmental role.
“I still feel like I can add to this province,” he said. “I am still very passionate about rural Alberta and I believe in the people of Alberta.”
The position of PC president will be decided during the party’s convention on Nov. 9 and 10 in Calgary. He will be running against two other candidates, Calgary businessman Jim McCormick and Lac Saint Anne county councillor Lorne Olsvik.
Danyluk, who most recently lost his political position, and cabinet seat to Wildrose candidate Shayne Saskiw, had said at the time of defeat that he wouldn’t be jumping back into the limelight anytime soon, but seeing a need for stability and a need for rural Alberta to be represented, he has decided to come back and put his name forward for consideration.
“There needs to be a stronger emphasis on communication, and I absolutely believe I can bring that to this government,” he said.
If he is elected to the position of president, his role will be to primarily act as chairman and spokesperson for the party, listening to what the constituents are saying, and bridging the gap between people and government.
“It’s a role that I can see myself excelling at,” Danyluk said. “I want to work with the government and be available to the people, this is something I’m already very familiar with.”
When asked if he would be back in Lac La Biche, Danyluk said that should he be elected as party president, he would certainly be available to discuss ways the PC party can help this region grow.
“Lac La Biche is familiar with my style, if I’m elected they know that I’ll be there for them. The bottom line is, we need to work closer as a government.”
