It seems like the provincial election engine has been running for weeks, making Premier Alison Redford's official call to the polls, announced on March 26 with an end date of April 23, a little anticlimactic.
But with campaigning officially kicking off this week, it's sure to be an exciting time in Alberta, with the longstanding Progressive Conservative government dealing with a few road bumps in recent weeks that are sure to make things a little interesting. With the inactive committee, where MLAs were paid $1,000 to do nothing still making headlines, as well as the recent failure of Bill 2 to make it through the legislature last week, the PCs could be spending the beginning of their campaign doing a little bit of damage control.
Redford has recently announced PC MLAs will return the money they made from the notorious Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders, and Printing that accrued since she won the leadership race in October but the jury is still out as to whether its enough to help the party overcome the negative publicity.
Locally, the issues are a little more complicated, with incumbent MLA and PC candidate Genia Leskiw courting a bit of controversy herself over the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) issue, as well as her involvement in the committee.
She has done a lot of good work for the area as well, of course, and those triumphs should not be overlooked. With $10 million in funding coming our way for seniors' housing, with millions more coming into our region because of the CLAWR deal, the coming roundabout and improvements to our regions' highways, Leskiw has definitely made a positive mark on the area.
Stepping up to the plate for the Wildrose, Roy Doonanco brings his own perspective to the region. Having filled the role of CAO for the MD of Bonnyville for 30 years, which gives him an intimate knowledge of the workings of municipal government, something our municipal governments would probably appreciate in the legislature as they battle for more funding from the province.
We haven't heard much from Liberal candidate Hubert Rodden or Luann Bannister, local NDP candidate, but with more names on the ballot, it gives Bonnyville residents a wide range of choice in who they feel could best represent them in Edmonton.
With candidates gearing up to campaign in the region, keep reading the Nouvelle for any news on coming debates, forums and events relating to the election and happy voting!
