It appears the tentative Jan. 14, 2015 nomination race for the Wildrose Party will be delayed to ‘provide an opportunity for anyone who is interested in running to step forward’, according to Wildrose Constituency Association president Ian Cook.
This follows the decision of local candidate Paul McLean to withdraw from the race last week, which leaves Scott Wagner as the sole candidate for the Banff-Cochrane riding.
“I’m trying to understand the political climate right now,” said McLean, a former Progressive Conservative (PC) who felt his ideals aligned better with the fiscally conservative Wildrose Party following the 2012 election.
McLean acknowledged the ‘significant changes over the last two weeks’ experienced by the party and said that he would monitor the provincial leadership under Jim Prentice before determining whether or not the PCs are operating as the ‘thoughtful, fiscally conservative government that Albertans want’.
“We need to be more focused on good government and less on partisanship,” said McLean, adding that interim leader Heather Forsyth has a ‘large challenge in front of her’.
Wagner remains confident that ‘the strength (of the Wildrose Party) would come from leadership’, referring to Forsyth as ‘a wonderful lady who is truly genuine and who truly cares about people’.
Wagner, a successful businessman, husband and father of two, resides south of Hwy 1 along Hwy 22.
With respect to his candidacy, Wagner said he is determined to tackle some ‘serious local issues that have long been ignored in this riding’.
Issues that Wagner said he would prioritize include environmental problems in and around the McLean Creek and Waiparous areas; the flooding issues in Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows (noting that the Springbank Offstream Reservoir dam doesn’t solve the flooding issues in these areas at all); the devastation to the Ghost Lake community from the 2013 flood (which he feels was overlooked by the media); infrastructure demands in and around Cochrane and the problematic intersection at Hwy 1A and Hwy 22.
Wagner said this is the time when the supporters of the Wildrose Party must band together and hold the Prentice government accountable.
“It’s one thing to make promises and it’s another to deliver,” said Wagner, noting the lack of integrity demonstrated by the government, which may not be building the new schools promised only months ago.
Wagner said he was ‘shocked’ by former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith’s decision to cross the flood, along with eight other MLAs, but seemed confident that this is far from the end for the Wildrose.
The Eagle attended an event held by the Wildrose Party in Calgary last week, where Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Heather Forsyth was announced as the new interim leader.
The room, located in the basement of the Wildrose Calgary office, was packed with media, party members and supporters. The overall mood was one of enthusiasm and positivity, surrounded by a message from the party that this is a new beginning for Wildrose — contrary to reports from much of the media that this is the beginning of the end for the official opposition.
Forsyth, who will continue in her previous role as Health and Seniors Critic, addressed an expectant crowd with a message of perseverance and strength.
“Folks, let there be no question: Alberta did not lose their opposition…their opposition has been renewed and is now refocused on doing a better job than ever before.”
