While the Wildrose Party nomination race has yet to be announced, there are two locals who are seeking the party’s nomination for the Banff-Cochrane constituency.
Ian Cook, president of the Wildrose Party Constituency Association, said that no date has been set to announce the nomination race and they are ‘waiting for direction from the party’.
Paul McLean, former deputy reeve for Rocky View County council and Scott Wagner, who unsuccessfully ran for the McLeod riding for the Conservative Party of Canada earlier this year, were informed of their successful applications only days ago.
“I respected what I did with the county for 11 years…I still really enjoy representing the people,” said McLean, who retired from county politics a year ago and has focused on business consulting for the last year, sharpening up to run for the Wildrose Party nomination.
A once-upon-a-time Progressive Conservative (PC), McLean served as Ted Morton’s PC Constituency Association president until the 2012 election.
McLean, who lives off Weedon Trail, said the Wildrose Party is a good fit for him, and that their ‘fresh ideas of how taxpayer funds should be spent’ remind him of his approach with county council.
He said that the Wildrose Party ‘better represents my conservative values and Albertans’ values of fiscal responsibility, openness and transparency…after 40 years of PC rule in Alberta, I believe the party has become stale and focuses more on retaining power than serving the best interests of Albertans’.
The head coach of the Cochrane Lions Bantam football team and community advocate who was instrumental in getting the FieldTurf (artificial turf) for Cochrane that is currently under construction at Bow Valley High — the sports and outdoor enthusiast has spent considerable time as of late door-knocking in his potential constituency.
He said he has been listening to concerns that are at the forefront for Bragg Creekers and Canmore residents including flooding and environmental issues.
In Cochrane, he is listening to people share their concerns over transportation, infrastructure and education.
“You have to understand your role as a representative,” said the husband and father of two (both who attend school in Cochrane). “I’m really on a fact-finding mission.”
McLean isn’t the only one who has been knocking on doors.
Wagner, also a husband and father of two, said he is ‘very serious’ about his decision to run for the nomination.
“We have been anxiously awaiting this,” said the successful businessman who resides south of Hwy 1, along Hwy 22.
“I’ve been very blessed with what I’ve attained and now it’s time for me to give back.”
The self-described fiscal conservative said Alberta deserves a good government with a ‘bottom-up approach’ like what the Wildrose Party offers and that party leader Danielle Smith is ‘open and in touch’.
Wagner, who has been heavily involved with the ‘Don’t Dam Springbank’ movement, has been visiting with those in his potential constituency, noting much of the same concerns as McLean — flood protection and the controversial Springbank Offstream Reservoir (SR1) dam in Bragg Creek; environmental issues around McLean Creek; flooding issues in and around Ghost and Waiparous; the foreign worker program in Canmore; and landowner rights with rural residents.
“In Cochrane, infrastructure is probably the biggest issue,” he said, adding that seniors and senior care facilities (or lacking resources) is another.
Former Cochrane mayoral candidate, David Smith, is helping Wagner with his campaign.
David said that Wagner successes as a businessman will help him settle into this new role, should he earn the nomination, adding that Wagner would work toward building a better business community to attract university graduates and young adults.
David said he is hopeful for the Wildrose Party ‘to become a very strong opposition to gain more seats and hold the PC Party accountable, or to even step into the leadership role’.
Upon the announcement of the nomination race, there is a nine-day window for Alberta residents who support the Wildrose Party principles and are at least 16 years of age, to purchase their membership to the party; available at wildrose.ca/membership.
“You can’t vote unless you buy your membership in that time frame,” said Cook.
The Banff-Cochrane MLA is currently Ron Casey of the PC Party.
