OLDS – Approximately 300 people attended on June 17 a forum for candidates in the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills byelection, said an organizer.
Held at the Olds Sportsplex, the forum was sponsored by the MVF Community Care Society. The byelection is on June 23, with advance polls open June 17-21.
Candidates Tara Sawyer, United Conservative Party; Cam Davies, Republican Party of Alberta; and Bill Tuft, Wildrose Loyalty Coalition, took part in the two-hour forum. Candidate Bev Toews, Alberta New Democratic Party, was unable to attend.
The forum saw each candidate give an opening and closing statement and answer questions prepared by event emcee Dan Harder, a member of the MVF society. A number of audience members also asked questions of the candidates at the conclusion of the event.
Sawyer is seeking election to public office for the first time. She said she is in support of the Danielle Smith government.
“I have a strong history of advocacy and commitment to community,” she said.
“Our rural way of life matters and makes the world a better place. We need true representation in the provincial legislature. As your MLA, I will work tirelessly to champion common sense and good government in a strong caucus that believes in an Alberta first approach.
“My priorities are your priorities: the centrality of family, parental rights and education, and the need to protect our children from radical woke activists. I’m committed to standing firmly with our communities as we navigate a future built on what Albertans choose for Alberta.”
She said she has “strong conservative values in a strong, united conservative caucus that stands behind Premier Danielle Smith.”
Davies is also seeking public office for the first time. He is calling for an independent Alberta.
“We don’t have to accept scraps from Ottawa’s table,” he said.
“We don’t have to accept the status quo. We can take control of our own institutions, our own freedom and our future. If we stand up and we seize our sovereignty we can forge a bolder and brighter future.
“The 44-year PC government came to a crashing end because of arrogance, entitlement and corruption, and we are seeing that bad movie play out again with the UCP. This riding deserves someone with a backbone to stand up for you, your family, your values and our freedom.”
Tufts is also seeking public office for the first time. He is calling for improved government accountability.
“It seems like Alberta is under attack, that people are under attack from the political elites,” he said.
“Our local politicians are told what to do by the Edmonton elites. I promise I will work for the people of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. We have to return democracy to the people.
“Our system is one where every year we go out and talk to the politicians and hear what they have to say. They pretend to listen and try and convince us that they will work for us, but after the election all is forgotten.
“It’s you who are going to create the solutions. The crisis hitting the province is too big for anyone to stand on the bench. Alberta has a proud history but now it is fading.”
Alberta NDP candidate Toews told the Albertan she had a previously booked appointment on June 17.
“I’m a strong advocate for public education and public health care, and I’m worried about the affordability issue that is being created because of the rising cost of living and this is often due to the policies of the UCP,” she said during the campaign.
MVF Community Care Society member Cindy Tippe estimated approximately 300 people attended the forum.
The Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills byelection is being held to replace UCP MLA Nathan Cooper, who resigned to become Alberta’s representative in Washington, D.C.
