Mandel stresses key role of entrepreneurial spirit
New Alberta Party candidate begins his leadership bid with visit to Calgary
A day after Stephen Mandel announced his leadership bid for the Alberta Party, the former Edmonton mayor touted Calgary ’s entrepreneurial spirit as he met with supporters in southern Alberta Thursday evening. A meet and greet at a craft beer market drew dozens of people during the second stop on Mandel’s campaign trail. “Calgary ’s an incredible city and we really deeply believe that this city has got great potential for our candidacy,” Mandel said, noting he intends to campaign across the province. Mandel is one of three candidates who has entered the race for leadership of the Alberta Party, in addition to Calgary-South East MLA Rick Fraser and Kara Levis, a lawyer for Trans Canada Corp. and chairwoman of the National Women’s Liberal Commission. In a speech, Mandel referred to Calgary as the “epicentre of entrepreneurship” in the province. “I’m a big, big believer in private enterprise, I’m a big believer in entrepreneurship, and I think one of the things we’ve lost over the last little while is that entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “We need to help create an atmosphere where business can be successful … we need to be at a place that allows our young people to be creative and to build a future. And that means that I don’t think government can stand idly by and not encourage and support and help develop those industries.” Mandel also told party members that the Alberta Party has had “great roots in Calgary” and acknowledged Alberta Party MLA Greg Clark, who stepped down as leader of the party last fall. Former Tory MLA Teresa WooPaw was among those in attendance at the gathering. Woo-Paw, who recently became a member of the Alberta Party, said she’s confident party members outside Edmonton, where Mandel served as mayor from 2004 to 2013, will get to know the candidate during the leadership race. “He has such a strong track record in terms of public service, as a municipal leader,” she said. “I’m sure that there are lots of corporate leaders in Calgary, as well as other people who are interested and care about the future of Alberta, that will get to know him and then they can quickly identify his ability and his accomplishments.” Mandel entered provincial politics in 2014, when he was appointed health minister. He won an October 2014 byelection but lost his seat less than six months later in the provincial election. The Alberta Party leadership vote will be held Feb. 25 to 27.
We need to be at a place that allows our young people to be creative and to build a future.