Four-way race to be senator in waiting
If every Albertan elected to the Senate convinced another province to elect its senator, Mike Shaikh of Calgary believes we could transform the institution into one that actually works.
That’s one of the top priorities for Shaikh, one of a baker’s dozen of candidates — three Conservatives, three Wildrose, one Evergreen and six Independents — running for the right to be named one of three Alberta Senate nominees on Monday.
“There are three other provinces who have agreed to hold Senate elections,” Shaikh said Monday, interrupting his dinner after a long day of campaigning to speak with the Herald. “If I can bring one or two more (provinces) onside, the dynamic of the senate will change.”
Currently, Alberta is the only province that votes to name nominees to the Senate.
This is the third time Albertans have voted for Senator nominees.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has committed to eventually appointing the three selected nominees to the Senate, with two taking seats sometime over the next 18 months to fill anticipated vacancies.
Early in the voting Monday, Conservative Doug Black led the field, with a tight four-way race between Conservatives Mike Shaikh and Scott Tannas and Wildrose candidates Raymond Germain and Rob Gregory, all of whom were within several hundred votes of each other.
“The Senate needs to make a difference,” said Shaikh, “because it not only takes care of the difficult issues, but also national platforms.
“I firmly believe,” he added, “that because it will become effective and accountable at that time. Right now, it’s not effective.”
While the overall election has generated enormous interest across the country, the race to become a Senate nominee has largely flown under the radar.
“I can firmly say that 95 per cent of Albertans don’t know what’s going to happen Monday,” said Conservative candidate Scott Tannas. “That they’re going to be given this extra ballot (to vote for Senate nominees).
“It is disappointing,” he added, “and I expect, as was the case in 2004, that a lot of people will refuse to vote.”
Shaikh said his two priority issues, upon being named to the Senate, will be diversifying and adding value to our energy products.
Shaikh, who is the chair of the Calgary police commission, said he also wants to promote safe community initiatives, which he says have resulted in a 35 per cent drop in the Calgary crime rate, across the country.
“I’m a businessman,” said Shaikh, “and I firmly believe safe communities are a fundamental requirement for a successful and prosperous nation.”