Edmonton Journal

Clean slate offers four-party race

- OTIENA ELLWAND oellwand@edmontonjo­urnal.com Twitter.com/otiena

Voters elsewhere in Alberta may be envious of those in the northeaste­rn riding of Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills.

Without an incumbent, the clean slate of candidates offers voters four diverse options — Dave Hanson (Wildrose), Darrell Younghans (PC), Brian Deheer (Green) and Catherine Harder (NDP).

Wildrose incumbent Shane Saskiw announced in March that he felt disillusio­ned by politics after seeing 11 of his colleagues cross the floor of the legislatur­e and would not be running again.

Before Saskiw claimed the Wildrose’s most northern seat three years ago, the riding was a Tory stronghold. It was still a tight race between the two in 2012, with Saskiw getting nearly 47 per cent of the vote and PC candidate (and former incumbent) Ray Danyluk with 42 per cent.

Neither are in the race this time, so it could be a total wild card on May 5.

Hanson said he’s not worried about how the floor-crossings will affect his chances. He was approached to run and found “the support was overwhelmi­ng.”

While he does not have any previous political experience — he’s been in the oil and gas industry for more than 36 years — he said he’s hit the ground running, covering nearly 10,000 kilometres in two weeks.

“I have a reputation of being a fighter and fighting for the little guy and being very persistent,” he said.

Younghans knows it’s not going to be easy to unseat the Wildrose, but he said he’s confident he’ll be able to bring voters back to the Tory camp. While he has heard some opposition to the budget, Younghans said once it’s explained, the response has been “favourable.”

“People understand that this is a plan that looks like it’s going to work,” said Younghans, a farmer and former school board trustee.

Deheer, a musician and instructor, is no election rookie. He ran and lost to a Conservati­ve candidate in a federal byelection last year.

Deheer knows his platform — which centres around a diverse, sustainabl­e economy, more investment in renewable energy and protecting watersheds — won’t appeal to everyone in a riding that mainly favours the right, but he wants to give people the option to vote Green.

“Whenever I go to an allcandida­tes debate, there are supporters of the Green party who share similar green values and I’m encouraged by that,” he said.

Harder of the NDP echoes this sentiment. “I think it’s really important for everyone in Alberta to have a chance to vote for Rachel Notley and the NDPs if they choose,” said the University of Alberta music student.

Harder wanted to run in this riding because she grew up in Camrose and said she relates to the people and issues in rural communitie­s. Her focus is on creating and protecting local jobs, improving infrastruc­ture, and boosting front line health care.

She said Albertans want someone who will stand up and fight for the matters they care about.

“People are fed up with the way things have been going.”

 ??  ?? Held by: Wildrose Incumbent: Shane Saskiw (Not seeking re-election) Population: 30,790 2012 Election Eligible voters 21,729 Voter turnout 59%
Held by: Wildrose Incumbent: Shane Saskiw (Not seeking re-election) Population: 30,790 2012 Election Eligible voters 21,729 Voter turnout 59%

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