Ambrose in new riding
Winning candidate will represent urban, suburban, rural communities
The five candidates in Edmonton-Wetaskiwin face a dual challenge. They need voters to get to know them, but they also need to get to know a new riding.
The riding takes in parts of Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, Edmonton-Leduc and Wetaskiwin. The seat has no incumbent, no voting history and a sprawling footprint that takes in urban, suburban and rural areas.
One of six new Alberta ridings for the Oct. 19 federal election, it stretches from south Edmonton to Wetaskiwin County’s southern border and includes Leduc, Beaumont, Millet, Calmar, Devon and Wetaskiwin. By geographic area, it’s traditionally been a Conservative stronghold federally.
Mike Lake, the Conservative incumbent for Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, said growing up in Devon helped convince him to run in Edmonton-Wetaskiwin. He said the economy is the No. 1 thing that people are talking about.
Liberal Jacqueline Biollo, a two-term former Beaumont town councillor, said she sees discontent with the Harper government as she campaigns. She said people appear ready for “real change.”
NDP candidate Fritz Bitz said there’s hope for a repeat of the orange wave that swept the provincial NDP to power. Bitz said there are still undecided voters who have been clear they won’t vote Conservative.
Green party candidate Joy-Ann Hut would like to see diversification in the economy that would encourage development of more sustainable energy.
Libertarian candidate Brayden Whitlock said unnecessary government policies have hindered productivity and stifled the freedom of Canadians. Jacqueline Biollo, Liberal Age: 44 Occupation: Consultant for small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits Reasons for running: As a leader in the community and someone who values putting your voice forward for advocacy of the common good, it’s just a natural. You need educated and self-confident individuals to do that. Top priorities: The economy at large, looking at the sustainability of moving our resources to market and the family unit, whether that’s affordable housing, child care or health care. Website: teambiollo.ca Fritz Bitz, NDP Age: 62 Occupation: Addictions counsellor for Alberta Health Services Reasons for running: My significant concern over what has happened to Canada under the Harper Conservatives. The lack of accountability, the muzzling and firing of scientists, the lack of scientific input into the advisory system, Bill C-51 and the risks it presents to our rights and freedoms, Bill C-24 and what it does to Canadian citizenship. I’m concerned that our economy is basically built on one industry. I’m very concerned that Canada has not stepped forward to be part of the scientific movement and industry development in the new green sector. Top priorities: The economy. We need to significantly increase our focus on diversification. We need to look seriously at how we receive our revenues and why so much of the burden is on the middle class and not on the wealthy and the large corporations. We need to look at our health-care system. A hospital bed is not the best place for a senior who needs long-term care. I’m concerned about taxation and immigration. Website: FritzKBitz.ndp.ca Joy-Ann Hut, Green Age: 39 Occupation: Owner-operator of a Leduc graphics shop Reasons for running: What motivated me was concern for social justice. Diversification in our market that would facilitate having sustainable and renewable energies and the potential improvements to our environment and our personal health. To have the empowered MPs that the Greens provide through a party structure with no whip. Top priorities: Having an accessible MP that represents people’s interests. Mike Lake, Conservative Age: 46 Occupation: MP since 2006, former director of ticket sales for Edmonton Oilers Reasons for running: I’m a fiscal conservative. I think maintaining a strong economy is vital to our ability to protect the social programs that are so important to Canadians. Creating the highest standard of living for Canadians at all income levels no matter where they live. Personal freedom is important and having people be able to keep as much of their own money as they can so they can make the best decisions they can for their families. Top priorities: Absolutely maintaining budget balance, being very careful and deliberate about how we spend the money we’re entrusted by Canadian taxpayers. Website: mikelake.conservative.ca Brayden Whitlock, Libertarian Age: 24 Occupation: PhD student at University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine Reasons for running: I was frustrated that the only choices given were for big, slow, invasive government. I wanted to o er the option of voting for smaller, more e cient government that didn’t waste resources interfering needlessly with people and businesses. I heard from too many people that they were so discouraged by the current choices they had, that they didn’t even want to vote. Top priorities: People need to feel free to express, speak, think and be more productive without unnecessary government interference. This means we need to inject more freedom into policies like wasteful gun control, the pointless and harmful war on drugs and the free thought and speech restrictions of C-51. Website: www.BraydenWhitlock.ca