With four terms under her belt, Tory Ambrose may be one to beat
Candidates’ priorities range from transit to health care to abortion
This new constituency was created mainly by cutting o the Edmonton portion of the former Edmonton-Spruce Grove riding, but even some opponents don’t think that change will create problems for Conservative Rona Ambrose.
Ambrose took at least 60 per cent of the votes in four election victories under the old riding boundaries, which now stretch much farther northwest and northeast.
The biggest population centres in this largely rural area, which has 83,000 voters, are Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Morinville and Gibbons.
Green party candidate Brendon Greene and the Christian Heritage Party of Canada’s Ernest Chauvet said they expect her to win another landslide Oct. 19.
“I’m doing it for the experience,” said Greene, whose party received a negligible 2,232 votes in 2011.
But New Democrat Guy Desforges isn’t conceding anything, saying his party won about half the area’s votes in last spring’s provincial election.
The Liberals likely weren’t helped when they dumped candidate Chris Austin in mid-Septem- ber for his past social media posts, acclaiming Travis Dueck a few days later. Rona Ambrose, Conservative Age: 46 Occupation: Before politics, policy consultant for Alberta government Reason for running: I work hard to represent the values and aspirations of the people in our region. They deserve a government representative who listens and cares about the issues that matter to them. Top priorities: My focus is squarely on creating jobs, keeping our taxes down and growing the economy of our region. Website: voterona.ca Ernest Chauvet, Christian Heritage Age: 64 Occupation: Semi-retired courier service owner Reason for running: Felt there were political issues that needed to be addressed. Top priorities: Reintroducing restrictions on abortion, possibly allowing it in situations such as rape. Government has to pay o its debt and run balanced budgets. There should be more respect shown for the oil and gas industry. Website: www.chp.ca/candidates/ Sturgeon River-Parkland Held by: New riding
sturgeon-river-parkland Guy Desforges, NDP Age: 54 Occupation: Labourer and union local president at Saputo Dairy Reason for running: As a new riding, I felt that Sturgeon River-Parkland needed to be represented fairly. This is a diverse community and all of it deserves representation. Top priorities: Strengthen public health care. Improve benefits for seniors. Increase support to the members of our Armed Services. Rebuild relations with First Nations. Keep farm families on their farms. Website: guydesforges.ndp.ca
Incumbent: Largest centres in riding previously were represented by Rona Ambrose
Population: 106,000 (estimate) Travis Dueck, Liberal Age: Not provided Occupation: Studying for honours Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Alberta Reason for running: We need to leave the next generation of Canadians in a brighter country than our generation has lived in. Top priorities: Invest in young Canadians and Canadian families to solve economic, security and environmental challenges. Sustainable energy development. Promoting collaborative work with youth and educators to remove discriminatory, homophobic and transphobic language from schools. Website: travisdueck.liberal.ca Brendon Greene, Green party Age: 28 Occupation: Music teacher Reasons for running: To gain experience for future political campaigns and raise awareness of issues important to him. Top priorities: Winning federal assistance for a tri-city transit strategy involving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Morinville. Bringing attention to environmental problems, such as last summer’s drought. Promoting party plan to retrofit every building to cut greenhouse gases and create jobs. Website: brendongreene.greenparty.ca