Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt is seeking re-election for her third consecutive term in the upcoming provincial election, which is scheduled for May 29.
Raised in Airdrie, Pitt said she has a personal connection to the issues brought forth by the riding’s residents. She argues feeling the heartbeat of the community will bring value as she moves along the campaign trail.
A lot has changed in Airdrie since Pitt first ran for office in 2015. With Airdrie’s ever-growing population, the current MLA notes the city has some tension that needs to be addressed. The need for more schools, the lack of a hospital, and needed upgrades to road infrastructure are a few of the key issues she mentioned.
“There's always change, and with that, there's always a lot of pressure points that we need to try and stay on top of,” Pitt said. “Airdrie in particular is obviously the best place to live, work, and raise a family, so it's no secret it grows so fast.”
Health care is a hot-button issue across Alberta this election, and Airdrie is no exception. Pitt pointed out the UCP government recently committed $3 million to the city to address its specific health needs. This kind of spotlight on the city, Pitt argued, has never happened before and she is hopeful it provides answers to address ongoing health-care concerns within the community.
Additionally, EMS is another major issue within the health-care sector. Pitt said the UCP government has worked to eliminate red alerts across the province, and that Airdrie specifically has been provided with ambulances from Calgary.
“The system is working so much better,” she said. “We don't have EMS guys waiting in the hallways anymore, and if you need an ambulance in an emergency situation, you're going to get one regardless of where you live, especially in Airdrie.”
The Airdrie-East riding encompasses everything in Airdrie east of 8 Street, as well as much of the rural territory east of the city. Currently, Pitt is one of two candidates declared for the riding this provincial election, alongside NDP candidate Daniel Nelles. The nomination deadline for candidates is May 11.
Pitt said she hasn’t heard much from her opposition yet. According to Pitt, while the NDP was in power from 2015 to 2019, the premier at the time, Rachel Notley, never visited the city. With that in mind, Pitt claims Airdrie-East is not an important one for her party's main opponent.
“This is a party that doesn't think this is an important riding for them and I can't imagine they have much hope to offer anyway,” Pitt said.
As she seeks re-election at the end of May, Pitt wants those in the Airdrie-East riding to know she is committed to the community. She believes it is important that Airdrie has a voice at the provincial table and that it’s significant to have someone who understands the needs of the community continue representing it in the legislature.
With topics such as schools, health care, and infrastructure being prominent focal points this election campaign, Pitt feels that she understands these concerns and is invested in making a change.
“I’m born and raised here,” she said. “I get stuck in the same traffic that you all get stuck in.”
Pitt noted the last few years have been a struggle for many people. But noticing the city still has a lot to offer, she wants to spread a message of hope throughout the community.
“I want to make people hopeful for the future of their children and their families,” she said. “I think there's lots of really good things going on amid some of the heartache of life and recent events. I think there's a lot to be hopeful for, and our future can be very bright.”
Voters will have an early opportunity to hear more from Pitt, as well as Nelles and the two candidates vying for votes in the Airdrie-Cochrane riding, at a meet-and-greet at the Airdrie Public Library on May 7, as well as the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce's all-candidates forum on May 9.
