After 10 years serving the Town, Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride has thrown his hat into the provincial politics ring.
He made the official announcement that he will be seeking nomination for the PC party in the Banff-Cochrane riding at the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre, Dec. 8.
“I am excited about this,” said McBride. “I am certainly looking forward to being able to serve the members of the community in a new capacity.”
According to McBride, the decision was prompted by the incumbent MLA Janis Tarchuk’s announcement, Dec. 5, to not seek re-election.
“I had been thinking (of entering Provincial politics) one day, and with Janis stepping down, it seemed like today is the day,” said McBride.
The community response has been positive, said McBride, although there has been some concern about his stepping down as mayor.
“I say ‘of course I am still here, but serving in a new capacity,’” said McBride.
The strength of the current Town council gives him confidence there will be someone to take over his position, should he receive the nomination, said McBride.
He plans on starting to campaign heavily in the New Year for the PC party’s nomination, with the vote expected on Jan. 28. As of Dec. 9, no other candidates have stepped forward for the PC nomination.
Key issues are fiscal responsibility, public health care, education and provincial funding of infrastructure projects based on merit, rather than who has the “loudest voice.”
“There are certainly things in the region that require a voice at the provincial table,” said McBride.
“At the provincial level, I see some serious choices we have to make.”
