A familiar face has entered the region’s politics.
Bruce McAllister, Global Television’s former morning news anchor, is replacing Heather Davies as Wildrose candidate in the new riding of Chestermere-Rocky View.
The announcement was made at the Chestermere Public Library, Oct. 14.
“I’ve always had a passion for politics,” said McAllister. “I think I can make a difference and will make a difference for this community. I will stand with and for the people of Chestermere-Rocky View.”
Davies, a member of Chestermere Town council, announced she is stepping down as an MLA candidate for personal reasons, but will continue on as a councillor.
She will also sit on McAllister’s campaign board and said the new candidate is enthusiastic and has a deep interest in the community.
“We have a great campaign to run,” said Davies. “We are going to win this riding. It is not an option.”
Wildrose leader Danielle Smith was on hand for the announcement and said McAllister, who lives in Chestermere, is a “worthy candidate.”
“He is an advocate for a great many worthwhile causes,” said Smith. “He is willing to go that extra mile in serving the community. I am just delighted he is going to be a part of the Wildrose team.”
McAllister, a father of three kids varying in age from an infant to 17 years old, said over the past decade provincial leaders have stopped listening to the electorate, a situation he hopes to rectify.
“The people of Alberta know best, so why not consult them?” said McAllister.
The former broadcaster said members of his riding have two key concerns: property rights and education.
“I am hearing that landowners have been forgotten,” said McAllister, adding that he would like to see recent legislation, such as the Land Stewardship Act and the Electric Statues Amendment Act, repealed.
“We can’t take away people’s land without offering them proper compensation,” he said.
McAllister’s answer to the lack of funding in schools is to give more decisionmaking power to local.
“You give the resources to the school boards and administrators and then you empower them to do the right thing,” he said.
“Why would the experts not be given the power to decide?”
McAllister had aspirations to run for Chestermere Town council in the 2009 election, but was asked to refrain by his boss at Global, who called it a “conflict of interest,” according to the rookie politician.
The Wildrose party also announced four other candidates on Friday including Grant Galpin, running in the Calgary-McCall constituency, Gary Bikman in Cadston-Taber-Warner, Ethane Jarvis in Grande Prairie-Wapiti, and Rick Strankman in Drumheller-Stettler.
Premier Alison Redford has told reporters she believes a provincial election will be called before next June.
For more information, visit www.electbruce.ca
