It was a night of fine distinctions as the three remaining candidates for the St. Albert Progressive Conservative nomination sparred in a party-sponsored forum Thursday night.
School trustee Jacquie Hansen, businessman Steve Khan and former Canadian Forces pilot Jeff Wedman were on hand to speak to about 150 people.
Three other candidates ���â ,¬å¡ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½â€šï¿½ï¿½ realtor Mark Cassidy, school vice principal Sleight Anstruther and 150th anniversary committee volunteer Kent La Rose ���â ,¬å¡ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½â€šï¿½ï¿½ who had announced their intentions to run, failed to file before Tuesday's deadline.
In their opening statements all of the candidates made their pitch for the nomination in slightly different ways.
Wedman promised to be direct and uncompromising as the party's candidate and ultimately the city's MLA.
"My pledge is that if I am asked an honest and straightforward question I will give an honest and straightforward answer."
Hansen emphasized her service as a school trustee and the high rankings St. Albert schools have received. She said she viewed this bid as an extension of that service.
���â ,¬å¡ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½â ,¬å"I am running for this position because I would like to continue to serve St. Albert with a strong voice at the provincial table."
She said she was impressed with Premier Alison Redford's first steps in office and wanted to be part of the change.
Khan told the audience he had grown up in the city and felt it was his time to give back. He also said Redford had encouraged him to run.
"I feel compelled that it is my time, my time to give back to a community that has blessed me with so much. My time to ensure St. Albert has a strong voice at the table."
Questions varied
The audience submitted questions covering a wide range of topics from healthcare and education to light rail transit and high-speed rail, as well as MLA independence.
On health care all of the candidates supported a public system and wanted more done to improve it before any discussion took place over private care.
The candidates were asked if risk factors like obesity, alcohol and smoking should be considered when it comes to costs a person pays for health care.
Wedman argued that getting people healthy had to be done in a supportive manner, not with the threat of financial penalties.
���â ,¬å¡ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½â ,¬å"It is not something you want to approach with a hammer."
Khan agreed and said the province should lead with a carrot, not a stick to get people to live healthier.
���â ,¬å¡ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½â ,¬å"We need to promote healthy lifestyles, we need to promote healthy exercise for all people."
Outgoing MLA Ken Allred has often spoken out against his own government's actions and the candidates were asked what they would do if the party line conflicted with their views or St. Albert's needs.
Khan said ultimately he would always come back to what was in the best interest of the community, but he suspects the new premier will be more open to divergent opinions.
"I am a democracy guy and I happen to believe our new premier is a democracy gal," he said. "It is about representing the beliefs of the people in the constituency."
Hansen said on the school board and through her work with the provincial Alberta School Board Association she has always expressed her own views on the issues.
"I have never not spoken my mind in any of the positions I have been."
She also said when she had a problem with proposed government policy she would express her opinions, but would also aim to present a solution to the issue.
Wedman said he would stand up for St. Albert, but he would also pick his battles.
��‚��"We are here to stand for our community and for what they think is right," he said. ��‚��"I am not going to throw myself under the bus for every little issue."
The nomination vote will be held on Jan. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m.
