Liberals opt to run candidate
The St. Albert Liberals constituency association debated supporting the St. Albert NDP candidate at the association's annual general meeting on April 16.
Newly-minted Liberal candidate Bill Alton confirmed it had been discussed at the meeting, but said his opinion on the matter is that as someone with a volunteer position for the Liberal party he needs to support the Liberal cause.
He said the constituency organization over the years has floundered a bit, and he took it upon himself to get it back together. He is now running as the candidate.
Constituency association member Denis Lapierre confirmed he had made motion to not run a Liberal candidate in this election and support Marie Renaud.
At the time it wasn't known if there would even be a Liberal candidate, Lapierre said. He said the Alberta Liberals are currently a party in "some disarray" and that he sees the potential for a local split vote between Wildrose and PC. That means a progressive candidate could benefit, he said, and he thinks Renaud is a strong candidate.
"It was entirely a strategic point of view from my perspective," Lapierre said. "I fully encourage Liberal supporters in this election to vote strategically."
Updated candidates
The ballot spots are filling out in St. Albert and Spruce Grove-St. Albert.
The St. Albert riding had five known candidates on Friday, with a few hours to go to the deadline to officially register with Elections Alberta.
Incumbent Progressive Conservative MLA Stephen Khan is running again.
Former mayoral contender Shelley Biermanski has entered the race running for the Wildrose. Biermanski works for Mercedes-Benz.
Bill Alton is running for the Liberals. Alton is a retired carpenter and also worked for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
LoSeCa executive director Marie Renaud is running for the NDP.
Trevor Love, who manages a sales team in the home renovation industry, is running for the Alberta Party.
The Spruce Grove-St. Albert riding is a bit busier, with six candidates in the field and no incumbent.
Rus Matichuk is running for the PCs. Matichuk is president of Sumex Capital, a business financial advisory company.
Jaye Walter, a certified financial planner, is running for the Wildrose.
Trevor Horne, a political science student, is running for the NDP.
The Liberals are running Reg Lukasik, a recently retired researcher, professor and former military pilot.
Gary Hanna, a teacher and a president of a union local, is running for the Alberta Party.
Brendon Greene, a music teacher, is running for the Green Party.
Forums galore
Voters will have a few chances to see the candidates in action at upcoming forums.
The St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidate forum at the St. Albert Inn for candidates on Monday, April 20, starting at 7 p.m.
The Seniors United Now St. Albert group is hosting a speed-dating style forum with candidates at Cornerstone Hall on April 27 at 1:30 p.m., to discuss seniors' issues and other topics.
The St. Albert Public Library is hosting a meet the candidates event at Forsyth Hall in the library on April 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be presentation and a question and answer session. The library is asking people to reserve their spot either online at www.sapl.ca or by calling 780-459-1682.
