In one of the most contentious Alberta by-elections in some time, candidates are lining up to compete for the seat in Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche, and one has roots in the Drumheller Valley.
In August of this year, Laila Goodridge resigned to run for a seat in Parliament representing Fort McMurray-Cold Lake. One of the candidates is Ariana Mancini, daughter of Gerry and Sofia Mancini.
“I’m proud to accept the nomination to be your NDP candidate in the upcoming by-election,” she said in her former campaign launch speech on Sunday, December 12.
“This campaign is an opportunity for our region to send a message to Jason Kenney. The message is we don’t have to choose between bad and worse…we can choose better.”
Ariana graduated from high school in Drumheller and went on to a career in teaching. She is currently a Grade 4 teacher at Ecole Dickinsfield School in Fort McMurray, and is on the executive of Fort McMurray Local 48 of the Alberta Teachers Association.
This is not her first time running. She ran in 2015, in the Fort McMurray-Conklin riding, and the field of candidates has some similarities. Former Wildrose leader Brian Jean has recently won the nomination to represent the United Conservative Party UCP.
Under Jean’s leadership, the Wild Rose and Progressive Conservatives came to a merger agreement. A leadership election occurred in 2017, and Jason Kenney defeated Jean to lead the newly formed UCP.
Mancini congratulated Jean on his nomination, but also discussed his motivations.
“Mr. Jean has made it clear, even this evening, that he is running because of his rivalry with Jason Kenney. I am running for the people of Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche. UCP MLAs haven’t been (delivering) for our region. I am focused on job creation, improving public healthcare, protecting public education, protecting our community from flood and fire, and ensuring we have reliable EMS.”
She also called on the UCP to reverse changes to the Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). This could affect constituents in her riding as well as other flood communities. With changes to the DRP, costs borne through a disaster will be split 90-10 with the province. The province is also implementing a $500,000 limit per homeowner application and a limit of a one-time application. This means if your home is damaged and you apply to the program for any amount, you cannot apply ever again, even in another disaster situation.
In 2015, Mancini captured almost 31 per cent of the vote, finishing second to Jean in the Fort McMurray-Conklin riding.
