Last Saturday morning Prime Minister Stephen Harper had an all too familiar meeting with the Governor General and came out announcing there will be a federal election come May 2.
All indications are the outlook in Crowfoot could remain static as well.
Back on the campaign trail is incumbent Kevin Sorenson. He has held the riding since 2000, and in the last federal election captured a staggering 82 per cent of the riding’s votes. Born and raised in Killam he operated a family farm as well as a small auction company prior to his entry into politics.
After the 2008 election, he was elected Chair of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan and currently he serves as Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
One of his rivals in the upcoming election is Ellen Parker who will be running for the NDP. The Camrose resident has run in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 federal elections. In the last two she finished in a distant second place with over 7 per cent of the popular vote. Parker has been elected to the NDP Federal Council in 2005 and 2009. A teacher by profession, she has been involved in the community as a founding member of the Waste Reduction Action Committee in Camrose and former member of the City of Camrose’s Recycling Committee. She served as the Prairie regional representative for the national council for the 10 Days for Global Justice (now KAIROS) and served on the Camrose International Institute board.
“It is very clear, it (the election) is about leadership. It is what Canadians expect from them in Parliament, and working toward what we need as everyday citizens,” she said.
So far the only other party that has officially entered the race in Crowfoot is the Green Party. Konrad Schellenberg of Camrose will be the party’s candidate. This will be his first election. Originally from Thompson, Manitoba, he studied mechanical engineering technology at NAIT and worked in the composites manufacturing sector for 10 years.
Currently he operates his own business called Green Gear which supplies and installs sustainable energy and water conservation tools, and supplies eco-friendly home and garden products. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Camrose and the Green Action Committee of Camrose.
“I’ve realized that if we continue with our current apathy towards the environment and governance, there will not be any nature left for my grandchildren and their grandchildren,” he said.
So far, the Liberal Party of Canada has not selected a candidate for the Crowfoot riding, although Daryl Fridhandler, a southern Alberta organizer for the party, says they will have a candidate shortly.
“If my contacts in the riding come up with two names we’ll have a vote, but if I get one name, and am assured there is no one else interested, then I will review that candidate and ensure they pass through our green light process,” said Fridhandler, adding they hope to have someone in the position within a week.
He admits that with the strong history of the Alliance and conservative success in the constituency, it is tough to find a candidate.
“Crowfoot is always a tough riding… the conservative vote is very high, sometimes the highest plurality in the country,” he said. “Alberta is tough, but Crowfoot is tougher.”
