The writ has dropped, and Canadians will be going to the polls on September 20.
On Sunday, August 15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Governor-General Mary Simons, and parliament was dissolved, making way for Canada’s 44th election. The day started with the announcement from the Prime Minister followed by responses from the leaders of the opposition parties.
“After making it through 17 months of nothing like we’ve ever experienced, Canadians deserve to choose what the next 17 months, what the next 17 years and beyond, will look like. And I know that we have the right plan, the right team, and the proven leadership to meet that moment,” said Trudeau.
Leader of the Conservatives Erin O’ Toole spoke up on Canada’s recovery.
“This election is about who Canadians trust to secure their economic future, and secure the future for all Canadians,” said O’Toole. “We need a strong economy to support high wages for workers and get infrastructure built. We need a strong economy so today’s Canadians can have confidence that tomorrow will be brighter for the next generation.”
In Battle River-Crowfoot so far, the Mail has identified four candidates. Incumbent Damien Kurek is running for his seat. He is ready to go, although he believes Canadians are not.
“It is no secret the Prime Minster has been positioning himself to call an election,” said Kurek. “I think most Canadains agree now is not a good time for an election.”
Jeff Golka of Hardisty, a real estate agent, is running for the Maverick Party. He has also worked in the energy sector with his own environmental reclamation company. According to his biography, he has grown frustrated with federal parties that do not acknowledge the western province’s contributions to Canada. He has chosen the Maverick Party as he feels it best represents his values of standing up for our Alberta and the West.
Dennis Trepanier is running for the People’s Party of Canada (PPC). He is a former Blackfalds Councillor and also ran for Mayor of Red Deer. He has worked in the petrochemical and oil and gas industry as an IT professional for most of his career. His bio states the strength of the PPC platform lies in its stance on freedom of speech, the economy, and Indigenous issues.
As of press time, the Mail has not learned of candidates from the Liberal or NDP parties. Daniel Brisbin is listed on a Wikipedia page as the Green Party candidate, but not on The Green Party’s website.
In the Bow River riding, incumbent Martin Shields is running for the Conservative Party, Jonathan Bridges of Lindens is the candidate for the PPC, Orrin Bliss is representing the Maverick Party, Tom Lipp is representing the Christian Heritage Party and Getahun Shawile is representing the Liberals.