Glenn Taylor, leader of the Alberta Party, was recently selected as the party’s candidate for MLA in the West Yellowhead riding.

The selection was made to prepare the party for a potential November election, as the reigning Progressive Conservative government prepares to choose a new leader to replace Ed Stelmach. 

“Although the government doesn’t have to call an election until March 2013 at the latest, we don’t want to be surprised,” said Taylor.

Robin Campbell, current MLA for West Yellowhead, has already been selected as the PC candidate for the riding. 

“We feel that it was prudent to get our nomination process completed as well,” said Taylor, who currently serves as the mayor of Hinton.

With the formalities out of the way, being chosen as the West Yellowhead candidate means Taylor can now campaign in his riding and ramp up some attention for the newly revamped political party. 

Taylor said the Alberta Party offers a new political option for Albertans, and that doing what’s right and what’s popular are two different things. 

“I believe in ethical government – government based on doing what’s right, rather than what’s simply popular or politically advantageous,” Taylor said. “We are willing to stick our necks out, to be brave and courageous and say what needs to be said, even if it’s going to be used against us by our detractors – because that’s what this province needs, and that’s what it deserves.”

The Alberta Party position is that politicians should listen to the needs of their constituents, and respond in Edmonton accordingly. 

“Policy should be built by listening to Albertans first and then acting, not designing policy and then trying to sell it to us,” Taylor said. 

The party hopes to listen to what people want to make government work more smoothly, and to save some of the provinces’ rich oil reserves for a rainy day in the future. 

“We can and will make government more efficient and effective, by listening to front-line workers and implementing their ideas for positive change, but that still won’t be enough to address our needs –  especially if we are committed to saving some of our resource revenue for future generations, which only seems fair,” Taylor said. “The oil and gas deposits belong to our grandchildren as much as they belong to us, why should we get to spend it all today?”

Taylor believes that having a party leader as candidate in the West Yellowhead will bring the region to the provincial stage. The candidate says that much of what he has learned and hopes to change was inspired right in the West Yellowhead region. 

“Many of the examples that I use when discussing how we can govern differently are based on experiences that I have gained here in this region, including the close relationship that I have build with leaders of our major communities through my efforts on behalf of the Grande Alberta Economic Region,” he said. 

Taylor says Premier Stelmach’s 2008 victory that was established with only 22 per cent of the voting public – the lowest turnout for a Canadian election in 50 years – is a hit to democracy in Canada. 

“That may be a success for the PC Party, but it is not a success for Albertans, or the state of our democracy in Alberta,” Taylor said. “The Alberta Party is founded on the principle of renewed democracy in Alberta and working to bring new voters out to engage in the electoral process by offering an alternative that is based on the clear desire to see that all Albertans have a voice in determining the direction of the province.”

For Taylor, the campaign will be split between his riding and events throughout the province, however he hopes to spend a lot of time within West Yellowhead. 

“As policy has continued to come together for the Alberta Party, I am even more excited by the potential that this party represents; a new direction for the province and one where people truly have a voice in their future.”

For more information on the Alberta Party, visit www.albertaparty.ca