Albertans will be heading to the polls for the 29th time in the province’s history, May 5.
The stakes couldn’t be higher with global oil prices plunging, income taxes on the rise, and the government facing a record $5-billion deficit. The election will test the Progressive Conservative party’s 43-year grip on power against the policies and ideas from the Wildrose, New Democratic Party and the Liberals.
This week Nicole Veerman interviewed each candidate in the West Yellowhead riding and next week the Fitzhugh will follow up with an in-depth look at each candidate’s policies and ideas. Editor’s note: At press time, the Alberta Liberal party confirmed Zack Siezmagraff will be running for the Liberals. Check next week’s issue for his profile.
Just six months after running in the federal byelection, Eric Rosendahl has started his next campaign, this time for West Yellowhead MLA.
The retired mill worker has been the president of the NDP’s riding association for a decade, and first dipped his toe into politics last year, after Rob Merrifield resigned as Yellowhead MP. He said he’s returned, this time to vie for a spot in the provincial legislature, because he feels a responsibility to his party and the riding.
“We didn’t really have a candidate that was going to step forward and after discussions with the federal and provincial bodies, they thought I might have a better chance and go at the provincial level.”
Rosendahl has been a Hinton resident for more than 30 years. He grew up on his family farm in Saskatchewan and studied renewable energy and conservation in Vermillion, before landing a job as an officer in Alberta’s provincial parks.
It was while working outside of Hinton in William A. Switzer Provincial Park that he fell in love with the area.
Later in life, he returned to begin his career with the West Fraser Pulp Mill, where he worked for 34 years as a steam engineer.
While working at the mill, Rosendahl was heavily involved with its union.
“I represented the union on that plant site for probably 33 years,” he said, “and I’m still involved with the union—through the town unit, however, because I’ve retired from the pulp mill.
“I’m still on the executive and representing the members where I can.”
In that role, Rosendahl handles environmental issues and is also the chair of the Forest Resources Advisory Committee.
Since his retirement from the mill five years ago, Rosendahl has kept himself busy by filling in as a school bus driver and participating in numerous organizations.
He’s the president of the Hinton Fish and Game Association, works with the Alberta Hunters Instructors Association and is involved with the Search and Rescue Association of Alberta.
He said, with his varied background and training through the union, he believes he has what it takes to represent the West Yellowhead riding.
“I’m very committed to the issues and the stuff that I take on ... and I think I can bring a fair amount of experience to the table.
“It’s important for me to step forward and I think I can represent this riding in a fair manner.”
Robin Campbell is vying for his third term as West Yellowhead MLA.
He was first elected in 2008, after securing 54 per cent of the vote, and was reelected in 2012 with 45 per cent.
Most recently, Campbell has served as finance minister and president of the Treasury board. He was appointed to both positions in September 2014, after Premier Jim Prentice won the PC leadership vote.
Under former premier Alison Redford, he was minister of environment and sustainable resource development, as well as government house leader, two roles he started in December 2013.
Prior to that, he filled numerous positions: minister of aboriginal relations, deputy house leader, government whip and he was a member of the legislative offices committee, the ethics commissioner search committee and the standing committee on the economy.
Before entering provincial politics, Campbell served as president of the local United Mine Workers of America and as an appeals commissioner with the Workers Compensation Board.
“So,” he said of his work experience, “I’m used to collective bargaining and negotiating and I’m also used to looking at what you have to do to keep people working, what you have to do to make sure that the company you’re working with can be successful—because if they’re not, they’re going to close the doors and people are going to be out of work.”
Campbell grew up in Northern Ontario and moved to Jasper in 1982.
The avid fisherman said people might be surprised to learn that at one time, many years ago, he was also a fishing guide for Online Sport and Tackle.
He joked that in those days you couldn’t find him unless you visited the lake or the golf course.
In his spare time—which he admits is limited these days—he still tests equipment and, occasionally, fills in as a guide for Online.
“I still help Mike [Merilovich] out as much as I can,” he said, noting that there’s nothing better than a day out on Maligne Lake.
Speaking about his seven years as MLA, Campbell said that he believes he’s filled the role to the best of his abilities and he hopes he will be given the opportunity to continue serving West Yellowhead.
“I think my track record shows that I’ve cared about the riding: I’ve been very successful bringing new infrastructure, whether it’s schools or hospitals or roads and I’ve worked well with all of the town councils in the riding.
“And I think for the most part people are happy with the job I’ve done.”
This is Stuart Taylor’s second campaign for MLA.
The retired forester and current Hinton town councillor first ran in the 2012 provincial election, garnering 27 per cent of the vote.
He came to politics for a very personal reason: an injury.
“A few years ago, I had a bad hip and I was stung by obstacles when I ran into the healthcare system, and by the delays. At first I had trouble believing what was happening to me, it took me too long to get healthcare, so I looked around and the political party at the time—and still now—that looks best at solving accessible healthcare and healthcare issues seemed to be the Wildrose party.”
Prior to his 2012 election campaign, Taylor spent more than 30 years as a registered professional forester. He spent 21 of those years in British Columbia, before returning to his home province of Alberta to take a role as a senior manager for the provincial government, working in the Hinton, Edson and Grande Cache areas.
He was born in Edmonton in 1957 and was raised in the area. He attended the University of Alberta, where he received a degree in forestry, and later attended the University of Northern British Columbia to complete a master’s degree in natural resource management.
He retired in 2012, and after that year’s provincial election, turned his attention to municipal politics, winning a seat on Hinton town council in 2013.
“I enjoy working for the people of Hinton and I’d like to carry it further and represent the area,” he said, noting that he has learned a lot during his time on council.
“I think being on municipal council is a good experience for those that either want to go to the provincial or federal level. You learn a lot from working with a group of people and trying to work on issues for constituents.”
In his role as town councillor, Taylor sits on the Disaster Services Committee, Forest Resource Advisory Committee and the West Fraser Pulp Mill Advisory Committee.
Taylor said he would like to use the experience he’s gained in the last two years, as well as his extensive background in the forestry industry, to benefit the riding.
“Albertans deserve a better government,” he said.
Nicole Veerman
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