By Taylor Chartrand and Conner Toffan

Colette Smithers not letting MLA loss slow her down

Apr 17, 2019 | 12:14 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —  After unofficially coming in third-place in the Cypress-Medicine Hat riding, candidate Collette Smithers doesn’t view her Alberta Party campaign as a failure.

“Oh I don’t think things went wrong at all. I think the Alberta Party has come on the scene this year with a vengeance,” said Smithers.

Smithers says she was happy with the growth of her party throughout the campaign. She believes the focus on policy over personality resonated with Albertans.

“I’m delighted just looking at the polls from the results coming into the night,” said Smithers, “People are taking the time to look at an alternative from the two horse race we have going on.”

She added that having a full-slate of candidates was a huge success for the party. 

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Smithers will finish third behind Drew Barnes who will serve in his third term. She hopes that MLA-elect Barnes will listen to her constituents during his third term.

“Mr.Barnes stated that both he and the UCP are open to consulting with all constituents, to speaking with all constituents, to hearing from all constituents about what there hopes and dreams and concerns are for our constituency.”

But, while Smithers hopes Barnes will listen, she believes his track record shows otherwise.

“It has been my experience that Mr.Barnes does not communicate with all of the residents and constituents of Cypress-Medicine Hat.”

Going forward, Smithers says she will continue in the world of politics.

“I certainly have not lost my interest in politics and stepping into this arena and having a voice on a larger stage.”