UCP candidate Danielle Smith kicks off campaigning in Brooks-Medicine Hat constituency

“The issues in this area are going to be elevated,” Smith says. “Even just hearing that when we structure programs, we sort of, lump Medicine Hat and area with Lethbridge together. We have to be treating Medicine Hat like it’s its separate area.”

“These are the kinds of issues I can make sure I bring a spotlight and a focus to, so I hope people see it as an advantage to having the premier as their representative,” adds Smith.

Smith also discussed the issues affecting the province, like food insecurity and homelessness, but pointed to the twinning of Highway 3 as her main local focus.

“I think that’s going to be the priority,” Smith says. “We’re getting a portion of that built, but there is one more piece that needs to be built, so that will be one of the things that I would put forward on our transportation agenda.”

Smith then spent the afternoon delivering remarks and touring Medicine Hat College with cabinet ministers Demetrios Nicolaides and Jason Copping, as the facility unveiled its new health, wellness and athletics expansion.

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley also made her way to the Hat on Tuesday. Notley is fresh off the party’s annual general meeting where she delivered a campaign-style speech to a packed room of supporters. Notley says Smith’s decision to run in the rural riding shows she is taking local people for granted, and assuming winning the byelection will be an easy one.

“She doesn’t live in Brooks-Medicine Hat,” Notley says. “She has no direct connection to the people of this riding unlike [NDP candidate] Gwendoline Dirk, who’s lived here most of her life and has connection in so many ways.”

Smith and Notley will be spending the next few days in the riding. Smith plans on door-knocking in Redcliff and meeting with community leaders, while Notley will help campaign for Dirk. Smith acknowledged she has not been present in the riding since announcing the byelection.

“It was quite busy, my first two weeks in this new role, and so we’re going to be spending lots of time here up until Nov. 8.”

When asked if there was a concern that other party candidates have already gotten a head start campaigning, Smith said contested elections are good to have.

“We need to have a robust exchange of ideas,” Smith says. “I’m the type of person who likes to hear what other parties have to say and what other candidates have to say because if they’ve got some good ideas, they’re things we should be implementing. So I’ll be looking forward to engaging with them in the forums and hearing more directly as well from residents.”

Smith, Dirk and the other candidates, including the Alberta party’s Barry Morishita, Independence party’s Bob Blayone and the Wildrose Independence party’s Jeevan Mangat will all have the opportunity to have their exchange of ideas at a forum hosted by the Medicine Hat Chamber on Nov. 3, before voters cast their ballots on Nov. 8.

–With files from Chris Brown

by Gates Guarin

UCP candidate Danielle Smith kicks off campaigning in Brooks-Medicine Hat constituency

Our Community