By Taylor Chartrand

Alberta Party rolls into Brooks

Dec 9, 2018 | 6:06 PM

Brooks, AB – The 2019 provincial election is looming and candidates are out and about campaigning across the province.

Alberta Party representatives made their way into Brooks over the weekend and residents were wondering what they are all about.

“I was curious because I’m not a left-winger or a right-winger, I’ve always found myself that there was a party missing in Alberta that was fiscally conservative, but also had some progressive social-views,” said Brooks resident Stewart Mcgregor.

It’s not that Mcgregor is unhappy with the NDP.

He believes as a left-wing government, the NDP simply has a disconnect with reality.

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“I don’t think they’re as bad as they’ve been made out to be. With that being said, there’s no money trees and the NDP seems to think you can do all you want, but if business isn’t making money, who’s paying the bloody taxes,” explained Mcgregor.

Mcgregor owns a small business and he feels the province needs to provide more relief in terms of taxes for residents.

“We want to find ways to keep more of the money we work for. You’re in it to provide a service and make money, right? If I wanted to work for a charity, I would do that.”

Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel said he understands Mcgregors frustrations, but adds there are more issues than just receiving a tax break.

“Small business is the backbone of Albertas economy,” said Mandel. “We gotta make sure that we do everything possible to allow our small businesses to be successful. The minimum wage is one thing, but the bad economy, the negativity in the economy, the problems with WCB and statutory holidays, things put in by the NDP have really hurt business. The circumstances right now aren’t allowing them to pursue their visions, goals or dreams. “

Mandel then furthered his stance on the topic of small businesses in Alberta

“My position is that the NDP doesn’t have any understanding of small business and they’ve made a mess of trying to impact them in a very negative way.”

Mandel then stated that one thing he’s heard throughout the province is concerns around the future of Alberta.

“The one thing that has been most apparent is the frustration that Albertans feel about today and their future. People are worried about what Alberta is going to be like in the next five, ten or twenty years. How their children are going to succeed. “

Though he says it was nice hearing Mandel address the issues, Mcgregor wasn’t totally sold on the Alberta Party. 

“Politicians have their ideas, but they’re also salesmen. I think with any political party, wherever they come from, that there’s the element of truth, but there’s also the ambiguity of what they say.” said Mcgregor.

So, for the time-being, Albertans will have to wait and see which party leads them into the future.