By Charles Lefebvre

VIDEO: Wanner announces he will not seek re-election in 2019

Dec 17, 2018 | 5:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner will not be seeking re-election next year.

Wanner made the announcement during his annual come and go Winter Social Monday night.

“Many, many people of all political colours encouraged me to consider running again,” Wanner told the crowd at Sabai Restaurant. “I have however, decided to ask the local New Democrat association to plan for a nomination meeting in early 2019 to select (who) will represent our city in 2019.

“I know there are several individuals who plan to run, and it’s my hope that others consider doing the same. It it with great difficulty that I decided not to seek a second term.”

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Wanner, who was formerly the public services commissioner with the City of Medicine Hat joined the NDP campaign in Medicine Hat in April 2015.

“At that time, it was my 15-year-old granddaughter who was the deciding factor,” an emotional Wanner told the crowd. “She said ‘You must run, Alberta needs the change.’”

During the 2015 election on May 5, he won the riding of Medicine Hat by 370 votes.

“I can never say enough to the people who worked so hard to achieve that historic event, not only during that election, but for those who had been faithful to the party for many years, so many years before that election, those who helped, who have helped since, and those who will do so again,” said Wanner.

One month after being elected, Wanner was elected Speaker of the Legislature, a position he has held throughout his term.

While speaking positively about his experience as an MLA, Wanner also noted it could be “quite taxing, intense, and stressful on personal and family life.”

During his address Monday night, Wanner praised businesses that have decided to invest in Medicine Hat and the surrounding area, such as Hut 8, Aurora Cannabis, Cancarb and Capital Power, because they see opportunities in the region.

He said Albertans have two choices in the next election.

“I think we need political leaders who believe in us like those entrepreneurs do,” he said. “Those who speak of opportunity, not fear.

“Vision, or division. Build, or burn. Invest, or divest. Ahead, or back. Love who we choose to love, or judge with cold indifference. Ignore the world, or work with the world.”

The provincial election is scheduled to take place in spring 2019. The riding Wanner has represented will be split into two ridings: Brooks-Medicine Hat and Cypress-Medicine Hat.

Candidates already declared for Brooks-Medicine Hat include Michaela Glasgo for the United Conservative Party and Jim Black for the Alberta Party.

Drew Barnes will be seeking re-election in Cypress-Medicine Hat under the United Conservative Party banner.