By Jessie Weisner

Drew Barnes says UCP have ‘good chances’ in upcoming election

Mar 19, 2019 | 5:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Cypress-Medicine Hat United Conservative Party candidate, Drew Barnes, also commented on the election call Monday.

One day after the Throne Speech was delivered, NDP leader Rachel Notley announced an April 16 election date.

Barnes, who is seeking his third term in the legislature, says the election call is no surprise, and the timing is ideal for Albertan’s.

He says over the last six months, no matter where he’s been, Albertan’s have been waiting for this election.

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“It’ll be an interesting campaign what Albertans ideas are for the future, what Albertans ideas are to make Alberta once again the leader of free enterprise and the best place to raise a family,” says Barnes. “We’ve seen in Ottawa what Liberal and NDP thinking does and it’s added billions of dollars of debt, it has made it so there’s not opportunities out there for free enterprise and for families.”

Barnes says issues with Alberta’s economy have made it clear that it’s time for a new United Conservative Government.

“This is an opportunity for Albertans to say that they want a government, a united conservative party government that’s going to focus on free enterprise and families and once again make Alberta the leader in Canada.”

Barnes says his party has a good chance of being reelected.

“Our chances are good, we’ve been working hard, talking to Albertans, we’ve been working hard earning their respect, ideas for respecting tax dollars.”

Barnes remains positive despite some issues within the party.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney is facing allegation of undermining Brian Jean in the 2017 leadership race.

Barnes says that won’t affect the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

In addition, he says Kenney and the party have remained civil through their campaign.

“The United Conservative Party, myself and Jason Kenney, we have kept it civil,” says Barnes. “We’ve focused on the ideas, we have highlighted how much debt the NDP has put us in, how much our economy has slowed down.”

Candidate nominations end on March 29, and the election will be held April 16.