By Charles Lefebvre

Jim Black says Alberta Party will represent all constituents

Mar 19, 2019 | 6:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Jim Black, the Alberta Party candidate for the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding, says his focus is getting the message out about the party, and how it will help Albertans.

“I think one of the things people will recognize about us is that we’re very diverse,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “We are a party of Alberta only. We are not controlled or scripted by any inter or federal parties. Our party came from talking to 3,200 Albertans and asking them what they wanted in their parties and in their MLAs and one thing we found that came across loud and clear is that they want MLAs to start speaking for them instead of for the parties speaking down to them.”

Black is running against Michaela Glasgo (United Conservative Party), Lynn MacWilliam (NDP) and Todd Beasley (independent). Candidates have until March 29 to submit nomination information, to be included on the ballot on April 16.

Black, who ran for the party in the 2015 election, has been doing flyer deliveries, door-knocking and meet-and-greets, and says building a pipeline has been one of the biggest issues he has been hearing from people.

“The energy economy is in pretty grim shape and I think it’s probably going to take two years for that to come back,” he said. “They’re concerned about that and the carbon tax or carbon levy I think it’s more appropriate named, they’re concerned about that. Health care and education, at the doors I’ve been knocking at, are the other two issues.”

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Black says he believes his experience helps set him apart from other candidates. He has been a teacher and principal for nearly 30 years, and currently teaches with the Alternative Education program in Bow Island. He has also served on numerous boards in the region, including the Palliser Health Triangle.

“I sat on the Children’s Services Board for six years,” he said. “I was elected to the health board. I sat on that for seven years. And I’ve also been in the education field for decades. So I understand some of the complexities of healthcare. I have the experience that I think other candidates don’t have in that area.”

Black, along with fellow Alberta Party candidate Colette Smithers, will be sharing an office at 601 Second Street Southeast.

He also a Facebook page.