By Conner Toffan

Brooks-Medicine Hat candidate says Alberta Independence Party receiving growing support since parties revival

Apr 7, 2019 | 3:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Polls have shown that the 2019 provincial election could largely be a two horse race between Jason Kenney and the UCP, along with Rachel Notley and the NDP.

But one local candidate of the Alberta Independence Party (AIP), believes there’s been growing support for they AIP since it was revived in time for the election.

“A lot of the people I talk to have been willing to listen. I’m hearing a lot of things about people wanting change this time and they’re looking towards different idea’s and different parties for that change,” said Collin Pacholek, AIP candidate for Brooks-Medicine Hat.

The parties main goal is to hold a referendum to separate Alberta from the rest of Canada if elected. Pacholek says that some people he’s talked to get scared by the word “separation.”

“People look at separation and they immediately think of Le Bloc Quebecois, well we’re not like that. We’re not looking just to get special favours from our current government, we’re looking to be an independent nation of our own.”

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Pacholek believes separating from the rest of Canada makes sense for the economy.

“Being a strong country is really easy. Once we’re on our own, everything that we have that we’re sending away stays here,” said Pacholek, “we end the GST, we end the carbon tax, and that’s money in people’s pockets.”

He believes that if elected, his party could improve upon existing laws and policies in Alberta once separated from the country.

“We create our own laws, we create our own policies. How about no taxes for people that make $45,000 dollars and less, that’s money in their pockets.”

The last time the AIP took part in a provincial election was in 2001. They finished fourth in the popular vote, garnering 10,528 total votes, 1.04 per cent of all votes. Pacholek believes they will receive good support in the upcoming election.

“I believe that if people that are on-board with what we’re saying, they’ll vote for us. It’s an ideal that really can speak to people and if they listen to it, we’ll get our votes.”

Pacholek describes himself as a working class man, working as a carpenter on weekdays. He believes this can help him relate to the people in his constituency.

“I believe people might look at me as a kindred-soul. Somebody who is not motivated by political background or a career in politics. I’m not a politician, I’m just a working guy with a family.”