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Campaign Offices open in Leduc, Millet and Wetaskiwin

Pipestone Flyer

 

Premier Alison Redford Greeted Leduc residents and supporters when she made a brief stop at the Leduc Recreation Centre on Friday March 30th.

 

Checking out the websites of MLAs does not produce any biographical information but instead,  the following message:

An Alberta provincial election has been called and with the dissolution of the 27th Legislature there are no Members of the Legislative Assembly until the results of the general election become official. Following the election, biographical information of returning and newly-elected Members will be posted as it becomes available. During the election period, constituency offices will remain open to serve the public.

The issuance of a writ dissolves the current Legislature. Since there is no Legislature, Members are no longer Members of the Legislative Assembly. Constituency offices may remain open during the election period, and payments for rent and services will continue to be made out of each Member’s Services allowance.

Constituency offices cannot be used to prepare, store or distribute party, constituency association or election campaign material nor can offices display any material advocating the choice of any party or candidate.

On March 26th a provincial election was called. On March 27th the Wetaskiwin-Camrose PC campaign team officially opened the campaign office in Wetaskiwin and on March 28th a similar office was opened in Millet. Verlyn Olson and his wife Mardell greeted staunch supporters at both events. 

“This is the start of what will be an interesting campaign and probably pretty different than campaigns you have seen in recent times”, states Olson.  “I know when Premier Stelmach decided not to run he predicted this campaign was going to be very negative with lots of personal attacks. If the last couple months in the legislature is any indication he is right on the money.”

Olson assured his supporters, “My intention is to run a very positive and optimistic campaign. I talked to you about my unhappiness with the behavior in the legislature. This (campaign) is an opportunity for us to send out the message politics should be a positive experience because if it is negative people tend not to want to be involved.”

He challenged his campaign supporters. “We are not taking anything for granted. We are starting the campaign like we are at zero.  I need you to work hard and help me by getting out and to talk to as many people as possible. Listen to any questions or concerns that the people have so I can engage as many people as possible.”

“I want to summarize by saying we live in a great place. If we live in a bubble all the troubles we hear about might make us think this is the worst place on earth. We should focus on all the good things and all the blessings.” Olson admitted mistakes have been made ‘because we have. But we’re human. With a new leader and a fresh cabinet we will be doing some interesting and innovative things”

“Economically we are the envy of the country if not the continent.  We’ve been asked if our budget predictions are unreasonable to balance our budget in the next few years. The budget we passed will see a small deficit this year, with the small surplus next year and then to a surplus of $5 billion the following year. That is not wishful thinking or numbers pulled out of the air.”

  Olson explains. “One of the reasons is our oil revenues will increase. Our oil industry will have 13 major projects have been getting a royalty holiday, paying larger royalties. Once they have paid off their capital costs they have to start paying higher royalties. From 1-9% while under construction when once they have paid off the capital costs, payout on those royalties will spike to 30-40%. There’s lots of reason for optimism. That is what I’m saying.”

His final message is an important for all to heed. “Delivering the votes is most important thing. We need to get out to vote.”

With that, supporters surrounded Verlyn as he cut the ribbon to open the Wetaskiwin campaign office.