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Candidates field questions and promote political platform at political forum in Rimbey

Four candidates running in the upcoming election faced a fairly full room of potential voters at a political forum held Wednesday at the auditorium at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre in Rimbey.
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Candidates David Rogers, Alberta Independent Party, Jef Ible, NDP, Joe Anglin, Alberta Party and Paula Lamoureux, Alberta Advantage Party were in attendance at a candidate’s forum held Wednesday at Peter Lougheed Community Centre in Rimbey. Treena Mielke Photo

Four candidates running in the upcoming election faced a fairly full room of potential voters at a political forum held Wednesday at the auditorium at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre in Rimbey.

The candidates for the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre Constituency included David Rogers from the Alberta Independent Party, Jeff Ible, NDP candidate, Joe Anglin, Alberta Party’s candidate for the riding and Paula Lamoureux, candidate for Alberta Advantage Party.

UCP candidate Jason Nixon was not in attendance, but voiced his apologies in a letter stating he had a prior committment to an event in Water Valley.

“I am running for the United Conservative Party and we are focused on jobs, pipelines, and the economy. We are presenting Albertans with a positibve, common-sense plan to get our economy back on track,” he letter stated.

Moderator Rebecca Siedel noted that Nixon had written a letter, adding that Paul McLauchlin was in the audience and would read the letter aloud.

However, Joe Anglin voiced his opposition to such a move, noting that it was a candidates forum and only those candidates who were present should be allowed to speak.

Anglin’s request was granted.

In her opening statement, Paula Lamoureux said Alberta is broken and she is committed to standing up to what Albertans deserve.

Joe Anglin, the Alberta Party candidate said Albertans need to take back control of the government.

“I will never be told how to vote,” he said.

NDP candidate Jeff Ebl took the opportuniy to slam Jason Kenney and the UCP Party, while encouraging those in attendance to support Premier Rachel Notley.

“The NDP inherited an economy deeply damaged,” he said, “But we will balance the books by 2023. Is the job done? Absolutely not.”

David Rogers, the candidate for the Alberta Independent Party said it is time for change.

None of the candidates directly answered the question, “when did they decide pipelines werea good idea?” asked by Rimbey resident Teri Ormberg.

“We all know there is a problem and we are for pipelines,” said Lamoureux.

“I can’t undestand why they are doing what they are doing,” said Anglin.

Ebl said the premier is working hard to get the pipelines through.

“It’s in everybody’s best interest to get the pipeline built,” he said.

Rogers said the pipeline is a lifeline for working Albertans.

“We need to have our pipelines up and running.”

Other questions revolved around health care, education, crime, the use of water for fracking and water injection and global warming.