Riding: Airdrie

Snapshot: This rapidly-growing southern Alberta riding will be a race among newcomers after former MLA Rob Anderson left the Wildrose Party, crossed to the PCs, then decided to retire. Population has more than doubled in this bedroom community from 20,000 people in 2001, to more than 42,000 in 2011 census. New Tory candidate Peter Brown is expected to battle it out with Wildrose Party representative Angela Pitt and the New Democrats’ Chris Noble.

Won in 2012: Rob Anderson (WRP)

Eligible voters 2012: 31,258 

Voter turnout in 2012: 52.9%

Candidates

a. Peter Brown        Progressive Conservative
b. Jeremy Klug        Alberta Party
c. Chris Noble          NDP
d. Angela Pitt           Wildrose
e. Jeff Willerton      Independent

Peter Brown

Age: 51

Party: PC

Occupation: Mayor of Airdrie

Reasons for running

As mayor of one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, I have worked tirelessly to help the residents of Airdrie and Rocky View. Recent successes include new schools, plans for a new 24-hour health campus, and numerous social and infrastructure grants. There’s lots more to do. That’s why I’m running for MLA — to bring a clear voice for Airdrie and Rocky View to Edmonton when the big decisions get made.

Priority #1

Education funding is a top priority. The building of six new schools is much appreciated, but we also need operational funding for them. Following budget 2015, no new funding was provided, so growing communities like Rocky View have adjusted their allocated dollars. We need to address growth challenges and ensure our children have the same access to education resources as other students in the province.

Priority #2

Access to health care is a key issue because my area is growing so quickly. We recently reached a landmark agreement with the province to build a new health care park in Airdrie that will include a 24-hour urgent care centre, a proposed seniors’ centre, hospice and private health care services. As MLA, I will continue to lobby the province to make this plan a reality and get the care we deserve.

Priority #3

Airdrie and Rocky View desperately need better infrastructure for our growing community, such as water and wastewater facilities as well as roads. Both municipalities have done a lot of work to get needed transportation infrastructure, but we still need road upgrades, overpasses, better traffic patterns. As MLA, I plan to be a strong voice at the table when the big capital spending decisions are made.

Website: electpeterbrown.com

Facebook: Peter Brown

Twitter: PeterBrownPC

Jeremy Klug 

Age: 29

Party: AP

Occupation: Information technology

Reasons for running

I am running to represent Airdrie because I feel our current system has lacked what is truly necessary for our province; one where MLAs represent their constituents first. We can ensure that we can bring stability back to Alberta’s finance. We need to balance our books, ensure high-quality services and a competitive, diverse economy. Alberta has a bright future and a better way to get there. 

Priority #1

Albertans expect high-quality service to be available for their families when they need them. Recent cuts and years of mismanagement have resulted in underfunding in education and health care. I will advocate for adequate, stable funding for our public systems. We need to make sure that our public systems are managed effectively and efficiently to ensure high quality care at the front line.

Priority #2

Our finances need reforming to create a stable future for Alberta. Modestly increasing corporate taxes, bringing in a progressive tax, eliminating waste and misspending and creating a competitive edge for small businesses and entrepreneurs will help grow our economy into a more diverse place for Albertans to thrive …

Priority #3

I will ensure that infrastructure decisions, which are so needed in our community, occur in an open and transparent way. Listening to constituents and advocating for Airdrie’s needs in the Legislature will be my priority. We need a government that acts with integrity, and ensures that we make decisions in the interest of all Albertans not just special interests.

Website: jeremy4airdrie.ca

Facebook: Jeremy Klug

Twitter: jfklug

Chris Noble

Age: 32

Party: NDP

Occupation: Audio-visual tech

Reasons for running

I know and love this community, born and raised here, I’ve seen Airdrie grow from a tiny town to the city it is today. I’ve been actively involved in the community for over two decades both with my involvement through various churches, and through Airdrie non-profit SLAM in Airdrie. I’m committed to helping put an end to corporate interference in Alberta politics, to help ensure the voices of the people of Airdrie and Alberta are truly heard (we don’t take corporate donations, this has been a grassroots movement from Day 1). I will stand up to ensure the Prentice Conservatives and the Wildrose don’t run our education and health care systems into the ground. I know the issues that we face daily, and am committed to being a strong voice for the people of Airdrie.

Priority #1

24-hour health care

Priority #2

Education

Priority #3

Job creation

Website: albertandp.ca

Facebook: Chris Noble

Twitter: AirdrieNDP

Angela Pitt

Age: 31

Party: WRP

Occupation: Business owner

Reasons for running

This government needs to be held accountable. I am upset that Albertans are being punished by new taxes for the mistakes of the PC government. Our health-care system is broken and we are suffering. I am standing up for Alberta to do the right thing and bring the government back to the people.

Priority #1

To ensure that Airdrie gets a realistic commitment for 24-hr. urgent health care.

Priority #2

To reverse the 59 new tax increases on Albertans.

Priority #3

Amend bill 36 to protect individual property rights and implement the Wildrose 10/10 MSI plan so rural municipalities are immune from threats, promises, politics and unpredictability of provincial politicians.

Website: angelapitt.ca

Facebook: Angela Pitt

Twitter: AngelaPittWRP 

 Jeff Willerton

Age: 50

Party: IND

Occupation: Political writer/entrepreneur

Reasons for running

To stop the maddening drift to the left in this province.

Priority #1

Ban GSAs. I believe their primary objective is not to reduce bullying, but to normalize counterproductive lifestyles to an increasingly younger audience.

Priority #2

Raise the standard of education. Today 25 per cent of those who start kindergarten don’t finish high school, and 30 per cent of those who do are functionally illiterate. This is entirely unacceptable.

Priority #3

Reduce government itself. Ours is the largest, most expensive government in Canada, and the behemoth needs to be cut down to size.

Website: jeffwillerton.com