Edmonton-Whitemud a wide-open race in Monday's byelection
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After Dave Hancock announced he was stepping down on Sept. 12, the riding of Edmonton-Whitemud was left wide open. Six candidates have stepped forward seeking the seat. The new MLA will be chosen in a byelection on Oct. 27.
Wildrose -- Tim Grover
Businessman Tim Grover is running for the Wildrose, asking voters to send the PCs a message. Grover has slammed the PC Party for entitlement. In health-care debates in the riding, Grover has said he would listen to front-line staff and cut back on bloated bureaucracy.
Green Party -- Rene Malenfant
Rene Malenfant, running for the Green Party, garnered applause at a forum on Sept. 22 when he suggested raising taxes. At the debate, Malenfant said the health-care system is under-funded and added if elected he would create a crown corporation to act as a mass buyer for pharmaceuticals. As per the Green Party platform, he wants to eliminate corporate and union funding of campaigns.
PC -- Stephen Mandel
Health Minster Stephen Mandel is running for the PC Party after stepping down as Edmonton’s mayor. In his time as minister since Sept. 15, the department has announced 464 unfunded or unstaffed continuing care spaces will be opened in the next 12 months, with a goal of 1,500 continuing care spaces – 1,400 of which will be ready by the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Alberta Party -- Wiliam Munsey
Alberta Party President William Munsey is asking voters to give the new party a chance. The CN Rail locomotive engineer has said he has learned from his fellow candidates during debates. Munsey said atfter Monday’s debate that the party is in favour of fully publicly-funded and delivered healthcare and education, while recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of Albertans and describes his party as centrist, without baggage.
NDP -- Bob Turner
Physician at the Cross Cancer Institute and professor at the University of Alberta hospital, Dr. Bob Turner is staunchly opposed to privatization in the health-care system. In public forums he has spoken against the contract with Sonic Healthcare Ltd. for lab services, questioned the legality of the Edmonton Copeman clinic, and tore into Mandel for his relationships with tobacco lobbyists.
Alberta Liberal -- Donna Wilson
Nurse and researcher Dr. Donna Wilson points to the crumbling Misericordia Hospital as evidence of a mismanaged health-care system. Patients are in hospitals when they should be in long-term care, home care or other alternate levels of care, she says. In addition to investing in health infrastructure, Wilson said the Alberta Liberals would invest in schools as a community hub.
catherine.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca
@SunGriwkowskyC
