Overview
The next Canadian federal election will take place on Monday, October 21, 2019. With each election cycle comes the possibility of new representatives.
Taken together, all strictly urban constituencies in Calgary and Edmonton (excluding Edmonton-Wetaskiwin) comprise 17 of the province’s 34 federal constituencies. Some constituencies overlap sizeable urban areas but are large enough to be considered “rural” for the sake of analysis.
Our producers live in all predominately rural constituencies found in this province. Alberta Pork previously covered some features of our producers’ constituencies. Because our producers are so widespread, no constituencies represent a clear majority of our producers, but below are some insights related to the candidates who will end up representing 683 of our 786 total registered Alberta pork producers.
Constituencies
Battle River-Crowfoot (123 producers)
Kevin Sorenson is the current Conservative MP for Battle River-Crowfoot. He will not be seeking re-election in 2019.
The Conservative candidate is Damien Kurek, who resides in Camrose and comes from a Consort-area farming family of five generations. Damien holds a Bachelor of Arts in political studies and communications and a Diploma in Biblical Studies, and he has experience working in oil and gas, along with a long history of political involvement.
The Green candidate is Geordie Nelson. Geordie holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus in Camrose, where he now works. He is originally from Ottawa but grew up in Wainwright and believes Canada should balance a strong economy with a healthy climate.
The Liberal candidate is Dianne Clarke. Dianne holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and E-Commerce certification from NAIT. She is from Camrose and has worked in health care, education and tech development for banking and home-schooling. She has been a small business owner for two decades and is a supporter of the arts.
The New Democrat candidate is Natasha Fryzuk. She holds of a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta and is a communications coordinator for an arts society in Edmonton.
The People’s Party candidate is David Michaud. David resides in Beaver County and is originally from Ontario. He spent more than two decades in the Canadian Forces and feels strongly about getting Alberta resources to market.
Bow River (89 producers)
Martin Shields is the incumbent Conservative MP for Bow River. Martin was previously the Mayor of Brooks from 2007 until being elected MP in this constituency in 2015. Prior to politics, Martin was a schoolteacher and administrator for more than three decades.
The Green candidate is Hendrika (Riny) Tuithof de Jonge. Riny operates a small campground for Alberta Parks and has worked with local ranchers to successfully advocate for public interests in Kananaskis. She supports sustainable local business and organic farming methods.
The Liberal candidate is Margaret Rhemtulla.
The New Democrat candidate is Lynn McWilliams. Lynn is a Town of Bassano Councillor and has been involved in NDP politics for decades. She is opposed to labelling of exports to the U.S., which she considers unfair to farmers, and supports pathways to citizenship for Temporary Foreign Workers.
The People’s Party candidate is Tom Ikert. Tom is a red seal journeyman carpenter who lives in Wheatland County with his wife, with whom he has raised four adult children. Their quarter section has been in the family for more than five decades, currently leased for farming and oil extraction.
Lakeland (78 producers)
Shannon Stubbs is the incumbent Conservative MP for Lakeland. She was raised on a farm near Chipman and currently lives in Two Hills. She has spent time consulting in both private and public sectors, including oil and gas, health, education and government.
The Green candidate is Kira Brunner. Kira was born and raised in Elk Point and is a member of the Community Advisory Policing Committee and other local clubs. Kira is an advocate for healthcare and holds a certificate in Innovation Skills from Royal Roads University in Victoria.
The Liberal candidate is Mark Watson. Mark has been the director of the Smoky Lake & District Agricultural Society for more than eight years and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University in Ontario. He has been involved with various community-based organizations for decades.
The New Democrat candidate is Jeffrey Swanson.
The People’s Party candidate is Alain Houle. Alain is originally from Ontario but lives with his wife and daughter in Vegreville, where he works as a power lineman. He believes in getting Canada’s resources to market and balancing the budget.
Peace River-Westlock (73 producers)
Arnold Viersen is the incumbent Conservative MP for Peace River-Westlock. He was born in Barrhead and currently lives on an acreage near Westlock, where he works as a journeyman automotive technician. He is an outdoorsman and member of the Barrhead Fish and Game Association.
The Green candidate is Peter Nygaard. Peter owns and operates a plumbing and gas-fitting business in Joussar. For a decade, Peter and his wife bicycled around the world and documented their travels, which attracted considerable media attention.
The Liberal candidate is Leslie Penny. Leslie is a Town of Barrhead Councillor who previously worked in healthcare. She believes the Liberal platform provides a comfortable medium between the Conservatives and NDP, and that Alberta should become less reliant on oil and gas.
The New Democrat candidate is Jennifer Villebrun. Jennifer is a lawyer from Valleyview and an instructor at Reeves College in Lethbridge. She has previously run three times in this constituency and its predecessor: twice with the New Democrats, once with the Greens.
The People’s Party candidate is John Schrader. John Schrader grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Westlock County and currently works in oil and gas. He believes in limited government and would like to see pathways to citizenship for Temporary Foreign Workers.
Yellowhead (67 producers)
Jim Eglinski is the current Conservative MP for Yellowhead. He will not be seeking re-election in 2019.
The Conservative candidate is Gerald Soroka, who has been the Mayor of Evansburg for the last 12 years, close to where his family has farmed for three generations. Gerald has also been the Vice President and President of West Central Forage Association as well as Vice President of the Alberta Forage Council.
The Green candidate is Angelena Satdeo. Angelena is a multi-faceted artist, educator, academic and dedicated yogini who runs a plant-based community home, yoga and meditation space in Edmonton. She is a devoted supporter of local food movements and organic farming practices.
The Liberal candidate is Jeremy Hoefsloot. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy from the University of Alberta and hails from Tomahawk. As a high school student, he was a supporter and benefactor of “cash for credits” scholarships.
The New Democrat candidate is Kristine Bowman. Kristine is a letter carrier with Canada Post in Edmonton. She is also an alumnus of Keyano College in Fort McMurray.
The People’s Party candidate is Douglas Galavan. Douglas and his wife have owned an interior décor store in Drayton Valley for more than three decades. He believes communities and families should be run in a prosperous, safe and stable manner.
Foothills (57 producers)
John Barlow is the incumbent Conservative MP for Foothills. John grew up in rural Saskatchewan and worked as a journalist for many years in the Calgary area. He is currently the Shadow Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour and previously held the role as Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food.
The Green candidate is Bridget Lacey. Bridget is a fifth-generation Albertan living on a farm near Turner Valley. Her parents were among the first greenhouse growers to seek organic certification in Alberta in the 1990s, orienting Bridget toward the importance of healthy and sustainable local food production.
The Liberal candidate is Cheryl Moller.
The New Democrat candidate is Mickail Hendi. Mickail is a student at the University of Calgary who also writes, directs and produces his own films.
The People’s Party candidate is Greg Hession. Greg is a certified blockchain professional for a solar panel wholesaling company based in Pincher Creek.
Red Deer-Lacombe (54 producers)
Blaine Calkins is the incumbent Conservative MP for Red Deer-Lacombe. Blaine grew up on a farm near Lacombe and holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. He worked in the wildlife, oil and gas and education fields until becoming a (formerly) Town of Lacombe Councillor in 2004 and an MP in 2006.
The Green candidate is Sarah Palmer. Sarah is a board member with the Environmental Appeals Board of Alberta, based in Calgary.
The Liberal candidate is Tiffany Rose. Tiffany is a PTSD yoga facilitator and owner of a yoga studio in Lacombe. She has more than a decade of experience working in marketing and public relations.
The New Democrat candidate is Lauren Pezzella. Lauren is a Campus Recreation Programmer at Red Deer College.
The People’s Party candidate is Laura-Lynn Thompson. Laura-Lynn is a national television host and comedian based in Vancouver.
Red Deer-Mountain View (51 producers)
Earl Dreeshen is the incumbent Conservative MP for Red Deer-Mountain View. Earl is a fourth-generation farmer near Pine Lake and was a schoolteacher for more than three decades. He is the father of Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Devin Dreeshen.
The Green candidate is Connor Borle. Connor is a science teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. In 2014, he co-founded a residential contracting business with a focus on sustainable construction, which he continues to operate.
The Liberal candidate is Gary Tremblay. Gary believes in fighting rural crime and strengthening our justice system by working with the province.
The New Democrat candidate is Logan Garbanewski. Logan is earning a Bachelor of Education at Red Deer College and is a member of the college’s Students’ Association.
The People’s Party candidate is Paul Mitchell. Paul is a businessman and entrepreneur who previously worked with the Reform Party of Canada. Paul stands for traditional family values, a strong energy industry and immigration focused on economic benefit.
Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner (51 producers)
Glen Motz is the incumbent Conservative MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner. Glen grew up on a farm near Hanna and was a police officer in Medicine Hat for more than three decades. He is an active member of local community and church associations.
The Green candidate is Shannon Hawthorne. Shannon grew up in Medicine Hat and has a Legal Assistant diploma from SAIT and is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Law in Society at the University of Calgary. She believes it is critical that we are focused on meaningful action in response to climate change.
The Liberal candidate is Harris Kirshenbaum. Harris is a retired consultant who has worked on multiple federal and provincial Liberal campaigns. He has lived in Calgary for the past two decades and believes climate change is one of the biggest issues faced by government.
The New Democrat candidate is Elizabeth Thomson. Elizabeth is a Community Connections Coordinator for Saamis Immigration Services in Medicine Hat. She holds a Master of Laws in international human rights and criminal law from Bangor University in the U.K.
The People’s Party candidate is Andrew Nelson. Andrew is a commercial pilot and retired construction superintendent who lives in Cardston. He considers the biggest issues for his constituency to be taxes, pipelines, firearm laws and freedom of expression.
Lethbridge (40 producers)
Rachael Harder is the incumbent Conservative MP for Lethbridge. Rachael grew up on a farm in southern Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences. She has more than 15 years of diverse work experience in both private and not-for-profit sectors.
The Green candidate is Stephnie Watson. Stephnie holds a Master of Science in environmental science from the University of Lethbridge and has spent time working for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as a researcher.
The Liberal candidate is Amy Bronson. Amy is a management consultant and performing artist whose father is a cattle veterinarian. She believes in lowering taxes for the middle class and supporting agriculture.
The New Democrat candidate is Shandi Bleiken. Shandi is a community organizer and administrative assistant at the University of Lethbridge. She advocates for families, education, public transportation and essential services.
The People’s Party candidate is Grant Hepworth. Grant owns a vaporizer store in Lethbridge and is campaigning on a party platform of diminishing regulations, significantly cutting taxes and reducing immigration levels.
More information
For more information on party platforms, visit the websites of the Conservative Party of Canada, Green Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada and People’s Party of Canada.
Keep an eye out for upcoming Alberta Pork articles and be sure to pay attention to news and social media leading up to the election.
If you would like more information on the 2019 Canadian federal election, contact Andrew Heck, Communication Programs Coordinator, Alberta Pork by email at andrew.heck@albertapork.com or by phone at 780-491-3527, toll-free at 1-877-247-PORK (7675).