The next Canadian federal election takes place on Monday, September 20.
Below is a full list of candidates in the constituencies where Alberta’s commercial hog farmers are most highly concentrated. The lists are ordered by most-to-least commercial hog farmer concentration per constituency, then alphabetically by each candidate’s surname.
For candidates without biographies, those may be added at a later time. If you are a candidate or candidate’s agent who would like to inquire about the content below, please email info@albertapork.com.
- Heidinger, Brodie (People’s Party): Heidinger was born and raised in Medicine Hat. He has worked in the insurance industry since 2007 and has shown dedication to his work by advancing his education and training on a regular basis, obtaining several designations. He is married, with two children.
- Motz, Glen (Conservative): Motz grew up on a farm near Hanna and was a police officer in Medicine Hat for more than three decades, where he lives with his wife, and where he raised two children. He is an active member of local community and church associations.
- Shoesmith, Geoff (Maverick): Shoesmith was born and raised in Ottawa and moved to Medicine Hat in 1975. Shoesmith’s career began in oil and gas, and he has since owned and operated multiple businesses in Medicine Hat and Walsh with his wife, while raising three children.
- Stenger, Jocelyn (New Democrat): Stenger is a political staffer and non-practicing social worker, based in Edmonton.
- Wilson, Hannah (Liberal): Wilson comes from a farming family and has worked as a political aide in Calgary.
- Capp, Geoffrey (Christian Heritage): Capp was born in London, Ontario and lives in Lethbridge. He has worked in accounting and trucking. He and his wife have three children.
- Harder, Rachael (Conservative): Harder grew up on a farm in southern Alberta and holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences. She has worked as a youth sociologist and leadership consultant in the private and non-profit sectors.
- Hargreaves, Devon (Liberal): Hargreaves grew up in Fort McMurray and lives in Lethbridge with his wife. While pursuing a career in insurance, he has worked hard as a dedicated community advocate and non-profit leader.
- Hovan, Kimmie (People’s Party): Hovan grew up in Red Deer and moved to Lethbridge as a child in 1988. She owns and operates a residential cleaning business and previously owned and operated two franchise businesses.
- Perez, Elaine (New Democrat)
- Siever, Kim (Independent): Siever grew up in Regina and moved to Lethbridge in 1998, where he lives with his spouse and four children. He has a Bachelor of Arts in drama and French, and he works as a freelance journalist.
- Bliss, Orrin (Maverick): Bliss was born in Grande Prairie and moved to Bow River in 2007. He has worked in oil and gas in various capacities, owned businesses, and possesses a trade ticket in drilling. He is a father of two children.
- Bridges, Jonathan Nicklos (People’s Party): Bridges was born and raised in southern Alberta and lives in Linden with his wife and four children. He is a heavy-duty mechanic and helps out his local church.
- Lipp, Tom (Christian Heritage): Lipp was born in Europe and lives outside of Calgary. He is an accountant and financial advisor, and he holds a Master of Business Administration. He is married, with 10 children.
- MacLean, Michael (New Democrat)
- Shawile, Getu (Liberal): Shawile is an engineer, based in Calgary.
- Shields, Martin (Conservative): Shields was born in Lethbridge and lives in Brooks with his family, having raised three children. He was a schoolteacher for three decades and a part-time university instructor for two decades.
- Barnes, Joan (Independent): Barnes grew up in Wildwood and has lived in Sylvan Lake since 1993. She is a real estate agent and previously worked in the medical field.
- Calkins, Blaine (Conservative): Calkins grew up on a farm near Lacombe and holds a Bachelor of Science in zoology. He has worked in the wildlife, oil and gas and education fields.
- Heyden-Kaye, Tanya (New Democrat): Heyden-Kaye lives in Ponoka and has worked at the Parent Link Centre there.
- Joujan, Harry (Maverick): Joujan moved to Red Deer in 2019. He is a boilerhand with extensive trades experience and has owned business in Medicine Hat and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
- Lim, Megan (People’s Party): Lim has worked in the legal industry for more than 20 years. She is a mother of two children.
- Ondieki, David (Liberal): Ondieki works in health care, based in Edmonton.
- Watson, Matthew (Libertarian)
- Brisbin, Daniel (Green): Brisbin was born and raised in Three Hills. He holds a Bachelor of Biblical Studies and a diploma in forest technology. He works as a wildfire lookout in northern Alberta.
- Golka, Jeff (Maverick): Golka was born and raised in Hardisty, where he lives with his wife, and where they raised three children. He has worked in agriculture, oil and gas, and real estate.
- Kurek, Damien (Conservative): Kurek grew up on a farm near Consort and lives in Camrose. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a diploma in Biblical Studies. He has worked in agriculture and oil and gas.
- McLeod, Leah Diane (Liberal)
- Ratushniak, Tonya (New Democrat): Ratushniak lives in New Norway and works as a nurse in Camrose.
- Trepanier, Dennis (People’s Party): Trepanier was born in northern Ontario and lives in Red Deer, with a small farm in the constituency. He is an IT contractor and has worked in oil and gas. He is married, with two children.
For more information, visit the websites of the parties (in alphabetic order) fielding candidates in these constituencies: Christian Heritage Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Green Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Maverick Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada and People’s Party of Canada.
Leading up to the election, further analysis of issues touching agri-food – especially those impacting Alberta’s hog farmers – will be released.
