The announcement this past week of an early Provincial Election really came as no surprise to most Albertan’s. When announced that Premier Prentice would be making an ‘important announcement’ on April 7, 2015, it was pretty obvious what that announcement would be. In the speech made by the Premier, he stated that Alberta is at a turning point and facing some tough challenges and that with the ten year plan that the PC government put forward now needed Albertan’s to have the opportunity to judge that plan, and with that, a May 5th election was called.
For months, it appeared that Chestermere-Rocky View would have two candidates, current PC MLA Bruce McAllister and Wildrose nominee, Leela Sharon Aheer. However, since the announcement of the election, more and more candidates have been throwing their hat in the ring to be the representative for Chestermere-Rocky View. Here is a look at each of those confirmed candidates in no special order.
Leela Sharon Aheer – Wildrose
Leela has called Chestermere home since 1979 and currently resides. She and husband of 25 years have raised two children in Chestermere, ran businesses and have been strong members of the community and in many community projects. Being a local business owner has ingrained the principles of financial responsibility and efficiency in management. Leela is also a founder and owner of the Chestermere Community Health Centre. She was instrumental in bringing Alberta Health Services to her home town and looks forward to expanding medical services in the region. She believes in and cares about bringing localized health care to smaller communities; a key plank of the Wildrose party. Wildrose fundraisers, minor hockey casinos, bingos, community fundraisers and various music events consistently benefit from Leela’s energy and leadership. Leela Aheer was a key part in the original campaign team that brought the first elected Wildrose MLA to Chestermere-Rocky View. Today she proudly advocates on behalf of her special needs son and actively guides her older son at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Her Political Science education come from the University of Calgary and her interest in this area is lifelong. She holds a Bachelor degree from the University of Manitoba. Leela feels strongly about having a fiscally responsible government, local and accessible health care, restoring property rights and integrity.
Matt Grant – Independent
Matt was raised on an acreage just north of Chestermere. Attending Conrich elementary and then Chestermere High School, Matt was also a member of Chestermere Minor Hockey and the Chestermere 4H Club. Matt states that his early lessons were taught in the schools, hockey rinks and community centres of this constituency and is proud to be the third generation of his family to live in the area where he is now married and now raising his own child. He completed a Computer Engineering Technology diploma at SAIT and followed that up with a Bachelors of Management from the University of Lethbridge as a working student. He has spent the bulk of his working career in the transportation industry and is currently an IT Project Manager for one of the largest bulk carriers in North America. Running as an independent candidate stems from Matt’s desire to give those members of the Chestermere-Rocky View constituency a choice to have their own voice instead of being forced to follow something they don’t believe in. “The core premise of running as an independent is to restore the voice of the constituents back into the legislature. That said, there is many more issues in this province than just the state of our democracy”.
Jamie Lall – Independent
Jamie was raised on an acreage in Rocky View County having attended both middle school and high school in Chestermere. Upon graduating high school, he furthered his studies at the University of Calgary majoring in Political Science and Sociology. After completing his university studies, he worked primarily in the non-profit sector providing services to individuals with disabilities/mental health diagnosis’ in the Calgary area. In 2012, Jamie co-founded Calgary Housing and Employment Services, a non-profit employment based initiative working hands-on with individuals facing homelessness. Under his leadership as CEO, this organization has grown and continues to serve those who need it most. Jamie feels that when budgets are trimmed it is unfair for front line staff to bear the majority of that burden. If elected, Jamie pledges to lead by example and take a 15% reduction in salary which will be redistributed to services, non-profit initiatives and local charities within our constituency. Jamie pledges fully to ensure that all residents of Chestermere-Rocky View understand that they will be equally represented and equally consulted with.
William Pelech – New Democratic Party
Unavailable at press time
Bruce McAllister – Progressive Conservative
Bruce is committed to family and community. As a Chestermere resident for the past 11 years, he has been an active volunteer and advocate. It’s common to see Bruce around the community whether at the World’s Longest Hockey Game, the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership’s Polar Bear Dip, or watching his daughters perform at the local dance studio. Before entering politics, Bruce was a host and reporter on Global Television for 10 years. Bruce was first elected as MLA in 2012. Since then, he has dedicated himself to improving the education system and finding solutions for his constituents through respectful and thoughtful dialogue. Community Counts is a slogan I Bruce uses because he is immensely proud of the great people who work together to make our constituency a terrific place to live and says it is his honour to represent them. It is also important to bring better governance to the people of Alberta and he believes Jim Prentice is the right man to lead Albertans through this challenging time. A better education system for our children, more realistic severance and compensation packages for public officials, and property rights for our landowners are issues close to Bruce’s heart. I am working in a government that will make these changes, under a leader who shares our values and our priorities.
To learn more about these candidates, the public is invited to attend the 2015 All Candidates Forum being hosted by YELL (Youth Encouraging Lasting Leadership) on Wednesday April 29th from 7pm – 9pm at the main hall at the Chestermere Recreation Centre.
