The man who seems poised to challenge MLA and Speaker Ken Kowalski in the next election has some conservative heavyweights in his corner.
Link Byfield, an Alberta senator-in-waiting, held an information meeting last Thursday night in Morinville as part of his bid to secure the Wildrose Alliance nomination in the riding.
Among those present were former federal Conservative members of Parliament Dave Chatters and John Williams.
Chatters said he has been unimpressed with the provincial Tories and after meeting with Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, decided it was a time for change.
“It isn’t about whether Ken has been a good or a bad MLA, because I think everyone would agree he has served the riding well,” said Chatters. “It is about the government and their attitude towards Albertans and I don’t think they are listening.”
Kowalski won the last election with about 70 percent of the vote, but Williams said there is support for a change in government.
“The issue is not the MLA; it is the party and the government. The government has been around too long.”
Byfield spoke about Wildrose policies to the crowd of about 70 people, which included several Sturgeon County and Morinville councillors, for a little more than 30 minutes before taking questions from the audience.
He said the Wildrose would continue to support public healthcare, though they would look to improve the delivery.
The party would also bring in democratic changes including recall legislation and more free votes for MLAs.
In a nod to current events, he also said in government the party would use prosecutorial discretion on the gun registry.
“Under a Wildrose government no one will be prosecuted for simply failing to register a long gun, but if he uses it for a criminal purpose he will be sorry.”
Byfield also focused on the need to change how MLAs are paid, promising changes to both MLA pay and retirement plans.
“No longer will MLAs set their own pay, no longer will anyone leave our legislature with a $1.3 million golden handshake, Mr. Kowalski will be the last.”
Byfield spent much of his time talking about three bills the government passed last year related to land use planning and infrastructure projects — bills 50, 36 and 19.
The bills expand the government's powers when it comes to land assembly for critical infrastructure, such as power lines. Byfield said they simply go too far and infringe on landowners’ rights.
“When power lines are actually needed there will be a law for full and timely compensation for all lost property.”
The nomination period for the Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, constituency closes on Oct. 8 and so far no one else has come forward seeking the nomination.
