With just four days to go before the second and final vote in the Progressive Conservative leadership contest, candidate Alison Redford put her campaign on hold Tuesday afternoon.
Redford's mother, Helen Redford, was admitted to the High River hospital Tuesday and passed away later that evening. Redford was set to appear in a televised debate Wednesday, but a statement from her campaign said she was otherwise cancelling her public events until Friday.
Her campaign manager Stephen Carter said in a statement that Redford appreciated the support of Albertans.
"Alison would like to thank all of the volunteers from her campaign and the campaigns of Gary Mar and Doug Horner for their support. The outpouring from Albertans from every area in the province has been heartwarming," the statement said.
Carter said prior to her mother's hospitalization, Redford's team was feeling very positive about its place in the race. Organizers were detecting a strong race in Calgary and expected good numbers from the advance polls.
"We are definitely in the game," he said.
Earlier in the week Redford pledged to bring up pay standards in Alberta for non-profit organizations. Carter said she recognizes the incredible work they do, often on behalf of the Alberta government.
She also pledged that not-for-profits would have long-term contracts with the government, so they could plan with stable funding in mind.
Horner campaign building
Reached before the news of Redford's campaign suspension, Local MLA Doug Horner said he thought his campaign was building really well and he expected to be a serious contender on Saturday.
"It is coming along really well, we have a lot of support coming from various different places," he said. "It has been a tremendous response from all over the province."
On Tuesday Horner announced a plan to focus on property rights protections. He would appoint a panel of lawyers to review the controversial land use bills, identify any areas that infringe on property rights and recommend a fix.
On Monday he announced he would ask for proposals on burying the proposed Heartland transmission line, where it runs near Sherwood Park.
He also promised an independent panel to thoroughly review the competiveness of Alberta's electrical system.
Horner was also set to announce a seniors' property tax deferral plan. The plan in British Columbia allows seniors to defer paying their property taxes until a home is sold and he said it is part of his approach to helping seniors stay in their home.
"It will be just one more tool in the toolbox to allow seniors to stay in their homes and have the cash flow to do that," Horner said.
The Gazette was unable to talk with Gary Mar on Tuesday, but he pledged earlier in the week to cover insulin pumps for diabetics, which drew him praise from the Canadian Diabetes Association.
This Saturday voting locations will be open across the province. Voters in the St. Albert riding can vote at Servus Credit Union Place, voters in the Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert riding can vote at the Salvation Army headquarters.
Voters in the Athabasca-Redwater riding can vote at the Namao Hall. The Community Cultural Centre is the polling location for Morinville.
