ATHABASC-BARRHEAD-WESTLOCK-A University of Alberta (U of A)student is looking to dethrone the Peace River-Westlock incumbent in his first foray into the political process.
The Liberal Party of Canada acclaimed Luke Markowski as its candidate for the riding in late March.
However, due to his studies, the third-year university student, who grew up in Edmonton, couldn't commit fully to the election until recently.
"I started in anthropology but learned I enjoyed Canadian history and politics. I am especially interested in politics, especially federal politics, and I really want to help people," he said, adding that he decided to put his name forward under the Liberal banner largely because of its new leader, Mark Carney.
"For me, it was Mark Carney. He has demonstrated in his short time as party leader that he would make a good prime minister, and he has a lot of experience needed to run the country, given how things are going, the new challenges facing Canada with the instability with the U.S. and the tariffs," Markowski said. "We need someone who knows how to restructure the government and the economy to protect Canadians."
He added that he believed the Liberal Party had demonstrated throughout its history that it should shift its policies to what it felt was best for the country and was necessary, giving the carbon tax as an example.
"It is something they implemented and ran on, but when it no longer working as it was intended, Mark Carney was able to change course, so I feel if I were unhappy about something, they would be willing to listen and, over time, make that change more so than other parties, especially the Conservatives," Markowski said.
Under the Liberals' environmental plan, they will create a system of incentives to steer Canadians into making greener choices.
Markowski added that he was also attracted to running in a more rural riding, saying he got a taste of what living in the constituency was like as he spent a lot of time at his cousin's farm near Legal.
"I have a lot of fond memories from my time there, so when I thought it would be a lot of fun to help people up there."
As for some of the issues he has heard from residents in the riding, Markowski said many stem from services or, rather, the lack of them.
"Transportation, the schools are getting more overcrowded. I realize much of it is the provincial government's responsibility, but I would like to try to fix what I can," he said.
Another issue he has been hearing about in some areas of the riding is rural depopulation because of the lack of services because, they are not as well funded as more urban communities.
"For example, in Legal, they are telling me there is a housing boom because people are leaving and not coming back," Markowski said.
However, he admits that it is impossible for him to grasp all the complexities of the constituency, given its vastness, especially since its borders have been redrawn to all of Mackenzie County in the north Peace, including the High Level area.
For instance, Markowski said there are housing shortages in other areas of the constituency, which is why he is excited about the Liberal housing plan.
He said a Liberal government would create a Crown corporation, Build Canada Homes, which would act as a developer overseeing construction in an effort to build close to 500,000 affordable homes annually.
"It is some that the government did in the 40s and 50s to great effect," Markowski said.
He added that it was important to do what they could to lessen their reliance on the U.S. given the tariffs imposed by the county, and one of the first steps the Liberals would do if they retained government is to continue to work with the provinces to reduce internal trade barriers.
Markowski also realizes that winning a Liberal seat in central and northern Alberta will be a difficult task and one that will also be hampered by his inability to spend a lot of time in the riding.
Due to his school commitments, Markowski estimates that he will only be able to spend about four days in the riding, and considering the distances involved, it is doubtful that he will be able to visit all the areas in the constituency.
"But I don't think it is impossible," he said, pointing to former long-time Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan.
McLellan earned the nickname "Landside McLellan" for her ability to come out on top, taking her seat in Edmonton Northwest and then Edmonton West for multiple consecutive terms by extremely slim margins.
More recently, he pointed to Randy Boissonnault, who served two terms, although not consecutively, representing Edmonton Centre.
"Stranger things have happened, and regardless of the outcome, I am glad to have this opportunity to learn more about its residents," he said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
