The leader of the party taking aim at Alberta’s ruling Progressive Conservatives had an action-packed day in Athabasca during her visit here on July 29.
Danielle Smith, leader of the right-winged Wildrose Party, made her way to Athabasca from Lac La Biche on the tenth day of her summer tour, taking in the community’s Centennial festivities, visiting residents at Pleasant Valley Lodge and attending the grand opening of Athabasca University’s new research and academic centre.
She was impressed by the apparent pride Athabascans have in their community and its facilities.
“Athabasca has a lot of reasons to look forward with optimism,” she said.
Travis Olson (the local Wildrose candidate) joined Smith on the tour, eager to learn some ins-and-outs of the political game from the successful veteran who earned the party’s leadership by a landslide in 2009.
“I was really excited that Travis stepped forward and put his name on the ballot,” she said. “He has sold a bunch of party memberships and I’m excited to see him give the local candidate a run for his money.”
She said that Olson, who goes out of his way to say he is not a “politician”, exemplifies what their party is striving to accomplish.
“We’re the type of party that believe when you elect someone, they go to Edmonton to represent their community’s interests. It’s not their job to represent their government’s interests,” she said.
His ability to balance his business with political work demonstrates his ability to be a successful MLA, she added.
Not all things have been coming up roses for the ‘Rosers lately. Just last week the Edmonton Journal released poll results that put the party 37 percentage points behind the Progressive Conservatives, a far cry from an earlier poll that had them neck-and-neck with the ruling party.
Smith downplayed the results of the poll, saying it had little meaning, especially since two parties have yet to elect new leaders.
“I think we’re all going to have to wait and see what happens in the fall,” she said.
In some ways, she explained, her party has already successfully toppled one government, crediting the departure of Ed Stelmach to the PC’s unwillingness to face-off with the WRP in an election with him at the helm.
She said that current attempts by the PC’s to change their ways have been brought about because of her party. PC leadership candidates have spouted open votes, handing power back to local authorities and fiscal restraint, but those have all been WRP standbys since the start, she explained.
“I don’t believe it, it’s plain old politicking,” she said. “They will say whatever it takes to win this vote, and do precisely nothing about it.”
Looking forward, she said that growing community support through local candidates and showing that change is possible will be key in winning the next election.
“Our job is to demonstrate to Albertans that they can trust that by electing a Wildrose government that the future is going to be better,” she said.
