Hello readers,
Each candidate from constituency of Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland has been issued the same questionnaire. Their biographies and answers can be found below, in order of response. Our questionnaire had a limit of 500 words, and the bio 150. A / at the end indicates they went over the word limit.
The opinions and thoughts expressed by each candidate are their own, and are not endorsed by Pattison Media (Big West Country). Responses are not edited for grammar or spelling, and candidates are aware that we reserve the right to not publish comments which are hateful or discriminatory.
For more Alberta Election 2023 coverage, visit our dedicated Alberta Votes page.
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Advantage Party of Alberta (APA) – Marilyn Burns (party leader)
(Supplied)
Biography
I grew up in the Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland Constituency. My father immigrated to the Onaway area from Slovakia. My mother’s parents escaped the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and settled in the Star Lake area.
I attended school in Duffield, Evansview and Wildwood Schools and graduated from Grand Trunk High School in Evansburg.
After graduation, I lived in Saskatchewan for seven years, then Golden, B.C. for five years. My ex-husband and I had four children together. We next moved to Edmonton, where I studied Athabasca University distance learning. I attend law school in Calgary and became a lawyer at age forty.
I’ve worked as a farm worker, waitress, food retail, Secretary, nurse’s aide for severely mentally and handicapped children and seniors, piano teacher and camp instructor.
In 2004 I ran as an Alberta Alliance candidate in the Stony Plain constituency. I’m one of two co-founders of the original Wildrose Party.
1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?
I am running as a candidate in the Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland constituency for the Advantage Party of Alberta because the people of Alberta are worth it. I come from this Constituency. The people in Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland are my people.
The World Economic Forum and other globalist organizations are causing destruction all over the world and they have encroached into Alberta, particularly with Alberta Health Services. No other political party in Alberta will stand against these globalist forces.
I am the Leader of the Advantage Party. We must confront the challenges of our time with strength and courage.
2. What are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?
I have knocked on approximately 2,500 doors in this constituency. By far, the issue raised more than any is the state of our health care system. Concerns include slow and inefficient delivery and the belief that Danielle Smith wants to erode public health for more private health delivery.
The second issue most frequently raised is affordability of utilities. People are genuinely struggling to pay utilities.
Thirdly, many people in Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland are aware of the the World Economic Forum and globalist encroachment into Alberta.
People are suggesting that they no longer want to be bound by Ottawa and I have carefully explained that the first step in untangling from this colonial elitist system is to have a registered political Party that is willing to hold a referendum on the question of whether Alberta should become its own nation. The second step is to elect MLAs and a Premier who support holding the referendum.
The fires, of course, are on everyone’s minds. People are aware that the local people in the west end of Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland have played a prominent role in the fire fighting work.
3. What is your main message to voters and undecided voters?
With having knocked on about 2,500 doors, I can say with confidence that the NDP vote has collapsed in Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland constituency. You do not have to vote UCP so that the NDP doesn’t get in.
Both the UCP and NDP Parties have created the problems we are facing today, whether in health care, affordability or globalist encroachment. Only the Advantage Party is bringing solutions.
I am the only candidate in Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland that can make a difference for you and for all of Alberta. The UCP and NDP MLA’s must stand up or sit down like lumps according to what their Leader wants. I am not bound by these conventions.
I would prioritize implementing a Health Care Investment Account so that every Albertan would have a sum of money to spend on any wellness care not covered by Alberta Health Services.
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Alberta Party (AP) – Janet Jabush
(Supplied)
Biography
I’m a motorcycle-riding gramma, mom of three (responsible) adults and wife of 42+ years to a very patient guy named Darrel.
From a shy kid to an outspoken woman who stands up for what’s right and won’t back away from a righteous fight, I’ve loaned my winning personality to retail/restaurant management, real estate, health & safety, and several for-profit & not-for-profit Boards.
Elected to Mayerthorpe’s Town Council in 2017, my past Board experience was helpful. 18 short months later, I was sworn in as Mayor, a position I proudly still hold. As a local elected official, I’ve connected with other municipal leaders from across the province, as well as collaborating in several regional & provincial groups working on things like healthcare and economic development.
The time I’ve spent working with leaders across this great province taught me many things, but one thing stood out; I needed to do more!
1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?
The short answer is, I was asked to run. For the UCP. I didn’t seriously consider it, but my friend was relentless. I knew I didn’t like the music the UCP was playing, so I reached out to my friend, Barry Morishita, Leader of the Alberta Party, with the intention of getting involved behind the scenes. Next thing I knew, I was their candidate in Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland and hearing some awesome original tunes from the party leadership and my fellow candidates.
Ultimately, I’m running because I believe people need another option to the two very polarizing “main” parties. The center-aligned sensibilities of the Alberta Party speak to lots of disenfranchised voters. People who don’t find themselves represented in today’s political arena.
I’m running because a two-party system isn’t a true democracy and what’s been happening in the Legislative Assembly over the last eight or ten years is not in the best interests of Albertans.
Parties once co-operated to craft legislation that worked for everyone. Now, rather than working together, they spend their time right-fighting. Neither of the two main parties has all the answers but each one has some as do the smaller parties. This isn’t a zero-sum game.
2. What are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?
Most Albertans are focussed on healthcare, education and affordability. I’m also hearing about a lack of trust in the current government and a pervasive distaste for the tenor of politics in general.
Our healthcare system in run down and in dire need of an overhaul, while education budget dollars are not keeping up with student population growth and infrastructure needs. The report that showed per student funding in Alberta as the lowest in Canada has got many asking hard questions.
Affordability is a long-term issue requiring more than monetary Band-Aids for every individual. The carbon levy has been painted as the boogie man and, while it certainly plays a part, the record profits in many industries tells me it’s more about corporate greed than anything else.
3. What is your main message to voters and undecided voters?
I heard a phrase recently that stuck with me. “We’re lending our vote to (insert party here).” That’s what we should always do.
For people who say, “I always vote this way”, ask yourself why. Are the values of today’s political parties aligned with your values? Many will tell you they no longer recognize the party they once supported but they’ll vote that way because they always have.
To that, I say, don’t park your vote. Lend your vote. Lend it to the party that speaks to your values and your hopes for Alberta. Lend it to the candidate who will be the best representative for your riding. Lend it to the democratic process one election at a time.
Don’t hold your nose and vote for the lesser of two evils. Smile and make your mark for the best person for the job.
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Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) – Oneil Carlier – has not submitted responses
Green Party of Alberta (GPA) – Vanessa Diehl – Oneil Carlier – has not submitted responses
United Conservative Party (UCP) – Shane Getson – Oneil Carlier – has not submitted responses
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