Hello readers,
Each candidate from constituency of Drayton Valley-Devon 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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Wildrose Loyalty Coalition (WLC) – Jon Hokanson
Biography
I’m father to a blended family of six mostly adult children plus one nephew from Ukraine (9yrs) who has been living with us since the war started.
My adult life began as a tradesman in the late 80’s. I moved through the ranks to eventually work in project management roles. In 2009 an opportunity presented to start a business. Today I am 50% owner of True North Scaffold & Insulation. The business has a superb management team in place, and I’m not needed for day-to-day activities.
Until now, I’ve never participated in politics beyond casting the occasional vote. It really looks like politics needs some shaking up and I’d like to get started.
1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?
- The discourse in provincial politics seems to miss the mark. UCP vs NDP leaders’ debate was so bad it was almost pointless. There is a big picture being missed by both leaders.
- Our institutions and politics are either broken or seriously dysfunctional. We must take control back from Ottawa or they can’t be fixed. To do this we must collect our own taxes.
- NDP appear to be in the pocket of govt unions and UCP appear beholden to very large corporate interests. Nobody appears to be looking out for ‘severely normal’ Albertans.
- I want to see Albertans say ‘no’ to Ottawa control/taxes/ and prosper. Albertans don’t have enough votes to influence Ottawa decisions so we had better hold the checkbook.
2. What are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?
- Currently, AB citizens and businesses pay taxes to Ottawa and the receive back what Ottawa decides. We must change the formula, so AB collects its own taxes and remits to Ottawa.
- AB must stop playing ‘the sky is falling climate change game’ in hope of receiving ’social license’ to develop our natural resources. NDP says carbon-net-zero by 2035; UCP says carbon-net-zero by 2050; WLC says quit playing this game, the world needs MORE Alberta energy and food.
- Forcing accountability onto politicians with Recall and Term Limit legislation. Recall means you can petition to fire your MLA if they misbehave, like what happened during covid lockdowns. After all, you hire them, shouldn’t you be able to fire them without waiting 5 years? Term Limit means MLA’s are limited to 2 terms or ten years, whichever comes first. Because career politicians are a poison in the system. Lets get more citizens cycling into and out of politics with fresh ideas and grounding in reality.
3. What is your main message to voters and undecided voters?
- Don’t worry about splitting the vote. Last election UCP won 71% to 16%. You could split that vote 4 ways and still UCP wins. Vote your conscience. Wouldn’t it be great to see a UCP minority govt kept in check by Wildrose.
- UCP locked you down and NDP wanted to lock you down even harder. And your MLA couldn’t change it even though he agreed with you because UCP must vote with the party line or be forced out. WLC MLA’s vote the constituents conscience and desire.
- Carbon-net-zero policy chokes Alberta to death AND makes all forms of energy much more expensive for every. Single. Person. NDP and UCP both state carbon-net-zero as their goal, just on different time frames. Reject the climate-game and embrace the reality that carbon dioxide is the cleanest imaginable emission – literally plant food – and that when the technology to replace oil & gas is mature, it will happen without impoverishing us.
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Solidarity Movement of Alberta (SMA) – Gail Tookey
(Supplied)
Biography
Hi, my name is Gail Tookey and I am running in the riding of Drayton Valley-Devon under the banner of Solidarity Movement of Alberta (SM). Thank you to Whitecourt media for your interest in my party and giving me a platform to tell you about us! Our group of motivated individuals created a new political party in two weeks beating a deadline to be on the ballot! How amazing is that! Imagine what we are going to do when we win seats. We have candidates running in 39 ridings across the province. We are mothers, fathers, grandparents, young adults and pastors, from communities throughout Alberta, stepping forward and rising up, to take back our province from corruption, theft, and unaccountable politicians that are serving global elites and not the people they have been elected to serve. Solidarity Movement of Alberta (SM) – We are a party worthy of your vote.
1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?
Solidarity Movement of Alberta has many concerns about healthcare. Where is 24 BILLION dollars
going annually? We will follow the money. And, we will talk about everything, from coerced
injections to unknown being the leading cause of death.
AHS failed on covid doing more harm than good. A court case challenging AHS, Hinshaw presented
zero science supporting mandates and covid policies, or any Emergency Management paperwork.
The lack of accountability is unacceptable and disrespectful to Albertans.
Albertans, listen to Lt Colonel David Redman at National Citizens Inquiry Red Deer – Day 2, Part 1,
1:22:00 mark. Testimony is on government’s covid response, but applies to all emergencies. His
career was head of Emergency Management Alberta, responsible for all major emergencies and
disasters. He also led the team that wrote the revised pandemic response plan that was completely
ignored during covid. The premier always leads in emergencies, never public services. He reached
out to every premier across Canada repeatedly, all ignored. In April 2020 he sent letters to premiers
advising they immediately stop what they were doing with lockdowns and mandates, and contact
him. In August 2020, letters advising their use of fear would lead to consequences that would take a
generation to recover from, all ignored. Government continued with unqualified AHS. Complete
failure! Now wildfires, and reports of people coming with equipment, turned back, and fires left to
burn out of control. Part of Emergency Management is partnering with the public. It’s starting to
sound like the same failures of government response to covid reoccurring in response to wildfires.
2. What are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?
Solidarity Movement of Alberta is against the indoctrination and sexualisation of children; and
support restoring parental rights. Schools should be held accountable to parents and be partnering
with them on successful outcomes for children. I’m not in agreement with government imposed
ideologies schools withhold information from parents on struggles or concerns their child may have.
Regarding the failed covid response and its impact on children … Albertans should listen to
testimony of Irvin Studin at National Citizens Inquiry Toronto – Day 3, Part 1, 6:47:50 mark.
Testimony discusses how much damage was inflicted on children by closing schools and we have not
even begun to see the fallout. We owe it to our children to seek the truth and not just move on like
nothing happened.
3. What is your main message to voters and undecided voters?
Hope my message resonates with voters and undecided, but I want to talk to the non-voter. NOW is
the time to exercise the power of your vote! You have an opportunity to vote for friends and
neighbors. Honest, everyday Albertans like you. There comes a time good people need to push back.
That time is NOW, tomorrow is too late. Don’t underestimate how crucial this election is in the fight
for freedom for our province, country, and perhaps the world. Evil succeeds when good people stay
silent and do nothing.
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Advantage Party of Alberta (APA) – Dale Withers
(Supplied)
Biography
I was born on the same farm my father was born on near Vegreville.
I spent 45 years as a lineman at various locations across Alberta. I hold two journeyman certificates, one in power line technician and the other in power systems electrician.
I have served on many boards and committees in a variety of positions.
I spent two terms as a town councillor in Mayerthorpe where I was instrumental in the building of the joint town/county firehall, which has and will serve the area for many years.
I joined the Advantage Party in 2018 because I was drawn to their conservative values and principles.
1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?
I am concerned about what is happening in our province and country. The encroachment of WEF/Agenda 2030 ideals is not in our best interest. I felt that if I didn’t do something then I had no room to complain.
2. What are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?
The most important issue facing Albertan’s right now is the encroachment of Ottawa on our natural resources, agriculture, healthcare, and our way of life. Alberta was set up to be a colony to the Laurentian Elites. The current government officials are puppets to the World Economic Forum and the One World Government. Albertan’s need protect to themselves from the infringement of these Globalists who want to relegate us to 15-minute cities, beehive apartments, and digital currency that will demand the government monitor every place we attend and every penny we spend.
I believe Albertans have it in them to resist this takeover the ability to protect the province from bureaucratic overreach.
Both the previous governments have mismanaged wildfires. The NDP refused to ask for assistance and refused any help that was offered. The UCP in this fire season have refused all local help and impeded residents from helping themselves. In fact, they denied entry for livestock haulers and water trucks during the evacuation fire fighting process.
3. What is your main message to voters and undecided voters?
I don’t think many voters realize the extent to which WEF/Agenda 2030 ideals will impede their lives. Both the UCP and the NDP are controlled the globalist agenda to take people off the family farms, away from smaller communities, and force them into 15-minute cities. The reality of 15-minute cities is that you will not be allowed by the governing officials to travel further than what you can walk in 15 minutes.
The digital currency the current governments are proposing would fully eliminate cash. This means that going to an ATM and taking cash to spend on things like the kid who mows your lawn or babysits your kids would be impossible. The ability to get an ice cream from the ice cream truck or shop at a garage sale would be nonexistent. They would take full control of what you spend and where you spend it. Your choices would be irrelevant.
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United Conservative Party (UCP) – Andrew Boitchenko – has not submitted responses
Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) – Harry Singh – has not submitted responses
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