Alberta Tories have given people plenty of reasons to change government, says Red Deer North Liberal candidate Michael Dawe.
The Progressive Conservative caucus originally decided its MLAs did not have to fully repay the $1,000 they received every month for sitting on a committee that had not met in three years, Dawe said.
Conservatives determined that MLAs only had to repay money collected since Alison Redford became premier, or $6,000.
“It’s just wrong and I don’t understand this big gesture. If it’s wrong since the premier became premier, why was it right before she was premier?
“I just find that insulting,” said Dawe, 56, of Red Deer.
He said Liberal Leader Dr. Raj Sherman paid back everything he got for sitting on the committee, with interest.
Dawe, a first-time provincial candidate, said it’s important to encourage discussion to find solutions.
Dawe, who served as a trustee and chairman of Red Deer Regional Hospital board from 1983 to 1995 and was on David Thompson Health Region board from 2001 to 2008, said it’s wrong that the Tories are not investigating government intimidation and bullying of doctors and health care staff, lengthy delays in hospital emergency departments, and tie ups in ambulance service.
The Tories told Albertans that electricity deregulation would reduce costs to consumers, but instead costs jumped, he said.
Government also failed seniors who need a better continuum of care, Dawe said.
And local, elected school boards should have more say in education, he said.
Dawe, who is the City of Red Deer’s curator of history, said he plans to listen and speak up for residents.
“I have roots here. I know the community and I think it can make it better and that’s why I’m running.”
Dawe’s family includes his longtime partner Beverley Williams and their daughter.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com