Lacombe-Ponoka Progressive Conservative candidate Steve Christie says constituents are looking to the party to provide a voice for them in the legislature.
“I think definitely people want to be heard. And they want that information taken forward.”
Christie said he’s heard from the public about issues such as Bill 2, the updated Education Act that died on the order paper.
“In reading through some of that I think that when it returns it does need a little more attention, and I plan to take the people’s thoughts back (to the legislature) on that issue.
Also on people’s minds is the controversy around MLAs getting paid for a committee that hasn’t met since 2008. The issue prompted incumbent MLA Ray Prins to call it quits rather than run again and Premier Alison Redford told Tory committee members to return their committee pay.
Back in November, Redford ordered a review of MLAs remuneration policy, a move Christie supports.
“Those are a couple of the big issues definitely that relate to people wanting to be heard,” he said.
Christie said he brings a lot of experience to the table. He has spent 12 years as part of the local PC association and served two terms as a City of Lacombe councillor before becoming mayor in the last election.
“I know the process. I know the needs of municipalities. I know their visions and I know where they want to be in the future,” said Christie, who has served on the board of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.
“I’m not afraid to speak to people no matter what their thoughts are or what their views are. I have to put my thoughts and views second to my constituents, and I’m very willing to do that.”
The insurance broker said he also encourages Albertans to be enterprising and take advantage of what the province can offer.
Christie, 46, is married to Cheryl and the couple have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com