UCP candidacy hopeful not your ‘typical politician’

By Gillian Slade on July 4, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

Carbon tax, business regulations and the provincial debt are the three most important issues facing Albertans, says the latest contestant seeking the United Conservative Party nomination in the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding.

Dinah Hiebert says as she has been knocking on doors, citizens are saying carbon tax is the No. 1 issue because it is taking away from the profitability of businesses, or to grow and expand.

Labour laws are No. 2, said Hiebert. She says companies have pulled out of Alberta and there are many homes where one spouse is having to work in another jurisdiction to earn an income as a result.

She feels the provincial debt will be a heavyweight on future generations but does not think a new government needs to address this with large cuts.

“Getting better service, getting better at what we do, does not always mean throwing more money at it,” said Hiebert.

Although Hiebert was born in Brooks and lives there now, some of her childhood and schooling was in Redcliff. She returned to Brooks at the age of 18, raised four boys and is now also a grandmother. For the past 11 years she has been involved in marketing, building relationships with people and businesses.

“I’ve always been passionate about politics. I’ve always been passionate about family and business, what people need to get ahead,” said Hiebert.

She says her work has reinforced the need to be a good listener because people often know what is needed.

Although running for political office, she does not see herself as a “typical politician.”

“I want to be an advocate for the people. I want to stand up and speak for them and represent them in their needs,” said Hiebert.

When there are conflicting needs she sees herself mediating a solution that works for everyone.

Hiebert is passionate about promoting strong families and strong communities that pull together. That in turn builds resiliency, she says.

She says the role of the provincial government in forging that strong community includes creating access to markets for Alberta produced goods and that includes a pipeline.

The Brooks-Medicine Hat riding has major intersecting highways with the Trans-Canada Highway and connects Brooks and Medicine Hat. There is an abundance of land, sunshine and irrigated land. Hiebert says a provincial government must open the doors and make it a viable place to do business, said Hiebert.

“The government’s job is to create a welcoming atmosphere by lowering taxes, by … creating an environment with reasonably predictable regulations, and then get out of the way and let the business operate. Get rid of the carbon tax,” said Hiebert.

Voting approaches

There are three people vying for the UCP nomination in Brooks-Medicine Hat: Todd Beasley, Michaela Glasgo and Dinah Hiebert.

Voting for the nomination takes place in Brooks at the Heritage Inn, 1217 Second St. W on July 16 from noon to 8 p.m., and in Medicine Hat on July 17 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Real Estate Board, 403 Fourth St. SE.

Only residents of the Brooks-Medicine Hat constituency who are UCP members, with membership purchased no later than June 26, are eligible to vote.

There is one Alberta Party contestant in the riding: Jim Black.

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