Runners-up reflect on race

By KENDALL KING & LAUREN THOMSON, Local Journalism Initiative Reporters on September 21, 2021.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

As the election results rolled in Monday night, runners up in the Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner riding spoke with the News about the election outcome, their message to voters, and their hopes for the future.

Diandra Bruised Head of the Green Party was unsurprised with the results and wished for a longer time frame for the campaign.

“I really wish I could’ve made a bigger wave, a bigger name,” said Bruised Head. “I don’t feel like I got my message out. I feel like I got a theme out, which I am proud of and I will always stand behind my stance on the importance of native grasslands, the importance of action on climate change, Indigenous issues and the impact of historical colonization on Indigenous peoples, but I don’t think I did a good enough job in getting out innovative ideas.”

Bruised Head expressed her gratitude for the amount of support she received across the riding. She enjoyed answering questions online about climate change, climate actions and Indigenous issues.

“I actually sit on council for my reserve, for the Blood Tribe First Nations, which is in the riding… so whoever wins has to work with me anyways in a nation-to-nation type of relationship, which is what we’re going for in Canada.”

Bruised Head offered her congratulations to Conservative winner Glen Motz.

“He’s a good guy,” she said “He’s got a good head on shoulders.”

Jocelyn Stenger of the NDP echoed Bruised Head’s sentiments by saying that she was unsurprised with the results but highlighted that she received alot of positive feedback throughout the campaign.

“The conclusion I draw is that there are people in the riding that are looking for another option and I was happy to be able to provide an option for them,” Stenger said. “A lot of folks reached out to me to share more local concerns so I think it was a nice mix of being able to combine the national priorities with the local context.”

Stenger concluded by saying that change takes time but she remains optimistic.

Hannah Wilson, Liberal candidate, is happy to see that it’s going to be another Liberal government for Canada.

“I think that’s good for Canada and I think that’s good for Alberta,” said Wilson. “As far as the local results, I congratulate Mr. Motz for his re-election. I thank the other candidates for putting their names forward and throwing their hat into the political ring; it’s not an easy thing.”

Wilson is thankful for everyone who supported her during her campaign.

“I think it’s important for the Liberal representative to be heard in Alberta,” Wilson said.

“I think there’s more progressives in Alberta than some people may otherwise think, so I’m happy to see a strong progressive voice in Alberta.”

Wilson says she is looking forward to continuing to advocate for Albertans in the federal government.

“That was my job before the election and I don’t have plans to change that, so I’m looking forward to delivering even more for Albertans in the next mandate.”

Geoff Shoesmith of the Maverick Party and Brodie Heidinger of the PPC did not respond to requests for comment.

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