Byelection Tidbits: Buffalo Party on sideline

By COLLIN GALLANT on October 15, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The newly formed Buffalo Party of Alberta – a libertarian group registered with Alberta Elections this year – will not run a candidate in Brooks-Medicine Hat.

A statement to the News outlines the party’s belief in “parliamentary tradition” to allow a new premier to win a seat in the legislature.

New United Conservative Leader Danielle Smith faces New Democrat Gwen Dirk and Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita as announced candidates in the byelection set for Nov. 8.

“The Buffalo Party of Alberta is optimistic that on areas of policy that place the needs of Alberta ahead of anything else, we will be supportive of Premier Danielle Smith,” reads the statement attributed to Buffalo Party Leader John Molberg and president Raman Bains. “On areas where the government can improve, we will hold them accountable.”

The group’s platform outlines action needed toward provincial autonomy, reforming health care, non-public schooling options and general affordability.

“We wish the premier the best of luck in Brooks-Medicine Hat and look forward to giving her a chance to show the people she can place all Albertans ahead of any other agendas.”

The Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan was created from the former Wexit Party and ran four candidates in that province’s 2020 general election.

It placed second in specific races of Cypress Hills and Kindersley.

The Alberta Green Party and Alberta Liberals have also told the News they will not run local candidate Nov. 8 and instead concentrate on the coming general election expected in May 2023.

Meanwhile, the Alberta Party has postponed its planned annual general meeting set for this weekend to instead concentrate on the recently announced Brooks-Medicine Hat byelection, a note to members states.

President Sue Timanson said the decision allows Morishita to focus on the election in his riding. She invited those who planned to attend the Oct. 15 and 16 AGM in Edmonton to doorknock in the local constituency instead. A new date was not announced.

Of note

General information was included in this week’s official notice of the Nov. 8 byelection in Brooks-MH riding.

Nomination deadline for candidates is Friday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.

Advance voting will take place between Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Sat., Nov. 5 at locations to be determined.

Voters will be able to request “special ballots” for mailing in during the entire election period, which began Tuesday.

The returning office will be established in Brooks, at the Ashton’s Place youth centre, 736 Second Ave. E.

Electors in the Brooks Medicine Hat riding comprise:

– Hatters who live north of the South Saskatchewan River and those north of Third Street SE, north of Gershaw Drive and east of the Trans-Canada Highway;

– Eastern Cypress County residents living north of Township Road 132 or Highway 41A, and county residents west of Medicine Hat who live north of the South Saskatchewan River;

– All residents of Redcliff, Newell County and the City of Brooks.

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