James Finkbeiner and Justin Wright take part in the United Conservative Party Cypress-Medicine Hat nomination debate Thursday evening at the Medicine Hat Public Library theatre. About 100 party members took in the 90-minute exchange--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
The two men vying to be the United Conservative candidate in Cypress-Medicine Hat say they agree on a lot of things: promoting the region, boosting irrigation and supporting premier Danielle Smith as the government tackles health, mental health and addictions issues.
But James Finkbeiner and Justin Wright each say they are the best qualified to support the premier and network to make gains for southeast Alberta.
The two men took part in a 90-minute debate Thursday at the Medicine Hat Public Library theatre for party members who vote March 16 to determine a candidate for the upcoming May general election.
“Whoever is elected to the MLA role … will be the minister of backing up Danielle Smith (MLA for Brooks Medicine Hat),” said Wright. “We can put our best foot forward, we can build a unified region and build a successful future … and I’m committed to listening and building in this community.”
Wright, 39, is the former manager of a large retailer in the city who now operates a two-year-old catering business, food trucks and is contracted to operated canteens in city arenas and the Stampede grounds.
Finkbeiner, 35, grew up in Redcliff and worked in a variety of family-run businesses, including D&D Oilfield and rentals, and most recently worked for conservative online media outlet, the Western Standard.
He moved back to the city in early 2022, and says he is well-connected to the premier and current cabinet ministers and can parlay that into wins for the riding.
“We need a candidate who can not only defeat the New Democrats, but can ensure the message from constituents is heard at the legislature each and every time it sits,” said Finkbeiner.
The two men both backed Smith’s direction on health care and mental health and addictions that she has taken since becoming party leader and premier last fall.
Among more notable announcements, Finkbeiner stated the region should be promoted as a site for nuclear and alternative energy research, such as small modular reactors.
“Our industries were built up by low-cost natural gas as an energy source and that should continue,” he said.
Wright announced his belief the long-shelved Meridian Dam project deserves new consideration, though both said water access and expansion of irrigation are key priorities.
A moratorium of new water licences along the south Saskatchewan has been in place since the mid-2000s, which should be re-examined.
On health care, Wright strongly spoke out for the return of a maternity clinic to the city after it closed in a funding dispute two years ago.
“It was absolutely nothing more than gut punch for surely political reasons,” he said.
Finkbeiner said a 24-hour urgent care centre run privately under a charter would lower emergency room wait times and provide care locally after hours.
“If we get AHS to do it, it will be 10 years before we see a shovel in the ground,” he said. “We have to take a different approach.”
Party members will vote on March 16, from noon until 8 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Lodge.
