Candidates debate in high-profile Calgary-Mountain View constituency

Article content

When Albertans head to the polls on April 16, a close race is expected in Calgary-Mountain View, where six candidates squared off at an all-candidates forum Friday.

The would-be MLAs addressed hundreds of residents packed into a community hall in Renfrew, addressing topics including unemployment, electricity bills, replacing aging infrastructure and environmental policies.

NDP candidate Kathleen Ganley, who served as justice minister and solicitor general and previously won her seat in Calgary-Buffalo, used her opening statement to focus on her record in the NDP cabinet, including policies such as increasing funding to Legal Aid and including gender identity and gender expression in the human rights act.

Alberta Liberal candidate and party leader David Khan used his remarks to pitch himself to Calgary-Mountain View voters as a successor to outgoing MLA David Swann, who he described as a mentor and friend.

“I’m running in Calgary-Mountain View also because I want to continue the legacy of public service of Dr. Swann,” said Khan, who described himself as an “out and proud gay man” and cited his party’s history in defending the rights of LGBTQ youth.

Alberta Party candidate and former broadcaster Angela Kokott used her opening statement to talk about what drew her to the Alberta Party, including admiration for Calgary-Elbow candidate and former party leader Greg Clark, who she said comes up “with alternatives or solutions, as opposed to just criticizing.”

Meanwhile, UCP candidate and pastor Jeremy Wong took aim at the NDP in his remarks, referring to the party’s criticism of him as “false personal attacks.”

“Frankly, I find them deeply offensive and also untrue,” he said.

Wong replaced the original UCP candidate for Calgary-Mountain View, Caylan Ford, who stepped down after remarks she made suggesting white supremacist terrorists are treated unfairly surfaced in a PressProgress report. Ford said the comments were “distortions” and not reflective of her views.

The NDP criticized Wong for past statements, including a quote praising Journey Canada, formerly known as Living Waters Canada; an organization that some have linked to conversion therapy. Journey Canada said it does not seek to change the sexual orientation of the people who participate in its programs, and Wong said he does not support conversion therapy.

Green candidate Thana Boonlert and Alberta Independence Party candidate Monica Friesz also took part in the event, hosted by Calgary-Mountain View community associations.

Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt sees the Calgary-Mountain View constituency as “up for grabs.” However, he said it might not be as much of a four-way race between the major parties following the resignation of Ford, who was seen as a star candidate for the party.

“I think they’ll still get votes, but I can’t see the UCP candidate winning,” Bratt said. “But the other three parties, whether it’s Angela Kokott or whether it’s David Khan or Kathleen Ganley, it’s going to be a tight one.”

Bratt noted Swann has been door-knocking on behalf of Khan, who received increased exposure by taking part in the leaders debate this week.

“David Swann’s incredibly popular in the riding,” Bratt said. “But (Khan is) up against an NDP minister, Kathleen Ganley, so there’s a real question about how much does Swann’s popularity transfer to Khan (and) what role does being a party leader have, as opposed to a cabinet minister. And Angela Kokott does have a profile; she has been working hard.”

Bratt said vote-splitting is inevitable in such a tight race. He expects whoever wins to have “maybe 30 per cent of the overall vote.”

“That’s how close I think this will be,” he said.