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Freedom Conservative Party leads charge of election outsiders fighting to be heard

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Two days after the election call, the Freedom Conservative Party announced its first platform promise, declaring its commitment to limit federal powers over Alberta — or consider separating from Canada.

FCP Leader Derek Fildebrandt, MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, unveiled strategies to “end inequality” and “protect hard-working Albertans from Ottawa.” If elected, the party would lobby Ottawa to end equalization and grant the province independent rights over immigration, tax collection, employment insurance, pensions and justice, in regards to policing.

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Fildebrandt said if the federal government rejects Alberta’s “rightful demands for equality,” then the party would hold a referendum on independence.

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“The Freedom Conservative Party, in this election, is going to give Albertans an option unlike they have ever seen, unlike any other parties in this election,” he said Thursday at Bridgeland Community Park in the city’s northeast. A handful of FCP candidates joined him in support.

Fildebrandt formed the FCP last June after leaving the United Conservative Party, following a series of controversies.

In an election many see as a two-horse race between the New Democratic Party and United Conservative Party, the FCP is considered one of a handful of outliers fighting for attention and seats.

Also in the running is right-leaning Alberta Advantage Party, led by Marilyn Burns. It was formed by members of the Wildrose party who were dissatisfied with that party’s 2017 merger with the Progressive Conservatives to form the UCP. The AAP also promises lower taxes and greater autonomy from Ottawa.

The AAP and FCP hope to each put forward about 30 candidates, however Fildebrandt’s conclave is focused on running only in ridings where the NDP is not considered competitive. In contrast, the Green Party of Alberta has 19 candidates, so far, according to its website.

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Political scientist Bruce Foster, who teaches at Mount Royal University, said the AAP and Green Party have “no chance” in winning seats. He said small parties are at a grave disadvantage because they don’t have enough resources, such as money and staff, and are generally neglected by the media.

“The system itself squeezes out fringe parties,” said Foster, adding people are more likely to vote for the “big machine” they most closely align with rather than a smaller counterpart.

Mount Royal political scientist Lori Williams agreed.

“There is something different that is happening in this election. It is much more a two-party race,” she said. “We don’t usually see two parties in contention and the rest of them, at least at this stage, looking completely out of contention.”

But Williams said the FCP could have a bigger effect than previously expected.

“A week ago, maybe a week and a half ago, I would have dismissed FCP as a fringe party, but it looks like they might actually be in play now,” said Williams.

She said Fildebrandt’s close ties with former UCP leadership hopeful Brian Jean and the recent kamikaze-candidate scandal plaguing Kenney and his staff could make the FCP a viable alternative for conservative voters in the province.

“So it’s now something that has become an election issue,” said Williams. “People are thinking about it, people are wondering, do I continue? Do I hold my nose and win government? Or do I stand up for my principles?”

She added Fildebrandt’s name recognition and former Wildrose ties could work to his advantage.

Fildebrandt said he’s confident in his team.

“I think we (have) a real chance to break through in this election to win a good number of seats, to provide a principled opposition,” he said.

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