Richard Froese
The right to vote in an election is a great freedom in Canada. People can vote for elected representatives at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.
Winning candidates are elected by the people for the people. Voters want to elect someone who represents them, their values, their concerns, not someone who just toes the party line.
Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair was punished for publicly stating he opposes the 2025 provincial budget introduced Feb. 27. He was booted out by the caucus of the ruling United Conservative Party for speaking out not only for his own constituents, but those in other rural and northern regions.
Sinclair voiced his concerns that the budget shows more support for big cities and urban areas and largely ignores his own riding and other parts of northern Alberta.
His comments and opposition to the budget sparked support for the rookie MLA from public messages from Big Lakes County Reeve Tyler Airth, Town of Slave Lake Mayor Francesca Ward and M.D. of Lesser Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik. And later, High Prairie Mayor Brian Panasiuk.
When an MLA – especially a rookie MLA – gets such a resounding response of support from local municipal government leaders, it speaks volumes about the MLA’s commitment to serve and support constituents’ concerns and priorities – instead of being a political puppet on the string of the party, caucus and leader.
That’s what electors and citizens want from elected government members – someone who is open, honest and eager to speak out for their constituents.
Thank you, Scott, for expressing the concerns of your constituents and representing your region well.
May this spark other rural and northern MLAs to speak out on issues that concern their communities. The more and louder voices for rural and northern Alberta, the better! It will help improve services and funding for those regions.
When electors consider which candidate to vote for in elections at all levels, they take into account many factors. Many common characteristics have been presented by Candidate Pathways website based in Michigan, USA posted on Feb. 14, 2024. They include:
– Commitment to public service: Good candidates prioritize the public good over personal gain or partisan interests.
They should demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving their constituents and improving their communities.
– Accountability and responsiveness: Good candidates should be accountable to the people they serve and responsive to their concerns.
They should be accessible, approachable and willing to listen to feedback from constituents.
– Communication skills: Effective communication is essential for building consensus, rallying support and conveying complex ideas to the public.
– Integrity and honesty: Good candidates are honest and have a strong sense of integrity.