As time passes without a MP for the Macleod riding in Ottawa, three potential candidates have come forward with their intent to secure the Conservative party nomination.
Long-time MP Ted Menzies officially resigned from his seat Nov. 6, prompting a byelection to be held in the Macleod federal electoral district within six months of his retirement. The byelection has yet to be called.
Last week, the Cochrane Eagle spoke with Phil Rowland and Melissa Mathieson, two of the potential candidates. This week, three other riding residents have come forward: Scott Wagner, Rick Wiljamaa and John Barlow.
Wagner, an entrepreneur from Springbank, has been campaigning door to door since Menzies announced he wouldn’t be seeking re-election. For Wagner, this has been time well spent.
“I believe the primary role of an MP is as a communicator and a listener,” said Wagner.
In the months he’s spent canvassing the riding, Wagner said he’s heard the ideas, concerns and frustrations of constituents loud and clear. Issues range from frustrations surrounding the Senate, to price differentials in the oil and gas industry, to concerns about beef markets. But the overriding theme for Wagner: the economy.
“There are a lot of nervous people in the riding right now,” he remarked.
“We’re losing our youth across the riding — they just aren’t getting jobs in their fields.”
Wiljamaa, manager of engineering for Rocky View County, is ready for constituents to put him to work.
“This isn’t about photo-ops for me,” he said. “I want to work to maintain the Macleod riding’s success, and to help it become the best riding in Canada.”
Over the course of his career, Wiljamaa has worked with government and said he understands the “uniqueness” of government dealings. With experience with major infrastructure projects, he said one of the main concerns facing the riding — and facing the nation — is an infrastructure deficit.
“Roads, bridges, even recreational facilities, they are reaching the end of their life expectancy,” he said. “We really a three-pronged approach — with federal, provincial and municipal governments — to look at how to rejuvenate infrastructure.”
Wiljamaa added that up-to-date infrastructure might have lessened flood effects on roadways and bridges within Macleod.
Unlike Wagner and Wiljamaa, this isn’t John Barlow’s first foray into politics. The Okotoks resident and editor of the Okotoks Western Wheel ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the 2012 provincial election in the Highwood riding. He finished second, behind Wildrose party leader Danielle Smith.
“It was a great experience for my whole team,” said Barlow. “I was able to get out there and meet a lot of people, and gain new perspective.”
As a journalist for more than 20 years, Barlow has always been an advocate for the community and follows the issues that face the Macleod riding. Now he’s ready to take that next step.
Flood mitigation is at the top of Barlow’s priority list for the riding. While the federal government has allotted funding to flood recovery, Barlow said there needs to be a “feet on the ground” representative in Ottawa for Macleod constituents.
“The flood recovery process needs to move as quickly as possible,” he said. “This is a concern that I share with constituents. We shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Barlow said he’s prepared to take over the role left vacant by Menzies, who — during his tenure — was voted the “Hardest Working MP.”
“I want to carry the touch and continue to represent Macleod as the hardest working MP,” said Barlow. “But I am my own person, and I’ll bring my own ideas and experience to the position.”
Only Conservative party members are eligible to vote for candidates running for the Conservative nomination. To join the party, visit conservative.ca.
