Not to be confused with the Alberta Party, the Alberta Advantage Party (AAP) has made their first appearance in the Drumheller-Stettler Riding.
Since the amalgamation of the Wildrose Party and PC Party 22 months ago, the AAP was born and has been attempting to gain traction across the province ever since.
Burns
ECA Review/T.Huxley
Marilyn Burns, the leader of the party along with supporters occupied the Stettler Canalta Hotel on Tues. Feb. 26 to get the word out about their platform and their mission.
“The reason for our existence is that we want to elect MLAs that will advance the policies and principles and constitution of our party,” began Burns.
“Secondly, we want to advance a compassionate and self-reliant society and thirdly promote individual freedom for all citizens. We want to have a prudent, effective, accountable and trustworthy government.”
Burns is an Edmonton based lawyer and mother of four with a background in rural Alberta.
She was a co-founder of the Wildrose Party in 2008.
The party’s commitment to Albertans starts with an issue by issue take on the traditional system and supports member driven decisions.
Their platform includes topics like government integrity, education, agriculture and equalization.
In order to become a member, they must agree to these principles and objective.
Any five members can bring a policy revision forward which can be voted on by all members at their Annual General Meeting.
Approximately 50 members gathered after the UCP amalgamation to create the AAP to reflect their own ideals as they felt the merge was not well-intentioned.
“We recognized that this was a merge based on deception and deceit and dishonesty.
“We did not want to go that direction so we got together and agreed that if the merge vote happened, then we would start a new party,” said Burns.
The AAP has been identified by others as centre-right and populist along the political spectrum.
“I don’t consider ourselves to be on that spectrum because we take issue by issue. I think other people might consider us centre-right and populist,” said Burns. “Populist simply means we listen to the people. I don’t like that left-right paradigm. I think you need to look at things issue by issue. We are here for the people of Alberta. Alberta is our priority.”
The party is seeking a nominee in the Drumheller-Stettler Constituency but they do have a constituency association board up and running.
Around the province, seven candidates have been approved to run under the AAP.
Terri Huxley
ECA Review
