By Gillian Slade on December 23, 2014.
gslade@medicinehatnews.comBeing a seasoned and loyal politician made Heather Forsyth the unanimous choice for interim leader of the official opposition Wildrose party.
"This is a great appointment. She's a seasoned politician with more than 20 years experience," local Wildrose executive committee president Donald Cranston.
"She does her homework and she is polished," said Ian Parkinson, member of the local Wildrose executive.
Forsyth said her focus will be on providing a principled and dedicated opposition.
"Albertans feel that their most noble notion of public life has been shattered," said Forsyth of the defection to the PC's of nine Wildrose MLAs, including former leader Danielle Smith last week.
See Forsyth, Page A2
"We are here to fight for Alberta. Never before has Alberta been more in need of the values and principles the Wildrose stands for."
Feedback from Albertans in the last week has given her a very clear mandate to restore and rebuild the Wildrose party.
"Albertans can be assured our team is united in purpose and solidified in our commitment to serve," said Forsyth, who has had more than four years with the official opposition.
The unanimous decision to select Forsyth was not difficult, said Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA, Drew Barnes, who is now the new caucus whip and will be the critic for finance, human services, education and innovation and advanced education.
"I am so pleased right now. There is much work to be done to protect our most vulnerable, get back to basics for our kids and work on ideas to have Alberta the centre of innovation across Canada," said Barnes. "I have never been more ready for the task ahead."
One of Premier Jim Prentice's strategies may be to call a snap election in the new year to garner support of Albertans before the government deals with the fallout of a budget reduction thanks to the drop in the price of oil.
"In his first 72 days he's done well but I don't have to remind folks that many of the things he's had a good response to were Wildrose policies and issues," said Forsyth. "It's OK to grab the low end of the fruit. He's got some troubling times ahead and we are going to hold them to account."
Cranston says the Wildrose will take it one step at a time to rebuild and harness the positive energy that has been shown to the Wildrose, particularly in the last week.
The middle of January is rumoured to be the timing for Prentice's cabinet shuffle with bargaining for the top positions taking place over Christmas, said Parkinson.
Also in January the local Wildrose executive committee will choose a new candidate for the Medicine Hat riding, vacated by MLA Blake Pedersen who has defected to the PCs.
Wildrose must select a new leader before Aug. 18, 2015. A number of people have expressed interest, said Barnes, who declined to reveal names or whether he is a contender.
One possible contender, Derek Fildebrandt, formerly with the Canadian Tax Payers Federation, said while he shares a lot of the same values as the Wildrose he is not a member of the party and considers himself too young for a leadership role anyway.
Interim leader Forsyth will be critic for health and seniors.
Shayne Saskiw will be the house leader and critic for environment, energy, justice and solicitor general, international and intergovernmental relations, aboriginal affairs and executive council.
Pat Stier will cover municipal affairs, transportation, infrastructure and sustainable resource development.
Rick Strankman is critic for agriculture, service Alberta, jobs, skills, training and labour, culture and tourism.
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