Alberta Senator-in-Waiting Candidates
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
With the impending election, many people are hearing plenty about the provincial race for premier. What some may not know is when you cast your ballot for your local party candidate, you’ll also need to vote for your potential Alberta Senate representative.
The senate of Canada is appointed. Since the 1980’s Alberta has been electing three candidates for the next Alberta vacancy in the Senate. When the next vacancy does occur, the Prime Minster then chooses one of those three candidates to fill the seat. The next vacancy will occur in 2013 when current Senator Bert Brown reaches the Senate’s retirement age. In 2014 Joyce Fairbairn will also be reaching the mandatory age of retirement, opening another seat in the Senate. This is only Alberta’s fourth Senate race.
Doug Black could not be reached for comment about his campaign.
Len Bracko
Independant
Len has a wealth of political experience as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, five terms as a Councillor with the City of St. Albert, Board Member for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and Board Member for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). With almost 18 years of political experience plus 30 years of experience as a Teacher/Grade Coordinator with Greater St. Albert Catholic School District, Len has the knowledge and skills needed to carefully consider legislation brought forward in the Senate and the wisdom to consider the consequences for the future and recommend amendments as required.
Len has served on many Boards and Committees including:
• Capital Region Transit Committee
• Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission Board of Directors
• Director for Mid Size Cities, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA)
• Director, Alberta Municipal Service Corporation (AMSC)
• Director, Alberta Municipal Insurance Exchange (MUNIX)
• Director, Alberta Municipal Employees Pension Plan (APEX)
• Director, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
• FCM committees
o Finance and Inter-Governmental Arrangements
o Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development
o Social-Economic Development
o Rural Caucus
o Northern and Remote Forum
o Prairies, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Regional Committee
o Vice Chair, Standing Committee on International Relations
o Chair, International Programs Advocacy Committee
• To view a list of the many committees and boards Len has served on visit www.lenbracko.ca
Len believes a long term sustainability plan is needed to enable Canada to compete with the world’s fastest growing economies in China, India, and South America. A Long Term Sustainability Plan should address and provide solutions to:
1. Canada’s Municipal Infrastructure Debt
• By implementing a 25-50 year plan to address Canada’s $123B municipal infrastructure debt and proper funding for municipalities.
• By implementing a national transit/transportation system that will enhance public transit and link rural and urban municipalities.
2. Seniors’ Support Needs
• By implementing British Columbia Provincial Property Tax Deferral Program across Canada;
• By addressing funding for Canada’s aging population.
3. Aboriginal Issues
• With all orders of government working together to meet aboriginal needs.
4. Rural and Northern Canada Sustainability
• By implementing recommendations from Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) Report: One Vision, Many Voices – How To Build A Sustainable Rural Canada;
• By planning and developing a corridor from Churchill to Prince Rupert which may include but not be limited to road, rail, utility and pipeline.
• By increasing high speed connectivity in Rural and Remote areas of Canada to ensure readily available access to critical information and promote opportunity.
5. Economic Development
• By reducing traffic congestion that costs business billions of dollars;
• By eliminating provincial trade barriers through the implementation of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement across Canada;
• By establishing flexible portable pension plans for Canadians.
Elizabeth Johannson
EverGreen Party
Elizabeth came to Alberta over a decade ago, for love of a dashing young man, whom she promptly married. They have two daughters, ages 7 and 9.
She has worked for Alberta Computers for Schools for the past 7 years, and is also currently pursuing a professional accounting designation. Computers for Schools is a registered charity which refurbishes computers (donated by governments and businesses) and distributes them to schools and non-profits across Alberta.
As a parent, Elizabeth has been active at her children’s school and is currently Vice-Chair of the Parent Council.
Community involvement is also important to her, and she spent several years as the Treasurer of the CGIT Board of Edmonton Society, which runs a summer camp on Pigeon Lake.
Although she spends her days doing financial work and studying accounting, she is not only a left-brain thinker. She has a strong creative energy demonstrated by her B.A. Honours in Theatre and Drama. She has been active in the Edmonton theatre community, frequently directing or acting in plays at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, and directing and performing with several community theatre groups.
Elizabeth is running as a candidate for Senator-in-Waiting because she was disappointed in the lack of diversity in Senate candidates eight years ago. When she received her Senate ballot in the last Senate election there were no candidates she felt comfortable supporting.
Elizabeth believes in Senate reform and electing Senators-in-Waiting is a step in the right direction, but says more work needs to be done. Increasing the diversity of candidates to better reflect Alberta’s political landscape is one step. Our current first-past-the-post voting system often skews election results so they don’t reflect the percentage of the popular vote obtained by each of the parties. We should be looking at moving the Senate toward a Proportional Representation system.
She is running as an EverGreen Party of Alberta candidate because the structure has been set up to reflect provincial parties. The EverGreen Party of Alberta is the provincial Green Party. If elected and appointed to the Senate Elizabeth would be sitting as a Green in Elizabeth May’s caucus.
She believes a strong economy and a healthy environment must go hand in hand. In Alberta a disproportionate proportion of the economy is dependent on commodities. This puts us at the mercy of international markets and we end up in the boom and bust cycle that we have seen repeatedly in Alberta. Now, when times are good, is when we most need to be making investments for our future and diversifying our economy. Diversifying our economy makes a stronger more stable economy, better able to weather drops in commodity prices. We want Alberta to have good jobs available for our children and grandchildren.
Mike Shaikh
Conservative
A long time federal and provincial conservative, and a Calgarian for nearly 40 years, Mike Shaikh is a successful businessman and a tireless volunteer and philanthropist. Mike has sat on dozens of nonprofit and business boards and currently chairs the Calgary Police Commission. A champion of higher education and community, he has received both the Premier Klein Leader Service Award and the University of Calgary Distinguished Alumni MAX Award.
Mike supports many causes, including: the University of Calgary, People for Progress Foundation, Education Matters, Amica, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the Chartered Accountants Education Foundation and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. He is also a director for four public oil and gas firms and has served with the Canadian Association of Police Boards, the Kiwanis Club of Calgary, the Alberta Securities Commission and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team.
Mike and his wife Linda have three daughters and two grandsons.
Mikes first priority in the Senate would be to stand up for what is important to Albertans. It is vital for Canadians to understand the importance of Alberta’s energy and other natural resources and securing the markets and talents needed to develop those resources.
Mike is a firm believer that the Senate can be more effective and responsive. As Alberta’s next Senator he would:
1- Bring energy, enthusiasm, and a rich diversity of experience to the Upper House.
2- Work collaboratively and towards consensus on issues such as energy, health care, education, safe communities, immigration and nation building.
3- Put forward initiatives for a national safe communities strategy and a national program to encourage, recognize and celebrate volunteerism and charitable giving.
Ian Urquhart
Independant
I grew up in Trail in southeastern B.C. My wife Theresa and I brought our young family to Edmonton in 1987 and I’ve taught at the University of Alberta ever since. For the last 25 years I’ve been privileged to meet thousands of students. They’ve impressed me in many ways – not least because they illustrate what a rich, diverse people today’s Albertans are.
I’m running as an Independent in the Senate nominee election because the hyperpartisanship of today’s federal politics cripples common sense. It cripples Ottawa’s ability to find compromises that can deliver the healthy futures my students and our children deserve. Robo-calling is the latest example of this. As an independent Senator I won’t be forced to toe a Liberal or Conservative party line.
At ianforsenate.ca you’ll see my dream of the Next Alberta. It’s a dream
where we get past the myth that prosperous economies must be sacrificed if we want a healthy environment. That’s nonsense. I want my daughters to be able to take their children into Alberta’s foothills and badlands, just as Theresa and I did with them, and feel the wonder of those places.
My Next Alberta also wants a strong petroleum economy; the billions in federal taxes the oil sands will generate are vital to my aspirations for Albertans to be able to use more renewable energy to light our homes. Here I’m inspired by what former Premier Lougheed did in the 1970s to kickstart the development of today’s oil sands economy.
The Next Alberta also wants to empower Albertans and Alberta’s communities. Ottawa needs to be a better listener. As we all try to adapt to an uncertain future Ottawa needs to lend a helping hand in the form of accessible and affordable post-secondary training opportunities. It needs to ensure municipalities have the stable revenues they need to offer Albertans the infrastructure we all depend on.
Please join me in helping to build this Next Alberta. On April 23rd please help send the independent Albertan to the Canadian Senate.
Raymond Germain
Wildrose
Raymond Germain was born and raised in St. Paul, AB. As one of ten children, Ray learned early the values and strengths of family. He grew up with a love of hunting and fishing and a great appreciation for the outdoors.
Ray and Loree are the parents of two sons and the proud grandparents of four. Being an active grandparent is one of his greatest joys.
He worked 13 years in construction, most of which he was self employed. For the past 25 years he has been working in the oil and gas industry.
Ray has given his time and energy over the years to hockey, fundraising for charities, and local projects. His strong family values and a desire to help young people led him to serve on the regional Youth Justice Committee for 5 years.
Rob Gregory
Wildrose
Rob Gregory brings an extensive career in justice and law enforcement to the Wildrose Senate team. An eleven year veteran of the Peel Regional Police Service and full member of the Royal Canadian Legion, he moved to Calgary in 1991. Trained by Alberta Justice as a Provincial Prosecutor, Rob worked for the Calgary Crown Prosecutor’s Office for 12 years. In 2001, he was recognized by the Solicitor General’s Office for his contribution toward educating citizens in Alberta’s Traffic Court process.
Since 2003, Rob has owned and operated Gregory Ticket Office, a paralegal agency specializing in traffic ticket defense. Rob has a Diploma of Law & Security Administration from Niagara College and is a graduate of the Ontario Police College. A strong supporter of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives and the Wildrose Party, Rob lives in Northwest Calgary with his wife Patty and their two dogs.
Vitor Marciano
Wildrose
Vitor immigrated to Edmonton from Portugal with his working class parents in 1974. He has lived his whole life in Edmonton, and he and his wife Krista have one daughter.
Vitor received a Bachelor’s of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 1991, and in 1992 became one of the youngest sessional instructors in the history of the UofA’s business faculty. After leaving the UofA, Vitor was a successful entrepreneur, establishing and operating two automotive businesses. He later served as the Executive Director of a trade association.
A life-long activist in conservative politics, Vitor has worked for dozens of conservative campaigns throughout Canada and has trained hundreds of fellow activists.
Vitor joined the Wildrose Party in 2009, and later served as the party’s Executive Director. A committed federal Conservative, Vitor served three years as the National Policy Chair of the Conservative Party of Canada and five years on its National Council representing Alberta.
As a Wildrose Senate Candidates, Vitor Marciano, Rob Gregory and Raymond Germain are campaigning on the following priorities:
1) Senate Reform – All three will carry on the important work of Alberta’s current elected Senator, Bert Brown, in achieving the Alberta born dream of a Senate that is Elected, Effective, and Equal. They fully support Prime Minister Harper’s efforts to introduce non-renewable term limits to Senate appointments.
2) Property Rights – All three believe property rights are an essential cornerstone for any free society. As a Senator for Alberta, all of the men will protect Canadians’ rights to own property, and work to have property rights formally recognized in our Constitution.
3) Protecting our Economy – Albertans are proud to have the most ethical, most environmentally friendly energy sector in the world. Our energy industry is absolutely vital to the future of the Canadian economy. As a Wildrose Senator, the men will protect the Alberta energy sector and the jobs and livelihoods of Albertans and their families.
4) Grassroots governance – All three men believes that Federally or Provincially, Albertans have always been best served by governments that respect the common wisdom of the common people. As Executive Director for the Wildrose Party and National Policy Chair for the CPC, Vitor has worked with two grassroots parties in developing member driven policy. Vitor Marciano is committed to fighting for the common sense of Albertans to be heard in Ottawa.
Raymond Germain will fight for the common sense and conservative values of everyday Albertans to be heard in Ottawa.
Rob Gregory’s long career in justice and law enforcement will help him ensure the common sense of Albertans in reflected in the laws of Canada.