Strathmore MLA at helm of FCP

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Amid a gathering of supporters and party members at a Calgary pub last weekend, Independent MLA Derek Fildebrandt accepted the acclamation as the first official leader of the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta (FCP).
The Strathmore-Brooks representative and previous party interim leader was the only candidate to throw his hat in the ring for the position.
“Believe it or not, I really, really, really wanted someone to run against me,” Fildebrandt said during his acceptance speech at the Watchman’s Pub on Saturday. “I didn’t want anyone to beat me, but I thought that today would be a little less anticlimactic if we were actually counting some votes; but who am I to disagree with 100 per cent.”
The former opposition member founded the party three months ago, a year after he resigned from the United Conservative Party caucus and was later banned from running for the party following a series of expense scandals and court issues.
At the time of its creation, the vocal MLA introduced the party as a platform for grassroots conservatives, libertarians and Alberta patriots who believed in freedom, conservatism and a stronger place for Alberta within Canada.
On Oct. 20, he used his time in the spotlight to criticize the New Democratic Party and United Conservative Party, while stating the FCP provides Albertans with another option without fear of the ruling political party, special interest groups or the media.
“In order to be free, Alberta needs a government that understands that so long as people are not hurting anyone else, that however they decide to worship their god, however they decide to raise their children, however they decide to live their lives, it’s none of the government’s bloody business,” he said.
“Our convictions, our beliefs do not change with the times or the wind. They are written on our hearts, they are written in our party’s founding charter, and no one will be able to accuse us of having a hidden agenda in the coming election because our agenda will be written in black and white on our platform.”
According to a statement released by the FCP, Fildebrandt was the only candidate to successfully complete and submit the deposit and application.
“Our party has been committed, since our founding on July 20, 2018, to having an open and democratic race,” Bob Lefurgey, FCP interim president stated in the release. “We welcomed all Albertans to participate in the contest. Serving as our interim leader, Derek Fildebrandt has proven that he has what it takes to lead the FCP.”
Fildebrandt said the party will focus on nominating candidates, preparing for the next election, and building a platform that includes abolishing the carbon tax, cutting wasteful government spending, protecting choice of education, and taking back provincial control over immigration and justice.