Local Wildrose Independence Party constituency association founded

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alberta’s newest political party has formed its second constituency association within a local riding.

The Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta (WIPA), a now-official party formed in June from the merger of Wexit Alberta and the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta, has formed a constituency association (CA) in the riding of Chestermere-Strathmore.

The founding meeting for the group was held on Saturday, Aug. 29. Thirty people attended the gathering, including Paul Hinman, interim party leader, and Wendy Adams, executive director.

The most important thing the CA needs to do is find the individual that will represent the party in the next election through a nomination process, explained Hinman. But they will also be responsible to find volunteers and helpers to form a team to make calls, go door knocking, put up signs and any other work needed for the associated campaign, he said.

The party is looking to get off the ground in the area, explained Rick Northey, WIPA president.

“We’re trying to grow the party, attract members and set up local organizations to do their own fundraising, said Northey. “The ultimate goal will be to elect a Wildrose (Independence Party) MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore.”

The riding was one of the first to establish a CA for the party because “we’ve got a pretty solid membership in that area,” he said. “So, we thought it was a good place to start.”