MyMcMurray Portal

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Progressive Conservative representative Mike Allen will now be making the transition to the provincial government.

He earned 49 percent of the votes in the riding of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, which means he’s set to be the next MLA for the riding. He defeated 15-year MLA Guy Boutilier, who came in second with 43 percent.

Allen, who took an unpaid leave from his position as a Wood Buffalo ward 1 councillor, says that he thought he ran a good campaign locally, and he attributes his being elected to his campaign team.

“Without any doubt, it’s the team. We had a huge team of volunteers. We worked it. We did everything we could to keep this a positive campaign and get the message of the party out and get our message across. I think that message came through loud and clear. I’m just very grateful that the residents of Fort McMurray have given me the honour to fulfill this role.”

Allen won’t be the only one making the transition from municipal politics to the provincial legeislature. Don Scott was elected as the first MLA for the new riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin. Allen says the pair will be working together to improve life in the region.

“The things we’re going to be able to do together as a team at the table of the government where the decisions are made… I’m so excited about the possibilities for this region. We’re going to work very closely with the mayor and council, and the regional government, where we have strong ties.”

The race between Allen and Boutilier was a close one, and the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding was one of the last to have a declared winner.

Published April 24th, 2012