Keep an eye out for Alberta Party signs in and around Wood Buffalo for Marcus Erlandson.
The oilsands field engineer will represent the party in the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo riding in the upcoming election.
Although he got the call last Wednesday, Erlandson is a party veteran working on previous campaigns in Edmonton.
“I’m a father of a young child myself. For me, one of the big items that stuck out to me with in the Alberta party is the daycare plan: They would bring in subsidized daycare, and the subsidization level would be based on the family income level.”
Some would have questions about his three years as a resident of Fort McMurray.
However, Erlandson looks at it as a positive.
“Some people would view that negatively that I’ve only been here for three years. I don’t think it should have an impact. It’s a city that I do love now that I actually live here. Now that my family is here, we really enjoy the city.”
Erlandson was formerly a commuter and disliked its low quality of life.
He wants to encourage more commuters and their families to make Wood Buffalo their home.
One way to push that forward is taking another look at the old highway to Grande Prairie.
“I would like us to get the proposed highway from a number of years ago out to the Grande-Prairie area. So that we have a second escape route in case of another worst-case scenario type event, but also just to improve our ability to travel to other areas.”
Given the state of the economy, Erlandson said he would still see if it’s feasible.
At the end of the day, Erlandson says, the Alberta party believes in collaboration.
“We’re looking for good ideas regardless of where they come from, whether they come from the left or the right. We want to work with all parties to make the province a better place. We want to work for the betterment of all Albertans.”
Joining Erlandson is Jeff Fafard, who will run in the neighbouring Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding. The provincial election is April 16, 2019.
