Members of the Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills PC Association gathered at the Ashmont Agriplex on Jan. 24 for its official nomination meeting. Members nominated MLA Ray Danyluk by acclamation.
The evening was then filled with a last-minute visit from Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader, Dave Hancock. Earlier in the day, Danyluk and Hancock were in Cold Lake, as part of a cabinet tour across the province.
Darrell Younghans, president of the association, updated members on the issue of illegal contributions that were received mostly from local municipalities.
Younghans confirmed Elections Alberta was looking into complaints filed by ��‚��“a third party.��‚�� The association paid back nearly $1,800 for the 2011 calendar year and was then required to go back and look at records from previous years.
Hancock spoke to members about the importance of having a strong PC association and offered insight into his position as minister of Human Services.
One of the challenges facing the province right now is ��‚��“we need to recognize we need more people,��‚�� said Hancock. Canadians on both coasts have more jobs at home and aren��‚��„�t coming to Alberta in search of work as much, he added. Hancock said the province needs more provincial nominees to ��‚��“help build our communities.��‚��
Hancock also spoke on a prospective election to be held sometime between March 1 and May 31.
��‚��“We don��‚��„�t have to apologize for being in government for 40 years,��‚�� said Hancock, who hopes to continue to ��‚��“enrich��‚�� government decisions by encouraging discussion amongst Albertans and the government.
��‚��“We can��‚��„�t take this election lightly,��‚�� said Danyluk, adding, he is ��‚��“very proud to be an MLA,��‚�� and ��‚��“admires the premier��‚��„�s focus and commitment.��‚��
For full story, see the Journal on Tuesday.