Fort Whyte candidates face off at debate
Last Updated: December 2 2005 01:08 PM CST
Hugh McFadyen, the Conservative candidate in the Fort Whyte provincial byelection, is considered a strong contender for the leadership of the provincial Progressive Conservatives – but other candidates in the race aren't letting that faze them.
A debate for all candidates in the Fort Whyte constituency was held at the Winnipeg Technical College Thursday night; the audience was dotted with former Tory cabinet ministers and other key party members.
McFadyen says he hasn't decided if he'll try to succeed outgoing leader Stuart Murray at a leadership convention expected this spring.
McFadyen doesn't have a seat in the legislature – he's seeking one right now in the Fort Whyte byelection – but he says he doesn't feel that makes in unqualified for the party's top job.
"I guess in a perfect world, it's always nice to have a little experience in the Legislature, before you take something like that on. But we don't live in a perfect world, and the timing doesn't always go according to your own personal plans," he told CBC News.
"In terms of my experience, having worked three years with [former] premier Gary Filmon, and having sat through all the cabinet meetings in that time, I feel I've got a good base of experience to go from."
Area's growth, change could affect election result
Voters in the area have elected Conservative representatives in the last several elections. Despite that, and all the speculation about the leadership potential of their rival, other candidates in the race urge voters not to forget about them.
New Democrat Christina McDonald has run a campaign with a phone bank and heavy door-to-door canvassing. She says the demographics of the riding are changing, and the seat might change with them.
"It's always hard to be confident about what may or may not happen. There's a lot of change that's happened in this riding in the last 10 or 15 years. Now, to say it's a PC riding – I don't think it is anymore," she said.
Liberal candidate Jean Paterson also believes the area's voters could choose representation from a different party this time around.
"I don't think it's a foregone conclusion at all, because the composition, the demographics of the riding has changed very dramatically in the last two years," she said.
The Fort Whyte constituency includes Linden Woods, Richmond West and Whyte Ridge – all newer communities in the city's rapidly expanding southwest corner.
At last night's forum, all four candidates – the Green Party's Shelagh Pizey-Allen is also running – talked about issues around growth in the area. They all agreed the area needs its own high school.
The byelection in Fort Whyte will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance polls are available Dec. 5 to 10.