Wildrose party members led a public gathering in Big Valley last Thursday to support flood victims in High River and elsewhere in southern Alberta.
“To see people streaming in is quite heartening,” Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman said as he welcomed about 120 members and supporters to Big Valley Jubilee Hall.
About $3,650 was raised for the flood victims in High River.
It’s the home community of Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, who was among thousands of High River residents affected by June floods that swept across Calgary and southern Alberta.
Seniors’ critic Kerry Towle and House Leader Rob Anderson commended Strankman for his contributions and commitment and urged Wildrose members to gear up for the next election in April 2016.
“Sitting in the caucus with Rick reminds me that we are fighting a good fight,” said Towle, who represents Innisfail-Sylvan Lake.
“He has moved me to action to make a better province.”
Although the next election is three years away, she encouraged members to get the message out that the Progressive Conservative government under Premier Alison Redford has taken the province in the wrong direction.
“If we want a government that has fiscal responsibility and social responsibility, there is no way to be led by any party other than Wildrose,” Towle said.
Also lauding the inspiration of Strankman, the house leader also expressed his vision for the province for better health, education, communities and business.
“Our province is at a crossroads,” Anderson said. “We want the best health care in the world and living for seniors, and we believe we can be can be excellent in these things and crate opportunities to be successful.
“I really believe what you are doing is making a difference. I don’t want us to be a have-not province.”
As finance critic, he also expressed concern that the government is not telling the truth in its quarterly financial reporting.