It appears that Barrhead resident Leslie Penny will once again represent the Alberta Liberals in the coming provincial election.
The health-care administrator ran under the red banner in the 2008 election, and said she feels this time around her experience will give her a better chance at the win.
“The first time that you run a campaign you learn a lot, and this gives me an opportunity to put some of that learning to work,” she said. “I still very much believe in the Liberal program for the province, and nothing I’ve seen has changed my mind about that.”
Penny’s nomination was not official as of press time, as she had not completed all the necessary paperwork, but she said to her knowledge she’s the only one who has expressed an interest.
She has lived in Barrhead since 1972 and worked most of those years in the health-care industry. Her concerns for the riding and the province, however, go beyond her chosen profession.
Some of her main concerns, she said, are education, infrastructure and childcare.
With respect to education, Penny said one of the most important things is simply to make sure students have proper facilities in which to learn.
“Where are young people in our province going to school in a crumbling building,” she said. “Is that the best we can do for our young people?”
The education concerns in the province extend to the post-secondary level, as well — she would like to see the province do more to encourage young people to not only go to university but also get into trades.
As a corollary to that, she said the province must invest more heavily in childcare.
“If we want people to be able to work in professions and work in trades, we also need to make sure that they have good care for their young people,” she said.
Penny also expressed concern about recreation facilities and other infrastructure in the area. She said she would like to see provincial support for a new swimming pool in Barrhead, the Spirit Centre in Westlock and a new library facility in Morinville.
Ultimately, she said, the main concern that permeates every aspect of the provincial government must whether the decisions being made are just, and ensuring Alberta’s relative wealth is directed toward the people who need it most.
“If we’re going to be a progressive province, we really need to make sure we’re giving our children — that’s all of our children — the best possible chance to do the best they can,” she said.
The provincial election has not yet been called, but must be called by the end of April under the new provincial law that fixes election dates.
