McBride seeking provincial PC nomination

Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride has thrown his hat into the ring, announcing his candidacy for Banff-Cochrane MLA for the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta.

Wasting no time following present MLA Janis Tarchuk’s announcement that she would not be running in the next provincial election, McBride shined a light on his experiences as a councillor and mayor and his accomplishments in the community.

McBride proceeded to contend that his knowledge of the municipal forum has helped hone his skills, preparing him for a possible stint as a member of the legislative assembly.

“There are a lot of larger-scale issues out there right now that Cochrane’s going to be getting to need to tackle,” said McBride, underlining transportation, health care and education as key examples.

“I’ve become very familiar with the needs of Cochrane and the similar needs through my work as chair of the partnership in Canmore and Banff.”

Touting the work of the current MLA, McBride said he would like to ‘carry on the fantastic work’ that Tarchuk has done in the constituency.

“She’s been a really great advocate. You don’t need to look far before you see the impact that she’s had, whether it’s helping us clean up the Domtar (site) or the very soon twinning of the highway and upgrade to the (Highway) 22 and 1A intersection.”

McBride, however, had no qualms about more needing to be addressed.

“There’s been some great work that has been done and I feel there’s great work that needs to be done. The experience that I’ve had as mayor now puts me in a really good position to advocate for this community, for Bragg Creek and for Canmore, for Exshaw and Banff.”

McBride spoke of the importance of having the finest health care and educational systems in the world, while at the same time highlighting the significance of the fiscal framework he feels the province should be operating under, and how without a solid financial plan, Alberta will not be successful in its future endeavours.

McBride added that Alberta is the biggest spender as a province when it comes to health care in the country, and continues to fall short of being considered the best system in Canada. He said this issue would be of primary importance to him as MLA.

“I have my own ideas of how I think we need to be tackling our problems, but I think the job first and foremost of an MLA is to represent the voices of the constituents above their own agenda and above the politics in Edmonton.”

Before being elected mayor in 2007, McBride served as a town councillor from 2001.

Derek Clouthier is editor of the Cochrane Eagle.