Bow Valley business owner takes aim at political job

Canmore resident and business owner Rob Seeley is seeking the nomination to represent the Progressive Conservative party for this constituency.

Seeley has been a resident of Canmore for more than 20 years and a business owner here and in Banff for most of that time with The Phone Store.

He said his passion for community service and track record as a volunteer and sitting on a number of committees makes him an ideal candidate.

“I have a passion for community service and I have been engaged in the constituency for quite some time,” he said in an interview with the Outlook. “I have been considering this position for the last couple of years.”

Seeley has been on the executive for the PC constituency association since 2003 and recently was director for Canmore under current MLA Janis Tarchuk, who has announced she will not seek another term.

In Canmore, he founded and chaired the recreation redevelopment committee and founded and chaired the Small Business Association of Banff. He has volunteered for many events and groups such as Canada Day, Folk Festival, Terry Fox Run and the Banff 125 celebrations and is a long-time member of the local Rotary club.

“I see this as an opportunity to see how things work on the inside and make a difference that way,” Seeley said. “I have done a lot of committee work and that puts me in the position to serve better by having gained a deeper insight and in a positive position to make a difference.”

He said with the new Premier Alison Redford being chosen on a platform of change he is excited to get involved.

“I am very excited by the chance to join Premier Alison Redford’s team,” he said. “I wholeheartedly support her agenda of change.”

He pointed to the inequity of education funding as a major issue for the Bow Valley. Because property assessments are significantly high, valley residents pay more to the province in education property taxes than what comes back to local schools.

“There is a disparity in what leaves the community and what comes back,” he said. “Premier Redford made campaign promises and has already delivered on those.

“I would like to be involved in helping deliver on education.”

Seniors housing is also a significant priority for Seeley, especially after a $2 million fire destroyed a wing of the Bow River Lodge earlier this month.

“I think the community should be in a favourable position for seniors housing opportunities,” Seeley said.

Other key issues he wishes to represent the riding in include: protecting property ownership rights, sustainable long-term funding for the tourism industry, fiscal responsibility by ensuring growth in government spending does not exceed that of the private sector and environmental stewardship.

“We have some very strong environmental groups and there is good information there,” Seeley said with respect to the Bow Valley in particular. “I think it is worth taking a look at that information and seeing how it can be nurtured.

“It is a beautiful area, so we do want to protect it, but at the same time there is industry that needs to be satisfied.”