Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Fred Kreiner, the NDP candidate for West Yellowhead, has abruptly announced he would not participate in candidate forums for this upcoming provincial election.
Kreiner was originally scheduled to participate in the Hinton forum on Monday and the Jasper forum on Tuesday. These forums are hosted by the local Chambers of Commerce.
“We are past the halfway point to the election and with current momentum are required to shift the focus of our campaign’s time,” said Malissa Dunphy, spokesperson for Alberta’s NDP.
“Fred Kreiner will need to utilize every moment of his time focused on connecting with voters on the ground to maintain this incredible momentum, so we will be adjusting our schedules to accommodate.”
The Fitzhugh asked in a follow-up email if other NDP candidates have also dropped out of forums but is still awaiting a response.
However, CHAT News Today has reported that NDP candidates will not be participating in Medicine Hat election forums.
UCP incumbent Martin Long, who is running against Kreiner in the race for West Yellowhead, was also supposed to participate in the Jasper and Hinton forums.
“Over the past 24 hours many residents across West Yellowhead have reached out to me to express their disappointment in the cancellation of the forums,” Long said in a statement.
“While certainly not obligatory, the convention of forums provides residents the ability to witness firsthand the approach a potential representative has.
“Like the West Yellowhead residents who reached out, I too was disappointed to learn one of the other candidates was no longer willing to participate.
“As such, I have decided to, when possible, utilize the time I’ve dedicated in my calendar for these forums to instead engage with constituents directly through open-house style meet and greets. I did this last night in Hinton and will be doing so again tonight in Jasper.”
The provincial election takes place on May 29.
