The race for the next Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright United Conservative Party (UCP) candidate is on and a face familiar to Lloyd is putting his name forward.
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Dale Aalbers has officially announced his intention to run for the UCP nomination for the local Alberta riding.
He’s been active in politics for most of his life and currently works in the constituency office for Rosemarie Falk, MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster–Meadow Lake.
“I’ve worked with several different members of Parliament in Ottawa on Parliament Hill, fighting and advocating for the issues that matter to us as Albertans,” he said. “For our freedoms in particular, as well.”
Aalbers also explained he’s had the opportunity to work for various political campaigns in Canada and helped create an internship program for the UCP. He says he’s committed to service and has a love for the people in the Border City.
“Settling in Lloydminster and finding the importance of people,” he said, noting it was the people that drew him back to the Border City long-term.
“The people, definitely,” said Aalbers. “I’d been working in politics and then being drawn back home because it’s a good place to raise a family. It’s a beautiful community; people are so involved.”
Aalbers, who has lived in the Border City nearly his entire life, is raising a family and says one of the things important to him is parental rights.
“There’s a lot of good people fighting for the things that matter, in particular, parental rights. Choice in education was another big one,” he explained.
His choice to run for the UCP nomination aligns with the party’s provincial efforts.
“The UCP is committed to school choice and allowing parents to be able to choose,” “As a father, that is important to me, that we have school choice so we can help our children with whatever they need for their education. I believe that parents know best regarding their children.”
He says there’s a number of issues that he hopes to tackle.
“So many issues impact our families, seniors and our economy,” he said. “These include health care, education, infrastructure, social supports, reducing red tape, energy and agriculture.
“Definitely red-tape reduction. Continuing to look at ways we can reduce red tape. Creating trade opportunities, reducing barriers, building pipelines or making sure we can get our resources to market.”
As a life-long Conservative, he says the party’s values are important to him.
“It’s something that’s always been really important to me,” said Aalbers. “Hard work, perseverance, commitment to family, faith and freedom are all things that are often found within the conservative movement.
“That desire to make our communities better, that ‘less government rather than more’ is better, allowing freedom for people, freedom for economics, free enterprise.”
He says the heart of the Conservative moment is in Alberta.
“The heart of conservatism is in Alberta. Often, Alberta’s beaten on by the rest of the country because of the things it does,” he said. “I believe in a conservatism that’s common sense but also has compassion and cares about people. (The) government’s supposed to serve people. That’s what my desire is as an aspiring politician, to serve people.”
Aalbers’ love of politics has been growing over time, as he’s always had the opportunity to attend debates.
“Growing up, my dad (Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers) was always passionate about politics and that had rubbed off on me,” he said.
Since moving back to Lloyd, he’s rekindled an old passion.
“I became really passionate about football,” he said. “I always wanted to play football. I was part of the inaugural Chargers team when the LMFA (Lloydminster Minor Football Association) started. Then, later playing for Holy Rosary High School.
“Now, being able to contribute to the game and refereeing (is great).”
He hopes to serve those in the Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright constituency as the UCP nomination vote is expected to happen this year.
“Continuing to be a voice for parents, for parental rights, for children as well.”
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Way to go Dale!