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Coalhurst teacher will seek UCP nomination in new Cardston-Siksika riding

Apr 15, 2018 | 9:33 AM

COALHURST – One of the new ridings created back in the fall has a new contender, as lifelong Southern Alberta resident and long-time educator in Coalhurst Marc Slingerland, has announced his entry into the UCP nomination race for the Cardston-Siksika riding.

Slingerland is challenging MLA Dave Schneider for the UCP nomination in the rural district that largely covers the areas included in the former Cardston-Taber-Warner and Little Bow districts. 

Slingerland has been working at Calvin Christian School near Coalhurst for the past 13 years, and he’s been the principal there since 2011.

He launched his campaign before a large crowd at the Picture Butte Community Centre on Friday, April 13.

His campaign website can be found here.

Slingerland says his vision for Cardston-Siksika – and for all Alberta – is for strong, stable families, who have the liberty to bring up their children according to their own convictions.

 “The role of government is to serve its citizens by providing a stable context for Albertans to pursue opportunities for economic success and enable them to leave a legacy for the future,” Slingerland said.

Slingerland was a Christian Heritage Party candidate in the 2006, 2008 and 2011 federal elections and the 2015 federal by-election in Foothills.

He was introduced by former Little Bow MLA Ian Donovan, who spoke highly of Slingerland’s balanced perspective on education and other societal issues.

Endorsements for Slingerland’s candidacy have also come from Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen, and from former Lethbridge MP Rick Casson. 

“Marc’s strong family-centric focus and fiscally conservative approach are exactly what we as Albertans need now,” Casson said. “It will take principled people like Marc working alongside another friend of mine, Jason Kenney, to set the course that will bring back the Alberta Advantage.”

The date for the UCP nomination meeting has not yet been established.