Left to right: Rachael Thomas (Conservative), Nathan Svoboda (NDP), Clara Piedalue (People's Party), Chris Spearman (Liberal), Amber Murray (Green), Marc Slingerland (Christian Heritage). (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge federal election candidates debate key issues

Apr 9, 2025 | 9:54 AM

All six people who are looking to become the city’s next Member of Parliament took part in a candidates forum Tuesday evening.

Hosted by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, the Yates Memorial Theatre was almost completely sold out with at least a few hundred voters in attendance.

The candidates were asked a range of questions about issues such as tariffs, coal mines, housing, CBC funding, taxes, legal protections for service animals, and more.

LNN caught up with the candidates following the conclusion of the forum and asked them two questions – what was your main takeaway from the forum and why should people vote for you?

Here is what they had to say:

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Rachael Thomas – Conservative (Incumbent)

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“I think a forum is always a great opportunity to connect with voters and to be able to share, you know, my perspective on different things as the local representative here in Lethbridge, as well as our platform as the Conservative Party of Canada. I had the opportunity to do that here tonight and I felt that it was widely received by the audience here in attendance.”

Why should people vote for you?

“People should vote for me because I’ve represented this region for nine years and I’ve done so by putting listening as my priority and then taking action as the necessary follow-up. Whether it’s hosting town hall meetings or roundtable discussions or having one-on-one meetings with anyone who should request it, responding to peoples’ emails or taking their phone calls – I’m someone who takes the concerns and the opinions of those in Lethbridge seriously.”

Chris Spearman – Liberal

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“I liked the fact that it was very collegial and people were very engaged and, I thought, respectful of all candidates.”

Why should people vote for you?

“I was always a strong voice for Lethbridge as mayor and I think I would be a strong voice as an MP for Lethbridge. I think I would probably be the most effective MP Lethbridge has had for a while. If this is a Liberal government, then Lethbridge has a voice. Albertans are very concerned that they’re going to be left out of the next government.”

Nathan Svoboda – NDP

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“The takeaway from tonight’s forum for me is that so many of our candidates have shared values across the political spectrum, that there is so much we agree on. I would like candidates, and I would like to see our House of Commons be able to come together more across partisan lines in support of those shared values.”

Why should people vote for you?

“Lethbridge wants someone who’s rooted in our community. I’m rooted in that community, and I’ve proven that by being here now, advocating in this setting as well. I’ve committed to being here, in and out of politics, to be here for my community – that’s just who I am.”

Clara Piedalue – People’s Party

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“My main takeaway is how concerned everyone is about our water supply, and rightly so. I believe that protecting our water supply is of utmost importance and I certainly do agree with [Amber Murray’s] policies surrounding creating ecotourism on the Eastern Slopes. I also took away how concerned everyone is with regards to the cost of living and the housing crisis.”

Why should people vote for you?

“Our campaign is focused on eliminating the carbon tax through the entire supply chain, not just eliminating incremental parts of it – I think that’s going to actually have a real impact on the wallets of people and business owners. We’re also about bringing back and restoring power to the people.”

Marc Slingerland – Christian Heritage

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“I think every party has something that they can offer that will resonate with the voters, and being able to see them side-by-side like this gives a really great opportunity for those comparisons to be made.”

Why should people vote for you?

“This election is an opportunity to vote for a candidate and a party that is 100 per cent pro-life. We need to stand against the tide of euthanasia and protect human life from conception to natural death. Beyond that central plank, we have innovative policies on a whole range of issues. We need to get beyond the stalemate of two-party rule and introduce great ideas to the voters to improve our country and I’m here to do that for you.”

Amber Murray – Green

What is your main takeaway from the forum?

“My main takeaway is, at least with the folks that were in that room, and I would suggest it goes throughout the electoral district, is that Lethbridge doesn’t want coal in their headwaters. That’s the big takeaway I had – the audience seemed quite clear on that.”

Why should people vote for you?

“If folks are worried about their water and it’s quite clear that the Conservative Party of Canada is going to remove environmental oversights from the federal department, and it’s quite clear that our incumbent MP thinks it’s a provincial problem and won’t stick up for the rights of water drinkers and for agriculture to clean water – I feel like I’m the alternative.

You can learn more about each of the candidates in the Lethbridge riding through the links below:

• Rachael Thomas – Conservative
• Chris Spearman – Liberal
• Clara Piedalue – People’s Party
• Nathan Svoboda – NDP
• Amber Murray – Green Party
• Marc Slingerland – Christian Heritage Party

For anybody who was unable to attend this forum, there will be another two for the riding.

The Coaldale Chamber of Commerce will put on a forum at Civic Square on Monday, April 14. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the event begins at 7:00 p.m.

The Lethbridge Public Library will host its own Federal Election Forum on Wednesday, April 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the downtown branch.

Advance voting for the federal election runs from April 19-21 while the general voting day is April 28.

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