A Progressive Conservative stronghold for nearly twenty years, Albert is unlikely to turn colour this year. When Wayne Steeves won the seat for the PC Party back in 1999 he did so with 1,500 votes to spare. Steeves held the seat until the 2014 election; when he stepped aside for fellow Tory Brian Keirstead to take the reins. Keirstead won the riding as handily as Steeves had before him. However, Keirstead will not be the candidate representing the Progressive Conservatives on the ballot.
The PC riding association delivered a surprise upset when they chose to nominate Mike Holland rather than their own incumbent. Holland is a party insider and gave no reasons for his challenge other than a compulsion to run.
Surprisingly, rather than offering a lame duck candidate, the Liberals put forth a serious contender in Catherine Black. Black holds degrees in Economics, Commerce, and Business Administration. She served on Moncton’s Chamber of Commerce and currently works for the New Brunswick Community College. It would appear that despite the difficult campaign ahead, the Liberals are serious about winning back Albert.
If the Liberals came to compete, the other parties did not. People’s Alliance have sent Sharon Buchanan of the Anglophone Rights Association. In other ridings across Southern New Brunswick a Anglo-activist might do well in firing up the fringe right, but in a riding like Albert where such a large component of electors are Francophone, Buchanan will likely crash early. The Greens fair only slightly better with a candidate who has flown under the radar. Immigrant and pig farmer Moranda van Geest will represent the Green Party in Albert.
Of the third parties in Albert, the New Democrats actually present the best alternative vote with Betty Weir. Clear, concise, and specific on issues, Weir has an unwavering and understandable set of goals for Albert and New Brunswick. Affordable daycare, a $15 minimum wage, and ending privatization are among Weir’s goals.
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