Photo: The Battle River Crowfoot by-election weathered a rainy day Aug. 8 in Stettler as advance polls opened across the constituency. Advance polls are open over the weekend Aug. 8 to 12 with election day Aug. 18. Rural Alberta Report/S.Salkeld

The Stettler Public Library and the Stettler Regional Board of Trade co-hosted a by-election candidate forum Aug. 7 at the Stettler Community Hall, offering both in-person and livestream participation.

Audience questions were pre-submitted, moderated, and no questions were taken from the floor. There are 214 registered candidates in the Battle River–Crowfoot by-election.  The event was limited to 10 confirmed candidates due to space constraints, with spots filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Leona Thorogood of Stettler served as moderator. Candidates present were Grant Abraham of the United Party of Canada; Jonathan Bridges of the People’s Party of Canada; independent candidate Bonnie Critchley; Michael Harris of the Libertarian Party of Canada; Ashley MacDonald of the Green Party of Canada; Darcy Spady of the Liberal Party of Canada; independent candidate Sarah Spanier; Katherine Swampy of the New Democratic Party; Jeff Willerton of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada; and Kenneth Kirk of the Marijuana Party of Canada.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre did not attend, citing a prior commitment to a town hall in Irma.

Topics included food affordability, internet access, coalition-building, physician shortages and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the region. Each candidate outlined their party’s platform or personal positions.

In opening remarks, Critchley said, “To have appropriate representation in our riding you need to live here or within the region.” Spady, who has worked in oil and gas and farms, described himself as a “centrist candidate.”

Spanier described herself as “an independent voice that works for you” and said independent MPs matter in a minority parliament. Abraham listed “faith, family and freedom” as core values.

The candidates presented a wide range of opinions and platforms, reflecting diverse perspectives on the issues facing the riding. It is now up to voters in Battle River–Crowfoot to decide who will represent them in Ottawa.

Advance voting runs Aug. 8 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with election day set for Monday, Aug. 18.