Heather Klimchuk

THANK YOU!

2008-03-03T22:34:00.003-07:00

3200 DOORSTEPS AS OF YESTERDAY! TONIGHT IS ABOUT ALL OF YOU! A TEAM OF INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE PUT IN SO MANY HOURS THIS PAST MONTH.

I HAVE ALSO BEEN SO AMAZED WITH SOME OF THE NEW VOLUNTEERS JUST GETTING INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND EVEN BETTER, NEW SUPPORTERS OF THE PC PARTY.

I AM AWED AND HUMBLED BY MY VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN ME. I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT GOVERNING IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT. I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU. ALBERTANS DESERVE A GOVERNMENT WITH INTEGRITY, A GOVERNMENT THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE AND ONE THAT CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE AFFECTED MOST BY THE CHOICES IT MAKES.

THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ABOUT REAL ISSUES – QUALITY OF LIFE, GREENING OUR GROWTH AND PROTECTING OUR OPPORTUNITIES. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH YOU ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, HEALTH CARE, SENIORS, FAMILIES IN CRISIS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. THESE REAL ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED!

MY CORE TEAM

JOAN
BRENDA-LEE
MADELYN
JOHN MITCHELL AND LOU HYNDMAN
ANNIE EZIO
SOL ROLINGHER
CRAIG ROSE
BILL STEWART
WADE AND ARI BERNSTEIN – GUERRILLA SIGNS
RICHARD WONG AND LINDSAY KELLY
KEN CHAPMAN, LOUISE HAYES & GORD VINCENT
JOAN-HERTZ BENKENDORF
STEADFAST LOUISA
POWER WALKER TED

SPECIAL THANKS TO DREW HUTTON, FORMER MLA FOR EDMONTON GLENORA AND MARCY, HAILEY AND MACKENZIE FOR ALL OF THEIR HUGS AND INPUT

I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY FOR ALL OF THEIR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT

MY MOM AND RON COMING HERE EVERY WEEKEND FROM CALGARY TO BUILD SIGNS, DELIVER BROCHURES MAKE CALLS AND COOK MEALS.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW PEARL FOR BEING MY MEADOWCROFT CAPTAIN.

MY DAD AND MAUREEN FOR THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT.

COUSIN TREVOR WHO DID JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

AUNT ANITA FOR HER FLYER DELIVERY SKILLS

FINALLY, MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND, WADE AND INCREDIBLY TALENTED CHILDREN, KYRSTEN AND KEIFER. YOU ARE THE BEST FAMILY EVER!

One more sleep......

2008-03-02T19:17:00.002-07:00

Get 3200 doors! It’s all up to you tomorrow. My team and I have worked hard and I am very proud of all our efforts. It is remarkable that 27 and a half days have already passed. It’s been a whirlwind of activity. I just wanted to mention a few of my favorite moments:

. My mascots, Remy and Sandy in their battle for supremacy in the campaign office.
. Meeting new volunteers every day.
. Steadfast Louisa for all of her phoning day after day.
. Fresh, scrumptious baking from our neighbour and friend Michael
. Meeting Monica and getting the sisterhood handshake and how happy she was to meet me on her doorstep.
. Helping Chad push his car out of the snow.
. The Power door knocking team.
. The warm responses I received at the doors.
. Fantastic conversations on the environment, health care, affordable housing, education and many other issues.
. How shocked many people were when I appeared on their doorstep and asked if I would be back between elections. I said, most definitely YES.
. Hugs at the doors.
. Ice Cream Party at Meadowcroft, Coffee Parties at St Andrews, McQueen, Mountwood and Groat House.
. Returning to my former High School, Ross Sheppard for a debate.
. Door knocking with our MP, Laurie Hawn.

It is so important to vote tomorrow. Every vote will count and I want to make a difference! Put an X by Heather Klimchuk.

Cheers,

Heather

COUNTING DOWN.....3 more sleeps....

2008-02-29T21:12:00.002-07:00

As we enter into the final days of the provincial election campaign, I am buoyed by the latest poll suggesting the PC party and its new plan for Alberta is resonating with voters. Albertans are saying they believe Premier Ed Stelmach has the values they want in a leader.

At the doors and around the community, I am hearing that the more people think about Alberta’s future, the more they support our party’s fresh vision under its new leader. People want a leader and government they can trust to take on tough issues with a thoughtful, achievable and affordable plan for 21st century Alberta.

They do not want empty promises. They do not believe in a tax and spend approach. Albertans want a well thought out, forward thinking, fiscally responsible plan. And we have done just that in a detailed platform that includes four-year cost projections for all new commitments.

Our plan aligns with Albertans’ priorities. It delivers significant tax reductions, eliminates health care premiums, and provides dollars to address pressures in a sustainable and affordable way. This includes investments in health care, support to seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable members of our society. It improves day care, our post-secondary system and addresses growth pressures such as housing, infrastructure, the environment and regional planning.

Particularly exciting for anyone who values our beautiful river valley is Premier Ed Stelmach’s $50 million commitment toward the creation of one of the world’s most expansive metropolitan-area parks – The River Valley Alliance Park –stretching from Fort Saskatchewan to the east and Devon to the west.

During the next few days, as campaigning draws to a close, I will be working hard to do what I can to make sure the voters of Edmonton-Glenora regain a seat at the government table in the next Alberta legislature. I look forward to meeting even more people in the riding to discuss what I believe is a great plan that will help build a great future for Alberta.

The next move will be up to you, the voters, on Monday, March 3. My hope is that having considered your choices you will endorse me and the Progressive Conservative plan – and not just around the kitchen table – but at the ballot box where every vote counts. In a democracy voting is the best way to participate in building your future – the kind of future you envision for your children and grandchildren.

There are many challenges ahead but I think as a party we have proven we have what it takes to make the right choices and follow through on behalf of the people of our great province. I ask for your support so that together we can make positive change that works for Albertans.

To find out where to vote, visit www.elections.ab.ca . Those unable to vote on Monday, March 3, still have an opportunity to cast a ballot at Saturday’s Advance Polls at the Office of the Returning Officer, 15239-111 Avenue from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you would like to read the Progressive Conservative party’s platform in detail it is outlined on the website. (http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/default.cfm)

If you would like to learn more about me and my views on the issues that matter most to you, I invite you to visit my website at www.heatherklimchuk.ca or call my campaign office at 442-4560.

See you at the polls.

Cheers,

Heather

The fourth and final week!

2008-02-26T21:25:00.002-07:00

February 25, 26

As we enter into the fourth and final week of the provincial election campaign I can feel the momentum building. The weather has been beautiful as I have door knocked and discussed the issues that matter most to the people of Edmonton Glenora. It has been exciting to hear your thoughts about the Progressive Conservative’s plan for Alberta’s future.

I have always firmly believed that governing is a privilege, not a right. Albertans deserve a government with integrity, a government that is accountable, and that cares about the people affected most by the choices it makes.

At election time it can be difficult to sort through the rhetoric and empty promises aimed at winning over voters. This is where I believe the Progressive Conservatives, under the leadership of Premier Ed Stelmach, stand out above the rest.

Last week we saw an exciting leadership debate and the release of our Party’s detailed campaign platform that includes four-year cost projections for all new commitments. (We are the only party to lay things out in such detail.) Both served to highlight the leadership qualities and values of our Premier and his team – a team of which I am so proud to be a member.

Premier Stelmach will never make promises he cannot deliver. Albertans want a leader who takes on the tough issues with a thoughtful and achievable plan. Our plan focuses on building our quality of life, greening our growth, and creating and protecting our opportunities. Our plan delivers significant tax reductions and the elimination of health care premiums to put money back in Albertans’ pockets, and delivers dollars to address pressures in a sustainable and affordable way.

It provides necessary investments in health care—building and upgrading facilities, and recruiting the doctors, nurses and health care professionals that Alberta needs. It provides support to seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable members of our society. It outlines how we will increase the availability of day care and support to those parents who need it. It also includes significant investment in our post-secondary system through increased spaces and reducing student loan interest rates to prime. Our plan also addresses pressures brought on by unprecedented growth through multi-million dollar programs to boost affordable housing and address our key infrastructure needs.

Albertans have accomplished so much already with a positive and pioneering spirit. We need to refine that spirit to fit the challenges of the 21st century. The challenges are great no doubt, but we are up to the task to ensure Alberta’s strong future.

If you would like to read the platform in detail it is outlined on the Progressive Conservative website. (http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/default.cfm)

In the coming days I will be hitting the doors to discuss the issues that matter to you and explain our party’s exciting new plan. I will be attending several events in the community and invite you to join me. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.

Don’t forget, you can vote at the Advance Polls on February 28, 29, and March 1. 2008 at:
Office of the Returning Officer
15239 – 111 Avenue

Cheers,
Heather

My Response to the Pembina Institute Oil Sands Survey

2008-02-19T10:44:00.003-07:00

The Pembina Institute put out a very interesting survey on oil sands development. I have done the survey and I wanted to share my answers and my reasons with you.

I “Moderately Disagreed” with the statement that the oil sands should be developed as fast as possible. We have more projects approved than our labour force and social infrastructure can handle. The market forces of low interest rates, low inflation and near record oil prices and global uncertainty has pushed oil sands investment beyond expectations. We need to add a strong environment and social impact focus now that is the consequence of projects now approved and in process.

I “Moderately Disagreed” with the statement that the Alberta Government should suspend new oil sands approvals until infrastructure and environmental management issues are addressed in the oil sands region. My reasoning is we should beef up the approval process at the regulatory level and not impede the market place at the political level. For example, we need to be sure the reclamation plans and habitat protection is in place before projects get approvals. We need to get life cycle cost figures and do a full cost accounting, including ecological and societal impacts and costs of projects are known and dealt with at the approval stage. To try and catch up on the environment and social impacts of growth make no sense. We have to use the regulatory framework to get ahead of those concerns at the time of project approvals. I also think the “oil sands region” now includes the greater Edmonton areas due to the pressures the many upgrader projects will cause here too.

I “Moderately Agreed” with the concept that oil sand mines should be approved if companies can demonstrate that they can return mined areas back to the way they were before mining began. I appreciate the sentiment but question the reality of this. It may be that the open pit oil sand sites cannot be reclaimed. We humans sure can’t “build” a forest. Better we should consider establishing protected conservation and preservation off set sites in other places in Alberta to compensate for the ecological consequences. The costs of this have to be part of a project’s full cost and life cycle accounting methods. I think the reclamation of the large tailing ponds may be a more serious concern than mining site reclamation overall.

Finally I agreed that the oil sands belong to Albertans and the government has an overriding responsibility to manage the rate of development in ways that serve the long term needs of Albertans…especially future generations. I also agree that hard cap levels for Greenhouse Gas emission standards are better than intensity targets and a necessity. Premier Stelmach has said intensity targets are interim measures on the way to setting hard cap limits on GHG emissions. I think this transition to hard cap limits has to happen quickly to be effective.

We can’t dither on this matter of oil sands development. The environmental concerns of Albertans needs strong political champions who will voice the concerns and help make the needed changes. I am ready willing and able to be one of those voices...but I need your vote on March 3 to do this.

Hello! I'm Heather Klimchuk, PC Candidate, Edmonton Glenora. Welcome to My Blog

2008-02-16T12:22:00.020-07:00

We have completed the first two weeks of the Campaign and am enjoying every minute of it. I have spoken with so many people about “real issues” while door knocking. People are concerned about the cost of rent, affordable housing, the environment, community safety and concerns around keeping schools open in their communities.

To learn more about me and my campaign please visit my website http://www.heatherklimchuk.ca/

... and come back often.

Even when we were out doorknocking during the -35 days, the people we met were warm and they took the time to chat. I will be knocking on as many doors as possible because that is one the best way to meet you and hear from you about your issues and concerns in this election. My website and this blog is another great new way for us to connect.

Door knocking is always interesting and fun. On February 8th I was joined by Laurie Hawn, our MP and was delighted to see the positive response we received working together. It was great that Andrea Stelmach joined me doorknocking the other day. Her enthusiasm and energy in this campaign matched that of her uncle, Premier Ed Stelmach

Some of the most interesting events at the doors involved dogs. They like to pull the literature out of the mail slot, chew on it and play with it. Others jump around excitedly when they hear the doorbell. I just hope their owners are as enthusiastic about politics as the pets are.

Then there’s the reality of winter campaigning. My dynamic volunteers have been out there with me through wind, snow, ice and now the the slush and water. It’s really true what they say about Alberta weather, “If you don’t like it wait 20 minutes.”

I just wanted to introduce myself and my campaign with this post. I will be posting on the key policy issues and campaign events in future entries. The signs are going up, the volunteers are showing up and things are looking up for Edmonton - Glenora. Voting day is March 3 and we are half way there….and I have miles to go before I sleep.

See you soon!