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2004 Candidates:
Adam Bourque (Liberal)
Garry Checknita (Alberta Alliance)
Stephen Crocker (NDP)
Patsy Lindberg (Social Credit)
Frank Oberle (PC)
Riding Profile:
This huge wilderness riding occupies Alberta's northwest corner, bordered
by the Northwest Territories to the north and stretching more than 400
kilometres south to the community of Peace River. British Columbia forms
the western border, and following the 2004 redistribution, the riding
stretches to Wood Buffalo National Park in the east. The Fox Lake and
John D'or Prairie First Nations have been added to the riding. Other communities
include Manning, High Level and Rainbow Lake.
Despite the northerly location of the Peace River riding, agriculture
is the main industry, followed by manufacturing. Household incomes, at
$57,570, are somewhat under the provincial average, though fewer than
10 per cent of residents are low income. Fifty-six per cent do not have
a high school diploma, making this Alberta's least formally educated riding.
The aboriginal population, at nearly 27 per cent, is the province's second
highest. Another 12 per cent of residents are of German origin. Two-thirds
of people speak English at home. More than seven per cent speak German
at home. Immigrants make up fewer than five per cent of the population,
and three-quarters were born in Alberta.
Political History:
Peace River has been represented by two Tories since 1971. MLA Gary Friedel
was first elected in 1993 when he beat Elmer Cardinal, a Liberal, by 754
votes. In 1997, Friedel defeated Liberal Bruce MacKeen by 1,422 votes
and in 2001 Friedel's margin was 2,238, this time over Liberal Susan Callihoo.
He isn't running in this election. From 1971-93, Al Adair served here,
holding various cabinet posts during one of the longest legislative stints
in recent Alberta history.
In 2001, voter turnout was 36.4 per cent - the lowest in the province.
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