ALBERTA VOTES 2008

Get to know the leaders

Get to know the party leaders vying for your vote.

 
Liberal Party of Alberta Leader Kevin Taft

Kevin Taft

Leader, Alberta Liberal Party

Mr. Taft loves apple pie and ice cream and wishes he was more patient. But what do you think is his biggest regret?
Get to know Kevin Taft »



 

Kevin Taft


What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Jeanette's apple pie and ice cream.

What is your greatest fear?
A world without Jeanette's apple pie and ice cream.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Maj-Gen. Arthur Currie, who led the Canadians to unexpected victory at Vimy Ridge.

Who are your favorite writers?
Recently, Todd Babiak, Guy Vanderhaeghe.

Who are your favorite musicians?
I enjoy many kinds of music from rock to classical to jazz. Favourite musicians include PJ Perry, Santana, Edmonton Symphony.

Which movie(s) have you seen more than twice?
A River Runs Through It. Bladerunner.

What book are you reading now?
Just finished Richard Gwynn's biography of Sir John A. MacDonald.

What is your most treasured possession?
My dad’s navigating watch from World War 2.

What are the traits you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.

What are the traits you most dislike in others?
Bullying.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Beauty.

What are your greatest extravagances?
Going to Hawaii for out 25th anniversary.

What is your favorite journey?
The back road drive from Cypress Hills to Waterton.

What is your greatest regret?
Not learning a second language.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“I have a plan.”

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Have a full head of hair.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
A successful marriage and two fine young men as children.

What would you regard as the lowest depths of misery?
A life without purpose.

What is your biggest everyday pet peeve?
The tiny buttons on my Blackberry.

What talent would you most like to have?
To be a great hockey player.

 

Alberta Alliance Party Leader Paul Hinman

Paul Hinman

Leader, Alberta Wildrose Alliance Party

Mr. Hinman is a fan of Enya and books by Tom Clancy. But what do you think is his biggest fear? Get to know Paul Hinman »


 

Paul Hinman


What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good health for you and your loved ones.

What is your greatest fear?
A government that thinks it knows how to run your life better than you do and spend your money better that you do.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
In a very small way, George Washington, I am fighting for something I believe in against an established juggernaut.

Who are your favorite writers?
Frédéric Bastiat
Tom Clancy
James Allen

Who are your favorite musicians?
No one special perhaps Enya

Which movie(s) have you seen more than twice?
Dave (1993) – good lesson for every politician there
Pay It Forward

What book are you reading now?
Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand

What is your most treasured possession?
My family

What are the traits you most deplore in yourself?
I don’t think anyone should deplore things about themselves.

What are the traits you most dislike in others?
Dishonesty

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
The real virtues are never overrated.

What are your greatest extravagances?
I love to pick up the latest little gadget or tool or whatever.

What is your favorite journey?
Life and its challenges

What is your greatest regret?
Not taking more time off to spend with my family.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
The bottom line is…

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Have the discipline to say no and not have so many irons in the fire.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
Representing the people in Cardston-Taber-Warner.

What would you regard as the lowest depths of misery?
Total loss of freedom

What is your biggest everyday pet peeve?
Red lights in the middle of the night, when no one’s coming. They should be flashing red.

What talent would you most like to have?
Photographic memory for reading and remembering faces and names.

Progressive Conservative Party Leader Ed Stelmach

Ed Stelmach

Leader, Alberta Progressive Conservative Party

Did you know Ed Stelmach's biggest extravagance is lemon poppyseed cake?

Get to know Ed Stelmach »



 

Ed Stelmach

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good marriage, healthy family and perhaps a few more grandkids (hint, hint).

What is your greatest fear?
I am not a huge fan of spinning rides.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
John Diefenbaker because he always fought for the little guy and he was a tremendous supporter of the west.

Who are your favorite writers?
I'm reading a book by Chris Turner, the Geography of Hope and I'm also a fan of Peter Tertzakian's work.

Who are your favorite musicians?
I support local talent, excellent talent in Brett Kissle, an upcoming singer named Julia Voss and I like Paul Brandt's work a lot. I also enjoy BB King and Diana Krall.

Which movie(s) have you seen more than twice?
It’s been a little busy the past three years and I haven't really had the chance to see one movie, but I have seen pieces of Shrek 2 time and again with my grandson Ethan.

What book are you reading now?
Chris Turner, the Geography of Hope and Brothers by David Talbot

What is your most treasured possession?
Not a possession, my family is what I treasure most.

What are the traits you most deplore in yourself?
Deplore is a very strong word.

What are the traits you most dislike in others?
Lack of respect for others and dishonesty.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Being on time -- highly overrated.

What are your greatest extravagances?
Lemon poppyseed cake.


The New Democratic Party Leader Brian Mason

Brian Mason

Leader, Alberta NDP

Mr. Mason declined to participate after repeated invitations.






 

Editorial Note:

In accordance with CBC's editorial policy, CBC carries the profiles of political leaders whose parties held a seat in the Alberta legislature at the time of dissolution.

For information on other political parties fielding candidates in this provincial election, please visit the links below:
Alberta Greens
Alberta Party
Alberta Social Credit Party
Communist Party of Alberta
Separation Party of Alberta

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