Ridings
248 Calgary Southwest
2006 Candidates
Riding Profile
This residential riding takes in the southwest corner of Calgary, bounded by the city limits in the west and south, the CP Rail line in the east, and Glenmore Trail Southwest in the north. Glenmore Reservoir is in the northern part of the riding.
The 2001 census counted 107,920 residents, more than 19 per cent immigrants. University degree-holders also make up 19 per cent of the population here. Average family income is $91,529 and unemployment is just 4.4 per cent.
Calgary Southwest was formed in 1986 from parts of Calgary South, East and West. Twenty per cent of the riding was redistributed elsewhere in 1996, and another seven per cent was removed in 2004.
Population: 107,920
Political History
This is the riding of Preston Manning and Stephen Harper. Manning, the
founder of the Reform party, came to power here in 1993 by trouncing two-term
Tory incumbent Bobbie Sparrow, with a margin of victory of nearly 29,000
votes. Manning won easily in 1997 and 2000. He then gave up the Reform
leadership and was beaten in a leadership campaign for the Canadian Alliance by Stockwell Day. He resigned
from Parliament in 2002. In the byelection to replace him, Alliance leader
Stephen Harper beat New Democrat Bill Phipps by 9,387 votes. In April
of this year, Harper was picked to lead the new Conservative Party of
Canada.
Prior to 1993, Tories have long been dominant here. During his tenure as prime minister from 1930-35, Conservative R.B. Bennett was the MP for Calgary South.
Riding established in 1986.
1988 - PC
1993, 1997 - REF
2000 - CA
2004 - CON
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Larry Heather
Party: Christian Heritage Party
Age: 52
Birthplace: Alberta
Education: Bachelor of Religious Education from Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan, BA in Religion (Theatre Arts) from
Rocky Mountain College in Calgary and a Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver
Profession: Shipper/receiver
Community Activities: Board member of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play Drumheller, the board vice-president of Communications
Alberta Social Credit Party. He hosts AM1140 Radio Gospel Road in High River, Alta. Webmaster for the William Aberhart Historical
Foundation
Riding Address:
Box 42141
Southland Crossing PO
Calgary, AB
T2J 7A6
253-0676
Stephen Harper
Party: Conservative Party of Canada
Birth date: April 30, 1959
Age: 46
Birthplace: Toronto, Ont.
Education: BA in economics and an MA in economics from the University of Calgary
Profession: Economist
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Laureen
Children: Benjamin and Rachel
Career background: He started out with Imperial Oil as a clerk/computer operator for three years. Was executive assistant to
MP Jim Hawkes, a teaching assistant/lecturer in economics at the University of Calgary, and a legislative assistant to MP Deborah Grey.
From 1987-1993, he was the chief policy officer/senior policy adviser for the Reform party. From 1998-2002, he was president of the
National Citizens' Coalition, a conservative advocacy group. He also taught economics at the University of Calgary.
Electoral History
Party: He was a member of the Liberal party from 1977-1979, and the Progressive Conservative party from 1981-1986. He was a founding member of the Reform party (1987), and was named its chief policy adviser. He was also a former adviser to Preston Manning and a member of the election planning committee.
Federal: Was defeated in Calgary West in 1988; was elected in 1993. He announced in October 1996 he wouldn't be running again and in January 1997 resigned as MP. Elected in Calgary Southwest in May 2002 and 2004
Political History (Federal/Provincial)
Committee: Between 1993 and 1997 - Board of Internal Economy; Procedure and House Affairs; Government Operations. Associate member: Finance, Justice and Legal Affairs
Caucus: Had served as Intergovernmental Affairs critic - National Unity
Leadership: Elected Canadian Alliance leader in March 2002. In December 2003, the new Conservative Party of Canada was registered as a party to replace Canadian Alliance, and in March 2004 he won Conservative party leadership.
Office Address:
A203-1600, 90 Ave SW
Calgary, Alta.
(403)253-7990
Capital Address:
Room 409-S Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ont.
(613) 996-6740
Kim Warnke
Party: The Green Party of Canada
Age: 24
Career Background: She has worked with Calgary Health Authority for six years, where she spent a year on the Emergency Department
Advisory board as a representative of Nursing Attendants
Political History
Party: Helped organise the 2004 AGM for the Green party of Canada
Provincial: Defeated in Calgary Currie in 2004
Campaign Office:
(403) 249-9342
kwarnke@greenparty.ca
Michael Swanson
Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Age: 48
Education: Holds a law degree from University of Alberta (1982)
Profession: Lawyer
Career background: He has practised law in Edmonton, Calgary and Southern Alberta since graduation. He is a partner in the Calgary law firm of Beaumont Church LLP and practises law in the areas of civil and criminal litigation and agricultural law. In addition to his law practice, he continues to operate the family farm and ranch near Claresholm, Alta. Part of the farm and ranch includes his grandparents' original homestead dating back to 1902.
Community activities: Has been a volunteer instructor with Chinook College for 12 years and a student mentor at the University of Calgary law school for 14 years. He is also a director of the Legal Archieves Society of Alberta, a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Alberta Civil Trial lawyers Association, the American Agricultural Law Association and the Calgary Ranchmen's Club
Political History
Party: A veteran of provincial and federal election campaigns in Alberta since 1972
Campaign Office:
mike@mikeswanson.ca
www.mikeswanson.ca
Holly Heffernan
Party: New Democratic Party
Age: 48
Birthplace: Calgary, Alta.
Education: Graduated from Foothills School of Nursing in 1976 and completed her post degree Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Calgary in 1993
Profession: Nurse
Marital status: Married
Name of spouse: Murray
Children: One son, one daughter
Career background: She works at Rockyview Hospital in Outpatient Urology and is a relief nurse in the G. I. Unit. She served as Co-chair of the Urology Nurses Excellence Conference in September 2004. She was on the board with the United Nurses of Alberta for more than twelve years. She was on the Alberta Federation of Labour's occupational health and safety committee in 2002 and now serves on the occupational health and safety committee at Rockyview Hospital. She is a delegate at the Calgary & District Labour Council, where she serves on the executive and the Women's Committee. She also helps with the Union Stampede Breakfast and the United Way Labour Partnership.
Community activities: She was a girl guide leader for five years; on the Haysboro Community Board for one year and has been a Block Parent for 18 years. Former treasurer of PAC at Woodman Junior High School for one-and-a-half years and is currently secretary of the PAC at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School.
Electoral History
Provincial: Defeated in Calgary-Glenmore in 2004
Campaign Office:
#321, 3132 - 26 Street NE
Calgary, Alta.
403-301-4995
hollyheffernan@albertandp.ca
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