Ahead of the election, and on a short time frame, Town & Country News offered each candidate a chance to contribute their views.

Chris Warkentin, Conservative

Warkentin was first elected in 2006.  A lifelong resident of the Peace country, Warkentin has served in a variety of key roles in Parliament, including as Chair of the Standing Committee on Industry, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works. He lives in the Grande Prairie area with his wife and children.

What are your top three local priorities?
First, we need to unleash the full potential of our resource economy — energy, agriculture and forestry. These industries are the backbone of the Peace country, and they deserve a government that has their back. The Liberals have tried to shut down our way of life with overregulation, anti-resource rhetoric, and carbon taxes that make it harder to compete. I’ll fight for policies that support job creation, reduce red tape, and open markets for our products.

Second, we must make life affordable again. After nine years of Trudeau, Canadians can’t afford groceries, gas, or homes. The Conservative plan will Axe the Carbon Tax, bring home lower prices by ending inflationary deficits, and reduce taxes so families can keep more of what they earn. We’ll also tackle the housing crisis by removing gatekeepers, speeding up approvals, and making it easier to build homes — so young Canadians can finally afford to own a home of their own.

Third, we need to restore safety in our communities. Crime and addiction are rising, and it’s no coincidence—it’s the result of failed Liberal policies. I support common-sense Conservative plans to end catch-and-release, keep repeat violent offenders behind bars, and expand access to addiction recovery, not taxpayer-funded drug supply.

What do you offer that the other candidates don’t?

I’ve lived in the Peace country my whole life. I understand what matters to families in our communities because it’s what matters to mine, too. I’m not in this for a title — I’m in this to get things done for our community and ensure that future generations have the freedoms, opportunities and prosperity that we were blessed to have. I am blessed to be part of the Conservative team that’s ready to bring home common sense and rebuild hope for every Canadian. 

I’m proud to fight for our region and I have a proven track record of standing up for our people and delivering results.  I’ve been in the fight — defending our jobs, pushing back on federal overreach, and making sure our voice is heard in Ottawa.

Why have you decided to run?
I’m running because I want my kids — and one day my grandkids — to grow up in a community, province and country that’s strong, free, and full of opportunity. A Canada where you can work hard, raise a family, and actually get ahead.

This election is about the future of our country. After nearly a decade of Liberal failure, Canadians are losing hope. I’m running to help restore that hope. To bring back opportunity. To protect the values that built this country — and to help lead the change our nation desperately needs… and that our children and grandchildren deserve! 

Donovan Eckstrom, Parti Rhinocéros Party 

Eckstrom, 33, is born-and-raised Peace River country educator who’s successfully run in nine failed federal election campaigns. He says he is excited for that number to hit double digits.

What are your top three local priorities?

1) In 2011 I ran on a promise build the largest tin can telephone from the Peace region to Ottawa so our voices can be heard. I found the original can and promise, almost 15 years later, to follow through on that promise. I will build a can and string to Ottawa so our voices will be heard.
2) Pipelines are on our minds and for good reason. If elected I promise to pass a bill to build a pipeline that goes from Vancouver to Grande Prairie which will bring avocado toast and craft beer from the coast to the prairies. As well, there will be a pipeline from Halifax to Grande Prairie that will send delicious lobster and seafood to us. As well, there will be a pipeline from Tuktoyaktuk to Grande Prairie that will send delicious muktuk to us. Pipelines coast to coast to coast. It’s a beautiful thing.
3) Albertan Independence. A portion of the population yearns for it. I feel that there are some things that can be passed federally to quell the desire. If elected, I will work towards a Northern Alberta time zone which will be called Freedom Time™. Freedom Time™ will be a flexible time zone based off vibes, elk migration patterns and what time the puck drop is for the Edmonton Oilers.

What do you offer that the other candidates don’t?

I’m the only candidate with a comprehensive policy on drive-thru etiquette. While my opponents debate trade policy, carbon taxes and which leader of the Liberals or Conservatives is the most unlikable, I’m focused on the real issue - why are we waiting in rush hour traffic for 45 minutes while the person ahead of us ordered 69 very specific types of Timbits?
This ends with me.
Under my plan, all drive-thrus in northern Alberta will be equipped with federal drive-thru traffic marshals. These are our local heroes in snowpants with bullhorns to keep the line moving while shaming those who order 20 honey crullers at 6:22 AM.
Why have you decided to run?
Political polarization has, unfortunately, reached a fever pitch in Canada. Folks seem incapable of criticizing their own political parties to the point of irrational absurdity. Let’s not forget that political parties only care about your vote and will say what they can to get elected, despite not following through on most promises. Every political party has its problems that deserve to be rightly mocked. Poilievre’s mid-life crisis transformation to get votes, Carney’s inability to come up with an original promise that wasn’t said by the opposition, Bernier’s beachfront bungalow bonanza while being unable to get a full slate of candidates, literally every single PR move Singh has done with the NDP, etc. It’s dire, folks. It’s something I saw back in 2011 when I first ran and it’s a thing that is only getting worse. Just as the jester mocked the king, the Rhino candidate will, duly and befittingly, mock the politicians that continue to pit us against each other to squeeze a single vote out of us.

Shawn McLean, People's Party of Canada

What are your top three local priorities? 

1) Addressing corruption at the highest levels of government and ensuring politicians elected are held accountable. 

2) Bringing back realistic and functional fiscal responsibility and management to give the Canadian people back their wealth, instead of spending their tax dollars on gifts to other countries while driving Canadians to poverty and reliance on government programs. 

3) Economic development free of global influences like the UN, WHO and agreements that restrict us like the Paris Accords.  

What do you offer the other candidates don’t?

As an individual I have a strong drive to ensure our freedoms remain uncompressed. That common-sense policies are used to reinforce communities and families instead of policies of other parties of the past that have sown hate and segregation.

On a party level, the PPC is the only one you can count on to remain consistent on its policies & platform. The others seem to change values each election. I can’t trust that.

Why have you decided to run?

I want my country back. The PPC was the only one that aligned with my values and there wasn’t a candidate to vote for , so I stood up.

Town & Country News received no response from Elliot McDavid (Independent), Maureen Mcleod (Liberal) or Jennifer Villebrun (NDP).