Liberals chose Harvey Locke for Calgary Centre byelection
Byelection planned after Conservative MP Lee Richardson stepped down last spring
Harvey Locke, the president of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1995 to 1997, has been chosen to represent the Liberals in the upcoming Calgary Centre byelection to replace former Conservative MP Lee Richardson.
He won the vote on Saturday with 213 of the 342 ballots cast, beating three other candidates.
"It’s time to get back to the progressive values that made Canada and Alberta great," said Locke in a release.
"Calgary has the entrepreneurial spirit to lead a rejuvenation of Canadian politics based on these values. As Calgary takes its place among Canada’s leading cities, the time has come to send a progressive voice to Ottawa. I will represent progressive values from a unique Calgary perspective in the House of Commons."
Locke, who was born in Calgary in 1959, has worked as conservation adviser for The WILD Foundation and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
He said he will campaign on his values of being fiscally prudent, socially progressive and environmentally responsible.
"I intend to make sure the campaign engages in a serious debate about values and that we address the questions voters want to discuss," said Locke.Locke will face off against PC candidate Joan Crockatt and the Green Party’s Chris Turner. An NDP candidate has not yet been declared.
The date for the Calgary Centre byelection has not been announced, but some believe will take place prior to the end of November 2012.