Two Grande Prairie MLAs and one former Edmonton-area MLA are facing nomination challenges as United Conservative Party members choose their candidates ahead of Alberta’s next provincial election.
First-term Grande Prairie UCP MLA Nolan Dyck is facing a challenge from firearms shop and indoor gun range owner Robin Coward.
Coward’s Bullets and Broadheads Shooting Center was listed as a signing location for the Stay Free Alberta petition that called for a referendum on the province to separate from Canada. Coward also recently promoted a separatist event in Grande Prairie on his social media.
A province-wide referendum on whether to hold a binding referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada is being held on October 19.
While a large majority of Albertans support the province remaining in Canada, UCP supporters are divided on the question. The issue has shone the spotlight on separatist organizers who are entrenched in positions of influence in the governing party.
