Safest Alliance riding in country up for grabs in Crowfoot, Alberta [Medicine Hat] [Hill Times does another sweep of the country to see which MPs most likely to return to Ottawa]

The Canadian Alliance may be a young party but it has fast become an institution in Western Canada. Most of the seats are so safe for the sitting MPs that many of them have said simply winning the party nomination is the real challenge.Over the last seven years, a number of Reform-turned-Alliance MPs have carved out their own dominions in Western Canada -- particularly in the province where Reform was born, Alberta. In our continuing coverage of the races on the hustings, The Hill Times does another sweep of the country to see which MPs are most likely to return to Ottawa.ALBERTAIndependent Jack Ramsay Crowfoot, Alta.The Reform-Alliance banner is a definite advantage in this riding. It just remains to be seen who the voters will recognize as the legitimate candidate to wear the CA's colours: Independent candidate Jack Ramsay or CA candidate Kevin Sorenson. In 1997, Mr. Ramsay achieved a record-high for the Reform Party by fielding 71% of the vote. In the intervening years, however, the former RCMP officer was stripped of his party membership after he was convicted for attempted rape. Nevertheless, Mr. Ramsay told the Calgary Herald that he's "an Alliance member in all but name." Officially, Mr. Ramsay is running as an independent but he's running on a platform of Alliance principles. For its part, CA headquarters has told the Alliance riding executive for Crowfoot that they should either support the party's official candidate or give up their party memberships. Crowfoot's status as a "shooin" riding for the Alliance might be in jeopardy if the vote splits. The beneficiaries of such an occurrence might be one of the other candidates: the Tories' Verlyn Olson, the NDP's Jay Russell or the Liberal's Orest Werezak.Canadian Alliance MP Bob Mills Red Deer, Alta.CA MP Bob Mills is hoping he will repeat, or even better, the win he achieved in 1997: 68.4%. His chief competition at the time came from the Tory hopeful who managed 15.6% Mr. Mills' campaign manager Sandra Brattley, who served in the same role for Mr. Mills during the last election, anticipates that her candidate will come away with 70 to 75% in 2000. She does note, however, that there doesn't seem to be one particular "burning issue" during this trip down the campaign trail, even though health care remains a prime concern among voters. The so-called "faint hope" opponents that Mr. Mills will be going up against are: Liberal Walter Kubanek, Tory Doug Wagstaff and New Democrat Linda Roth.Canadian Alliance MP Grant Hill Macleod, Alta.A riding largely populated by ranchers and Calgary commuters, MacLeod's voters have traditionally been conservative in terms of fiscal, social, and law-and-order issues, observes High River Times reporter Ian Livermore. CA MP Grant Hill is a pretty natural fit for the region and the 68% he took in 1997 illustrates this point. But just because the 2000 election results are almost a foregone conclusion doesn't mean that this will be a dull race. The Liberals have fielded a rather unconventional candidate in the form of Marlene LaMontagne, who openly criticized Prime Minister Jean Chretien during a recent candidates debate. A senior citizen and a widow, who recently lost her husband to cancer, Ms. LaMontagne might publicly find fault with Mr. Chretien for calling an election for the sake of his ego but she reserves more vitriol for the Alberta Tories. She blames the Alberta PCs and former provincial treasurer Stockwell Day for creating a "two- tier medical system" in the province. The New Democrats have recruited aboriginal environmentalist Duane Good Striker, a native of the local Blood Reserve, who ran against Liberal Minister Anne McLellan in the past. The Tory candidate, who's hoping to lure back those conservative voters, is Cyril Abbot.Canadian Alliance MP Dale Johnston Wetaskiwin, Alta.Then-Reform MP Dale Johnston came through his sophomore election with high marks in 1997. Mr. Johnston received almost 66% of the vote in Wetaskiwin. In this former Tory stronghold, the PC candidate garnered 17.7%. The Liberals were third with 11.5%. Seeking to unseat the now veteran MP in 2000 are: PC candidate Kenneth Sockett, Liberal John Jackie and NDP candidate Cliff Reid.Canadian Alliance MP Monte Solberg Medicine Hat, Alta.The Canadian Alliance may be a young party but it has fast become an institution in Western Canada. Most of the seats are so safe for the sitting MPs that many of them have said simply winning the party nomination is the real challenge.Over the last seven years, a number of Reform-turned-Alliance MPs have carved out their own dominions in Western Canada -- particularly in the province where Reform was born, Alberta. In our continuing coverage of the races on the hustings, The Hill Times does another sweep of the country to see which MPs are most likely to return to Ottawa.ALBERTAIndependent Jack Ramsay Crowfoot, Alta.The Reform-Alliance banner is a definite advantage in this riding. It just remains to be seen who the voters will recognize as the legitimate candidate to wear the CA's colours: Independent candidate Jack Ramsay or CA candidate Kevin Sorenson. In 1997, Mr. Ramsay achieved a record-high for the Reform Party by fielding 71% of the vote. In the intervening years, however, the former RCMP officer was stripped of his party membership after he was convicted for attempted rape. Nevertheless, Mr. Ramsay told the Calgary Herald that he's "an Alliance member in all but name." Officially, Mr. Ramsay is running as an independent but he's running on a platform of Alliance principles. For its part, CA headquarters has told the Alliance riding executive for Crowfoot that they should either support the party's official candidate or give up their party memberships. Crowfoot's status as a "shooin" riding for the Alliance might be in jeopardy if the vote splits. The beneficiaries of such an occurrence might be one of the other candidates: the Tories' Verlyn Olson, the NDP's Jay Russell or the Liberal's Orest Werezak.Canadian Alliance MP Bob Mills Red Deer, Alta.CA MP Bob Mills is hoping he will repeat, or even better, the win he achieved in 1997: 68.4%. His chief competition at the time came from the Tory hopeful who managed 15.6% Mr. Mills' campaign manager Sandra Brattley, who served in the same role for Mr. Mills during the last election, anticipates that her candidate will come away with 70 to 75% in 2000. She does note, however, that there doesn't seem to be one particular "burning issue" during this trip down the campaign trail, even though health care remains a prime concern among voters. The so-called "faint hope" opponents that Mr. Mills will be going up against are: Liberal Walter Kubanek, Tory Doug Wagstaff and New Democrat Linda Roth.Canadian Alliance MP Grant Hill Macleod, Alta.A riding largely populated by ranchers and Calgary commuters, MacLeod's voters have traditionally been conservative in terms of fiscal, social, and law-and-order issues, observes High River Times reporter Ian Livermore. CA MP Grant Hill is a pretty natural fit for the region and the 68% he took in 1997 illustrates this point. But just because the 2000 election results are almost a foregone conclusion doesn't mean that this will be a dull race. The Liberals have fielded a rather unconventional candidate in the form of Marlene LaMontagne, who openly criticized Prime Minister Jean Chretien during a recent candidates debate. A senior citizen and a widow, who recently lost her husband to cancer, Ms. LaMontagne might publicly find fault with Mr. Chretien for calling an election for the sake of his ego but she reserves more vitriol for the Alberta Tories. She blames the Alberta PCs and former provincial treasurer Stockwell Day for creating a "two- tier medical system" in the province. The New Democrats have recruited aboriginal environmentalist Duane Good Striker, a native of the local Blood Reserve, who ran against Liberal Minister Anne McLellan in the past. The Tory candidate, who's hoping to lure back those conservative voters, is Cyril Abbot.Canadian Alliance MP Dale Johnston Wetaskiwin, Alta.Then-Reform MP Dale Johnston came through his sophomore election with high marks in 1997. Mr. Johnston received almost 66% of the vote in Wetaskiwin. In this former Tory stronghold, the PC candidate garnered 17.7%. The Liberals were third with 11.5%. Seeking to unseat the now veteran MP in 2000 are: PC candidate Kenneth Sockett, Liberal John Jackie and NDP candidate Cliff Reid.Canadian Alliance MP Monte Solberg Medicine Hat, Alta.In last week's Medicine Hat News, candidates were commenting on how the unseasonably cold weather -- with temperatures as low as -20C -- was hindering campaigning. It isn't essential for CA MP Monte Solberg, who gained prominence as the Reform finance critic, to do much door knocking though. During the summer of 1997's hazy days, he emerged with 65.4% of the vote. Voters will be viewing some familiar faces, however, beneath the scarves and toques. The Tory candidate from 1997, Gordon Musgrove, is back, Grit contender Trevor Butts, who ran for the Alberta Liberals in 1997, is representing the feds. The NDP, meanwhile, are proffering Luke Lacasse.No Incumbent Yellowhead, Alta.This riding was once the domain of the once-and-current Tory leader Joe Clark, before he decided to resign in 1993. His former political adviser, Marilyn Stecyk, ran in his stead. She placed third, defeated by Reform candidate Cliff Brietkreuz, with 55%, and the Liberal hopeful, with 21.7%. In the following election, Mr. Brietkreuz improved on his earlier results and took home 64.8%. Mr. Breitkreuz has stepped aside, and CA candidate Rob Merrifield is hoping to inherit his predecessor's numbers. The other challengers are Dale Galbraith, for the PCs, John Higgerty for the Grits and J. Lapierre for the NDP.CA MP Myron Thompson Wild Rose, Alta.Sixty-four-year-old CA MP Myron Thompson's become an old hat in this riding, taking his constituency in 1997 with almost 64%. The challengers, who'd like to do more than chip away at those numbers, are 23-year-old political science student Trooper McBride, who's running under the Tory banner; Anne Wilson, who's wearing the NDP colours; and liberal Bryan Mahoney.ONTARIOLiberal Steve Mahoney Mississauga West, Ont.The Liberals aren't worried about this "905" riding. Newcomer Steve Mahoney won this one in 1997 with 61.2% of the vote, a full 42.9% ahead of the second place Reform challenger. This time it's Philip Leong for the Alliance, Gul Nawaz for the Tories and Cynthia Kazadi for the NDP.Liberal Colleen Beaumier Brampton West Mississauga, Ont.Two-term Liberal Colleen Beaumier increased her support from 1993 to 1997, a pretty good indicator of a safe seat. In 1997, she won 60% of the vote, 41.4% ahead of the second place Tories. In 2000, it's Glenn Harewood for the PCs, Harail Sangha for the Alliance and Matt Harsant for the NDP.Liberal Eugene Bellemare Ottawa-Orleans, Ont.The voters of Ottawa sure love their Grits. This riding was created as Carleton-Gloucester just before the 1988 election, when Liberal Eugene Bellemare defeated Tory "star" candidate Maureen McTeer. In 1997, Mr. Bellemare won 59% of the vote, 39.3% ahead of the second place Tories. The Tory candidate this time around is 18-year-old Stephen Woollcombe, who is also running for mayor of the City of Ottawa. The Alliance candidate is Rita Burke and Maureen Prebinski is running for the NDP.Liberal David Collenette Don Valley East, Ont.Liberal Cabinet Minister David Collenette has tasted both victory and defeat over the years in Don Valley East. His first victory was in 1974, he came back in 1980, lost in 1984 and came back again in 1993. In the last election, Mr. Collenette won 59.2% of the vote, 39.1% ahead of the second place Tories. The PCs have Cecillia Fusco this time, with Ron Casey-Nestor running for the NDP and Kasra Nejatian for the Alliance.Liberal John Cannis Scarborough Centre, Ont.This swing riding voted solidly Liberal in 1997, with incumbent MP John Cannis winning 57.4% of the vote, 38.9% ahead of the second place Reform candidate. Bill Settatree is the Alliance candidate in this campaign, with Ali Mallah running for the NDP and Michael Mahomidy running for the PCs.Liberal Jim Peterson Willowdale, Ont.Liberal MP Jim Peterson, the brother of former Ontario premier David Peterson, first won the riding in 1980. Then he lost it in 1984. Then he won it back in 1988, and has held it since. In 1997, he won 58.4% of the vote, 37% ahead of the second place Tories. ChungSen Leung is the Tory candidate, Yvonne Bobb is running for the NDP and Kevyn Nightingale, who caused a stir by calling gay people statistical deviants earlier in the campaign, is the Alliance candidate.Liberal Joe Volpe Eglington-Lawrence, Ont.Three-term Liberal Joe Volpe doesn't have much to worry about here. He won his seat in 1997 with 59.2% of the vote, 36.5% ahead of the second place Tories. Louise Sankey is the PC candidate, Joel Etienne is running for the Alliance and Simon Rowland is representing the NDP.Liberal Bob Wood Nipissing, Ont.The Reform party made a real push to win this Northern Ontario riding in 1997, but former morning radio DJ Bob Wood easily won his third election in a row, capturing 56.3% of the vote, 35.3% ahead of the second place Reform candidate. Ken Ferron is running for the Alliance, Alan Dayes for the Tories and Wendy Young for the NDP.QUEBECLiberal Lucienne Robillard Westmount-Ville Marie, Que.This Liberal safe seat has a history of electing Quebec cabinet ministers. Lucienne Robillard had no trouble winning here in a 1995 by election and has held the seat since. In the last election, she won 60.1% of the vote, 42.7% ahead of the second place Tories. Bryan Price is running for the PCs, Willy Blomme for the NDP and Felix Scott for the Alliance.Liberal Marlene Jennings Notre Dame de Grace-Lachine, Que.Liberal MP Marlene Jennings replaced Liberal MP Warren Allmand in 1997, who had won nine elections in a row here. Ms. Jennings captured 56.6% of the vote, 36.8% ahead of the second place Tories. The PC candidate is Kathy Megyery, with Bruce Toombs running for the NDP and Darren Atkovich running for the Alliance.Liberal Paul Martin LaSalle-Emard, Que.Only in Quebec does Paul Martin appear in the Liberal's campaign ads, which is a pretty sure sign of the finance minister's popularity in the province. Mr. Martin's star power isn't really needed in this Liberal safe seat, where the Grits won 60% of the vote in 1997, 36.5% ahead of the Bloc Quebecois. The BQ candidate in 2000 is Denis Martel, with David Bernans running for the NDP, Giuseppe De Santis for the Alliance and Deepak Massand for the Tories.Bloc Quebecois Stephane Tremblay Lac Saint Jean-Saguenay, Que.Bloc MP Stephane Tremblay easily won this seat, which was vacated when Lucien Bouchard left to become the Quebec premeir, in a 1996 byelection at the age of 22. He had no problem keeping it in 1997, winning 63.5% of the vote, 42.5% ahead of the second place Liberals. Jerome Sebastien Tremblay is the Grit candidate, Claude Gagnon is running for the PCs, Yannick Caron for the Alliance and Linda Proulx for the NDP.Bloc Quebecois Benoit Sauvegeau Repentigny, Que.For history teacher Benoit Sauvegeau first won this seat in 1993 at the age of 29. In 1997, he won 56.3% of the vote, 35.2% ahead of the second place Liberals. David Veillete is running for the Liberals, Michel Poulette for the Alliance, Michel Carignan for the PCs and Pierre Peclet for the NDP.NEW BRUNSWICKTory Elsie Wayne Saint John, N.B.Along with Peter MacKay in Pictou-Antigonish-Guysborough, N.S. this is the one the Tories' two seats that could be considered safe. Tory MP Elsie Wayne won 63.1% of the vote in 1997, a full 47.2% ahead of the second place Liberal candidate. The Grits have targeted this one however, nominating former Liberal MP Paul Zed to take on the popular Atlantic MP. Peter Touchborne is running for the Alliance and Rob Hill is the NDP candidate.

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Safest Alliance riding in country up for grabs in Crowfoot, Alberta [Medicine Hat] [Hill Times does another sweep of the country to see which MPs most likely to return to Ottawa]

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