Voter casting a ballot. Image supplied by Elections Canada
Residency questions arise as federal election approaches in Fort McMurray–Cold Lake
FORT McMURRAY, AB — With less than two weeks to go before Canadians head to the polls, voters in Fort McMurray–Cold Lake are raising concerns about where their local candidates actually live.
Out of the six names on the ballot, only two have confirmed ties to the riding. Incumbent Conservative MP Laila Goodridge lives in Fort McMurray, where she was born and raised. Green Party candidate Brian DeHeer also resides within the riding, in the town of Lac La Biche.
The remaining candidates appear to live outside the region. Liberal candidate Kaitlyn Staines works as the party’s social media manager and lives in Ottawa. Alan Clarke, representing the People’s Party of Canada, is based in Morinville, a community just north of Edmonton.
Little is known about NDP candidate You-Ju Choi, despite numerous attempts to get that information.
Independent candidate Kulbir Chawla reached out to Harvard Media News to say he is a resident of Fort McMurray.
While there are no legal requirements for federal candidates to live in the riding they wish to represent, the issue is striking a chord locally. With fly-in fly-out workers long a contentious issue in Fort McMurray and the surrounding area, some residents are questioning whether representation from outside the region can adequately address local concerns.
Discussion online has intensified in recent days, with voters voicing frustration over candidates who may lack firsthand knowledge of the community’s challenges.
The federal election is set for April 28.
–Editor’s Note– This story was updated to reflect Chawla says he is a resident of Fort McMurray. The original version said that information was unavailable despite attempts to contact Mr. Chawla.
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