Lethbridge candidates on the campaign trail as the federal election gets closer

Lethbridge voters now know who they'll have the chance to vote for in three weeks as the deadline for candidates to join the federal election has now passed.

Six candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to be the next MP for Lethbridge.

Incumbent and Conservative candidate Rachael Thomas is looking to win her fourth term as MP.

Thomas says she believes she has been the Lethbridge the voice it needs in Ottawa.

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“What we do know is that as Conservatives, we have to work really hard, to put forward good platform pieces, to listen intently to Canadians and to make sure that we’re delivering results that they want,” Thomas said.

Running for the liberals is former Lethbridge mayor Chris Spearman.

Since leaving office in 2021, he has been an active anti coal mining advocate,

Spearman says he hopes his record as mayor can help sway voters.

“I’ve had, 26 years of elected service, 18 as a school board trustee and another eight as the mayor of Lethbridge,” he said. “I think I have the political experience that can be useful in Ottawa.”

Nathan Svoboda will represent the NDP.

He says he wants to give voters an option outside the two main parties, and hopes to tackle the affordability crisis.

“I feel the NDP has always put forward the most authentic policies that actually support working-class people, and if I can be part of advocating for that, I will every step of the way,” He said.

The Green Party will be represented by Amber Murray.

Her biggest concern is keeping the Oldman River undisturbed by coal mining.

“The first priority is water, and ensuring that we have at least one voice out of 335 MPs who are sticking up just for the Oldman River,” she said.

Clara Piedalue is running for the People’s Party of Canada.

She says she believes in small government, and thinks current regulations are hurting small businesses.

“I’ve seen firsthand how government overreach and government regulation has impacted small and medium-sized businesses,” she said. “It feels like it’s a targeted assault on small business as we’re regulated to death.”

The final candidate for the Lethbridge riding is the Christian Heritage Party’s Marc Slingerland.

He says he knows his party doesn’t have much of a chance, but hopes he can bring new ideas to the table.

“What I’m hoping to accomplish is to increase the number of ideas that are out in the public. Hopefully advocate for some that otherwise don’t have a voice in the political realm,” he said.

Election day is April 28, with advance polls open from the April 18 to 21.