Another candidate has thrown their hat in the ring.
The Green Party of Canada has nominated Emma Hoberg to run in the Foothills following Prime Minister Mark Carney's snap election scheduled for April 28.
Born and raised in Okotoks, Hoberg is currently the party's western organizer, a role in which she has helped nominate Green Party candidates across Western Canada.
“From improving healthcare to food and housing affordability, I know that there is a lot of work to be done within the Foothills region," said Hoberg. "The Green Party has the perfect foundation, and I have the passion to make it happen.”
Hoberg holds a bachelor's of science in environmental studies and global sustainability, with minors in political science and international relations. Her passion for politics and the environment stems in part from having witnessed rapid growth throughout Southern Alberta, inspiring her to work toward ensuring the sustainability of future development in rural areas.
“We need to make sure that both businesses and local communities have unconditional support and have strong alternative solutions in times of change," she said.
Her background in supporting businesses and fostering economic growth includes working with a business improvement association to support small businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic and helping an Alberta recycling company increase car bumper recycling across the province.
“We need to support our environment and our economy together, through innovation and a transition into the green economy," she said.
Hoberg joins Conservative incumbent John Barlow, Liberal John Bruinsma and People's Party of Canada candidate Paul O'Halloran on the ballot. The New Democratic Party has yet to nominate a candidate but is expected to run a full slate of candidates across Canada, including for Foothills, ahead of the nomination deadline of April 7.
The Greens face an uphill battle in the Foothills, which is widely considered a safe Conservative seat. Polls indicate that Barlow, who has held the seat for the Tories since 2014, currently has higher than a 99 per cent chance of winning re-election. In the 2021 federal election, Green Party candidate Brett Rogers took only 802 votes, totalling 1.2 per cent of the Foothills vote and finishing in last place.
