As expected, the United Conservative Party scored big wins in two by-elections held yesterday (July 12) in Alberta which Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt says points to the province's dissatisfaction with the policies of the governing NDP.  

In the Fort McMurray - Conklin riding, Laila Goodridge was elected to replace former Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean who stepped down to spend more time with his family and re-build his home which was destroyed in the wildfire of 2016. Goodridge won 66 percent of the votes cast.

Devin Dreeshen was elected with a whopping 82 percent of the vote in Innisfail - Sylvan Lake.  Dreeshen takes over from Don McIntyre who resigned in February amid charges of sexual assault and sexual interference involving a child under 16.

Pitt says it's a statement by the electorate in those two ridings that they aren't happy with NDP policies.

"I think this sends a message to the NDP that their damaging policies are not what Albertans are looking for.  They spelled it out very clearly to the NDP that Albertans do want to see this change in their province."

Pitt spent some time door-knocking for Goodridge in Fort McMurray - Conklin and found out first hand just how unhappy people are with the NDP in that oil-dependant riding.

"People there were significantly concerned with the attacks the NDP has launched on their livelihoods.  The carbon tax for one significantly impacted Fort McMurray.  The oil industry is the life-blood of that community and when they saw that it was under attack by their own government they took great offense at that.  Fortunately, they did make their voices heard loud and clear when they showed up at the polls yesterday."

The next provincial election is a little more than 10 months away in Alberta.

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