It was a full house at the Livingstone-Macleod forum in High River

It was a packed house at the Highwood Centre in High River on Tuesday night.

The Highwood Centre was packed on Tuesday night.

The two-hour all-candidate forum for the Livingstone-Macleod riding was hosted by the High River Chamber of Commerce.

Five of the six candidates vying to become the next MLA for the riding were present, the exception was Dylin Hauser with the Alberta Liberal Party.

Moderator of the night, Dana Severson is a member of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce from Whitecourt and kept the night moving and kept it on time. 

Chelsae Petrovic (UCP), Kevin Todd (Alberta Party), Corrie Toone (The Independence Party of Alberta), Erik Abildgaard (Independent) and Kevin Van Tighem (Alberta NDP) were all present and each responded to twelve different questions over the two hours.  They were also each allowed three minutes to share their platform and introduce themselves to the two hundred or so audience members with an opening statement as well as wrapping up the night where each were allotted one minute for a closing statement.

Some of the questions were emailed in prior to the evening and some were also submitted from audience members.

The three questions fielded before a 15-minute break covered provincial policing, how to recruit and retain rural doctors and private vs. public education funding. All candidates were allowed two minutes to respond. 

After the break the five candidates got back to answering questions including a local hot button on the biodigester project by Rimrock Feeders and Tidewater Renewables just west of High River. Agriculture was also addressed and how farmers will be helped, same with the MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative) and how the province can better support rural municipalities. Health care was also brought up including response times for rural ambulances as well as support for Albertans on AISH and supporting seniors and what each party or representative would do.

The environment and the economy were also brought up regarding solar and wind technology, funding for the Arts was also addressed and one question that got some reaction was the question on the CPP (Canadian Pension Plan).

The engaged crowd filled the Highwood Centre.

The provincial election is on Monday May 29.