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CALGARY – Former MLA Ron Liepert has officially announced plans to run against Conservative MP Rob Anders in the riding of Calgary Signal Hill.

The riding is new and will be included in the next election.

Liepert previously served as Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minister of Health and Wellness while representing the riding of Calgary-West from 2004 to 2012.

He announced his plans to run in a statement on his website on Thursday, citing a recent campaign launched by the Conservatives as part of his motivation.

“Ten days ago a concerned group of community members launched a campaign featuring a few road signs and a website timetodobetter.ca. The initiative was designed to reengage federal Conservatives in the city’s west and northwest that will form the new Signal Hill riding in the next election,” explains Liepert.

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“The website registered over 3000 visitors and over 500 email sign-ups within just over a week signalling early and overwhelming support for democracy and open nominations,” he adds.

Liepert says he is running because he feels sternly in fiscal accountability, and wants to be a part of continuing to build a strong Canadian economy.

“I have been overwhelmed by the number of constituents who have contacted me with

encouragement to run,” says Liepert. “For that I am deeply humbled.”

Anders, who has been an MP in the former Calgary-West riding for 17 years, has been involved in several controversies, such falling asleep during a veteran affairs committee meeting and denouncing former South African president Nelson Mandela as a terrorist.