“I think the biggest thing is that you can’t keep sniping from the sidelines and criticizing people. I looked at the elections options for myself as a resident of Grande Prairie, and I didn’t see much that I’d get excited voting for. There’s a lot of issues that are really important to us that I just don’t feel that ideologically they’d be accepted in other conservative environments, and I don’t have faith in the leadership in the established conservative order,” says Hancock.

He says that he plans to address issues affecting Grande Prairie residents such as the opioid crisis and child care. Hancock notes that he considers himself a populist, and not a separatist.

“I don’t want to divide people. I want to bring people together and unite them around issues of common concern for the north and for the Peace Country.”

“Today we are very excited to announce that Bernard Hancock has been nominated as the FCP candidate for Grande Prairie. I know that Bernard will be a strong voice for the people of Grande Prairie, and I look forward to serving with him in the Alberta Legislature.” – FCP Leader, Derek Fildebrandt

The spring election has been set for April 16.