Return Integrity to Highwood

I’m Peter, and I’m seeking the Progressive Tory nomination in Highwood because I believe Albertans deserve much better from their government.

I believe in strong public healthcare and education, responsible spending, and a government that works for Albertans. We need leaders who solve real problems instead of creating political fights that divide us.

If you’re unhappy with the corrupt UCP and their fascist tendencies, but don’t believe the NDP is the right choice, you are not alone—and you should not have to choose between them.

There is a practical, responsible alternative. Keep reading and I’ll show you what I stand for, what I would do differently, and why I believe we can build a better government for Alberta, with your help and input.

I came with my young family to Canada from Belgium on Canada Day, July 1st, 2001

After a short stint in the corporate towers of Calgary as an IT Department manager, I started what is now know as okotokscomputers. IT services done differently,for small & medium businesses, professionals and the residents of Highwood, based on Knowledge, Service and Integrity. 

 Running an IT company for over 2 decades taught me how to solve complicated problems, serve people, manage limited resources, protect sensitive information, and earn trust. Those are exactly the skills I want to bring to government. Read more here.

For most of Alberta’s history, governments changed very rarely. Between 1905 and 2005, Albertans elected a new governing party only three times. That kind of political stability was the envy of Canada.

Today, things are very different. In just the past decade, Alberta has gone through several premiers and major political shakeups. As we look toward the 2027 election, many Albertans are asking the same question: How did we get here?

Fifty-five years ago, Albertans faced a similar moment. In 1971, they ended 36 years of Social Credit government and elected Peter Lougheed and the Progressive Conservatives. People wanted a government with new ideas, strong leadership, and leaders they could trust.

As I speak with people across Highwood—from Okotoks and Diamond Valley to the farms and ranches throughout the Foothills—I hear that same desire today. People are tired of political fighting, broken promises, and a government that seems more interested in creating conflict than solving problems.

The United Conservative Party often points to Peter Lougheed to defend its record. But the government he led stood for very different values.

Peter Lougheed believed the government should be honest, practical, and work for everyone. His government invested in Alberta’s future. It created the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. It protected Kananaskis Country for future generations without charging Albertans an entry fee. It passed the Alberta Bill of Rights. It expanded public education and healthcare so every family had a fair chance to succeed.

That approach stands in sharp contrast to the record of today’s government.

Take healthcare. The UCP’s decision to privatize laboratory testing through Dynalife became a costly failure. Long waits for important medical tests left patients frustrated. In the end, taxpayers had to spend millions of dollars to bring the service back under public control.

Instead of strengthening healthcare, the government has repeatedly reorganized the system while emergency rooms in rural communities continue to close and wait times continue to grow. More layers of administration have not produced better care for Albertans.

Albertans have also watched a series of ethics controversies, closed-door decisions, and policy reversals that have weakened public trust. Too often, it feels like decisions are made to satisfy political allies instead of serving the public interest.

Peter Lougheed believed the government should build things that would benefit Albertans for generations. Whether it was investing in transportation, protecting our natural spaces, or creating institutions like the Royal Tyrrell Museum, his focus was always on leaving Alberta stronger than he found it.

That is the standard I believe we should return to.

The Tory Party I am seeking to represent is committed to restoring the values that once defined Progressive Conservative government. We do not need a government that spends its time overstating problems, stirring up anger, and picking fights with cities, healthcare workers, neighbouring provinces and the federal government. Those conflicts do not make life better for Albertans. They distract from the work that really matters: making life more affordable, improving both healthcare and education, and building an economy that creates good jobs.

Albertans deserve a government that acts with fairness, integrity, and respect. They deserve leaders who listen more than they lecture, solve problems instead of creating them, and put the public interest ahead of partisan politics.

In 1971, Albertans chose hope over frustration and steady leadership over a government that had lost its way. Today, we have that same opportunity once again.

I believe Alberta can return to the values that made this province strong: honest government, responsible leadership, and respect for every taxpayer.

As your Tory candidate for Highwood, I (Peter) am ready to put a shoulder to the wheel and get to work—just as the other Peter did.

I’m Peter, and I’m seeking the Progressive Tory nomination in Highwood because I believe Albertans deserve much better from their government.