New candidate arrives for Wildrose Whitecourt-Ste. Anne

By Susan Hofforth

Are you tired of the same old politics? So is John Bos, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne’s new candidate for the Wildrose seat.

Bos has been a life-long resident of the constituency; he grew up in Gunn, went to school in Onoway, and has been farming in the region his whole life. He has been married to his wife Marion for 27 years and together they have three children and two grandsons.

He is new to politics but not to serving his community. Since 1997 he has served as the treasurer of his church, he has been involved with the Onoway church youth group, and worked with youth as a counsellor at Ross Haven Bible Camp in his younger years. While he was president of the Rich Valley Parent Council, Bos worked with The Northern Gateway School Division in regional planning.

He joined the Wildrose Party in 2010 and considered running for a seat then, but the timing was not right. Since joining the party, he has served in various positions including CFO. But now, he says, is the time for him to get involved on a greater scale.

Frustration with the existing government drove him to seek out ways where he could do more. “I’m looking for an honest government,” he said. “We need a government that makes a plan, and stays out of debt.” Bos believes that if a government does wind up in debt, it needs only to look at itself. The government makes policy and, therefore, is accountable to Albertans.

“My goal,” Bos said, “is to leave to my kids and grandkids a province as great as the one I grew up in. One that is not bankrupt, and one where landowners still have rights. I want to leave them a province where deals are done in the open, not hidden behind closed doors. And, I believe in a government that plans and commits to municipal development and infrastructure, for the long-term stability.”

In addition, Bos wants to see a medical system with more front-line staff and less levels of management. This will be more efficient, he said, and will reduce costs. As for education, he wants a school system that realizes what is important for student development, but still teaches the basics. “No government,” he said, “should be promising these essential things as rewards based on election wins.”