Breaking:Filipino politicians fail to win in Alberta

Jason Kenney takes power in Alberta. (Maclean’s)

Alberta

Hindi nanalo ang dalawang kandidato

By Ted Alcuitas

Cesar Pala of the NDP and Marjorie Newman of the United Conservative Party (UCP) failed to win their seats in yesterday’s provincial election.

Cesar Cala, NDP

The two aspirants were hoping to put Filipinos in the political map after the first Filipino member of the provincial legislature elected in 2008, served only one term. 

Alberta elected its first Filipino MLA in 2008 when Conservative Carl Benito won the riding of Mill-Woods. He served for one term and did not win a nomination after running as an independent in 2013.

Benito is currently facing allegations of immigration fraud.       

Despite the sweeping majority by her own party, winning 63 seats with the NDP with 24, immigration consultant Marjorie Newman came short of victory. She obtained 31.4% ( 4,537) of the votes against his rival, NDP Sarah Hoffman who garnered 51.61% (8,117)  in the Edmonton-Glenora riding.

Marjorie Newman of the United Conservative Party

Community activist Cesar Cala of the NDP came a close second to his UCP rival in Calgary East, obtaining 31.9% of the votes (3,436) against UCP’s Peter Singh 46.8% (5,032).

This is the first time for the two aspiring politicians in a province which has not elected a Filipino since Conservative Carl Benito won for Edmonton-Mill Woods in 2008.

       

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