Rural Alberta leaders hope premier, government pays more attention to their concerns following UCP approval vote [Video]

Speaking to a crowd of 700 rural leaders Tuesday in Edmonton, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith outlined her government’s priorities, talking about updating the province’s bill of rights and fighting the federal government over the carbon tax and the emissions cap, among other things.

But Paul McLauchlin, the outgoing president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, says affordability should be the premier’s No. 1 issue, suggesting her attention has been elsewhere.

“I think there’s been a tremendous distraction by the leadership race,” McLauchlin said Tuesday, referencing last weekend’s vote by members of the ruling United Conservative Party on Smith’s leadership.

The premier received 91.5-per-cent approval during the UCP annual general meeting on Saturday in Red Deer.

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“What Albertans want is to be able to put food on their tables,” McLauchlin said. “They want to be able to keep their lights on …