Kerry Towle (born c. 1974) is a Canadian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the electoral district of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake[2] and served as the Seniors Critic as a member of the Wildrose Alliance,[3] before leaving the Wildrose Party on November 24, 2014, to join the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party.[4] Towle lost her re-election bid, to Don MacIntyre of the Wildrose, on May 5, 2015.[5]

Kerry Towle
MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
In office
April 23, 2012 – May 5, 2015
Preceded byLuke Ouellette
Succeeded byDon MacIntyre
Personal details
Born1973 or 1974 (age 50–51)[1]
Political partyAlberta Party (2017–present)
Other political
affiliations
SpouseBrad
Children1
ResidenceInnisfail, Alberta
OccupationReal Estate Agent
Websitekerrytowle.com

Before becoming a politician, Towle worked for both Indian and Northern Affairs, the David Thompson Health Region and was a turkey farmer with her husband Brad for five years. Towle also worked six years in real estate.[6]

Political career edit

Towle's political career began in June 2011 when she won the candidacy for the Wildrose in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, after citing the need to improve health care, to give a voice to grassroots Albertans and to protect property rights for landowners.[7]

On April 23, 2012, Towle became MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, winning 46 per cent of the vote and defeating the incumbent PC MLA, Luke Ouellette.[8] Shortly after her election win, Towle was appointed Seniors Critic by Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith.[9]

Upon becoming the Wildrose Seniors Critic, Towle was credited as being an effective advocate for Albertans by producing results for seniors on issues of quality of care at seniors facilities.[10] In early 2013, Towle went on a Seniors Tour across Alberta as part of the policy development process for the Wildrose heading into the 2016 election and to listen to concerns from seniors on quality of food in continuing care facilities, the one bath per week policy implemented by Alberta Health Services and the need for an independent seniors advocate.[11]

On November 24, 2014, Towle left the Wildrose Party, crossing the floor of the Legislature to join the governing Progressive Conservative Party's caucus.[4]

Later joined the Alberta Party.[12]

Electoral history edit

2012 Alberta general election: Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Wildrose Kerry Towle 7,084 46.22 +35.26
Progressive Conservative Luke Ouellette 6,140 40.06 -22.76
Alberta Party Danielle Klooster 747 4.87
New Democratic Patricia Norman 715 4.66 -1.67
Liberal Les Vidok 642 4.19 -9.69
Total 15,328 99.22
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 120 0.78
Turnout 15,488 54.84
Eligible voters 28,167
Wildrose gain from Progressive Conservative Swing +29.01
Source(s)
Elections Alberta. "Electoral Division Results, 64 - INNISFAIL-SYLVAN LAKE". Retrieved February 6, 2018.
2015 Alberta general election: Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Wildrose Don MacIntyre 7,829 42.68 -3.54
Progressive Conservative Kerry Towle 5,136 28.00 -12.06
New Democratic Patricia Norman 4,244 23.14 +18.47
Alberta Party Danielle Klooster 1,135 6.19 +1.31
Total 18,344 99.48
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 95 0.52 -0.26
Turnout 18,439 55.49 +0.65
Eligible voters 33,227
Wildrose hold Swing +4.26
Source(s)
Elections Alberta. "Electoral Division Results, 64 - INNISFAIL-SYLVAN LAKE". Retrieved February 6, 2018.

References edit

External links edit