Election season may soon be upon us, with rumours swirling that Prime Minister Mark Carney will call an election on Sunday, March 23.
With speculation of an impending election having circulated for several months, federal parties have been announcing candidates throughout most of early 2025.
Within the Foothills riding, aside from Conservative MP John Barlow, two candidates have been announced, those being Liberal Candidate John Bruinsma and more recently, PPC candidate Paul O'Halloran.
Bruinsma threw his hat into the ring relatively early in anticipation of an impending election, with his acclamation notice dated Feb. 20.
Should the anticipated announcement come to pass on Sunday, he believes it will come as a relief for many, regardless of party affiliations.
"Everybody in the province and around Canada wants this done, and we want to have a united front as soon as possible to take on Donald Trump and the US government's coercion."
Many Conservative MPs have been requesting an election be called for several months now, with John Barlow having done so within the last week.
Bruinsma is optimistic that the recent wave of Canadian patriotism will be strengthened as a result of the election
"I think addressing the crisis is top of mind for every citizen of Canada. And we need to, you know, unify. And typically, under elections, there is a unification just shortly after the election. I mean, everybody's competing during the election, and a lot of things get said, but I think what I've seen over the years is once the election is done, you have some momentum as a government. So, whether it's the PCs or the Liberals, obviously I want the Liberals, but just to have that unity, because we had a lot of divisiveness over the last four or five years."
As far as whether or not he feels ready to hit the campaign trail in earnest, he's feeling confident in that regard too.
"I've studied the issues. I've gone around this riding, which is just huge, 20,000 square kilometres, and talked to a lot of people. I presented myself to the town councils. I'm being well received, and I'm getting the feedback that I need to say 'Yes, the election is writ to be dropped, and it's the right time for me."
The speculated election date is April 28.