Byelection hopeful won't take council leave

A candidate in a provincial byelection has decided to keep doing her city council duties while she runs for a seat in the legislature.

Diane Colley-Urquhart resigned as a commissioner with the Alberta Human Rights Commission when she was acclaimed as the Alberta Progressive Conservative candidate in Calgary-Glenmore in June.

Although she didn't want to give up her Ward 13 seat on council, she did say she would take a leave of absence once the byelection in Calgary-Glenmore was called.

Colley-Urquhart has since changed her mind and she isn't commenting on her decision.

Liberal candidate Avalon Roberts is questioning her opponent's decision.

"I think it's a question of trust, isn't it? When a person says that they're going to do something, we expect them to do it. So in this case, I guess I would be wondering what we can believe and what we can't believe," she said.

NDP candidate Eric Carpendale agrees, adding that it says something to the voters about Colley-Urquhart's promises.

But Wildrose Alliance candidate Paul Hinman says the matter is between Colley-Urquhart and voters in Ward 13.

Mount Royal College political scientist Duane Bratt said her decision might generate some voter backlash.

"Ethically she should [step down].There's a political culture in Canada for politicians seeking other jobs that they leave their position or even resign their position," he said.

The date of the byelection might also be tricky for Colley-Urquhart. She will likely be busy that day trying to get out the vote, but Sept. 14 is also the first full meeting of city council following its summer break.