Kerry Towle

Canadian politician

Kerry Towle


MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
In office April 23, 2012 – May 5, 2015
Preceded by	Luke Ouellette
Succeeded by	Don MacIntyre

Personal details
Born	1973 or 1974 (age 50–51)^[1]
Political party	Alberta Party (2017–present)
Other political affiliations	Wildrose (2012–2014) Progressive Conservative (2014–2017)
Spouse	Brad
Children	1
Residence	Innisfail, Alberta
Occupation	Real Estate Agent
Website	kerrytowle.com

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]

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

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

v t e 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.

v t e 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

^ "KERRY TOWLE: Health care access critical". Red Deer Advocate. Red Deer, Alberta. March 28, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^ Alberta Election 2012: Riding-by-riding results Archived 2012-05-30 at the Wayback Machine
^ http://www.wildrose.ca/mlas/
^ ^a ^b Two Wildrose MLAs crossing floor to Alberta PC Party
^ http://www.innisfailprovince.ca/article/20150506/INN0801/305069994
^ "Legislative Assembly of Alberta Kerry Towle biography".
^ Contenteni, Justina (June 7, 2011). "Wildrose Party Candidates". Retrieved June 10, 2013.
^ Innisfal Province, Staff (April 23, 2012). "Wildrose candidate Kerry Towle new MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake". Retrieved June 10, 2013.
^ "Danielle Smith unveils Wildrose shadow cabinet". May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
^ Braid, Don (May 9, 2013). "Wildrose 'politicizing' produces results". Retrieved June 10, 2013.
^ Labbe, Stephanie (March 13, 2013). "Wildrose hears concerns of seniors in Alberta". Retrieved June 10, 2013.
^ "Former PC cabinet ministers, MLAs spotted at Alberta Party AGM | CBC News".