OLDS — On Feb. 22 Anaida “Ana” Poilievre, wife of federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, toured Kirsten’s Place, an emergency shelter under construction in Olds.
During the tour, James Carpenter, Alberta’s senior representative to Ottawa, and his wife made a $5,000 contribution to the shelter’s fundraising campaign, says Joe Carignan, president of the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society (MVESS).
During an interview with the Albertan, Carignan said the roughly hour-long tour was arranged by Carpenter through the Town of Olds.
In addition to Carignan and Poilievre, people participating in the tour included Mayor Judy Dahl, deputy mayor Darren Wilson, Olds chief administrative officer Brent Williams, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA and Transportation & Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen, as well as several MVESS board members, along with Battle River-Crowfoot MP Damien Kurek and his wife.
“She (Ana Poilievre) was in the area, so they wanted to come, because it deals with family and children and that seems to be her interest or priority,” Carignan said, adding his impression is that Poilievre is also very concerned about human trafficking.
Carignan was asked how he felt about the fact that the wife of a very high-profile politician came and toured the facility when a federal election could soon occur; whether it was a form of electioneering.
“I don’t think so,” Carignan said. “She’s very dedicated.
“I mean, I spoke to her. She was very interested in the shelter and how we started, what it took to build it and all these other things with it.”
Carignan said Poilievre also wanted to know where emergency shelters are in the area.
“I mean, we’re the only thing between Red Deer and Calgary. The next one’s (in) Rocky Mountain House, so she definitely had an interest,” he said.
Photos from the tour were posted on Instagram. Carignan is hoping those pictures will spur more donations to the society for the emergency shelter.
He said construction of Kirsten’s Place, which began May 1 last year, is getting close to completion.
“We’ve still got floors to do and security to do and furnish it, but it is definitely coming,” Carignan said.
A big need now is to obtain funding to operate the facility.
Carignan said newly hired MVESS executive director Dawn Leonard has been busy figuring out an operating budget for Kirsten’s Place, including staffing.
That hasn’t been easy.
Carignan said costs seem to be different in every shelter they’ve contacted.
