Kevin Taft
Leader of the Official Opposition

A former government researcher and best-selling author whose books on public policy took dead aim at Ralph Klein's revolution, Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft helped re-establish the Grits' grip on the provincial capital in the November 2004 election. The party won 12 seats in the Edmonton region and captured another three in Calgary, the first time the party had won in Klein's hometown since 1997. Taft reversed a decade-long trend of ever-increasing majorities of the Klein government, a feat made even more remarkable by the federal Grits' plunge into scandal and his party's hamstrung war chest which carried a $1-million debt from previous leader Nancy MacBeth's catastrophic 2001 campaign. The business community has responded to Taft's stewardship as the Liberals raised $1 million in 2004 for the first time since 1993. Following the election, the Liberals have bloodied the government's nose over use of the government's airplanes by cabinet ministers and a cover-up over allegations of misconduct at the Alberta Securities Commission.  - WG

What must the Liberals do in the next three years to become Alberta's next government?

We need to demonstrate to the people of Alberta a genuine commitment to good government. We need to continue to bring forward policies that resonate with the people of the province, that show far-sighted balance, a commitment to education, health care and transportation while staying within a disciplined fiscal framework. We need to bring forward a platform of ideas to show how we can seize the opportunities being missed by the current Tory government.

Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?

I hate these kinds of questions because I don't think there is one. We're all in this together. There have been many, many great Albertans and we probably haven't heard of many of them because they are the quiet heroes that contribute to the community.

In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?

Well, I've always approached life and politics assuming that we're in this for the greater good rather than ourselves. I think the most important decisions that were made, nobody knows who made them. Who knows who established Banff National Park? I don't expect to be anything more than a single Google hit, but I hope the decisions and policies that I contribute to will stand as wise 100 years from now.