Tariq Elnaga has thrown his name into the hat to try and win the leadership of Maverick party..Running in the Banff-Airdrie riding in Alberta, Tariq was a Maverick Party candidate in the September 2021 election..Elnaga moved to Alberta from Dubai in 2012 after visiting Calgary during the annual Stampede and falling in love with the “Western way of life.”.“Tariq is the owner of a ranch services business and runs his own HR consulting practice. He holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and an MBA. In terms of community involvement, Tariq is the current vice-president of the Cochrane Roping Club, he’s the Chute Experience Director with the Airdrie Pro Rodeo and a member of the Airdrie and District Ag Society,” his campaign website says..“Since it was the spirit of the West that drew Tariq to the West, he quickly got involved and began volunteering in his community, at rodeos and agriculture events. Professionally, Tariq began working in the oil & gas industry, leveraging his background in engineering and human relations,” A Maverick party press release said..Elnaga said he understands the Western region’s frustrations about the lack of support and representation in Ottawa on their behalf..“As a Western Canadian, I quickly learned how unfairly the West is treated by Ottawa and I want to be a strong voice for Western Canadians, our industries, and values. The West cannot succeed if we concede to Ottawa,” Elnaga said..Tariq will be competing for the top spot alongside Colin Krieger in the leadership race. The winner will take over from Jay Hill, the Maverick Party’s interim leader since the party’s launch in September of 2020..Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.abrown@westernstandardonline.com
