Candidates for the People's Party of Canada showed up in downtown Edmonton on Thursday on a mission to get their message out and promote their brand.
The party of has endorsed 342 candidates in Canada.
The PPC was not invited to participate in the 2025 federal leaders' debates, held on April 16 and April 17 because it failed to meet the Leaders' Debates Commission's participation criteria — but that hasn't dampened their resolve and love for country.
Brent Kinzel, a lead hand at a construction rental company, is the PPC candidate for Edmonton-West. He says the federal election could be a turning point for Canada, potentially shaping Alberta's push for a referendum and exposing deep national divides.
In an interview, Kinzel pointed to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's discussions about a possible sovereignty referendum, suggesting its fate hinges on which federal party wins power on April 28.
"It really depends on which federal party gets in as to whether or not that’s going to happen," he said, noting the province's ongoing tensions with Ottawa. Kinzel described the election as "pivotal" in Canadian history, echoing Elections Canada’s projection of a 75% to 80% voter turnout.
He warned that Canada risks "ripping itself apart" due to polarized politics.
"People are so tied up into which political side they're on, they forgot what it's like to actually hold debate and talk to each other," he said. "It's just all fighting and arguing."
Criticizing the current state of governance, Kinzel argued that governments no longer collaborate to refine ideas.
"We don't have governments now that will sit down and go, 'That's a great idea, but let's make it better.' It's just no or yes," he said, adding that Canadians are "really suffering" as a result.
He called for a return to constructive dialogue to address national challenges. Kinzel highlighted the PPC's unique approach to representation, noting the party does not use a party whip to enforce voting discipline.
"If it's not on our platform, we go seek our constituents and ask them," he said. "They will tell us how to vote."
He pledged to prioritize Edmonton-West's interests, stating, "I'm gonna stand up and say, 'Hey, that doesn't work for Edmonton-West. Edmonton-West is not in favour of that. I'm gonna have to vote no'."
Kinzel said every PPC candidate across Canada would similarly consult their constituents, ensuring local voices guide parliamentary decisions.
