Independent MP Derek Sloan is In Alberta and apparently has no plans on leaving.

According to a press release from Sloan, he will be headed to Cochrane, Alberta, on August 19th. 

Those hoping to attend can join Sloan at the Cochrane Curling Club and Spray Lake Family Sports Centre between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm, where he is expected to make an “exciting announcement.”

Sources close to the Conservative Party expect Sloan to announce his candidacy for the rural Alberta riding of Banff-Airdrie, perhaps having the Ontarian tee off against the incumbent Blake Richards.

“As you know I am in Alberta right now…. And I’m not leaving!” wrote Sloan on Wednesday. 

“It’s time for a change, it’s time to put Faith, Family & Freedom first again in this country!”

The Ontarian politician has used the typical “Make Alberta Great Again” messaging, but it is unclear if he will live up to Albertans’ growing sense of provincial nationalism.

Sloan, originally a member of the Conservative caucus before being booted out by party leader Erin O’Toole, has indicated that he will be running under his own banner. 

As I reported in July, Sloan has also been the victim of social media censorship for his views on forced vaccinations. 

The MP was suspended by Twitter that month after sharing a Reuters article on vaccinating kids; additionally, he has had several press conferences in parliament removed from social media platforms because they question the prevailing COVID-19 narrative.

In recent weeks, Sloan indicated that he would be starting his own political party to run in the 2021 federal election but has yet to reveal a platform or a slate of candidates. 

The good news is that Albertans will have more conservative options to choose from come election time, which can’t be anything but good in a safe right-wing seat like Banff-Airdrie.