David Swann: Alberta Liberal Party leader

David Swann
Interim party leader since January 2015
Age: 65
Occupation before politics: Medical doctor
Education: Medical degree
First year elected to Alberta legislature: November 2004
Candidate in Calgary-Mountain View

David Swann is once again at the helm of the Alberta Liberal Party after being chosen as the interim leader in January.

It followed a surprise announcement earlier that month that Raj Sherman decided to step down as the party's leader and not seek re-election. Sherman will be acting as the party's campaign manager instead.

The Liberals struggled in the last provincial election losing its Official Opposition status to the Wildrose Party. The party went from eight seats to five with 10 per cent of the popular vote under Sherman, an emergency room physician and former member of the PC government.

Leading the party is not a new role for Swann, as he steered the ship for roughly two years before stepping aside in February 2011. At the time, he said his reason for stepping down was an opportunity to renew the party as a "future moderate voice for Albertans."

Swann was first elected as an MLA in Calgary-Mountain View in 2004. Before that he had worked as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004, and practised family medicine from 1975 to 1984.

He was born in Taber, Alta., but grew up in Calgary. He got his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1973.

Swann has been a vocal health critic for the party in the past. His latest initiative was calling for a better solution to long-term care beds. He would also like to see mandatory vaccinations for students.

New leader?

He would also like to see a raise in corporate taxes and less talk of cutting public sector wages. Swann did, however, approve of the recent move of the Prentice government to revoke controversial labour legislation.

"The repeal of Bill 45 is the correction of a mistake. However, much more work is needed to repair the government's tattered relationship with Alberta's front-line workers," said Swann in a release.

Another win for the Liberal Party was the approval of Bill 10, which will make gay-straight alliances mandatory in Alberta schools when requested by students.

It was championed by Edmonton-Centre MLA Laurie Blakeman, who recently decided to run for the Green Party and Alberta Party when going to the polls in a symbolic gesture to unite a progressive left.

Swann and his wife, Laureen, have three children and 10 grandchildren. He has lived in Calgary since 1984.

Swann plans to stay on as interim leader until the party holds a leadership race after the election.