The new NDP candidate spoke passionately about her commitment to the Foothills riding at last night's nomination meeting at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River.

Alison Thompson currently resides in south Calgary, but has lived and worked all over southern Alberta and has strong ties to the Foothills region.

She has two degrees in chemical engineering, an MBA in finance and an impressive career to say the least.

Thompson has worked in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years and is now the co-founder and chair of Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, where she works to come up with renewable energy solutions, something she says wants to see more of in Alberta.

"There are whole countries out there who are already doing things differently than the way Alberta has and we've been left behind in the new economy," she says. "And those other countries, especially in Europe and now the US, they're not in recessions and they're not less profitable or less competitive on the world market. We're less competitive because we have not been keeping up."

Thompson stressed that she is not against the oil and gas industry, but she knows we can be doing things differently to help create more jobs, and secure a brighter, more environmentally friendly future for Alberta.

Although Thompson was the only nominee and there was no vote, Foothills NDP Electoral District Association president Dave Matson says she's one of the strongest candidates he's seen and says he's confident she can win this election.

"(Thompson) has told me this isn't just a name on a piece of paper. Alison isn't just someone who's putting her name there because we need a name on that piece of paper," Matson says. "Alison is going to take this seriously. She has informed me that she's going to pound the pavement. This will be her full-time job until Oct. 19, and on Oct. 19, she is going to be declared the new MP for the Foothills riding."

Thompson says her campaign will focus on the wants and needs of people in the Foothills.

"There are a lot of different representations in this riding and this isn't just about one group. We need to have somebody where people matter. The NDP is about people mattering and everything falls from that. When you put people first, then the economy and everything else just fits together."

Despite the Foothills being a historically conservative region, Thompson says people are upset with the Harper government and says she's confident she can beat out conservative candidate, John Barlow.

"I know the real issues of this riding, which are about energy and choices and the economy, better than most people, not just John, but better than some others," she says. "So bring it on and lets actually have some discussion and debate. There is no incumbent. It's wide open and there is competition."

For more information on Alison Thompson, click here.