All six contenders for the leadership of Alberta's 40-year-old Progressive Conservative dynasty were in Fort McMurray on Aug 11 for an all-candidates forum at the Quality Inn. More than 300 citizens turned out to hear candidates (seated, left to right) Doug Griffiths, Doug Horner, Alison Redford, Ted Morton, Rick Orman, and Gary Mar debate issues ranging from education to infrastructure to healthcare. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Ted Morton, former Alberta finance minster and MLA for Foothills-Rocky View, is one of six candidates running to replace outgoing premier Ed Stelmach in the PC leadership race. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Doug Griffiths, MLA for Battle River-Wainwright is the youngest contender in the race to replace outgoing Progressive Conservative premier Ed Stelmach. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

More than 300 citizens turned out to hear the contenders for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party and the government of Alberta discuss a number of questions submitted by the audience - including those who tuned in online. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Former deputy premier and MLA for Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St.Albert Doug Horner is one of the six candidates vying to be premier of Alberta come October. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Former Lougheed cabinet minister Rick Orman is the only candidate out of the six competing for leadership of the Progressive Conservatives who is not a sitting MLA. Orman retired from public life when he was defeated in the 1992 PC leadership race by Ralph Klein. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

The six candidates debated a range of issues over the course of the two hour debate, including the very contentious closure of the Edmonton City Centre airport. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Former finance minister Ted Morton passed over a question about education to hammer home his message on environmental consultation and property rights in Northern Alberta. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Doug Griffiths, Doug Horner, and Alison Redford are all reported to be the more moderate choices in the Progressive Conservative leadership race. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Conservative stalwarts Ted Morton and Rick Orman are seen to appeal to the party's right-wing base that is under assault from the Wild Rose party, while Gary Mar is seen to sit between the party's moderate and conservative wings. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

First term Calgary-Elbow MLA Alison Redford wants to become Alberta's first female premier in a time when a record number of provinces are lead by women. PHOTO: BAJ Visser

Alberta's former ambassador to Washington Gary Mar is seen as the front runner in the race to replace Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, but the race is close enough that there are many chances for an upset. Stelmach himself polled third in the 2006 race and ultimately ended up securing the leadership on the second ballot. PHOTO: BAJ Visser