The Federal Election is quickly approaching after Prime Minster Justin Trudeau called a snap summer general election in August.
While seeking a Liberal majority government, Trudeau had said “Canadians need to choose how we finish the fight against COVID-19”.
On Sept. 20, Canadians across the country will be selecting who that person will be to lead the fight.
In Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County, residents will choose from one of six representatives in the Yellowhead riding.
Your Conservative Party of Canada representative and current Member of Parliament is Gerald Soroka.
Soroka feels that an MP needs to be a representative of the people, and to do it well, you need to like meeting with people, be a great listener, have the ability to not react personally as people share their concerns, and to be comfortable in front of people/in parliament listening and expressing the concerns and views of the constituency.
He also feels that both nationally and locally people need to have opportunity to get back to work and to get the economy rolling again.
The treatment and relationship with Canada’s Indigenous community also needs to be moved forward according to Soroka. “We have seen lots of talk with very little action on basic issues like clean water and housing for this community.”
If re-elected MP Gerald Soroka says that he will continue to work tirelessly to hear your concerns and fight on your behalf in parliament on issues that affect the Yellowhead community.
The New Democratic Party Candidate for the Yellowhead riding is Guillaume Roy.
Roy commented that he believes listening to the people and their stories are crucial to being a good Member of Parliament.
As the former director of the ACFA Jasper, it was his job to represent the interests of the community and to act as a spokesperson for issues that impact Alberta’s French community.
After speaking with community members in Yellowhead, the main issues that came out according to him, was the accessibility to better internet, improved transportation between cities and additional help with local childcare issues.
He promises that if elected, he will do everything he can to ensure that workers won’t lose their jobs as the country transitions to low carbon initiatives. “I want to make sure that those workers can slowly do a transition to new jobs and get the proper training instead of doing nothing and waiting until they hit a wall.”
The Maverick Party Candidate in Yellowhead is Todd Muir.
Muir, along with the Maverick Party, have stated they wish to fight for the people’s rights, freedoms, and the security of everyone who lives in Western Canada.
When asked about the current vaccine and passport system, Todd Muir says he believes that each person knows the best way to look out for themselves and their families and should not be forced by the government.
The Maverick Party, along with Muir, are focused on increasing the independence of western provinces, stating that they will try to keep the west from the problems that come from “reckless federal spending”.
By voting for him, Muir stated that his focus will be on the people of Yellowhead and less on Ottawa.
The Yellowhead Candidate for the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) is Michael Manchen.
Manchen has worked in the oil and gas industry for over 25 years and has said that he believes his party is the only one that is truly against the country’s welcoming of vaccine passports.
The PPC has said they will promote a rational and scientifically-based approach to the pandemic that will focus on the vulnerable and give freedom to Canadians.
He says the party plans to eliminate all corporate subsidies and other government interventions such as bailouts to help generate savings.
PPC Michael Manchen says he is running for freedom and prosperity.
The Yellowhead Candidate for the Veterans Coalition Party (VCP) of Canada is Gordon Francey
Second time runner Francey, is a veteran with 14 years of service in the regular and reserve forces and has said that they are a “party for the people”.
The VCP’s values of holding politicians accountable and fighting corruption, according to Francey, are what has driven him to join the PPC, who’s motto is “truth, duty and honour.”
The Party’s first two election platforms state that they will “protect and defend all Canadian’s rights under the Canadian Constitution, Charter of Rights and Freedoms” and they will “no longer tax the Canadian Pension Plan as income”.
Francey says they are a diverse party with not just veterans, but with First Nations, first responders and ordinary citizens as well.
The Liberal Party of Canada Candidate for Yellowhead is Sheila Schumacher.
According to the Liberal Party of Canada Website, “Sheila Schumacher has deep community roots in Edmonton after moving here from Montreal in 1973. She is a grassroots political organizer, lawyer, and community activist in Yellowhead. After making the move to Edmonton, Sheila attended the University of Alberta, studying Philosophy and English Literature, and eventually earning her law degree. She has been practicing law in Edmonton, and throughout northern and central Alberta since 1989.
Sheila and her husband Phil have five children, 15 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and two dogs, Rosenberg and Sparky.
Despite having an active legal career, Schumacher is said to be active in her community and understands the needs of Yellowhead. She looks forward to connecting with voters about their priorities and the future they want for our region.
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