Avni Soma: New Democratic Party candidate for Yellowhead

Avni Soma, the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the Yellowhead riding, is bringing her diverse background in business, food systems, and community advocacy to the political arena.

After years of building businesses and pushing for systemic changes on a local and national level, Soma says it’s time to bring her skills to Ottawa and represent the interests of Yellowhead’s residents.

A mother of two children who attend a Francophone school in Canmore, Soma has called the Bow Valley home for over 15 years. Originally from Calgary, she moved to Canmore driven by her passion for outdoor sports and her commitment to developing sustainable, alternative food systems. She saw living in a smaller, rural town as an opportunity to make a real impact and be more accountable to the community.

“I appreciate living in rural Alberta because I feel that, in small towns, we are more held accountable for our actions,” says Soma. “In urban environments, it’s easy to blend in, but here, we have the ability to directly connect and see the results of our efforts.”

Her professional journey began with an education in basic science, later focusing on a Master’s in neonatal renal physiology. Soma worked as a pharmaceutical researcher before transitioning into business. She discovered her knack for organization and financial management while working as an independent consultant. Along with a business partner, she co-founded a company supporting local farmers in the Bow Valley, promoting sustainable food practices across Alberta and British Columbia.

Soma’s advocacy work expanded beyond the business world when she joined the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council. As the only member selected from Alberta, she advised the federal government on food policy. Among her accomplishments, she says, was the successful push for a National School Food Program, an initiative she supported both through the Advisory Council and as a steering committee member of the Coalition for Healthy School Food.

It was those experiences with the levers of power, that Soma was inspired to see running for office as the next logical step in her personal and professional journey.

Soma adds, running under the NDP banner is a good fit for her values of protecting public systems like health case and education. “Which public systems are worth fighting for and protecting? The question is how can the federal government come in to do that.”

When it comes to connecting with constituents in a riding as vast as Yellowhead, Soma is focused on innovative approaches. Since the riding is so large, Soma has floated the idea of, instead of spending money on permanent campaign offices, to have pop-up campaign offices across the riding.

Soma also views the challenges with the United States and protecting Canadian sovereignty as crucial issues. She adds, given her business and food systems background, Canada should look to diversify its trade relationships, both within North America and beyond.

Though this is Soma’s first time running for political office, she feels that her previous experiences have prepared her for this new challenge. She admits the NDP is the “underdog” in the riding, and says she’ll have to work “two or three times” harder to make an impact.

Soma adds her campaign will be busy putting up signs, including in the Rocky area.

So far, along with the NDP nominating Soma, two other parties have nominated candidates in the Yellowhead riding: