Red Deer voters were treated to a unique experience Wednesday night hosted by the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.
The informal “meet-and-greet” held at Westerner Park allowed people to meet face-to-face with candidates from their riding and ask their questions directly.
“This year's election was such a tight timeline, we didn't know all the candidates up until about two weeks ago, we felt this approach might be the best to create some fairness and opportunity for people to meet the candidates” said Scott Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce.
All Red Deer Candidates were in attendance, each with their own station set up around the room with tables of information on their platforms and parties.
The Chamber had available printouts of questions and responses that they had asked the candidates to answer prior to the event so that attendees had more information on each party's views. Those questions and responses are available here.
The candidates were all asked one question by Central Alberta Online News and here are their responses, in no particular order:
Why should people vote for you?
Kyla Courte – People's Party of Canada
“People should vote for me because I offer a fresh change, true change, something completely different. I'm running with a populist party; we have the freedom to speak on behalf of our ridings and not just what our party dictates to us. I'm honest, I'm hardworking, I'm Red Deer born and raised, and I care about the people in this community.”
Elias Assefa – New Democratic Party
“I grew up working poor and I wouldn't wish that on families and children growing up now, and I think that the NDP is the only party that's meaningfully dedicated to reducing poverty in this country. Those are my values and that's what I'm here to represent.”
Burton Bailey – Conservative Party of Canada
Written response provided by the campaign party:
“I’ve spent my life-solving problems and serving people. As a construction business owner, I learned how to build through economic cycles, create jobs and manage risk. As a fifth-generation funeral director, I have walked with people through their most difficult moments. If elected, I would utilize my experiences to work for you – to help reduce taxes, build homes, prevent crime, unleash resources, and bring jobs home to Red Deer! I want to fight for a future where our kids can stay in this region, build their lives here, and be proud of the country we’ve shaped.”
Brandon Pringle – Christian Heritage Party of Canada
“We need to get back to Government that is accountable to the people, and accountable more than ever when we have bills like C4, where you have five years in prison for a family that's teaching science to their children, that is unconscionable. That's the most horrific attacks on free speech; we are almost completely over the edge of communism. And so, somebody has to raise the alarm, and someone has to say something.”
Ashley MacDonald – Green Party of Canada
“I believe you should vote for me because the Green Party of Canada offers a real change, a real vision for the future for this riding. We're not confined by the old elitist thinking of the past, I believe that if given the opportunity, we can do profound things for Red Deer and for Canada.”
Ayaz Bangash – Liberal Party of Canada
“I'm humble and honored that if I'm elected as the Member of Parliament in Ottawa, I will be the strong voice for Red Deer and I will be addressing each and every problem or concerns my constituents are having here, and that will be addressed on the table. It's not just addressing, but that plan will come into action as well. So, we do have so many concerns and issues in our riding, health system, our homelessness, crime, housing, jobs, like job security. These are my priorities, which we will be bringing up in the table, in Parliament and that's what my plan is, Canada strong.”
Voters at the event seemed to really enjoy the new approach, compared to the regular forum style that Canadians are used to seeing.
Some of the youngest attendees, Lucas and Myles, commented on why they came to the event and what they thought of the chance to speak directly to the candidates.
“I just think there's a lot of questions we had that weren't actually addressed in a lot of the policies and press releases that parties have made, so it was really important for us to come and talk directly to candidates, see what they had to say on issues that affect us and other people that we know, and that were directed to us.” said Lucas
“I feel like a lot of times the things I read could be misconstrued or you have to go through multiple sources, maybe it's, you know exactly what they're saying. So, hearing it right from somebody, it meant a lot to come out and hear em’. Just to get everybody's thoughts, even if I agree with some, disagree with some, just to kind of hear em’ first person, it felt like it was important.” states Myles.
Voters head to the polls Monday April 28th.
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