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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Friday, April 20, 2012
Vote 2012 MArY dAHr ndp
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y name is Mar y Dahr and I am the NDP candidate for Grande Prairie Smoky. I have worked for 23 years at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Grande Prairie as a Laboratory Technologist. I have also served on various boards such as Health Sciences Association of Alberta, a union of 22,000 Health care workers and on the Board of Friends of Medicare. My work with the union has given me many educational opportunities which made me realize the deficiencies in the present day government. I think every Albertan is now realizing we are a very rich province but we do not feel rich. A health care system that was cut by twenty five per cent and never recovered. An education system that is also constantly been cut and with little or no help for special needs students. Seniors that are waiting in hospital beds while publicly funded beds are being shut down. These are a few of the reasons why I have decided to run. We have the lowest minimum wage rate and some of the lowest welfare rates in Canada. Meaning we are the richest province with the hungriest children. Not something to be proud of. Homelessness has gone up by 800 percent in the last twenty years while corporate profits have gone up by 300 percent. Have you ever imagined what it would be like to sleep outside in the winter time in Alberta. We now have two right wing parties seeking election and both parties the Wildrose and the Conservatives receive money from corporations to run their campaigns. When the election is over they forget about the people and are there for the corporations that helped get them elected. The NDP party only takes contributions from individuals, so when you elect a NDP candidate they are there for you the people of Alberta. As we go into this election we need to think of some of the damaging legislation that has become law or is being tabled. Such as Bill 2 which will see all the school boards made into one superboard, it did not work in Health care so why would they want to do this to our school boards. We need to ensure that we have a good publicly funded, publicly delivered health care system. We need to ensure that we have affordable electricity and we are not paying for transmission lines that belong to a power corporation that is getting rich while we are trying to cope with ever increasing bills. We need to have the bills for land usage repealed as they are very damaging to landowners. We need a government that is there for us the people of Alberta and has our best interests at heart not a government that turns it’s back on us the minute it is elected. After all this is our Province and this is our money. Alberta belongs to us.
The DH-T encourages you, no matter who you vote for, to get out and VOTE!
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Grande Prairie • Smoky Andrew Muise independent
live in Grande PrairieSmoky district east of Grande Prairie. I was born in Southampton England. My parents immigrated to Canada in 1969 and I have lived in Alberta for a total of 14 years. I am a husband of 18 years and have three children and two grandchildren. We enjoy going camping, skiing, fishing and traveling as a family. I am a member of the Christ Covenant Church in Grande Prairie. In my early years, I have worked in the oilfield as a production tester and for oilfield supply company. I have worked in the Steel fabrication industry since 1993 and since the year 2000 I have been an owner of my own business, customizing in stainless steel, aluminium and steel. I am a grade 12 graduate and went to NAIT for welding courses and BCIT for a four year steel fabrication apprenticeship. I also have taken various industry training courses. Through my business I have worked with Health Authorities to design equipment and fabricate a variety of products for healthcare purposes at considerable savings. I have had an interest in Canadian politics. I was active in a Federal Reform party as a volunteer. Today running as an Independent Candidate for Grande Prairie-Smoky. My reasons for running as an Independent Candidate is due to party policies often override convictions of candidates and the reflections of their constituents. Morality & Politics I feel this is a necessity as politicians are making decisions for the masses and these decisions cannot be made apart from morality. Eg. Theft is a moral issue, Landowner rights are a moral issue, education and health care are all moral issues. Giving people what they pay for and personal accountability are all moral issues. Morality looks to the future benefits from the present convictions.
•Editor’s Note: Each candidate in the two Grande Prairie-area ridings was offered, at no cost, up to 500 words and the photo of their choosing to pass along their campaign message. The order of ridings and candidates was determined by a random generating application. The hard line on the next page separates the ridings. The Liberal candidate for Grande Prairie -Wapiti – Alya Nazarali, did not submit a profile.
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eVerett McdonAld pC
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y name is Everett McDonald and I am running as the Progressive Conservative Candidate for the riding of Grande Prairie Smoky. I am a third generation farmer with a track record of successfully serving the constituents of Grande PrairieSmoky. This experience is an important distinction between me and the other candidates. This election boils down to one simple issue, which party has the best platform and policies to address the issues facing the area. I firmly believe that the Progressive Conservative platform is best suited to meet the requirements of a growing area. Allen Gervais photo I believe that the Grande Prairie area is on the edge of greatness. We are blessed with an abundance of natural resources and an entrepreneurial people that want to use those resources to their greatest advantage. This is a terrific combination. I believe the role of government is to bring these two resources together and create a partnership that will ensure our future economic success. Let me cite as an example, our new regional hospital. This will be a facility that serves the needs of a growing region. Not only will it provide much needed medical facilities including a cancer bunker that will reduce the travel for those seeking cancer treatment, it will partner with the GPRC to provide a teaching institution that will provide educational opportunities for future health care providers including doctors. It is truly a fantastic partnership between health care and education and the community. I am shocked and disappointed to learn that the Wildrose party will cancel the new hospital. To cancel or even delay the project for further study puts the lives of our residents at risk And health care is not the only project at risk. The future of our college, the building and of new schools and renovations existing schools to accommodate our growing population and reduce overcrowded classrooms is all on the chopping block with other parties. This is a commitment made by Danielle Smith. I cannot and will not support such measures in this area. My experience in dealing with growth, the provision of infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer, recreation, health care, school and other basic services is extensive. I understand how communities work, what it takes to be successful and to tackle the challenges we face. Rural Alberta matters and our party is the only one to support the growth and development of rural Alberta. Agriculture matters to the Progressive Conservative party and to me. I am pleased to see our platform on agricultural issues and think that it will go a long way to making agriculture sustainable. I understand the needs of municipalities and the requirement for long term sustainable funding models. The Municipal Sustainability Initiative has helped municipalities plan their capital requirements for the future. We need to continue to provide this stable funding and improve it where necessary. In this provincial election, I ask for your support. Vote Everett McDonald, leadership you can trust.
mOnday, april 23rd, 2012 It’s your right, it’s your responsibility!
Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Friday, April 20, 2012
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Vote 2012 ToDD loeWen WilDrose
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Grande Prairie•Smoky KeVin Mclean liberal
am a husband and a father of five and my family, like most, are involved in many community activities. This constituency has been my home since 1967. I have lived in Grande Prairie and also on a farm in the Valleyview area. On April 23rd Albertans have an important choice to make - one that will define our province’s future. With Wildrose that choice is for a proud and strong Alberta which stands for the best education, the best health care, and the best economy. We have had the same government for over 40 years and we are witnessing the affects of having a lack of competition in Alberta’s political scene for so long. We have had 5 straight deficit budgets, something that used to be illegal in Alberta, even when the government has taken in record amounts of money. We have also witnessed other things that have justifiably angered Albertans. The Wildrose plans on doing things differently. We want to change the culture of entitlement to one of doing things right and putting Albertans first. We will finally bring accountability and transparency to government and run a government that focuses on Albertans. By allowing free-votes and the right to recall, your local representatives will answer to you, not to their political party’s whip. We will begin to get our fiscal house in order and prioritize our spending on what matters most to Albertans on health care, seniors care, and education. In doing so, we will balance the budget and build our savings. We will work to improve health care by shortening long waiting times and building an improved system where you will never have to pull out your wallet for service. The Wildrose has announced 5 commitments to Albertans. They are: Commitment to Power Consumers-To reduce the cost of electricity; Commitment to Parents on Education-More funding where needed, parental choice, and improved learning and assessment; Commitment to Municipalities-Stable funding and clear priorities; Commitment to Taxpayers-No new taxes; Commitment to Rural Alberta-Protect property rights and cut red tape. We have also announced 5 pledges. They are; Balanced Budget and Savings Act-End deficits and increase Alberta’s savings; Wildrose Family Pack-Leave more money in the pockets of Alberta families; Alberta Energy Dividend-Dividends paid to Albertans when we have surpluses; Alberta’s Patient Wait Time Guarantee-Shorten wait times for operations; Alberta Accountability Act- Make government more accountable and transparent. If I receive your support on April 23rd, and am elected to be your MLA, you can know that the interests of my constituents will come first as all Wildrose MLAs will be given free votes in the Legislature. I will bring up the local issues that matter most and fight for our community in the Legislature.
The DH-T encourages you, no matter who you vote for, to get out and VOTE!
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orry... was that my MasterCard or my Health-care card you just asked for?” If you don’t want this to be the first question you’re asked at your next doctor’s appointment I would vote on April 23. Private health care is not far away. If the right wing Wildrose get in you will see it quickly and if the PC’s get in it’s not far behind. My wife, Tina, and I have lived in Grande Prairie for 22 years and Alberta for most of our lives. We were blessed with twin girls Kendra and Keira almost five years ago. I have had a passion for politics since I was a boy. My first impression was watching a federal debate at the age of nine. I already had a leader I was rooting for... guess who that was? I am a City of Grande Prairie Councillor and I believe in standing up for our residents. My passion and insight have led me to run for MLA. I am afraid of private health care, you should be too. We have many health-care procedures in Alberta not covered now and Albertans are paying for them. I can speak to this because we are one of them. My Wife and I did in-vitro-fertilization five times. I know the stress a $50 000.00 health-care bill can bring to a family. I don’t want this to be a reality for someone you love who is fighting Cancer or Alzheimer’s. The Alberta Liberal party is the only party with medical doctors sitting as MLAs. The PC’s want to fix health care from the top down. We want to fix it from the ground up. Grande Prairie has a new hospital promised... but who will staff it? How will they attract doctors and nurses? Do we want more paramedics standing in the halls because there are no staff to attend to the patient? The Peace Country does not get its fair share of revenue. Our cities and towns get even less. On a per capita basis a county resident would get twice as much revenue attributed to them as a city resident. The downside of this is that city residents are paying for the amenities of a geographical area far beyond their borders. The Liberal Municipal Heritage Fund will ensure fair, sustainable and most importantly predictable funding for our cities and towns. Traditional county representation has not worked. We need a city/county mix to represent all of our constituents. Our school system needs to go back to the classroom. The new public high school will build to over capacity, portables are being factored into the design. Many of our schools are at over 110% capacity. Some schools are giving up music rooms to use as classrooms because they did not get approved for portables. Is this the richest province in the country? Where is the advantage? On April 23rd if you want a “progressive” voice for your future, don’t vote progressive, vote Liberal. Vote Kevin McLean for your voice. Your MLA.
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Grande Prairie•Wapiti Wayne DrysDale PC I have been pleased to represent you as MLA Grande Prairie-Wapiti since 2008. Prior to serving as MLA, I was Councillor with the MD of Greenview for 15 years. My wife Sherry and I believe in giving back to community – during that time I was active in the Grovedale Volunteer Fire Department and the Alberta Beef Producers. As your MLA, I`m proud of the collaboration I’ve had with local community leaders and organizations. I also appreciate the calls and visits from citizens, and your suggestions and innovative ideas. Together we’ve been effect i v e. We’v e g o t n e w a n d upgraded schools and soon a new local high school. Work is underway on our regional hospital and cancer clinic that will provide care closer to home and our families. Our roads are safer – twinning to Beaverlodge is complete and we’re in the final stages of twinning to Grande Prairie. We’re also seeing enhanced funding for the local arts community. In addition to my role as MLA, I’ve served in several other roles including Deputy Whip and Treasury Board member. Sherry and I reside on the family farm near Grande Prairie. Daughter Jodie, her husband Don, and our granddaughters live nearby. In 2001, following the death of our son, Troy, our family established a bursary for local students pursuing a career in emergency services, fire or EMS in Northern Alberta. I’m looking forward to working with a PC government with a new vision and concrete plan that builds on a solid foundation. We`ve just gone through a very difficult economic climate and Alberta’s come out strong. We’ve got the lowest unemployment rate, the highest yearly average income, and Albertans and Alberta businesses pay the lowest taxes in Canada. We released Budget 2012, a responsible budget that invests in programs, services and infrastructure with no tax rate increases, no new taxes – including no provincial sales tax – and no service cuts. By 2013, we will deliver a balanced budget and by 2014, forecast a $5.2 billion surplus. We’re investing in education. That includes building and revitalizing schools, improving high school completions, and delivering degree programs at colleges like GPRC so young people can obtain a post-secondary education close to home. Our plan provides better care for seniors. I agree we need to keep aging couples together regardless of differing care needs. Continuing care spaces will be created across Alberta, and I’m pleased that two new care facilities in Grande Prairie are freeing up hospital bed space. We support a strong, publicly funded health-care system. New Family Care Centres will be open longer hours, reducing the pressure on emergency rooms. To address the shortage of rural family physicians, I am actively lobbying to see that in our future we are training family physicians at GPRC. Our government is committed to improving our competitiveness in the global economy and securing greater market access for all Alberta producers and products. Again, thank you for your support. It would be a privilege to again serve as your MLA.
mOnday, april 23rd, 2012 It’s your right, it’s your responsibility!
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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Friday, April 20, 2012
Vote 2012
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Anthony BArendregt Independent
nthony Barendregt lives on an acreage just west of Grande Prairie, with his wife and eight children. OCCUPATION: Barendregt has been in the construction trade for the past 20 years. He grew up on a farm, worked in a feed store as a youth, and learned much of mechanics from his father who was a mechanic by trade. He has built spec homes in Manitoba and managed commercial projects as well as being site supervisor on Medican Project and the LBX site in Grande Prairie. EDUCATION: Barendregt has attended public, private, and correspondence schools. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, with a major in History and a minor in Politics and almost a double minor in Classic languages. Currently, he and his wife are home educating their eight children. Barendregt believes that education is the sole responsibility of the parents. “It is the parents’ right to choose how they wish to have their children educated…..” POLITICS: Barendregt has always been interested in politics. He has been part of campaigns, and political research groups. He studied politics…… He ran in three federal elections for the Christian Heritage Party. Today he runs as an independent because he sees a lack of honesty and morality in the policies and practices of the major governing parties. “The PC’s and The Wild Rose parties along with the others are not willing to put truth before votes, they will not take a moral stand and legislate on it.” Thus, they are all flying under the same flag. HEALTH: Barendregt has always been interested in health concerns. He spent three summers working in a handicapped hospital, and has researched herbs extensively. He believes our Health system should be more proactive and provide better options. Both herbal and medical treatments must be researched and presented as viable options so patients can make informed choices. MORALITY: The recent committee money scandal is a perfect example of the kind of duplicity the government has been involved in. To take money for three years as payment for meetings which never occurred, and then to piously pay it back AFTER you are caught is highly reprehensible. No ordinary citizen could steal in this way without a penalty, and yet our MLA’s all got away with it. Members of every party were involved, all quietly stealing our hard earned tax payer dollars. This amoral behavior must be stopped, and MLA’s must be held accountable for their behavior. Barendregt challenges us to take a good look at our country; “Are we getting better as a nation, or are we giving up ground? Our votes have put these governments over us, but are we getting the changes we want?” One MLA may be a great individual, but in the end he must toe the party line. So consider that you are voting a party, and be sure that party stands for what you believe before you give them your vote of approval and confidence.
The DH-T encourages you, no matter who you vote for, to get out and VOTE!
Grande Prairie • Wapiti ethAne JArVIs WIldrose
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s a proud member of the Wildrose team I am committed to representing the residents of this constituency above self and above party lines. My wife and I have been happily married for 10 years and we have 4 young children. I have been a political junky most of my life, not just reading the news but reading the Hansard report and the Alberta Gazette, visiting CanLii and reading the bills, regulations and acts. I am committed to knowing what is going on and then informing as many as will listen. I will fight for government accountability and transparency. It shouldn’t be hard for a politician to do the right thing based on the information available in this day and age and the ability to get information out and receive feedback. The problem is the MLA’s self serving corruption in an effort to extend their life of privilege on the public dime. As your Wildrose MLA I will fight for accountability, personal freedoms and property rights. A Wildrose government will re-introduce the meaning of the phrase Public Servant. That is my commitment to my constituents. This is why the fundamental purpose of the Wildrose party is to allow the front line staff to do their jobs and make the decisions that will effectively mean the solution fits the problem. A socialist government does not trust the people it governs, we see this clearly in Alison Redford, she feels the average Albertan is not smart enough to hold a referendum on serious matters, it blows her mind that everyone has equal rights under the charter of rights and freedoms and it scares her that anyone would have an opinion different from hers. Danielle Smith believes people can demand a referendum on serious matters by 20% of eligible voters signing a petition. Albertan’s are smart enough to decide their future. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms simply states in section 2 Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was put in place to prevent the government from taking away your basic rights as Canadians. The Wildrose party respects the right of every individual to think and act according to the dictates of their own conscience whether they are a politician, public servant or any other man woman or child as per section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It concerns me that groups demanding fundamental rights are willing to give a politician the power to control those rights and take away a public servants rights in favour of their own. Once those powers are in the hands of a politician, that politician or the one after that would have the power to take away those rights. As it stands, you have rights and no one can take them away. I’m Ethane Jarvis On April 23r vote Wildrose.
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pAulA Anderson ndp
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aula, husband Laurie, and their grown sons Aidan and Rhys, have called Grande Prairie home for 19 years. Their daughter Caihla was killed tragically in 2005. They are proud first time grandparents to 9-month-old Cadence. A teacher with Grande Prairie Public School District, Paula has been an elementary music specialist, teacher librarian, and language arts specialist. She is currently a @Reading Recovery instructor working with Grade 1 students at risk. There are many issues in this election but the most pressing and concerning in our area are Health Care and Education. The region has waited too long for a new hospital and look forward to a building that will include a cancer centre, acute-care beds, and a health care training facility. We can only hope it will open as promised in 2015 and that it will be renamed to better reflect the entire community. New Democrats support the proposed partnership with GPRC where increased enrolment in medical and nursing programs, and the opportunity to train locally, will provide incentives for family doctors and nursing graduates to remain working in northern Alberta. Voters want to know the plans for the existing QE11 and Beaverlodge hospitals. Albertan’s value our publicly funded and publicly delivered, equal access Health Care system that is user friendly not user pay. The NDP will fight to keep these facilities from becoming private for profit clinics. After many delays, Grande Prairie Care Centre has moved into their new digs. The buildings look wonderful, but residents there and at Point’s West face rising care costs in a privatized, assisted living model staffed with fewer RN’s and LPN’s. We must build public long-term care beds to get the most vulnerable seniors out of acute care hospital space and provide the quality care they require at a cost they and their families can afford. Grande Prairie Schools are bursting and crowded classrooms in many schools are putting pressure on already strained infrastructure. A 40% growth in student population over the next 12 years is predicted. The new Knowledge Campus High School can’t come soon enough. Grande Prairie Public needs nine portable (modular) classrooms next September and will receive only three. Grande Prairie Catholic has 50 + portables attached to their schools already and need more. Class size initiatives recommended in the 2003 Learning Commission report 2003 have not been met a full nine years down the road. There are 700 fewer teachers in Alberta classrooms than two years ago. Special needs funding, inadequate at best, has been frozen for four years at a time when those needs are increasing and becoming more complex. Clearly, health and education have not been priorities for Conservative governments. We can do better. Paula is offering voters a clear choice and a different direction. A vision and plan that respects the bounty of this land, reflects our care and concern for each other, and provides a secure future for our seniors, our children and grandchildren. Alberta Belongs to You – vote NDP.
mOnday, april 23rd, 2012 It’s your right, it’s your responsibility!