Candidates vying for your votes in the upcoming federal election were grilled by Jasperites at a forum on Tuesday.
On the stand, from left to right, were Douglas Galavan from the People’s Party of Canada, NDP candidate Kristine Bowman, Liberal Jeremy Hoefsloot, the Conservatives’ Gerald Soroka and Gordon Francey from the Veterans Coalition Party of Canada.
The Libertarian candidate Cory Lystang and Angelena Satdeo, who is running for the Green Party, were unable to attend.
The five candidates introduced themselves to the room then were asked questions from the audience.
On environment vs economy
Q: We have to make environmental changes and grow the economy. If you had to choose, would you change environmental laws or get the economy higher?
Galavan: CO2 has never had anything to do with climate. This is about you in control of you. This has nothing to do with environment policy, we still have to have clean water and air. It has to be focused and meaningful. Why are we allowing raw sewage to come out of our pipes?
Bowman: With the NDP, energy can both bolster the economy as well as take on any environmental issues. We would like to make a change into green energy and that would provide hundreds, thousands, of jobs across Canada and lower carbon emissions.
Hoefsloot: In order to build a stronger economy, the environment has to be part of it. To protect the environment we need a strong economy. When we are talking about reaching zero emissions, that's going to cost a lot of money. Where is that money coming from? That’s the pipeline owned by the government. We are expecting $500 million a year going into those types of projects.
On women’s rights
Q: As a woman, I am concerned about what is happening with women’s rights in the US. What are your views in relation to choice with your body and aborttion legislation, pay equality, and equality in Canada?
Galavan: Pay equality, I’m not certain what that’s about because we have an open and fair markets. We don't have a stance on private members bills but have been talking about a ban at 24 weeks, third trimester at that point. They are just little Canadians at that point.
Q: What if they’re raped and don’t know they are pregnant?
Galavan: Now we have two victims. How’s that working for you? It's another victim at that point.
Soroka: I believe in equal pay for equal work. Abortion is a woman’s choice. We are not going to interfere or change legislation on a woman to decide what is best for her body.
Francey: Your body, you make the decision. The only time someone should step in is if they are mentally impaired, orr physically, and can't decide for themselves, but you should always be advised and included in the decision. If you can do a job as well as a guy can then you should get the same pay. In some professions, women are better than men, they have better motor control skills like they can be better welders.
On Jasper
Q: What are you going to do for Jasper? When are we going to see you here again?
Bowman: Yellowhead riding is big and vast but Jasper is my favourite place. Should I be your choice in this election it would be a lot of commuting but I would be looking at relocating from Edmonton to Jasper. All of my downtime would be spent here in the community, participating in events, getting to know you. It is a fantastic city and I would love to be able to enjoy it more.
Hoefsloot: If elected I would want to move here. Any excuse to live in Jasper. Part of the platform is to increase the national park percentage of land coverage of Canada up to 25 per cent. The park system has not been kind to a lot of people and created a crisis here. You can’t grow, can’t build up. If 25 per cent of Canada is Parks, redo those building codes so Jasper can grow organically. Win or lose, I will show up to Jasper Pride this year.
Soroka: I have many friends who are homosexuals, I have no problem coming to that. There are a couple of big issues, Parks Canada has control over the town and I would try to find autonomy for the town council. They would be not just adversaries but can make decisions. Also, making sure Whistlers gets open as soon as possible.
On local issues
Q: What is the biggest issue you see for Yellowhead at the fringe of your party’s platform and how would you advocate for it?
Bowman: Issues of the pipeline. Our leader came out saying he is against the pipeline. However for Alberta and the country’s economy, getting this project completed is very important.
Hoefsloot: Waste management. We have made the shocking discovery the last couple of years that we have been sorting trash and plastic recycling and it gets sent to countries across the globe. I would support a ban on shipping Canadian trash. When you recycle something in Jasper, it gets recycled.
Soroka: Affordable housing. I would make it a three-way, federal, provincial, municipal, making sure all have affordable housing access. It is already an issue but having that strong voice, making sure something will be done about it.
On the disadvantaged
Q: We have a labour shortage in the region. What will your party do to encourage disadvantaged groups to help more in the workforce?
Galavan: Pay them more. Free markets seem to be under assault. It’s a major problem that wage growth is nonexistent. We have this notion that we are not a capitalist country, that it’s a swear word or negative. It’s what built this nation. Let it work, it will do wonders.
Soroka: With Indigineous people we need to make sure they are educated properly. Make sure all have access to good paying jobs.When it comes to the disabled or any disadvantage we need to look att how we get them into the workplace. We had programs with employers in order to get them schools or training, nothing is more valuable. No one wants to be at home and nott contributing.
Francey: Education is a big part and we have to get the right job for the individual. Not all people are capable of working 40 hours a week. EI could help move people for work.
Election day is Monday, October 21.
From 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. vote at the multipurpose hall at Jasper Activity Centre.
For more information on voting visit or call 1-866-720-2250.
