It is now less than two weeks until Canadians head to the polls for the federal election.
Here are your choices in Jasper, as a part of the Yellowhead constituency, for who you can vote for on October 21 to be your new representative in parliament.
Who is Conservative Candidate Gerald Soroka?
Gerald Soroka is a third generation Yellowhead county resident and is proud of his roots in rural Alberta.
Gerald resides on a farm north of Evansburg on the original homestead his grandparents settled in 1930.
Having spent his life on his family鈥檚 farm, Gerald understands the importance of hard work. He
understands the issues facing farmers and rural Albertans because he is one.
Having served for almost 12 years as the Mayor of Yellowhead County, Gerald has experience finding solutions to rural issues. In addition, Gerald previously served as the Vice President and President of the West Central Forage Association, as well as the Vice President of the Alberta Forage Council.
As the former Mayor of Yellowhead County, Gerald understands how hard it can be for Albertans to get ahead without the government making it more difficult.
Gerald Soroka is running to champion the residents of Yellowhead.
To learn more about Gerald visit geraldsoroka.com or contact his campaign office at
[email protected] or 780 600-0171.
Angelena Satdeo is a multi-faceted artist, educator, academic and dedicated yogini who has had the honour of living in Canadian cities from Victoria to Quebec. This national exposure fostered a deep commitment and passion for the amelioration and upliftment of life in Canada for all Canadians.
The child of Guyanese immigrants, Angelena arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, as a six-month old baby. As a woman of colour, Angelena is cognizant of the challenges that come with being part of a marginalized or racialized group, and is a champion of the underdog. She is keen to help those who are often forgotten by mainstream political voices and determined to help create a better life for all Canadians.
Five years ago, she completed her Master's in Education from O.I.S.E. with a focus on Holistic Education. Upon completion, Angelena opened a plant based community home, yoga and meditation space in Edmonton. Her centre has provided affordable housing and mentorship for people of various backgrounds as well as art, yoga and music events.
Her vision for a green Canada is bold. Angelena is a devoted supporter of local food movements and organic farm practices.
As a rural riding, Yellowhead currently faces challenges including heavy rains, polluted lakes and a shortage of new and innovative industry.
Angelena would love to get green and integral energy projects moving in central Alberta, as well as cultivate and support the local zero waste movements. Alberta has a remarkable history with the land. Lets focus on soil rejuvenation and the abundance of farming possibilities.
By including the vital indigenous voices we are able to draw from a broader perspective and community and start new and powerful conversations, and truly create change for all.
Angelena believes the time is now to build an equitable, sustainable and prosperous economy.
Douglas Galavan is the second youngest from a large, farming family of six children and was raised in the rural Calmar area. He is educated as a Mechanical Engineer Technologist and moved to Drayton Valley in 1990, where he has been a business owner, operator for 29 years. Douglas and his wife, Christina of 32 years, have four grown children and have recently been blessed with a daughter-in law and two grandchildren.
While raising his family, he was involved in the community and all the children鈥檚 activities; sports, dance and theatre and has been running the Edmonton Screen Writer鈥檚 Group for the past five five years.
More recently, Douglas is one of the founding members of Rally Canada; a non-profit, non-
partisan, advocacy group that has been active in the Pro-Pipeline rallies and an instrumental part in facilitating the First Nations and Metis Groups of Alberta to help stop the Big Horn proposal last winter.
The main reason I鈥檓 running is that I can no longer stand by and watch as my town and community, other communities in the Yellowhead riding and in Alberta continue to face increased economic hardship under our current government鈥檚 policies. I intend to bring a much sharper focus on our economy and on much needed economic recovery in Yellowhead. I also have a plan to work with our provincial government counterparts, along with all municipalities in the riding, focusing on economic recovery while looking ahead to future economic planning and development to strengthen and expand the economies of these regions.
People should vote for me because, as a business owner for many years, I know that funds are finite and I know that these funds come from you, the taxpayer, and are too precious to waste. I realize that without a strong Alberta economy you can not expect people to support local businesses, to support things like tourism and to earn incomes to support the many public services necessary for all Canadians such as healthcare and education. It鈥檚 hard for Yellowheadians to plan a vacation to the mountains when you they can鈥檛 feed their families and are losing their homes.
Gordon Francey, retired Leading Seaman, a husband and father. My wife Josephine and I have two children ages six and eight. Like others before me, my father, his father, I signed on the dotted line and served 14 years in the Canadian Military both land and sea, Reserve and Regular forces. I was a member of a Lions CLub for over 15 years and volunteered for Habitat for humanity. I am currently employed in the Information Technology field.
I was asked why I chose to get involved with politics and specifically this party. The answer is really quite simple. I do this for both my children and yours. All children deserve a future where they can grow and learn and play without fear or prejudice. They are our future and it is our duty to not only protect that future but to ensure it will always be there for them. I have always been aware of politics throughout my life but never thought I would actively participate. As time went by I saw more and more broken promises by whoever was in power, always doing what benefited themselves and their reelection, never the people as a whole. All politicians need to be held accountable. For that to happen, something has to change. Whoever sites in Ottawa will never initiate that change, why would they? It doesn鈥檛 benefit them. Change can only happen when you look in a new direction. VCP is that new direction. I would be honoured to serve you faithfully and openly, with an open-door policy to hear your advice and concerns.
Jeremy Hoefsloot - LIBERAL
Cory Lystang - LIBERTARIAN
Kristine Bowman - NDP
All seven Yellowhead candidates were contacted for biographies and photographs for this feature. Some of these submitted bios have been shortened in length but not edited in any other way.
A federal election forum will take place at the Legion on October 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Confirmed so far to attend are the Conservative, PPC, Veterans Coalition Party of Canada and Libertarian candidates.
