Marlo Raynolds
Liberal Party
1. Tell us about yourself
I am a husband, father of two young children, soccer coach and longtime Albertan. I have worked in the energy sector for 20 years advising governments and large energy companies on how to profitably improve our environmental performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am a successful businessperson developing renewable energy projects across Canada with BluEarth Renewables, and the former executive director of the Pembina Institute, a nationally recognized energy and environment think-tank. I have a PhD in engineering (University of Alberta), and a Masters in management and leadership (McGill). Our family lives in a solar-powered home in Canmore.
2. Why should voters choose you?
When you cast your vote for me, you are choosing a progressive representative who knows how to build consensus, values engaging with constituents, and has the knowledge and capacity to influence decisions in Ottawa.
3. What issues are most vital to you?
It is critically important that we elect a government that governs for all Canadians with a focus on reviving our economy, protecting our environment, and restoring our democracy.
Under Harper, Canada has fallen into a second recession in less than a decade. To recover, we need to diversify our energy sector and tap into the rapidly growing markets and jobs in cleaner and more renewable energy sources.
Many middle class families are struggling and concerned about losing their jobs. We need a Canada Child Benefit that delivers more support for families in need, fairer taxes and an end to Harper’s tax breaks for the wealthy.
Harper’s centralized control of decisions has eroded public trust in our government and our democracy – a democracy that Canadians deeply value and have fought to protect. We need to rebuild this trust by genuinely engaging people in decisions. This starts with electoral reform, reducing partisanship, and ensuring local representatives have free votes and influence.
4. Why are you running?
I am running in this election to end Harper’s failures and ensure the people of Banff-Airdrie gain real influence in the next government – a Liberal government. Serving as your Member of Parliament, I will focus on reviving our economy, protecting our environment and restoring our democracy.
Blake Richards
Conservative Party
1. Tell us about yourself
I am running for re-election as the Conservative candidate for Banff-Airdrie in order to continue to serve constituents and our country on the issues that matter, such as keeping our economy strong and supporting Canadian families.
2. Why should voters choose you?
Since coming to office our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has focused on what matters to Canadians; such as lowering taxes and protecting and creating jobs. Canada has had one of the best job creation records in the G7, and created 1.2 million net new jobs.
In addition, our government has created new measures to support Canadian families. The Universal Child Care Benefit has been increased and expanded to include children aged six through seventeen, the Child Care Expense Deduction has been increased to $1,000 and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit has been doubled to $1,000.
3. What issues are most vital to you?
Another issue that is important to both myself and our riding is the preservation of our national parks. As such we have invested over $3 billion in our national parks improving highways, bridges and other important infrastructure. In Banff National Park alone, our government has recently invested over $160 million.
4. Why are you running?
I have served as the chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus for the past four years as we have implemented the Federal Tourism Strategy and seen tourism industry revenues grow to $88.5 Billion dollar per year.
For the past two years I have been recognized as the Best Constituency MP and Hardest Working MP. I have also had the privilege to serve as Chair of the House of Commons Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
It has been an honour to be your representative in Ottawa as a part of a strong Conservative government. If re-elected as your Member of Parliament, I will continue to work hard to serve you and represent your interests.
Mike MacDonald
Green Party
1. Tell us about yourself.
I moved to Calgary from the Maritimes in 1996. After a decade in Airdrie working for Airdrie Family Services, my family and I moved to the Cochrane area in 2009. About that time, I began working for Alberta Health Services as a children’s mental health consultant.
My wife Sharon, children Ceilidh and Ciaran, and I enjoy an outdoor lifestyle: climbing, hiking and kayaking, to name a few activities. I am an ultra-distance marathoner, completing in the 100km distance five times. I was ranked 28th in Canada in 2014 for the 100km distance.
2. Why should voters choose you?
I ran for the Green Party in 2011 and am running again – this time to win. Politics has changed in Alberta. We Albertans are a loyal bunch when it comes to party politics, but we’re not stupid. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…. Not this time.
3. What issues are most vital to you?
When they took office, Blake Richard’s Conservatives made lofty promises about the senate, transparency, parliamentary decorum and managing finances. They have failed in all areas. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has become increasingly closed, manipulative and controlling in his bid to maintain power. He has been caught telling outright lies on numerous occasions, even in the House of Commons.
Now Albertans have the chance to say, “Enough! We won’t believe the lies anymore.” The Conservatives have become arrogant and entitled.
4. Why are you running?
It’s time to try something new! I believe the Green Party offers the best option because it is focused on Canadians instead of party loyalties, ideologies and power. For Greens, it’s “People before power. People before politics. People before party.” Put me in Ottawa and you will have an MP who asks your views on what needs to be done, rather than an unresponsive MP who mails endless propaganda extolling the virtues of the expensive and secretive prime minister’s office.
Joanne Boissoneault
NDP
1. Tell us about yourself.
I am a parent, mother of three, an educator and teacher, and have worked with provincial and federal governments. I understand. I have effected change in the past and plan to do so again in bringing your voice to where it needs to be heard and where it matters.
2. Why should voters choose you?
I work as a member of a team. As an individual and team player, what I do is based on the platform of caring. It is really important for Albertans to elect MPs that will, and important for me to, voice their concerns in the government caucus and work as a team. Your voice, our voice, needs to be heard at the upper echelons and I promise you, it will be.
3. What issues are most vital to you?
Public trust is lacking in the current government and we need to build relationships with the First Nations population. Vital issues include problems with income splitting giving more to the wealthy and not fair representation of the middle class; loss of income for families; affordable quality childcare; minimum wage is too low and with prices rising, the cost of living rising and minimum wage stagnant, families with lower incomes have problems making ends meet.
4. Why are you running?
Harper is unduly influenced by business and corporations. The government must work with businesses, but not be overly influenced by corporations overseas. Harper has no balanced approach, he is extreme in his foreign policies, he is isolated in the world and cannot make friends. Harper will never work with others; however, the NDP will work together with all Canadians to do what is right in fairness and justice for all Albertans and Canadians. Let’s bring back fairness and justice and let me bring your concerns to the House of Commons.
