Yorkton This Week sent a list of ten questions to each of the five candidates running in the Yorkton-Melville riding in the 2019 Federal Election. Every day for ten days, we will post their answers. Yorkton-Melville heads to the polls on Oct. 21.
Why do you believe you are the right person to represent Yorkton-Melville federally?
Stacey Wiebe, Green Party:
I am the right person because I represent something new. Something that I believe can give all Canadians their best life. Not just a select few.
Carter Antoine, New Democratic Party:
I have lived in this province my whole life and it has always seemed to me that many of the politicians in Ottawa forget about us here in Saskatchewan. Like many voters, I am sick and tired of business as usual. I am running because I want to see change that will help the people that need it most. We have a fantastic, rich country with tons of potential and yet so many are struggling. If we choose to make something a priority, it can and will be done. I am the best person to represent Yorkton-Melville because not only do I understand the struggles most people are going through right now, but I've experienced a lot of them first hand. I will always put the people of Yorkton-Melville first. I see myself as a public servant, not a politician.
Connor Moen, Liberal Party:
I believe Yorkton-Melville deserves a strong progressive voice. We are the only party with a bold and feasible plan to tackle climate change while balancing the country's economic interests, especially for us in the West. A vote for me is a vote to defend liberal values in an election where there is a lot at stake: like the action needed on climate change now, the progress we have made on jobs and the economy, and the commitment to rural economic development (like rural broadband connectivity).
Ryan Schultz, People's Party of Canada:
I grew up in rural Saskatchewan. I've served as councillor in my community for 3 years. I've been to the SUMA conventions. Suma is the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. It’s a convention where councillors, reeves and mayors from all over Saskatchewan meet to learn about issues facing our communities and how to solve them. Its an excellent learning tool.
I've met with many community leaders from all over the province, including here in this district. They all face similar problems. They need money to upgrade landfills to comply with ever changing regulations, they need money for roads, sidewalks, underground pipe infrastructure. They're tired of keeping their fingers crossed, hoping the federal govt picks them to bestow grant money.
I can honestly say that without a doubt that I know more about issues facing these communities here than anyone else running.
Cathay Wagantall, Conservative:
I was raised in the riding along with my five siblings in Esterhazy where I met my husband Marty Wagantall. My life experiences that include: parents in eldercare; relatives with special needs; attending and working in the university and college environment; living through boom and bust times where we started and closed a business; raising three children; blessed with ten grand-children; managing budgets in our home, businesses and charitable church initiatives all contributed to the varied skill set I possess to represent the people of Yorkton-Melville.
It has been my honour and privilege to do so over the past four years and I believe that all the bumps and bruises, successes and blessings I have experienced through my life to date have prepared me well for the compassion and conviction that is required to successfully fulfill the duties of this job. I have deeply enjoyed every opportunity to meet with constituents, local governments, businesses and associations in the riding and in my office in Ottawa as well – connecting with stakeholders from grain growers to cattlemen, first responders to students, health professionals to seniors’ advocates.
I do my best to be in the riding somewhere almost every weekend break and have travelled the riding extensively during government break weeks, this past summer and now through the campaign to door knock, host Coffee Meet and Greets, Town Halls and participate in wonderful events that I am invited to attend. It’s a privilege I’d be honoured to continue as the Member of Parliament in the 43rd Canadian Parliament.
