The New Democratic Party candidate running for the federal MP seat in Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner says she is hearing from residents they feel forgotten.
Jocelyn Johnson says she has heard residents the political dynamic leaves them feeling ignored and taken for granted; adding voters tell her they want change.
“After electing a Conservative year after year, they feel there has been nothing to show for it. No major investments. No big projects to boost the community. No visits from cabinet ministers. No big announcements in the community. No attention until their votes are needed,” Johnson says. “They want their voices to matter. I agree they deserve to be treated like the seat in this riding is in play every day.”
According to Johnson, this election is more than just about who will be the next Prime Minister, but about who gets ahead and who will fall behind. She says people across the riding have told her they want to be able to build a good life, be proud of our country, and contribute to our community. Voters are sharing they need their government to be on their side.
“People are worried. In addition to fear about what damage Donald Trump may do, I’m hearing a lot of concern about workers in our health and education sector leaving the profession or moving to other jurisdictions due to burnout, making it even harder to deal with understaffing.”
“Residents tell me they see our critical services being underfunded, leaving families waiting too long without the care and support they need. I’ve heard often how frustrated people are that they’re working harder, for longer hours, and not getting ahead, while big corporations keep turning higher profits without the benefits flowing to our communities.”
The cost of living and the pressures from inflation and interest rates have been what has turned a housing problem into a housing crisis. She says a lack of investment in affordable housing by past Conservative and Liberal governments has played a significant part in creating this issue.
“In fact, they’ve made massive cuts to housing programs. New Democrats were the first to call for the removal of GST on affordable homes and will support non-profit and co-op housing providers to build much-needed community housing. The NDP would leverage underused federal land to build affordable and below-market housing. This supply would help lower rent and make more homes affordable.”
Along with the plans to address housing, Johnson says the NDP will continue the work they did in the last parliament to make life more affordable and put money back into Canadians’ pockets.
“I support scrapping GST on basics, a price cap on essentials at the grocery store, expansion of dental care and prescription coverage, affordable housing support, and improved seniors’ benefits. It’s about tilting power in favour of working people, not billionaires.”
Other candidates running in the the Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner riding include Conservative Party candidate Glen Motz, Liberal Party candidate Tom Rooke and Green Party candidate Andy Shadrack.
