logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Local NDP candidate in conservative country embracing the challenge
Alberta Politics, News
By Bob Covey
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Local NDP candidate in conservative country embracing the challenge

As a youngster, Guillaume Roy wanted to be mayor of the small town he grew up in.

“I’ve always liked to talk politics, share ideas and opinions,” said Roy, who grew up in Mascouche, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal. 

The 28-year-old will have no shortage of opportunities to engage in political discourse. On August 29, Roy was declared the federal candidate for the NDP in the riding of Yellowhead.

“It’s a nice journey for me,” said Roy, who moved to Jasper in 2019 and soon after landed a job with the local francophone association, the ACFA. “I’m learning a lot in a short time.”

One of the most valuable lessons he’s learned so far is just how grateful Jasperites are when they learn their candidate lives and works in their community.

“It’s been amazing to see people’s reaction to seeing a local person running,” he said.

Not that he’s expecting all his door-knocking to be received so pleasantly. Yellowhead is a riding that has been dominated by the conservative vote. Since it was created in 1979, the riding has never gone any other colour than blue: be it Progressive Conservative, Reform, Canadian Alliance or the current Conservative Party of Canada, since 1997, conservatives have never had less than 62 per cent of the ballot.

Yellowhead has been a conservative stronghold since its inception as a riding. // WIKIPEDIA

Roy, an apparent optimist, thinks that can change. To usher in that change, he believes voters need to be heard. He says he’s listening. 

“If I know why someone is voting like this then I can potentially reach them,” he said. “I want to understand where they are coming from, what their needs are and how we can help them make  up their mind differently.”

Roy said the NDP is the only party with a legitimate plan to meet the climate crisis head on.

“That’s my main concern right now,” he said.

Other pillars of his platform include addressing Indigenous communities’ needs and ensuring community services in rural areas are equitable.

“I want to see more services around rural areas,” he said, noting unreliable internet access and public transportation services are inexcusable in 2021.

Most voters will want to hear his ideas on those issues, he suggested. The other piece of his platform— transitioning the energy industry—might not be as easy to hear for Yellowhead voters. But that tough pill has to be swallowed, he said.

“If we start now to act and take those [oil and gas] subsidies to lower carbon initiatives we can help transition to other jobs that will help the planet,” he said. “The climate crisis is inevitable. Why don’t we start now instead of hitting the wall?”

Roy has voted for a variety of political parties in the 10 years since he became eligible to cast a ballot. A large part of what has drawn him to the NDP in 2021 is the party’s leader, Jagmeet Singh. Roy said as a visible minority, Singh is empathic. 

“This fact alone means he can better understand what minorities are feeling,” he said. “I think his vision of bringing all of us together as a community is what I want to fight for.”

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh // WAYNE POLK // CREATIVE COMMONS

Roy, who has been meeting with the NDP’s volunteer team in Yellowhead to create an awareness campaign for his candidacy, said his lack of experience in the political arena shouldn’t necessarily be construed as a liability.

“The Liberals and Conservatives have had their chance and they’ve broken promises,” he said. “I may not have political experience but I have a voice to speak up for the community.”

The federal election is September 20. Registered voters should receive a voter card in the mail by September 10, which they should bring, along with accepted identification, to make the voting process easier. If you don’t get a voter information card, use the online voter registration service at elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 for assistance.


Bob Covey //thejasperlocal@gmail.com

Articles You May LIke ›
BE VERRRRY AFRAID OF THE UCP’s 2019 BUDGET
Alberta Politics
BE VERRRRY AFRAID OF THE UCP’s 2019 BUDGET
Bob Covey 
Friday, November 1, 2019
Bob Covey // The Jasper Local Newspaper Fright night in Alberta came early this year. October 31 in Jasper had its fair share of ghosts and ghouls, bu...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Alberta Politics
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Mark Bradley 
Monday, September 1, 2025
Mark Hall’s reaction to my article on the newly legalized practice of hunting bears with dogs started with the statement that it ‘relies on emotional ...
this is a test
Green thumbs and jam
Community
Green thumbs and jam
Su Young-Leslie 
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
A gardener and a publisher walk into a Farmers’ Market I sow seeds in potting soil. When we were chatting at the market, Jasper Local publisher Andrea...
this is a test
In the mountains, STUFF happens
Hiking and Climbing
In the mountains, STUFF happens
David Harrap, guest contributor 
Friday, September 5, 2025
He passed us, not a care in the world as if he were strolling on a tropical beach. He wore running shoes and just a pair of shorts. It was hot, boilin...
this is a test
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Local Government
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Residents displaced by the 2024 wildfire can still participate in this October’s municipal election. And with voting booths opening in less than two m...
this is a test
Latest ›
Going to the Dogs: UCP legalizes hound hunting for black bears
Alberta Politics
Going to the Dogs: UCP legalizes hound hunting for black bears
Mark Bradley 
Thursday, August 21, 2025
In July, Todd Loewen, the Minister for Alberta’s Forestry and Parks, quietly updated provincial regulations to allow the use of dogs while hunting bla...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: The Land
Environment
Walking Through Fire: The Land
Kirsten Schmitten 
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Part 3: Seeing the forest floor through the trees In  Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. ...
this is a test
Jasper RCMP make stolen vehicle arrest
News
Jasper RCMP make stolen vehicle arrest
Monday, August 18, 2025
RCMP have charged a Jasper resident with possession of stolen property and dangerous driving. On August 17, Jasper RCMP received multiple reports of a...
this is a test
Jasper’s Mayor will run again in 2025
Alberta Politics
Jasper’s Mayor will run again in 2025
Bob Covey 
Friday, August 15, 2025
Richard Ireland has indicated his intent to run for mayor in Jasper again. The only mayor that the community has ever known filed his notice of intent...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Metis group to file injunction to stop caribou habitat clearcut

Alberta Politics, Environment, News

Most Read ›
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Alberta Politics
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Mark Bradley 
Monday, September 1, 2025
Mark Hall’s reaction to my article on the newly legalized practice of hunting bears with dogs started with the statement that it ‘relies on emotional ...
this is a test
Green thumbs and jam
Community
Green thumbs and jam
Su Young-Leslie 
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
A gardener and a publisher walk into a Farmers’ Market I sow seeds in potting soil. When we were chatting at the market, Jasper Local publisher Andrea...
this is a test
In the mountains, STUFF happens
Hiking and Climbing
In the mountains, STUFF happens
David Harrap, guest contributor 
Friday, September 5, 2025
He passed us, not a care in the world as if he were strolling on a tropical beach. He wore running shoes and just a pair of shorts. It was hot, boilin...
this is a test
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Local Government
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Residents displaced by the 2024 wildfire can still participate in this October’s municipal election. And with voting booths opening in less than two m...
this is a test
Latest ›
In the mountains, STUFF happens
Hiking and Climbing
In the mountains, STUFF happens
David Harrap, guest contributor 
Friday, September 5, 2025
He passed us, not a care in the world as if he were strolling on a tropical beach. He wore running shoes and just a pair of shorts. It was hot, boilin...
this is a test
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Local Government
Election 2025: Voting tools for residents
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Residents displaced by the 2024 wildfire can still participate in this October’s municipal election. And with voting booths opening in less than two m...
this is a test
Green thumbs and jam
Community
Green thumbs and jam
Su Young-Leslie 
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
A gardener and a publisher walk into a Farmers’ Market I sow seeds in potting soil. When we were chatting at the market, Jasper Local publisher Andrea...
this is a test
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Alberta Politics
Rebut the Rebuttal: Do Mark Hall’s criticisms ‘bear’ up to scrutiny?
Mark Bradley 
Monday, September 1, 2025
Mark Hall’s reaction to my article on the newly legalized practice of hunting bears with dogs started with the statement that it ‘relies on emotional ...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local