Straight up: We asked, some answered.

Alberta Politics, Federal politics, Local Government, News

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Straight up: We asked, some answered.

Yellowhead’s federal election candidates answer 7 Questions about their 2025 campaign in their own (typed) words

Editor’s Note: The Jasper Local reached out to the three mainstream candidates running for political office in Yellowhead. We are presenting the campaign teams’ answers in the order we received them. We did not reach out to all candidates.

Michael Fark, LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA

Question 1

Please describe why you were compelled to run for public office and why you believe you are the right person for the job.

Throughout my career, and particularly in these last 8 months in Jasper, I’ve seen the consequences of when politicians make decisions that are disconnected from the needs of people and communities. There is a clear need for a higher degree of accountability from decision makers, where they understand the consequences of policy decisions and how they are implemented. Look at the track record of the work I have done over the last 25 years. I have consistently worked to support populations in crisis and led initiatives intended to build community. I bring competence and a commitment to do the work.

Question 2

In a riding as large and economically diverse as Yellowhead, on what issues do you hope to find common ground between constituents?

Across Yellowhead, we have many things in common: the need for strong infrastructure connecting our resources and communities, the value of robust healthcare and education, the need to address housing and affordability and the understanding that we must care for and steward our environment.

Beyond these common issues, a consistent theme from all areas of the riding is the desire for accountable representation and a focus on what brings us together rather than what divides us. I believe that by being accountable, being available and following through on my commitment to work hard, I can work to reduce the divisiveness we see in the political sphere.

Question 3
What are your top campaign priorities and can you demonstrate a strategy to achieve them?

With a short word limit, I’ll focus on how I’d tackle one of my priorities: Housing and affordability. I’ve delivered on housing initiatives in both Canmore and Jasper, dealing with provincial and federal programs and regulations. Carney has released a comprehensive housing plan that I believe will be effective at efficiently delivering housing that is appropriate and attainable for various life-stages and needs. The policy has innovative construction methods, as well as the federal government becoming directly involved in housing construction for the first time in over 50 years. Regarding affordability, I support a progressive taxation model that reduces the burden on the middle class and ensures the highest tax bracket pays their fair share.

Question 4
Where do you stand on Canadian institutions such as our national parks and the CBC? Should they be strengthened, stripped down, or reimagined entirely?

Publicly owned institutions that serve common interests are not businesses: they are services that should be robustly supported and stewarded. Parks Canada, for example, provides significant value to collective environmental and social wellbeing. I support continued strategic investment in Parks Canada.

The CBC is a cultural touch point for Canadians, as well as an important component of independent journalism. I unequivocally support the CBC and believe we need policy and regulation to strengthen locally owned journalism to combat the advancement of foreign owned media and disinformation.

Question 5
When it comes to Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, what are the strengths to build upon and what needs to change?

At a time when democracy is globally under threat, it’s important to remember we have strong democratic institutions and shared values. While other parties have adopted a message that we are divided and broken, I do not see it that way. Yes, we have complex issues and challenges that require hard work to find solutions, and this will require change and adaptation. That is exactly why I am running to be at the table and bring representation for rural Alberta.

Question 6

How do you describe your own leadership attributes and how do you see yourself using those qualities to make a difference for Yellowhead, should you be elected?

Leadership is the responsibility to create the conditions for those around you to be successful. In terms of how this applies to the local and national threats we face: I have spent over 25 years dealing with difficult governments and have a high degree of experience when it comes to negotiations and crisis management. The threats from the various administrations, international and national, are real and cannot be ignored. I have every intention of leveraging the position of MP to drive forward strong and effective policy that enables Yellowhead to diversify its trading partners and protect our interests.

Question 7

Feel free to sum up your pitch to Jasper Local readers why you and your party are best suited to represent Yellowhead in the House of Commons.

Jasper: there is an opportunity now for real and accountable federal representation. There are competing visions for how we need to move forward. What I offer you is a vision of unity and a dedication to find solutions and do the work. The path to achieve this is realistic. It requires that you and everyone else gets out and votes, because every single vote will matter for us to achieve this reality.

Avni Soma, NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA

Question 1

Please describe why you were compelled to run for public office and why you believe you are the right person for the job.

I’ve been door-knocking across Yellowhead for over seven months because this large riding requires time and effort to ensure rural Albertan voices are heard and represented. My immigrant father’s words when I told him I was going to run in politics: “well, at least you won’t get killed here”. This inspired me, reminding me of Canada’s democratic privilege, and appreciation for our multi-party system. As a scientist, entrepreneur, and mother, I’ve built Farm Box, connecting farmers to families, and launched school food programs. My experience in food systems, policy advising, and community-building equips me to fight for health care, affordability, and sustainability.

Question 2

In a riding as large and economically diverse as Yellowhead, on what issues do you hope to find common ground between constituents?

Health care is the top concern I hear across Yellowhead. From Jasper to Edson, from patients to paramedics, people are angry and scared. Watching ERs close, services degraded, and a provincial party continually putting privatization and profits ahead of care. I’m running for the party that created universal health care and is fighting to protect it. The NDP will enforce the Canada Health Act, expand dental and phamacare, and has committed to everyone having a family doctor by 2030.

Question 3

What are your top campaign priorities and can you demonstrate a strategy to achieve them?

My priority is to build relationships rooted in compassion and care and learn from the shared values that unite us. This is a continuation of the principals that drove both my private and public sector work over the past 15 years. With Farm Box, I built a business model rooted in local relationships, shortening supply chains between farmers in AB and BC and families in the Bow Valley. We showed that you could treat farmers fairly, provide good jobs for employees, and respect the environment, all while building a successful and sustainable business. Relationships are key to building a resilient local economy.

Question 4

Where do you stand on Canadian institutions such as our national parks and the CBC? Should they be strengthened, stripped down, or reimagined entirely?

Our national parks and CBC are foundational to Canadian identity. Both must be strengthened and protected. Parks require increased investment to balance ecological integrity with sustainable visitation, ensuring future generations enjoy them. The CBC needs reliable funding to maintain independence, quality journalism, and culturally relevant programming. However, both institutions must adapt thoughtfully prioritizing Indigenous voices and local representation. Reimagining doesn’t mean weakening; it means enhancing relevance, accessibility, and sustainability for all Canadians.

Question 5

When it comes to Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, what are the strengths to build upon and what needs to change?

I’ve met so many households over the past 7 months where one person votes conservative, and the other votes NDP. And yet these people live together, raise families together, eat dinner together, they make it work. They make it work based on shared values, compassion, and care. That spirit of care is exactly what we need between different levels of government, and on parliament hill. We must resist the pull of divisive rhetoric and instead choose leadership grounded in empathy, kindness, and a grassroots understanding of people’s lives. Politics should unite us around common values, not drive us apart.

Question 6

How do you describe your own leadership attributes and how do you see yourself using those qualities to make a difference for Yellowhead, should you be elected?

I’ve been campaigning longer than anyone else and I’m committed to continue to build relationships with all areas of Yellowhead regardless of what happens April 28th. That perseverance is critical to bringing strong representation to Ottawa and holding our elected leaders to account.

Question 7

Feel free to sum up your pitch to Jasper Local readers why you and your party are best suited to represent Yellowhead in the House of Commons.

Yellowhead deserves better representation by someone who listens deeply, understands rural challenges, and has proven experience creating community driven change. The NDP offers bold, practical policies to strengthen healthcare, build affordable housing, grow resilient local economies, and take real climate action supporting farmers and families. I’ve seen that if your vote is taken for granted, so will your representation. Let’s send a strong voice, and a message, to Ottawa, by being the first federal Alberta rural riding to go Orange!

Screenshot from William Stevenson campaign website

William Stevenson, CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA

Mr. Stevenson’s campaign team did not respond to an emailed request sent to the address listed on his campaign website, nor to two emails sent to the Yellowhead Conservative EDA email address. The Jasper Local called the phone number listed online but received a “this voicemail inbox is full” auto-response.