Adele Poratto has announced she will be running for the nomination race of the United Conservative Party of Alberta for the constituency in Red Deer-South.
Poratto ran back in 2007, and thought it was time to run again.
“I had been thinking about it for some time. I’ve been living in the community for 22 years and I believe I’ve used some elbow grease and put some social capital into this community,” she said.
She added that she’s been involved on 20 different boards in Red Deer and seven within Central Alberta, which range from the Community Housing Advisory to the Mayor’s Task Force on Ending Homelessness.
“I thought it’s time to speak out for what’s happening with the government right now. I find it is not transparent.”
Originally from Ontario, Poratto said her purpose is building the community through partnership, commitment and community service.
“I want to bring the voice of the people of my riding to the forefront of our provincial legislative democracy by representing them as a member.”
And Poratto said she isn’t one for standing on the sidelines.
“When I first moved to Red Deer the first thing I did was to get involved with finding the right school for my children and a church and getting involved with the service clubs.”
She also got involved with a political campaign right away with her kids going door-knocking.
“I said if we’re going to be part of this community, we have to feel the heart of it and find out what’s going on, so let’s get involved,” she said.
Politics has been something that has been part of Poratto’s DNA as her father was a politician, so her and her siblings served with him, putting up posters and hosting VIPs in their home.
Currently, Poratto is a decorator, event planner, French tutor and a teacher. She also officiates weddings.
“I really believe in the grassroots. Government starts at the bottom where we have to listen to what the people have to say. The governing that most affects our everyday lives happens right at the grassroots of government,” she said.
When it comes to what she wants to see for Red Deer, she believes it’s a proven fact that the more involved and active parents are with their children, the greater chance for success.
“We all know that parents are the most important educators, and for this government that wants to bring in Bill 24 and things like that, that has to change.
“We have children because we care and we want to be part of their lives; we don’t want the government to tell us how to raise our children and how they should conduct themselves at school, et cetera.”
The crime rate, the hospital and the energy sector are also things she wants to look into improving.
“The other three things I really stand for in my heart are for the freedoms that we have here in this democracy; the freedom of religion, freedom of rights and freedom of speech.
“We’re all different and we all have our say, but we can’t put each other down. We need to work together cohesively and make this a better place.”
Poratto currently resides in Red Deer with her husband and has five children and 10 grandchildren.
