A trustee of the Red Deer Public School Board has announced her bid to run for the NDP candidacy in the upcoming federal election in the Red Deer-Mountain View riding.
Dianne Macaulay, a Red Deer resident for the last 25 years who previously lived in Bentley for 20 years, stated she optimistic about the upcoming nomination meeting for the NDP on Aug. 24th.
Macaulay has been a member of the NDP for two years. She explained during an interview with the Express how she was introduced to Premier Rachel Notley and recently elected NDP MLA and former Edmonton Public School Trustee Sarah Hoffman. Macaulay was actively involved in the provincial election, stating she helped both women with their campaigns.
“They introduced me to their policies and to their goals for the future of Canada and I just couldn’t say no, I said count me in, I’m on board,” said the NDP hopeful. “Between Rachel Notley and Sarah Hoffman – seeing their goals, their policies, and how they actually cared about Canadians, it was a no-brainer to join the NDP.
“After the smoke had settled from the provincial election I was contacted by a few of the elected people in Edmonton – they said how they were getting the ball rolling with the federal election and asked if I would be interested in putting my name forward.”
On her transition from school board to federal politics, Macaulay stated she felt it was a natural transition.
“When on school board you ask yourself, what is going to be best for the kids, now I want to ask what’s best for Canadians,” she explained. “I was always one of those parents who was reading the newspaper and policy platforms, seeing how federal politics will not only affect me and my kids but also my parents and my grand parents.
“I’ve always had an urge to help my community be the best it can be.”
She explained her process of submitting her candidacy papers has been an interesting one – one that started with talking to her family as she would be away from home more often. The next step was talking with the school board. If she is chosen as the NDP candidate for her riding she will then take a temporary leave from the board.
“Perhaps the most interesting time during the federal election thus far has been going door knocking – people seem to be living in fear,” said Macaulay on her campaign journey to date. “People are scared the NDP are going to ruin the province.
“Albertans spoke loud and clear in the provincial election – now as I’m door knocking I ask who residents supported and if it was NDP then we talk about the first steps in the federal election and if it was ‘no’ we talk about why.”
Macaulay stated she feels the people of Canada are the country’s greatest resource, adding if a party cares about the people it will show.
“We have to ask ourselves what we are doing for the people and are we helping low income families?” said Macaulay, adding she feels poverty is an important issue that is often overlooked on a federal scale. “Working in the school system I’ve seen child poverty first hand.
“Poverty is a vicious cycle and it affects generations – I see the need to help those people in our community.”
jswan@reddeerexpress.com
