By Wayne Stetski,

NDP candidate for Kootenay-Columbia

Voters have had a lot of information and statistics sent their way this election, from all of the parties. But as you make your decision to vote, it is important to get back to basics.

You want your Member of Parliament to understand your values and your issues. I have spent my whole life in public service, and I have lived and worked in the Kootenays for 25 years. I appreciate your day-to-day challenges and understand your values. I will make a difference on your behalf and be your strong voice in Ottawa.

I am ready to listen. No letter or email or phone call will go unanswered. Every issue will get action. And every opportunity to recognize a constituent will be celebrated – one of the jobs of your MP is to make good people feel special.

It is also important that we restore Canada’s reputation on the world stage and build a better future for families, for seniors, for our youth, for First Nations and for businesses.

An NDP government will:

– Bring in a $15/day National Childcare Program;

– Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement to bring Seniors out of poverty;

– Repeal Bill C51, the Fear- Mongering Terrorist Bill that infringes on our privacy and   our freedom of expression;

– Repeal the anti-union legislation related to removing sick leave clauses and imposing unreasonable financial reporting conditions focused solely on unions;

– Create 40,000 new Apprenticeship and Co-op positions for youth;

– Negotiate and sign a new Health Accord with the provinces and territories (and actually meet together with Provincial and Territorial leaders) to ensure Universal Health Care continues;

– Ensure that we have a sustainable and healthy environment along with a sustainable economy and restore science based decision-making;

– Begin the transition to local green energy economies focused on solar, thermal, bio and wind energy;

– Use our armed forces to once again build countries up rather than tear them down, and treat our veterans with respect by restoring their services and their pensions;

– Bring in a proportional representation electoral system so that never again will any party be able to impose their will on Canada with only 39% of the vote;

– Undertake a National Enquiry on the Status of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and review and implement the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action.

We must do better – better representation in Ottawa and better service from your Member of Parliament. We need to build a better Kootenay-Columbia and a better Canada.

On October 19, let’s choose change in Kootenay-Columbia. Thank you for your support, and for caring about Canada!

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