Progressive Conservative candidate Cal Dallas is hearing plenty about the importance of having good access to health care in his riding of Red Deer South.
From conversations he’s heard already on the campaign trail, people are interested in new initiatives for health-care access.
“They also want to talk about opportunities to continue to improve the time of access,” said Dallas, the incumbent.
Constituents are pleased three new schools will be coming to Red Deer, but they also want to talk about curriculum and opportunities to ensure learners are being well prepared for the future, Dallas said.
People also want to learn more about what is being done to enhance seniors’ care, he added.
Dallas said there’s excitement about the development of Covenant Health, the coming 100-bed continuing care centre in Clearview North. That centre will offer everything from assisted living to long-term care.
“This is one of the key discussion points; how do we develop seniors’ care so we don’t have to separate couples,” said Dallas.
He’s also hearing a lot about the economy and the opportunities for employment, and how schools and post-secondary institutions are meeting the skills for the new jobs that are emerging in Central Alberta.
“I am meeting constituents who are asking me about fiscal policies of the government and what we’re doing there,” said Dallas.
As the economy improves, choices will improve for the better when it comes to service levels, Dallas said.
Dallas was first elected as MLA on March 3, 2008, and last October, he became the minister of intergovernmental, international and aboriginal relations.
The 55-year-old has been married to Jackie for 31 years and they have two adult children. Prior to being elected he was executive director of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, and before that he worked in the printing and publishing industry for 25 years, including nine years as publisher of the Red Deer Express.
As an elected member, he served on a number of committees including the Cabinet Policy Committee on Resources and Environment. He also led the Youth Homelessness Review.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com