Andrew Lineker, Liberal Party of Canada
Age: 32
Occupation: RV dealership manager in Edmonton
Residence: Edmonton
Family: Single
Red Deer’s Liberal Party of Canada candidate who parachuted in from Edmonton says he’s ready to tackle the universal issues hitting Alberta communities.
“I don’t really notice a big difference between Red Deer and Edmonton. We all have the same problems — health care, the economy, the downturn in employment,” said Andrew Lineker, who ran for mayor in Edmonton’s 2010 municipal election and finished sixth out of seven candidates.
The only difference he’s found so far is how much easier it is to reach out to people in Red Deer compared to Edmonton. More Red Deerians are willing to stop and talk.
A candidate can run in only one riding at a time but does not need to be a registered elector or even reside in that riding.
Lineker said he’s looking forward to door knocking in the federal Red Deer riding and plans to keep the lines of communication open if elected.
“With politicians in general, the line of communication after an election comes to an end. I find it very difficult to get in touch with an MP myself,” the Liberal candidate said.
“I’d like to see an open-door policy where I speak to my constituents.”
As a member of Parliament, Lineker said he would return phone calls. He would visit his constituency more often and possibly promote community leagues to reach out to people in their own neighbourhoods.
He said constituents will determine how he votes in Parliament and will help to identify the issues that need to be addressed.
The Liberals’ plans to increase funding for medical research through its Canadian Brain Health Strategy, to develop new treatments and therapies for neurological disorders, is one of the reasons he decided to become a candidate.
“They’re offering $100 million — to start — in research and development into such things as multiple sclerosis, dementia and Parkinson’s.”
More focus on seniors care is also important, he said.
“We’re all going to end up being seniors one day and that’s something everyone seems to be missing.”
Stimulating the economy so Canadians are better off while they recover from the recession is another huge issue for the Liberals, he said.
“Once you help small businesses, they’ll take off and grow into larger businesses — more people working, more money in their pocket, more spending. It’s pretty simple logic.”
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com