Red Deer North NDP candidate Derrek Seelinger is ready to fight to protect public health care and public education.
“The NDP has always punched above its weight-class here in Alberta,” said Seelinger, 29.
“They are the only actual opposition to the (provincial) government. I like that.”
He said the NDP has always stood by its core values.
“They’re the only party that has said they will not privatize our education and they will not privatize health care,” said Seelinger, an equipment operator with the City of Red Deer whose duties include clearing snow and sanding roads in the winter and filling potholes in the spring.
NDP say they would add 1,500 new long-term care beds within the next two years so seniors get the care they need and hospital beds are available for those who need them.
Seelinger said workers do the best with what they’re given and it’s time for government to listen to front-line health care staff.
With the third-highest tuition in Canada, the NDP would cut post-secondary tuition in Alberta by 10 per cent and put a cap on non- instructional student fees. Instructional fees at elementary and secondary schools would be prohibited.
“It’s kind of sad to me that at this stage of Alberta’s prosperity that we actually have to fix things.”
Seelinger said social programs must be funded so people can exist with dignity.
Alberta also needs more Occupational Health and Safety inspectors to protect its workers, he said.
“We are the hardest working province. We work the hardest jobs and in most cases the most dangerous jobs.”
Seelinger is a member of the executive of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 417 and a representative on the Red Deer and District Labour Council.
He lives along Hwy 2A near Red Deer and would move back to Red Deer if elected.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com