Municipal governments are indeed the government closest to the people and that connection means that we ought to be the strongest voice for our citizens regardless of what jurisdiction certain issues lie in. Despite healthcare being in the provincial jurisdiction it is an obligatory role of Council’s to stand up to the province, and make it clear that what is going on and inequity in funding is unacceptable. The Red Deer City Council has done a fine job in advocating the need to deal with the issues that the Red Deer Regional Hospital has been and is facing.

However, Council’s efforts can’t stop there. We must continue to champion the ways in which Red Deer citizen’s quality of life can be improved. The carbon tax is hurting all of us and the vast majority of our people oppose it. The additional costs on our natural gas bills and fuel alone have impacted everyone. Even those at the low income level are having difficulty despite receiving rebates. Our city was built by, and is made up of, industrious forward thinking people willing to work hard, but we have been negatively impacted by various economic challenges over the last 2 and a half years. Our Council must stand up to the province on this front as well and be advocates for our people.

We must also stand up for the Red Deer College. At this time we are unfortunately losing very talented students to Calgary and Edmonton. The need for a polytechnic university is clear. We have Community demand and we are the largest centre in Western Canada without a degree-granting institution. Let us again be strong advocates for our students and our people.

Additionally, the massive small business changes that the Federal government is issuing will cripple our local small business men and women drastically. The entrepreneurial spirit over the last two and half years has been diminishing greatly. We, as Council, need to strongly oppose these changes and defend the small business owners of our community, who have sacrificed everything to get their businesses up and running. We, once again need to stand up and be an advocate for our people regardless of the jurisdiction legislation originates in.

Lastly, we need to address seniors housing and long term care. We need to be strong advocates to the provincial government to provide local solutions for the lack of capacity. As a future member of council I will be a strong advocate for any senior who wants to stay in their home, believing they should have the opportunity to do so. I will be a strong advocate for couples who should never be separated and I will serve the seniors of our community with the honour, respect, and dignity they deserve.

As a future council member, I will exhaust all avenues to promote what Red Deer citizens are needing and I will challenge every level of government to listen to the people and to act for the people. I will push to advance the initiatives that will ensure a healthy, prosperous, and supportive city that all of us deserve. I will be your voice and your advocate for all of the positive changes and endless opportunities that are possible for the City of Red Deer.

On October 16th please vote for Calvin Goulet-Jones