Michelle Baer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

michelle baer

NDP names official candidate for Red Deer-South in 2023 election

Jun 18, 2022 | 8:35 PM

Michelle Baer, the City of Red Deer’s solicitor, will be the Alberta NDP’s candidate in Red Deer-South when the next election is called.

That is scheduled for spring 2023. Currently, Red Deer-South is held by the UCP’s Jason Stephan.

From 2015-2019, the NDP held the constituency, with Barb Miller winning the seat in the NDP’s first provincial win in decades. Miller and Kyle Johnston’s were Baer’s fellow candidates this time around, though vote tallies from the selection meeting in Red Deer on Saturday are not being released.

The NDP tell rdnewsNOW, however, that over 1,100 members voted.

“Red Deer is a very unique and special place, and I am so grateful that this community has put their faith in me to be their representative in the next election. Red Deer is the third largest city in the province, yet is often stuck between being considered a ‘big city’ or a rural area,” says Baer.

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“Being a city stuck in the middle, Red Deer has been facing a lot of delays in key decisions under this current government and we need support. The Red Deer Regional Hospital, as an example, is on the verge of critical failure. We need to repair the relationship between the government and healthcare professionals, and I believe Rachel Notely will do that.”

Baer has been the City of Red Deer’s top legal advisor for 11 years, managing the legal and legislative departments as well. A lawyer by trade, Baer was previously part of a private practice at Chapman Reibeek LLP.

The City told rdnewsNOW in May that until a provincial election is called, Baer is permitted to remain in her position as solicitor. If elected, policy says she would have to resign.

A release also notes that since 2015, Baer has volunteered time to sponsor refugees and support newcomers to Canada. So far, Baer has organized the sponsorship of two families.

“Parents and teachers in my community are not happy with the proposed curriculum from the UCP. I’m proud to be joining Alberta’s NDP who have committed to reversing the curriculum in its entirety,” says Baer.

“Others in my community are talking about the struggles they have with the skyrocketing monthly costs. I’m proud to be joining Alberta’s NDP who have a plan to keep more of their money in their pocket.”

A date is not yet known for when the NDP will select their candidate for Red Deer-North.