By rdnewsNOW

Red Deer-North

Vicky Bayford: Independence Party of Alberta

May 12, 2023 | 11:59 AM

Hello readers,

Each candidate from the four constituencies we are covering this election season have been issued the same questionnaire. This candidate’s biography and their answers can be found below. Our questionnaire had a limit of 500 words, and the bio 150. A / at the end indicates they went over.

The opinions and thoughts expressed by each candidate are their own, and are not endorsed by rdnewsNOW.

For more Alberta Election 2023 coverage, visit our dedicated Alberta Votes page.

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Biography

I am a born and raised (4th generation) Alberta woman.  I grew up primarily in Calgary, but last year I decided to make a change and moved to the beautiful town of Innisfail. I raised my two sons as a single mom for many years and grew a career as a respected Regulatory Expert in the Oil & Gas Industry.

I volunteered for 10 years with Bow Ridge Little League while my son was playing ball.  I have always tried to be involved in the communities I have lived in and participate as much as time would allow. In my late 30’s I decided to do something for myself and I took up Latin Dancing in Calgary.  I joined teams and volunteered with both my dance groups, helping them organize events, coordinated volunteers and helped out administratively.

I have always been a strong support person and enjoy helping people learn. /

Questions

1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?

I made my decision to run as a candidate because I know the people of Alberta (in particular the people of Red Deer North) need a voice in the legislature.  They are looking for a representative  that will take their calls, listen to their concerns, and collaborate with the community and come up with solutions that represent them.  I personally was tired of being ignored by my MLA and I know that I can do better.

2. Why should constituents vote for you? What skillsets and experience do you have that make you a good fit for the role of MLA?

I am a person that sees things through and gets things done.  I have worked in the Oil & Gas industry for 25 years and for the last 15 years in the Regulatory field.  A big part of my responsibility was to come up with processes to ensure that the companies I represented understood the regulations, knew what their role in compliance was, and reporting the information required back to regulatory bodies and my co-workers.  I am an administrator, a strong communicator and I like to research.  These skills have helped me help others for a very long time.  I was an active member on the board of directors for the past 3 years for the party.  I had many roles and helped build the party alongside many other hardworking volunteers. I want to bring a voice to this community with community driven solutions into the legislature.  There is no party whip and I have no party line to tow.

3. From your perspective, what are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?

Cost of Living, Healthcare and Education.  What I have heard specifically from constituents in the Red Deer North and seems to be a very big concern, next to cost of living increases, is the increase in crime.  As a MLA, I want to help make Red Deer a place where families feel safe and they feel supported by the justice system, whether it be police or justices and that these forces are working for the people.

4. What is your main message to voters, especially those who may be undecided?

Vote for a person that will represent you and work for you. We need more balance in the legislature and when we are voting in people who work with a goal in mind, instead of a party line, we can influence change.  We can start making the changes that are in the best interest of the citizens. My goal is to find good and collaborative solutions to bring forward and create lasting change in this province and standing up to the federal government’s overreach and moving towards an independent Alberta with our own constitution that is made by Albertans for Albertans. Let’s start with cleaning out the bureaucracies and getting more of our budgeted money to the frontline.  Create policies that put the decision making in the hands of the community. Decentralize services so they can better serve the needs of the communities they work for, such as health care, education and justice. Nothing changes if nothing changes.