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By rdnewsNOW

Innisfail-Sylvan Lake

Jason Heistad: New Democratic Party

May 16, 2023 | 2:56 PM

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.

Biography

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Jason Heistad is a four-term Innisfail town councillor with a proven track record of public service in western Canada. As a former Recruitment Officer for Olds College, Jason understands the important role colleges play in building a resilient economy in rural Alberta.

Jason co-founded the Innisfail Welcoming and Inclusive Community Committee, is a board member for the Public Service Pension Plan, and volunteers with his church. He also volunteered for the Keep Michener Open campaign to protect residents with developmental disabilities.

Jason lives in Innisfail with his wife where they raised three daughters: a teacher, nurse and volunteer firefighter.

Questions

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

I chose to run in this election because, over the past four years, I’ve seen how the government’s decisions impact the community I love. I’ve seen how over the last few years, Danielle Smith’s cuts to our health care have left so many people in our community without a family doctor, how underfunding innovation in our energy sector means we have fewer good-paying jobs, and how the UCP removing the caps on utility bills and automobile insurance has made our costs go through the roof.

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?

What I bring to the table is a life-long love for this community, which I’ve called home for 38 years. I’ve also spent many years serving the people in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, having been a city councillor in Innisfail for more than 11 years. I also co-founded the Innisfail Welcoming and Inclusive Community Committee, where I see how our community works together to create an environment that people want to be a part of. I’m ready to work for the people who live here and ensure their voices are represented in Edmonton.

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

The issues that I hear the most when I’m talking to people in Innisfail-Sylvan Lake are that they’re not able to get a family doctor, they’re worried about how quickly their bills are going up, and they want to make sure their kids and grandkids are getting the best education possible. I think that these concerns reflect what we’re hearing all across Alberta.

That’s why the Alberta NDP has done our homework and a plan to get a million Albertans primary care so that when you need care, you’ll get it. We also would bring back the caps on utility bills and automobile insurance that the UCP got rid of – driving costs up. We’ll also hire more teachers and educational support staff, so our kids can get more help in the classroom. The Alberta NDP will do this without raising income taxes because we know that Albertans shouldn’t be bogged down with higher costs when times are tough.

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

This election is pivotal for our future as a province, so it’s vital that everyone gets out to vote. The things that make Alberta great are at risk. Our health care has been reduced to rubble and needs to be uplifted, not ridiculed. Our education system is bursting at the seams. Our kids are in classes that are too big, so they aren’t getting the attention they need to grow and develop. Costs are soaring, and people need a government that will get them some relief. It’s time for change, so we can create the future Albertans deserve.