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By rdnewsNOW staff

city council byelection

Candidate profile: Calvin Yzerman

Apr 16, 2024 | 9:51 AM

This is a candidate profile for the April 22, 2024 Red Deer byelection.

All 10 candidates have been asked the same three questions, and were given a 600-word limit.

Responses are unedited for grammar and spelling, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of rdnewsNOW and Pattison Media.

Advance voting days are April 18, 19, and 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Byelection hours on April 22 are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more here.

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1. Why are you the right candidate?

This By-Election is a rather somber occasion for myself and many others in the community. No one can fill Michael Dawe’s shoes, I can only offer my unique perspective and strengths to the role and my commitment to serve to the best of my ability.

2. What personal priorities for the remainder of this council term do you want to highlight?

I feel that I can join City Council informed and ready to contribute.

I would support the good work that has gone into The City of Red Deer’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and help maintain a steady course until the next full election.

I am hopeful that all levels of Government can come together soon to solve the urgent need for more affordable housing. Non-profits, and private-sector housing providers can also play a role in developing innovative and sustainable housing projects.

Everyone wants a safe community and crime prevention is a top concern. I support Red Deer’s Annual Policing Plan. I was recently reminded by members of the Social Diversion Team to call 403-406-2200 if you see someone in need of non-emergency support.

Infrastructure and Utilities is one of those areas that City residents rely upon everyday. I feel that the City of Red Deer has a strong plan in place to address new and aging infrastructure. Spring road repairs could improve.

Our local Red Deer EMS Dispatch model was top notch and service suffered greatly when the Province consolidated EMS dispatch. I would strongly urge the Province to restore EMS dispatch to its former model.

3. To you, what makes Red Deer special?

Red Deer has been good to our family and has a lot going for it. Our choice location in Central Alberta along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway makes Red Deer an ideal hub to service the rest of Alberta and Western Canada. We are also fortunate to have a regional airport a short drive away that can help drive economic development. I remember when there was a daylliner that served Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton. I support initiatives to establish a safe modern high speed train service between Alberta’s major Cities. This will help reduce the traffic volume on the Queen Elizabeth Highway II. A connection to the Red Deer Regional Airport could be explored as well. Red Deer has such a diverse population and was designated as one of Canada’s first Cultural Capitals in 2003. I have been working closely with a group that would like to see a World Class Cultural Village in our City to boost tourism and to bring people together. A World Class Cultural Village could include a year-round indoor market, affordable housing for seniors , a daycare, a medical clinic and various social services among other things. If you are looking for someone who knows this City and its people, I am your choice. Thank you for taking the time to vote.

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