Students at Bonnyille Centralized High School were once again front-row spectators in the federal election campaign last Tuesday.
Lakeland New Democratic Party candidate Duane Zaraska was in town to take questions from students at the Lyle Victor Albert Centre. Zaraska, who has been a NDP member for the last 15 years, touched upon a number of hot button election issues, including the embattled energy sector.
“It was a pleasure to be here at BCHS,” said Zaraska. This election is not just about Duane, it's about the future of he country, and that's what sets me apart from the other candidates…I'm very compassionate about the people.”
Zaraksa is a regional vice-president with the Metis Nation of Alberta, serving as its regional and provincial councils and as VP of the Major Projects Group. He was recently appointed to the Aboriginal Planning and Advisory Committee, which provides recommendations to the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency.
With regard to his extensive involvement in aboriginal affairs, he outlined the NDP's plan to act on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The TRC is a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the Indian Residential Schools (IRS). The commission will document the truth of survivors, families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
He also touched upon the NDP's plan to kickstart the economy, reverse cuts to healthcare and education and environmental policy. The floor was then opened to students for a Q and A.
BCHS social teachers Julie Hutchison and Luke Nakonechny organized the sessions with all the Lakeland candidates. Conservative candidate Shannon Stubbs and Liberal candidate Garry Parenteau spoke with students the prior week. Libertarian candidate Robert Macfadzean is scheduled to speak with students on Oct. 5.
“They've got some very valid questions and very good concerns,” said Zaraska. “Their concerns are really no different than the rest of the constituents in the area, like I said the big ones being the economy and the environment.”
Some students shared their concern about the future of the energy sector, asking Zaraska what his party's stance is on pipelines.
“We are not against pipelines. We should be refining it here and getting the East-West pipeline going,” he said.
Zaraska added that there has to be more research done on each pipeline and there has to be consultation with aboriginal people and all stakeholders should have a say.
“I'm compassionate to those people that have lost their jobs and I feel for them and I've got friends themselves that have lost their jobs,” said Zaraska. “It is a great concern but had we diversified years ago when we had the opportunity we would not have people that are in the crisis that they are today.”
Another student asked Zaraska what diversifying the economy means, to which he responded by saying the NDP will diversify the economy by reaching out to small businesses, expanding on agriculture and regaining jobs lost in the manufacturing sector.
Zaraska spoke to a full house. Students and teachers packed the auditorium to hear what the NDP candidate had to say.
Grade 10 student Shawna Lee Bilodeau might not be voting age yet but thinks it is important for young people to participate in politics.
“It was great to hear in-person the points of view that you usually only read about,” said Bilodeau. “This is our country and we are in charge of how it's going to be dealt with in the future.”
“I've gotten a lot of support in a lot of communities,” said Zaraska, who feels positive about heading to the polls on Oct. 19.
“I think the big concern is change and that's why people are listening, because we need change.”
