Moose Jaw - Lake Centre
Candidates:
Cecilia Melanson is the Liberal candidate for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan. With a background in graphic design and early childhood education, Melanson said she knows what it takes to connect and communicate with the people in her community. She was born in Ecuador and currently lives in Deer Valley with her family.
Melanson said climate change is one of the most important issues to her, and says that value is reflected in her riding. She said one of the biggest issued raised on the doorstep is what she would do as MP to better the economy in her riding.
“A strong economy comes from a strong middle class,” Melanson said. “They need more money in their pockets to save, to invest, to grow the economy. We will all benefit.”
She said she wants to ensure that the next generation of Canadians is given opportunities to succeed.
Tom Lukiwski is the Conservative candidate and incumbent MP for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan. He was born in Esterhazy and owned a small business before starting a career in politics. As a small business owner, he says he understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. He was first elected to the House in 2004 as the MP for Regina – Lumsden – Lake Centre.
He says the focus of his campaign in 2019 is affordability. Putting money back in the pockets of average Canadians is something he says resonated with the people in his riding. He pledges to scarp the carbon tax, lower the lowest tax bracket, increase the Seniors Age Credit and eliminate the GST on home heating and electricity.
I want [voters] to know that I’m accessible,” he said. “I’m the same person I was when I was elected in 2004; I’ve helped literally thousands of people. Yes I represent a political party and ideology but my mission is to help people.”
Lukiwski has lived in the Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan riding for over 20 years with his wife. The couple has two grown sons.
Talon Regent is the NDP candidate for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan. He is a lawyer with experience volunteering with the Human Rights Commission and provides free legal services to charities and people with low incomes.
He said as MP he would help put thousands of people to work in the renewable energy sector.
He said concerns over affordable housing and healthcare have been vocalized at the doorstep. He said he will help to produce 500,000 energy efficient homes to help first time homebuyers get into the housing market.
“I want people to know that I’m here, I am actively engaged in the community, I am a member of various charities, I’m actively involved in consultation with seniors associations, and I am present for you. Right now we see an absence of presence from our current Member of Parliament and I want people to know that I am going to be there representing them,” Regent said.
He said his skills as a lawyer will help him help each individual on a case by case basis, and being elected MP would only further his reach and ability to help the people in his riding.
Gillian Walker is the Green Party of Canada candidate for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan. They are an education student at the University of Saskatchewan. Walker identifies as transgender non-binary and uses gender neutral pronouns.
Walker previously graduated from mechanical engineering at the U of S in 2014, but decided to follow their true passion in education. Walker has a history as a STEM ambassador, and taught science lessons and ran camps in rural communities.
Walker is dedicated to the Green’s promise to invest in green transportation and energy. They also hope to expand healthcare for Queer people.
“The riding in itself is very large, we have many people from different backgrounds, we have many people living in cities we have many people living in rural places,” Walker said. “We have a huge population of diversity. And I think one reason I was drawn to this riding in particular is to sort of bring out some of that diversity of ideas and be someone that would speak for them in our parliament.”
Chey Craik is the People’s Party of Canada candidate for Moose Jaw – Lake Centre- Lanigan. He grew up on a farm near Moose Jaw, and working for almost 20 years in the rail industry. He currently works as a business owner and contractor.
He said voters have expressed to him that they are burdened by taxation. He said he would help to simplify the tax bracket system and raising the Person Exemption Limit. He said he wants to treat all Canadian as equals, regardless of demographic.
“I got into politics because I was so disenfranchised with Canadian politics in general, I just haven’t been happy with the way things have gone overall. I find that there’s too much corruption and fraudulent activity in Ottawa, I think I can be the voice of reason and I think we need that change.”
Craik has two children with his wife Corelie, and the family lives in Moose Jaw.
Electoral History:
Palliser: Moose Jaw-Lake Centre PC and NDP becoming Palliser won by NDP’s Dick Proctor 1997-2004. Conservatives Dave Batters 2004-2008 and Ray Boughen 2008 and 2011. Moose Jaw dominates riding while NDP strength went to Regina-Lewven. Blackstrap: The old version of Saskatoon-Humboldt was held by notable Otto Lang, Liberal cabinet minister, 1968-1979. In 1997 it became Blackstrap and Liberal incumbent Morris Bodnar lost to Allan Kerpan, Reform, who had held the now defunct Moose-Jaw-Lake Centre one term. Bodnar quit in 2000 and Lynne Yelich won big for Conservatives 2004-2011 and went to Saskatoon-Grasswood in 2015. Regina–Lumsden–Lake Centre: Regina Lake Centre had notable Les Benjamin 1968-1993, then, as Regina Lumsden, John Solomon NDP, who won in this riding in 1997 but lost in 2000 to Larry Spencer of Alliance. Spencer quit after a term and in 2004 the seat went to Conservative Tom Lukiwsk. Lukiwski was elected in 2015.
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