NDP leader Rachel Notley gave the leaders’ debate the ‘wow’ factor, says Hannah Schlamp, the party’s candidate for the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
“I was so proud of Rachel,” said Schlamp “She really drove it home.”
Schlamp believes Notley succeeds a long line of NDP politicians who deliver what they preach.
“They are honest and trustworthy and set a good example in government.”
The 19-year-old University of Alberta student is a native of Edmonton majoring in Spanish with political science as a minor.
She is a city girl, but has family connections in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
“I have family in this riding and I really believe in the NDPs,” she said. “After 44 years we definitely need a change.”
Schlamp likes the NDPs plan to freeze taxes for Albertans who make up to $125,000 and then increase them on a sliding scale depending on the individual’s income. She believes increasing corporate tax from 10 to 12 per cent is a good thing.
“Corporations need to be paying their share,” she said. Schlamp said the education picture has to change.
She noted the current budget does not allow for funding for additional teachers, even though 12,000 new students are expected in schools throughout Alberta. She sees this as resulting in overcrowded classrooms, affecting the quality of edu- cation for the young people.
“A kindergarten class with 28 students. That would be awful. A regular teacher can’t handle that.”
Schlamp sees health care in dire need of a shake up, with new hospitals needed and more help for seniors whom she said will experience a $50 million cut in their drug plan under the guidelines of the new budget.
She is excited about the NDPs’ vision of providing a job creation tax credit.
Schlamp said she plans to be in the riding soon to deliver signs.