Tim Robson/NDP candidate
For Tim Robson and the NDP, gaining Canadians’ trust is at the top of the priority list.
The father-of-two has worked in Wetaskiwin for 20 years as a self-employed insurance agent and before that, lived and worked in Edmonton.
Robson had run for parliament in 2004 as well as 2008 in the Wetaskiwin riding.
“I’m pleased and proud to be able to represent the NDP and that’s a big deal for me,” said Robson.
The main concerns that Robson noticed from the community in the Wetaskiwin riding is a lack of trust of government.
Robson cites numerous issues that have caused this, including the Afghan detainee scandal, MP Bev Oda and the proposed Jets by the Conservative Government.
“Where I live, after people lie to me, everything they say after that, I just hear,” said Robson in an interview in his basement office.
The other issue of tougher sentencing for criminals is also something that is quite high on the priority list for Robson and the NDP.
“Harper wants to put everybody in jail quicker, faster and longer,” said Robson. “It doesn’t work. Most of the people in jail are recidivists, they have been in jail before and it’s not a very effective policy.”
“People have been taught that they can’t trust the (Conservative) government and I think that’s why we’re having an election,” said Robson.
Although most of the issues with the Conservative Party’s policies don’t affect this particular region, Robson says that they have the ability to.
“It will only affect us locally here if they decide to build a new jail,” Robson said. “Is that a good thing? People would work, it would provide employment but again the whole environment of jails is not conducive to people not committing crime.”
Locally, the NDP is wanting to reduce credit card rates to 5% above prime. Debt and credit rates are something that is affecting local residents.
Robson and the NDP are also planning to protect pensions, something that is become increasingly important as the baby boomers age.
“If companies go broke, we want pensioners to be the first ones at the trough, not the last,” said Robson.
With the significant First Nations population in the area, the NDP is also looking at helping youth on reservations to avoid gangs and crime.
“We want to make it a very serious crime for people to promote membership in gangs,” said Robson.
Robson is proud of how far the Hobbema community has come with its cadet program as well.
“One very positive I think I see in Hobbema is the popularity of the cadet movement. They have one of the largest corps in Canada and it has been helpful reducing the participation in gangs,” said Robson.
The NDP is also planning on increasing funding for child welfare on reserves.
Above all, the main concern for the NDP is healthcare.
“The main thing that is my concern is the public, accessible and affordable healthcare for everyone in the area,” said Robson.