By EverythingGP

ELECTION 2019

RUSSELL, Todd (New Democratic Party)

Apr 9, 2019 | 1:55 PM

1. Why should eligible voters cast a ballot for you?

My name is Todd Russell and I moved to Grande Prairie in 2001 to work for the Grande Prairie Fire Department. In the 18 years I’ve been here I’ve put down roots in this community. I married my wonderful wife Frances and we’re raising 3 busy children. I’ve volunteered for many charities and even helped start a few like the Grande Prairie Pride Society and the Grande Prairie Firefighters Charitable Foundation. I am running for the NDP because of the core values that I share with Rachel Notley. I believe that if you want things to grow and produce, you invest in them. And when done well, the returns on those investments are far greater than the cost.

The best example is child poverty. Through challenging economic times, 44,000 kids were lifted out of poverty. These kids will do better in school, will be healthier and will grow up and contribute to the economy.

I am running because I am concerned about the changes in the oil and gas industry and the impacts they will have on my friends, neighbours, and my city. I want to make sure we are helping our oil and gas sector face the real challenges of the future, that we get the market access and pipeline capacity we need, and that we continue to add value by growing our very successful petrochemical diversification plan. We have a plan already underway to add 120,000 bpd of oil shipments within the year. That is exactly 120,000 bpd more then anyone else in this election and that will directly benefit families dependent on the oil and gas industry.

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2. If elected, what is the first thing you would want to accomplish?

If elected to represent Grande Prairie, I will continue to establish relationships and listen to the organization’s and people in our region to learn how the NDP can continue to fight for the families in our region.

If elected I want to implement our plan to increase employment, protect our public services and make life more affordable. I want to continue with Rachel Notley’s plan to invest in adding value added industries to our oil and gas sector. We have already seen this program work for us here in Grande Prairie with the arrival of Nauticol. I want to see Rachel Notley’s plan to cap childcare costs at $25 per day implemented.

Governing is about making choices. As your voice in government I want to make choices that will benefit you and not someone’s rich friends. I want our government to deliver quality public education and healthcare, continue building the infrastructure we need, work to increase worker’s pay and create better jobs for us. I will work to oppose Jason Kenney and his focus on cutting $4.5 billion from the services we count on to give to his rich corporate friends, his ideas to lower wages for workers and altering overtime provisions so workers lose out on overtime pay and his divisive politics of trying to divide Albertans based on fear and hate.