Marcella Pedersen says her party is putting people before profits.
“I’ve taken the courage to stand up for poor people and the average Joe simply because Liberals and Conservatives support the rich, their friends and corporations.”
Marcella Pedersen is the New Democratic Party candidate in the Battlefords-Lloydminster riding. Pedersen is a reflexologist with a farming background in the Cut Knife area.
If elected, Pedersen says the NDP will create a one per cent wealth tax on people with a net worth of $20,000,000 or above.
“There’s too many loopholes and tax evasions that rich people are allowed to get away with. The wealth tax will create $70 billion over 10 years and it will go a long way to support all the services that are required in Canada.”
Pedersen says to tackle crime the government has to look at the root of the problem and provide more healthcare support as well as bring more jobs to communities.
“It’s about building bridges and what is causing rural crime. It’s poverty and addiction. So let’s get people employed and let’s get our health program implemented so that it’s covered from head to toe including mental health. What causes a lot of addictions is seeking money or getting rid of pain.”
Pedersen says she’s against pipelines and wants to see a greener economy. The NDP plan is to create 300,000 green jobs by retrofitting houses with more environmentally conscious systems to reduce emissions.
“If the green economy got as many subsidies as the oil and gas sector do there would be as many or more jobs with a green economy. Saskatchewan has the highest emissions per capita so we have to change,” says Pedersen. “If you change to a green economy you’re going to be saving money and that will make life more affordable in the long run.”
According to Pedersen, the carbon tax should not be falling on the backs of families and the NDP will not exempt massive corporate polluters.
One of Pedersen’s key points is to support the agriculture industry in the province.
“We’re going to protect supply management in future trade agreements. We will invest in farm communities so they will be able to respond to climate change and invest in public research and plant breeding so that it benefits the people and not the corporations.”
Pedersen says Indigenous issues have been overlooked and wants to build bridges with First Nations.
“I have seen no progress from either the Liberals or the Conservatives on Indigenous issues. It’s time that they were respected and given the dignity that they are entitled to. The NDP would implement the truth and reconciliation process. They need better housing, drinking water, jobs, quality health care and education.”
Pedersen is looking to meet as many people as possible in the riding and also plans to visit First Nation communities during her campaign. She is up against incumbent Tory MP Rosemarie Falk, Liberal Larry Ingram, the People’s Party of Canada Jason MacInnis and Green Party David Kim-Cragg on October 21.