NDP’s Jocelyn Johnson makes first campaign visit to Medicine Hat

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Johnson was born in Oyen and grew up in Medicine Hat before leaving for university and a career in Edmonton, where she currently lives.

She said it is a challenge not living in the place that you hope to represent, but pointed out Smith, who represents Brooks-Medicine Hat as MLA, also doesn’t live in Medicine Hat.

Johnson said she believes she has more of a connection to the city than Smith does, and doesn’t think living outside of the city is any reason to not put her name forward.

Johnson delivers campaign signs with her niece and nephew to NDP supporters on Sunday. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

She delivered signs to residents across the city and participated in Saturday’s regular protest in front of Smith’s office.

The NDP candidate has also been listening to the riding’s residents.

Johnson said she’s been hearing a lot of concerns that are for the most part provincial jurisdiction, but with a federal component — such as post-secondary education, health care, staff retention, and under-funding.

She said there’s a lot of concern about what issues such as ongoing tariff threats mean for the economy in terms of resilience.

“That’s what I’m noticing in this election. People are really putting aside some of the ‘team sport’ kind of piece of politics,” she told CHAT News on Sunday.

“They’re really just looking at the issues. They’re looking at the values and they’re determining who they trust to represent them, who’s going to be the strongest voice for them,” she added.

“I know that New Democrats have done a very good job in many different examples, whether federally or provincially, of making very good use of the power that they have.”

Jocelyn Johnson. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Johnson said that whether it is in government or it’s as a minority, regardless of the number of seats, the NDP’s power can be used very wisely to get things done.

Polling projections currently predict the New Democratic Party dropping to six seats, from the 24 the party currently holds.

Johnson said she is not counting on results being consistent with what is being seen in polling, and said a campaign is about running regardless of what the polls say.

She said she also hears consistently in the community that people feel a bit forgotten, and that there’s not a lot of attention paid until it’s time to ask for their vote.

She said, to solve issues, it’s about investing in people — and that a lot of money can be saved down the road by making sure that people have what they need to succeed.

“We need to look after our communities and our public services. We need to make sure public services are there to meet people’s needs,” Johnson said.

“We need to make sure that we’re the champions of our communities. And we’re constantly promoting the innovation, the entrepreneurship,” she added.

“We’re a very young, educated, hardworking community. And there’s no reason why we can’t have top level prosperity.”

Johnson said despite trade tariff threats, the city is very resilient.

She said it’s important to her that Medicine Hat is constantly promoting what it’s got for strength in the community.

Johnson said practical policies should be the focus, so that people can raise their family, be proud of their country, and invest back into their community.

“We need cheerleaders, not somebody who’s punching down,” she said.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

NDP’s Jocelyn Johnson makes first campaign visit to Medicine Hat

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