With a focus on economic recovery, reducing crime, getting a new hospital for central Alberta and helping close some gaps in the legal system, family law paralegal, mediator and volunteer Ryan McDougall is the Alberta Party candidate for Red Deer South.

What policies are you looking to stress during this election?

“I think the Children’s First Plan, where we focus on the education piece of our children, making sure that the schools are properly funded to accommodate the population growth, and making sure the teachers are supported throughout the curriculum roll out. I think the most recent platform that was just rolled out is incredibly important, so many Albertans are looking for that economic recovery and the Alberta Party rolled out an aggressive policy to bring in the film and television industry into Alberta, as well as enticing head offices to plant themselves here and bring in a number of jobs…the hospital obviously is a huge concern for central Albertans, not only Red Deer, but surrounding areas. Up to 450,000 are served by that hospital, and the Alberta Party is committed to funding that project.”

What is something you are most proud of about your party?

The Alberta Party’s approach to governing is very solution focused. So we can come up with all kinds of policies and platforms that are going to serve Albertans, but they are so focused on doing what’s right for Albertans, if there is a good idea out there it doesn’t matter where it comes from. We are not focused on finger pointing or blaming. It’s, what is our situation right now? What are the issues we’re dealing with? Where do we need to go as a province, and let’s get there. So anybody who is going to bring information or ideas to the table that are implementable and we can make work, that’s fantastic, it doesn’t matter where it comes form. And that’s something I appreciate about the Alberta Party, it’s about making Alberta fantastic and doing what’s right for it.”

What is the area of expertise within your party?

“My area is in justice. I’ve worked as a family law paralegal and mediator with families for about 18 years, and I recognize that there is a huge gap in services. There are people who qualify for subsidizes for legal services, and then others who can afford the high prices of lawyers and retainer fees. And then there’s a huge portion of the population that has no access to legal assistance in any way, and I will be focusing on filling that gap, that’s something I’m passionate about. Families need those services and need accessible legal assistance, and that’s something I will be working on.”  

What is your attachment to this area?

“I moved here (Red Deer) in 1998. I raised both of my children here, one is 24, one is 20, and my youngest is in her third year at RDC. It’s a fantastic area and city to raise a family in. Their services they provide and the sense of community is just phenomenal.”