Former Town of Smoky Lake Coun. Therese Taschuk will represent the NDP in the Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock constituency in the upcoming provincial election.
The race to represent the new Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock riding in the upcoming provincial election became more crowded as former Town of Smoky Lake Coun. Therese Taschuk has thrown her hat into the ring for the New Democrats.
Taschuk was acclaimed as the NDP candidate at the party’s constituency meeting March 17 in Clyde.
Taschuk said she is enthusiastic to wear the NDP colours going into an election that could be called any day.
“I was a town councillor for the Town of Smoky Lake for six years and prior to that I was a union activist. I’ve been an education employee for 25 years, so my involvement with politics is long, just at different levels,” she said.
Taschuk joins the race that already includes current Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken for the United Conservative party, R.F. Staples principal Wayne Rufiange for the Alberta Party and Alberta Independence Party candidate Buster Malcolm, from Rochester.
Born in Munchenstein, Switzerland, Taschuk moved to Canada with her family in 1963, settling in Alberta just a year later. Her father worked in foundries and factories, while her mother was a hairdresser. The family soon bought a farm near Bellis, a hamlet located in Smoky Lake County.
Before opening her day home in 2007, Taschuk worked for Aspen View Public Schools as a custodian, educational assistant and a pre-school instructor.
As a life-long social activist, Taschuk takes pride in defending the rights of others and working to make her community a welcoming place for all.
Education will also be a definite focus.
“This is a very important election. This is about choosing a better life for families and for all Albertans,” she said.
“I believe that (Premier) Rachel Notley and the New Democrats are doing a great job for everyone in Alberta. In the four years she’s been in power we have modernized 244 schools and hired over 4,000 teachers.
“Another thing that is very important to many is stabilized funding for rural communities, making sure there’s enough money for the RCMP to do what they need to do as much crime prevention as possible.”
Notley has until May 3 to drop the writ, which will be followed by a 28-day campaign period, in accordance with fixed election rules. The election must be held before the end of May.
“I’m really excited and passionate about this,” said Taschuk.
