"It’s time to heed our military commanders by increasing our commitment to Afghanistan, and it’s time to protect the American people by taking the fight to al Qaeda."

"Some have suggested that with my military background it’s strange that I would seek a nomination with the NDP. That of course is nonsense. I want to tell you that I have seen more than my fair share of suffering over the years. And whether it’s the suffering of Eastern Europeans caught in a war or the suffering of working Albertan’s trying to find even a scrap of Eddie’s so called “Alberta Advantage” - the real enemies are the vested interests that control our economy and are served by our government.

We are working people. We are the people that build and service the economic engine of our province and of the country for that matter. Simply put, Brian Mason and the Alberta NDP are on our side. The Conservatives have never been on our side and the Liberals these days are no better. The Tories and the Liberals are both paying the piper. Both Stelmach and Taft are on the side of big oil companies and other large corporations that make huge contributions to both of their parties.

Whether we talk about fair rents, affordable housing, protecting the environment or allowing our seniors to live in dignity at home I have watched the Liberals and the Conservatives stick up for their friends and donors in corporate boardrooms." - Mel Kraley, nomination speech, January 13, 2008, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (Alberta NDP)

 

Full Speech:

 

Good evening Brothers & Sisters, members and guests.

I am honoured by your support and humbled by the responsibility you have given me this evening. I don’t plan to speak for a long period tonight. Those that know me know that I would rather be doing something about a problem rather than talking about the problem.

But we do have problems in this province; provincial problems that manifest themselves in this constituency more than any other constituency in Alberta.

So please allow me a few minutes to discuss what I think we need to do to correct these problems and, in fairness to you, a few minutes to tell you about myself, why I was driven to political activism and why I need your help.

Like many working people, I have done a number of stints here in Fort McMurray over the years, plying my trade as a journeyman electrician. For the past year I have resided in Fort McMurray full time as an Assistant Business Manager with the Electrical Workers Union. My partner, Joyce, won’t like to hear me say I’m a resident of our fair town…she and my three wonderful step-kids reside in Gibbons along with some of my belongings. Occasionally I am able to join them there for a weekend but not often enough. I’m sure my union brothers and sisters here tonight can all attest to the never ending work load of trying to represent working people here in 21st century Alberta.

I am currently heading up an IBEW initiative called “Helmets to Hardhats” offering our servicemen and women an opportunity to enter the electrical trades after leaving the service.

But enough about me for now, I hope we all have many opportunities to get to know each other better over the coming months as we join together to try and provide working people and working families the kind of representation they deserve.

What I really want to talk about is why I have sought the nomination and why I am running for the NDP in this election.

Some have suggested that with my military background it’s strange that I would seek a nomination with the NDP. That of course is nonsense. I want to tell you that I have seen more than my fair share of suffering over the years. And whether it’s the suffering of Eastern Europeans caught in a war or the suffering of working Albertan’s trying to find even a scrap of Eddie’s so called “Alberta Advantage” - the real enemies are the vested interests that control our economy and are served by our government.

We are working people. We are the people that build and service the economic engine of our province and of the country for that matter. Simply put, Brian Mason and the Alberta NDP are on our side. The Conservatives have never been on our side and the Liberals these days are no better. The Tories and the Liberals are both paying the piper. Both Stelmach and Taft are on the side of big oil companies and other large corporations that make huge contributions to both of their parties.

Whether we talk about fair rents, affordable housing, protecting the environment or allowing our seniors to live in dignity at home I have watched the Liberals and the Conservatives stick up for their friends and donors in corporate boardrooms.

I have seen Brian Mason and our Caucus in Edmonton stand up for ordinary Albertans.

The Liberals and the Conservatives voted for tax cuts for profitable corporations instead of putting money back into our schools and seniors facilities. Tax cuts instead of ensuring the resources were there to twin that highway out there before one more family has to loose a parent! No, no, Taft and Stelmach protect there corporate donors that fly in and out while they ignore our needs; the needs of middle class Albertans.

Over the past year my union has fought the unfair Labour Code in this province. Brian Mason and the NDP were there. The Conservatives protect the status quo and the Liberals pretend to support working people while ignoring us in their back-room caucus discussions.

Over the past year my union has fought the illegal and unethical use of temporary foreign workers. Brian Mason and the NDP were there. The Tories of course support the needs of the corporations in their desire to drive down labour costs and the Liberals do nothing but suggest maybe we should also bring foreign workers in under the provincial nominee program.

Over the past year my union has fought the Tories efforts to move more and more raw bitumen out of Alberta. Stelmach sat on his hands while the Keystone Pipeline was approved. He has done nothing to prevent the upcoming approval of the Alberta Clipper pipeline which will send our jobs and our futures down the pipeline to the US. Meanwhile the Liberals answer is to ship it to non-existent up graders in Saskatchewan and BC. Might the Liberals be influenced by the huge donations they get from Enbridge and other corporate giants?

The NDP believes if it’s mined here it should be refined here. Brian Mason believes our long term future is more important than short term corporate profits.

I have seen first hand that the only party that truly represents working people is the NDP. That’s why I’m proud to be your candidate and proud that over 40% of the New Democrat candidates in this election are from Labour.

Brian Mason and the NDP are on our side. The Liberals and Conservatives are not. That’s why I’m running. I need your help. This constituency is a microcosm of all the social ills that occur in this province when corporate interests run roughshod over the interests of ordinary Albertans.

Thank you for this honour. I will do my best as your candidate. I need your help to succeed.