Meet #yeg2016 delegates

“I am truly excited about the fact that our party seems to be getting younger – there is a big future for us in our youth.”

In 1971, Pauline came to Canada from the UK to look for new opportunities. She says she found something extraordinary in the NDP that reflected her commitment to the labour movement.

For Pauline, a progressive Canada is one that “puts fairness first and speaks with one voice.” She says that she’s looking to the party’s youth with hope and excitement.

Fun fact: Pauline grew up in the UK and was a member of UK Labour before she came to Canada.

“I want to see more protections for workers who don’t have stable employment – contract workers, freelance workers, artists, all deserve the same stability as those with full-time work.”

Though she’s been an NDP supporter for years, Joan first got actively involved during last year’s federal election. Now, she wants to be part of helping the party move forward with positivity and purpose.

For Joan, a progressive Canada is one where your background doesn’t affect the opportunities available to you. Her top issue: precarious employment.

Fun fact: Joan is a graphic designer/photographer/activist/part-time/contract/volunteer – she’s also one of the funding members of The Urban Workers Project, which seeks to mobilize young professionals for better protection against precarious work.

“Younger people need to have something to aspire to.”

This is Cherika’s first convention. She’s here to take it all in and focus on the issues: “all the attention on the leadership vote just feels like a media grab – we’re here to talk about policy.”

Cherika says a progressive Canada would be a place where people come together to tackle the big issues, whether it’s climate change or pay equity. She says that this spirit of collaboration is what inspires young New Democrats.

Fun fact: As Secretary for the Windsor-Tecumseh riding association, Cherika’s following in the footsteps of her mum, MP Cheryl Hardcastle.

“$15 minimum wage should have been here a long time ago.”

Merle has been interested in politics his whole life. He remembers his parents, Lila and Henry Schnee, going to the first CCF meetings on Sunday afternoons: “to go to these meetings, it was very progressive at the time.”

For Merle, a progressive Canada includes strong action on climate change and focus on labour issues.

Fun fact: Now retired, Merle was a fire-fighter who proudly served his community for many years.