The federal election is fast approaching, and Doug Ottenbreit plans on making an impact at the polls. Ottenbreit is the NDP candidate for the Yorkton-Melville riding.
Residing in Melville with his family, Ottenbreit currently operates a law firm with a focus on family and criminal law.
He says that the focus for the NDP and himself will be showing how the party and its leader Jack Layton will make life "substantially more affordable for Canadians." Two areas which will see particular focus in this regard will be on students and the elderly.
In order to achieve those ends, Ottenbreit says the party has plans to improve those areas in different ways. When it comes to seniors, he points to a plan recently unveiled by Layton to double old age security, which would be developed in consultation with the provinces. For students, Ottenbreit's ideas include more forgivable loans for students, something he says has gone away.
"We have students coming out of university with $40-60,000 worth of debt hanging over their heads, and we just don't think that is appropriate."
Ottenbreit points to his years of experience in the non-profit and private sector as one of the points in his favor as a potential MP, and that he has had a life long commitment to economic and social justice, something that he believes is a distinct difference from other candidates. He says that his perspective on government is one of the things which puts him apart from the pack.
"I bring a belief that it is the responsibility of government to make life easier for Canadians, not harder, as has been the case under Stephen Harper."
This is the second time that Ottenbreit has ran in the election, coming in second place to incumbent Garry Breitkreuz in the previous race.
The election is about getting in touch with as many people as possible, Ottenbreit says, and he plans on talking to as many people in the riding as he can to get his message out and show what he would bring to the government.
"People are looking for change. They're tired of a parliament that's not working, they want to see parliament work and they want someone who is going to present their concerns to government, not bring the government's message back to Yorkton-Melville," he emphasizes.
To that end, Ottenbreit says he would be focused on bringing the issues important to people in the area to the government, and that he would work for the people above all else.
"There's no point in going to Ottawa if all you are going to do is sit on your hands and do exactly what the Prime Minister tells you to do," Ottenbreit states.
One of the challenges he sees in the coming election is getting a youth vote, something which is a particular concern for a party where student debt is a top issue.
"They don't see the process as representing their concerns. I've been concerned for some time about the lack of voting in young people, and overall. Our turnout has been falling in the last three elections. People have been feeling disconnected from the system, and disconnected from their democracy."
Getting people more engaged in the process is an area where the NDP would also like to focus, and Ottenbreit suggests that electoral reform and perhaps a form of proportional representation would be needed to get people in the country out there, voting in greater numbers in future elections.
In this election, Ottenbreit is confident, and he encourages the people of the riding to pay close attention to all candidates. He believes that if people look at all platforms, they will see that he reflects people's views and would be a strong force for them in the upcoming elections.
Canada votes on May 2.
