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| Dustin Fuller |
Toni Lucas
Dustin Fuller will be running as a Liberal Party Candidate for the upcoming Macleod electoral district by-election, after securing his party's nomination, which is scheduled to be confirmed on April 6 at a nomination meeting in Okotoks.
"I'm from this area, and I am an Alberta Liberal."
At 28, Fuller has been interested in politics for nearly two decades and took Political Science at University of Lethbridge. "I would say my first exposure to politics was through my grandfather." Fuller explained that to this day he has political discussions with his grandfather who lives in Red Deer. "I remember I was about 8 years old, I was at Rainbow Lake," he said, explaining that a politician visited his grade 2 class. "I remember all of us being around him, and he was very friendly, and he laughed a lot, and everyone was laughing with him, and he listened."
"I got involved in Grade 8 as the student council representative." He stayed active and was Students' Union President at the University of Lethbridge. Some of his political and service experience included co-managing a political campaign in the 2011 Canadian Federal Election while living in Lethbridge. He has previously worked for Elections Canada, and has served as a Community Relations Officer and District Returning Officer. He has served as a board member to MLA Bridget Pastoor, and as a board member to Calgary MLA Kent Hehr, He as been a board member for Fair Vote Canada, United Way, and the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs.
Fuller has lived in Red Deer, Rainbow Lake, Okotoks, Lethbridge, and is back in Okokoks while working in Calgary as a Regulatory Technician for Husky Energy. "I help make sure that the company stays compliant to government regulations, so that we maintain our license to operate."
"Talking politically, I'm an Alberta Liberal, I believe strongly in building a sense of community, and making sure that everyone in that community has a sense that they belong and are included. I think that when you build that sense of community, and you care for your neighbours and you want to see good for your neighbours, and you want to see good for everyone, I think your standard of living goes up, and your security goes up."
"At the end of the day, you have one chance to live life, and you've got to make the most of it. I want to make sure that I can do good for others. That is something I have always believed in, something that I have always consciously done. I don't want to diverge from that."
Issues
"I have been meeting with Mayors, and been talking to people in the communities," said Fuller, listing what he says he's heard as major issues:
1.) Local infrastructure "I think that the federal government can have a role in helping local infrastructure move forward to completion."
2.) Water management strategy: "An evidence based water management strategy. Drinking water, water for on reserve locations, water plants, and water treatment plants. Flood mitigation and disaster relief strategies."
3.) Grain transport: "I have talked to a few farmers about grain transportation, and making sure that their product can get to market better is a local concern."
4.) Improved communications: "I think that the most consistent message I have got in every single town, every person I have talked to asked for a different tone for government. What I have taken away so far is that people are sick and tired of a federal government that is mean spirited. They decide what they are going to do, then they tell the provinces and municipal leaders, without engaging. They don't want to engage them, they don't sit down to talk, event to say you have to pick up the slack here. Well, for the provinces to pick up the slack, they can pass the buck to the municipalities. The municipalities, unfortunately perhaps, jack up property taxes to get things done. I feel that people want some type of democratic reform."
5.) Accountability: Fuller expressed frustration about a lack of responsibility, accountability and direction from people in the political arena. "The Prime Minister's office has grown so huge that they run the agenda. They have communications specialists in there saying 'This is how the government is going to perform'. Then the government is no longer accountable, because they can say 'oh, that's because that's our communication strategy'."
"There is no problem solving, and no voice of the people in Ottawa right now. No party has all the answers, but if you listen to local people, their concerns and interests, and what can be done in their community to make it stronger and more prosperous, that's what party platforms should be based around."
"You need to work together. What I mean there is that we have a government that basically says 'we know best, we don't need to consult premiers, we don't need to consult municipal leaders, we don't even need to consult citizens, Ottawa knows best', and they are kind of isolated. I think Steven Harper has isolated himself in Ottawa. You get to a point were you're not listening, and your not engaging real people, to see what their concerns are."
"Call it grassroots engagement, but it is also progressive thinking. The Conservatives dropped the progressive out of their name, and the Liberals are picking it up. Because that is the proper way to govern. That is what government is all about. We are there to represent and speak on behalf of the people."
Fuller said that the first question asked at the Conservative forum held recently in Pincher Creek was worded to the effect of 'What happens when your personal beliefs or those of your constituents conflict with the party policy?'
"They all said that politics are a team sport, we have to do what the party wants."
Fuller said he has many concerns with that way of thinking. "Why does the party trump people? That's your position, but it's not what's in the people's interest."
"I have been meeting with Mayors, and been talking to people in the communities," said Fuller, listing what he says he's heard as major issues:
1.) Local infrastructure "I think that the federal government can have a role in helping local infrastructure move forward to completion."
2.) Water management strategy: "An evidence based water management strategy. Drinking water, water for on reserve locations, water plants, and water treatment plants. Flood mitigation and disaster relief strategies."
3.) Grain transport: "I have talked to a few farmers about grain transportation, and making sure that their product can get to market better is a local concern."
4.) Improved communications: "I think that the most consistent message I have got in every single town, every person I have talked to asked for a different tone for government. What I have taken away so far is that people are sick and tired of a federal government that is mean spirited. They decide what they are going to do, then they tell the provinces and municipal leaders, without engaging. They don't want to engage them, they don't sit down to talk, event to say you have to pick up the slack here. Well, for the provinces to pick up the slack, they can pass the buck to the municipalities. The municipalities, unfortunately perhaps, jack up property taxes to get things done. I feel that people want some type of democratic reform."
5.) Accountability: Fuller expressed frustration about a lack of responsibility, accountability and direction from people in the political arena. "The Prime Minister's office has grown so huge that they run the agenda. They have communications specialists in there saying 'This is how the government is going to perform'. Then the government is no longer accountable, because they can say 'oh, that's because that's our communication strategy'."
"There is no problem solving, and no voice of the people in Ottawa right now. No party has all the answers, but if you listen to local people, their concerns and interests, and what can be done in their community to make it stronger and more prosperous, that's what party platforms should be based around."
"You need to work together. What I mean there is that we have a government that basically says 'we know best, we don't need to consult premiers, we don't need to consult municipal leaders, we don't even need to consult citizens, Ottawa knows best', and they are kind of isolated. I think Steven Harper has isolated himself in Ottawa. You get to a point were you're not listening, and your not engaging real people, to see what their concerns are."
"Call it grassroots engagement, but it is also progressive thinking. The Conservatives dropped the progressive out of their name, and the Liberals are picking it up. Because that is the proper way to govern. That is what government is all about. We are there to represent and speak on behalf of the people."
Fuller said that the first question asked at the Conservative forum held recently in Pincher Creek was worded to the effect of 'What happens when your personal beliefs or those of your constituents conflict with the party policy?'
"They all said that politics are a team sport, we have to do what the party wants."
Fuller said he has many concerns with that way of thinking. "Why does the party trump people? That's your position, but it's not what's in the people's interest."
"I'm in this race, and I look forward to going up against John Barlow, and going up against 'We've got to follow the party line'. The government is here to serve people, not to have the people serve government."
The "celebration of the nomination of Dustin Fuller"* as the Liberal Party Candidate for the Macleod electoral district by-election is scheduled to occur April 6 at the Elks Hall in Okotoks at 2:00 pm.
The by-election to fill former MP Ted Menzies' vacant seat will occur sometime this spring. According to Elections Canada a by-election must be called between the 11th day and the 180th day after the receipt by the Chief Electoral Officer of the document sent by the Speaker of the House advising of the vacancy. Menzies publicly resigned on November 6, 2013. The Speaker's warrant was received by Elections Canada on November 18. The earliest date to hold the by-election was January 6, 2014. The latest date to announce the by-election is May 17, 2014. The Canada Elections Act (section 57) specifies that the election period must last a minimum of 36 days; it does not specify a maximum.**
Related story:
John Barlow wins Conservative nomination for Macleod riding
John Barlow wins Conservative nomination for Macleod riding
Related links/sources:
Liberal Party of Canada nomination meeting for Macleod*
Liberal Party of Canada nomination meeting for Macleod*
Dustin Fuller for Macleod on Facebook
Dustin Fuller on Twitter @FullerDJ2
Elections Canada by-election FAQ**
Dustin Fuller on Twitter @FullerDJ2
Elections Canada by-election FAQ**
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