Voters head to the polls Oct. 21 to vote for one of seven candidates as their next Member of Parliament in the 43rd Federal election, one of whom is a 20-year-old political science student at the University of Alberta.
Jeffrey Swanson, who grew up in the City of Edmonton, was confirmed as the Lakeland constituency New Democrat Party candidate in an announcement made Sept. 26.
Swanson said as a young candidate, he's a fresh voice of Canada's future.
"I believe in making Canada better, and see everybody be able to succeed no matter what walk of life they came from," Swanson said.
He added that when he was a kid, his family were "a very canoe-enthusiastic family."
"There are many rivers and great lakes throughout my entire childhood that I have visited in the Lakeland region. That includes in the Elk Island, Cooking Lake and Metis Crossing areas," Swanson said. "Also, my girlfriend's family grew up in Goodfish Lake, and I'm often up in the area to visit them."
He said when the opportunity came to run for the party in the constituency, he decided to take a chance and put his name forward.
"I decided when the time came that I know this area, it's a beautiful place to be in, and I thought that I might as well run," Swanson said.
From a young age, Swanson said he has always been fascinated with the world of politics.
"I feel that especially with youth, that we do get involved because this is our future," he said. "We are looking at a climate crisis that many youth are wanting action on, and I think that the best way to do that is to get involved with the political process and fight for the changes that we need."
He also said that as a student, he wanted to get involved in order "to fight for lower expenses regarding tuition."
"The NDP is planning on removing the Federal interest on student loans, and I believe that everybody has the right to get the education that they want to get," Swanson said.
Swanson added that he realizes that he's "likely not the favourite" to win in the coming election.
"But I feel that if I work hard I make a good showing in the polls," he said. "I will be in the constituency campaigning when I have time in between classes. I will also be attending any candidate's forum held within the constituency, including one being held Oct. 10 in Lloydminster."
Besides majoring in political science at the U of A, Swanson said he is also minoring in Spanish Language and Literature.
"I have also been in the NDP's campus club since the end of my first year, and I have been doing work for them since then," he said. "Currently I serve as vice president - external, where I look after the club's relationships with outside groups, including with media and with other political campus clubs."
Assuming he wins the support of his constituents, he said he hopes to bring "a progressive voice from Lakeland, Alberta to Ottawa."
"I hope to fight for the issues that matter to me, as well as many other Canadians," Swanson said. "I hope to fight to preserve our climate, and see a transition to a very strong green economy. I also hope to fight for students and ensure that every youth in Canada has the ability to go forward and accomplish their dreams at any post-secondary institution they want regardless of financial standings, and help them accomplish what they wish to in life."
He said that when voters cast their ballots Oct. 21, he hopes that they choose "a progressive future for not just Lakeland, not just Alberta, but for all of Canada."
Other candidates include Tory incumbent Shannon Stubbs, as well as Alain Houle (People's Party of Canada), Mark Watson (Liberal), Kira Brunner (Green), Robert McFadzean (Libertarian) and Roberta Graham (Veteran's Coalition Party).