Liberal candidate Maggie Farrington officially launched her campaign for the Fort McMurray-Cold Lake riding.
Farrington delivered her opening speech to dozens of young and old supporters at her downtown campaign headquarters.
“I have a proven record in this region of being a strong leader who can make change, and that’s exactly what Fort McMurray-Cold Lake needs.”
Farrington, who serves as CEO for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, outlined her platform.
Although running in a historically conservative riding, she said constituents accepted the status quo for too long.
“I remember the dark days of the Harper regime, and we as a community need to build on the successes of the last 4 years of a strong Liberal government. We need to choose forward together.”
Farrington also encouraged supporters of NDP and the Green Party to consider voting Liberal in October.
As of the publishing of this article, both those parties don’t have local representation in the riding.
She said the Liberals share in some values such as social justice, equality, immigration, and the environment.
“I stand up for people; I lean in and challenge the power of status quo; I’m not afraid of being bullied. Look at our Wall of Misogyny. I will not be silenced by fear, hatred or bullying because our collective voice of change is more important.”
Voice for change
Located in Farrington’s campaign office is a ‘Wall of Misogyny’.
Since the federal Liberal Party announced her candidacy on social media, she received offensive, sexist, and racist replies attacking her appearance.
Covering one sidewall, Farrington said the printed cut-outs of tweets and posts represented just the responses in the first day.
“We wanted to share this, and not because my feelings are hurt. I’m tough and I get it, but this kind of toxic environment for women to enter politics in 2019 is unacceptable. People can do better.”
Farrington said she hopes sharing the wall would raise the dialogue on women’s issues and help make politics a safe space for women.
If elected, she said she would be the strong voice the riding needs in a Member of Parliament.
She added restoring the local economy while respecting rights holders, stakeholders, and the environment would be her top priority.
“Oil & gas is a global industry, and our great region is now home to thousands of people from countries all over the world who contribute to the rich fabric of our cultural mosaic.”
She said she hopes voters will “paint Fort McMurray-Cold Lake red” on voting day.
