A local man wants to take some common sense to the Canadian Senate. The Wildrose Party announced St. Paul's Raymond Germain as a candidate for Senate nomination on Monday.
Seven other contenders have been nominated for the senate race, which will be held in conjunction with the provincial election expected to be called soon. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he will appoint senators from the top three nominees.
In his first interview with media regarding his nomination, Germain said he was inspired to run after complications his mother experienced in St. Paul before she died on March 4.
“It started with my mom," said Germain. His mother lived at Sunnyside for around eight years but fell ill and needed assisted care. After finding no openings, Germain's mother Laurette Germain, 94, went to Emergency and waited to see a doctor for eight hours. After seeing a doctor, she was told there was no room at the hospital. Family members took Laurette back to Sunnyside before a room opened at the hospital. After her health improved, she could not go back to Sunnyside and space at assisted living facilities remained unavailable.
Germain praised health care providers, but criticized the health care system. “I was very upset with the whole situation," said Germain. “I'm frustrated with the whole system in Alberta."
Local Wildrose candidate, and the party's executive director, Shayne Saskiw, said Germain came highly recommended throughout the constituency. “Our party was looking for a representative in northern rural Alberta," he said, adding Germain would be able to bring his experience with the oil sector to the Senate.
“We wanted someone who was the ordinary, hard working Albertan that really reflects Alberta's values," said Saskiw. Senators “don't have to be lawyers and professors. We wanted somebody who really genuinely reflected small 'c' conservative values."
Wildrose members are passionate about Senate reform, added Saskiw, something Germain also feels strongly about. Germain said he would like to see the Senate “elected and accountable to the people." Alberta is the only province that holds Senate elections.
Germain has no political or elected experience, something both he and Saskiw see as an asset. “For me, it's a big step out of the box," said Germain. “I'm bringing common sense. I'm just an everyday guy."
Germain has been married to Loree for 38 years and has two adult children and four grandchildren. Germain spent 13 years coaching and managing his two kids' teams in hockey and volunteering with the St. Paul Minor Hockey Association. He spent five years with the Canadian Natural charity committee, which raised money through various activities.
Germain, 56, has worked for Canadian Natural Resources Limited for around 18 years as a gas line operator. Before working in the oil and gas sector, he worked in construction with mostly self-employed concrete work. Once the election is called, Germain will have to find 1,500 signature to support his bid. Germain plans to board the campaign bus with Wildrose leader Danielle Smith to tour the province.
Germain, a former Progressive Conservative member, has been helping Saskiw campaign in the constituency and said the Wildrose message is well received at the doors. “People want change. People are fed up. It's not just me," he said.
The Wildrose also nominated Vitor Marciano, former Wildrose executive director before Saskiw took over the post, and Jeff Callaway for Senate. The Progressive Conservatives nominated Don Black, Mike Shaikh and Scott Tannas. Ian Urquhart and Len Bracko are running as independents.
Germain will launch the campaign on Thursday at noon at the Wildrose office in St. Paul at the Tin Cup Restaurant.
