There's a five-way race to be the next elected member of the 45th Canadian Parliament for the Yellowhead riding in the April 28 federal election.
The Albertan offered candidates an opportunity to submit a bio and outline policy priorities while also answering two questions: First, what do you think the Canadian government should be prepared to do in response to the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs? And second, would you support or speak out against any suggestions for Alberta to separate or become the 51st state?
All five candidates submitted responses which were edited to fit the specified word count.
Avni Soma, New Democrat Party
I’m a scientist, entrepreneur, and mother of two, and I’ve called Canmore home for the past 15 years.
My career has been about building community driven solutions, co-founding a local food business FarmBox that connected farmers across Alberta and B.C. with families in the Bow Valley.
I then moved into public policy serving on the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council and launching school food programs that help kids connect to their health, land, and community.
At the heart of all my work is a simple belief: politics should serve people, not just corporations or the well-connected.
Our communities are facing urgent challenges: ER closures, unattainable housing, and a climate crisis hitting farmers and rural areas first and hardest. As your MP, I’ll fight for public health care, affordable housing, sustainable jobs, and strong rural services while protecting our environment for the generations ahead.
On the question of what should Canada do in response to the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs?
Elbows up Canada! This is a crisis that is calling all Canadians to reject divisive rhetoric and stand strong together.
The NDP supports retaliatory tariffs and we’re committed to using tariff revenue to support Canadian workers and industries directly impacted.
We also need long-term resilience which we can control ourselves by removing interprovincial trade barriers, shortening our supply chains, and shopping locally - all core concepts I helped build with Farmbox.
On the question of whether I support or would speak out against Alberta separating or joining the U.S. as the 51st state, I would speak out loudly and unequivocally.
I understand the frustration many rural Albertans feel. But separation isn't the solution, and neither is joining a country where privatized health care puts half a million people into bankruptcy every year, and billionaires hold more power than workers.
As the daughter of immigrants who came here because Canada stood for fairness, opportunity, and hope, I believe in Alberta, and I believe in Canada.
But I also believe that if your vote is taken for granted, so will your representation. To get real respect in Ottawa, we need to send a message, and nothing would send a louder message than turning a rural riding orange for the first time in Alberta’s history.
