Jen MartelAbbotsford has long been a Conservative riding federally, with incumbent Ed Fast winning 66% of the vote in 2011. But the NDP were the 2nd place finishers that year, and are looking to make some serious gains this October. Candidate Jen Martel is a local lifeguard and swim instructor with a knack for Irish Dance. But she also holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Communications Certificate, and she’s well versed in the areas of science and the environment.  She says Stephen Harper’s move to control communications from scientists is what made her want to run.

“And so it all kind of built up to the point where I didn’t want to stand by anymore.  I wanted to get involved, so I contacted the party (NDP) and said I would like to help change our country and make this a place where I want to raise a family….right now it’s not.”

She says the environment and child care are two issues she hopes to press during this campaign.  In her door to door meetings with voters, she’s getting a sense that people here are ready for a change.

“A lot of people are getting fed up.  Especially people who have supported them (Conservatives) for a long time.  So it hasn’t taken a lot of convincing on my part.”

Martel hopes that more young people will get out and vote this fall, but of course, that means getting involved and learning about the issues so that they can understand the differences between the parties and make an informed choice.  She’s communicating with voters this campaign through both door to door meetings and social media.

Martel is running against incumbent Ed Fast for the Conservatives and Stephen Fowler of the Green Party.  As of yet, there is still no declared Liberal candidate in the riding.