Erika Ritchie, NDP

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

Erika Ritchie, 51, Saskatoon.

Tell us about yourself

I’m a community organizer, environmental engineer, a long-time Saskatoon resident, and a mother of four grown children. I’m known for standing up for the issues that matter to the people in my community, for taking action and getting things done. Most recently, that has involved standing up for the workers of the Saskatoon Co-op during last year’s divisive strike. This past June, I was elected to its board of directors.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I love singing in choirs. I used to belong to Joy of Vox and continue to sing in other choirs when I get the chance. It’s an other-worldly experience when you’re able to achieve great harmony as a choir. For me it’s a great metaphor for how we live together as Canadians, respecting each others’ diversity in all its forms.

Why should voters hire you?

I’m knowledgeable, values-driven and I work hard. I’m also passionate about protecting our children’s future and ensuring that we act responsibly to address the climate emergency.

Who should we call for a reference?

My friends and family know me best. They’ve been there with me through the good times and harder moments. They know that when faced with a difficult challenge, you can count on me to stick with it while being fair-minded, committed and reasonable.

What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?

So often one finds that what is your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. For me, that means I can be very open-minded and able to perceive a problem from many different angles, but at the same time that means I need to be able to discern valid perspectives over ones that are less credible.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? This is a very personal question for me. The Montreal massacre happened at the same time that I was attending the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. So I identify very strongly with those who want to see tighter controls placed on firearms in order to ensure personal safety, and particularly that of women. At the same time, though, I do appreciate that certain types of firearms, like hunting rifles, are essential to people’s way of life and they shouldn’t have to face an unreasonable regulatory burden. Within the regulatory framework I think we can accommodate the needs of both.

The need for more pipelines? The global oil and gas market is undergoing a massive shift, which is making our domestic market less competitive. Instead of pipelines, we should be building an east-west electricity grid that will help us transition to a clean energy future.

Western alienation? Canada is a vast country with varied interests and priorities across every region. Although it’s never easy, we have a strong tradition of resolving our regional differences diplomatically and fairly for the greater good of all Canadians. Of course having strong effective leaders representing us at the provincial and national level has been a major contributor to ensuring that.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? Having a well-diversified export market is a necessary strategy to avoid being vulnerable to the whims of any one customer. But because China is such a large market for us, they have massive bargaining power. We should be looking at the entire network of trade agreements and investments we have with China to see where we can put leverage on them to leverage their grip on us. Trade agreements limit our flexibility but should protect our interests at the same time.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? We know that the science is irrefutable and that we are confronting the greatest global challenge humanity has ever faced. It’s not up for debate any longer. We know it’s time for ambitious climate action using all of the tools at our disposal, including the most cost-effective regulatory and market-based approaches such as placing a price on carbon, hard caps on industrial emissions, investments in new technology and infrastructure, and bridging programs for workers within each sector. Governments need to be leading the transition to the new economy; to not provide this leadership means our country may one day find itself left behind.

It’s a day off and you can do anything you want. What would it be?

I’ll probably head out for a walk with my dog and a close friend or family member somewhere along the riverbank. I especially like to go to Chief Whitecap Park on the southeast end of town in the constituency of Saskatoon-Grasswood.

Who inspires you?

People who have overcome adversity inspire me the most, the ones who had a dream and persevered against all odds because they believed in themselves, the possibilities and their mission. That takes courage and tenacity. Tommy Douglas was nominated as the greatest Canadian because he possessed these very qualities. He was also humble, full of hope and optimism, and believed in the inherent goodness of all people and our ability to come together to achieve great things. We need more leaders like him today now more than ever.

What is your hidden talent?

I hate to admit it, but I am pretty good at one-armed bandit?

What do you wish you could do but can’t?

I wish I could play the piano better. This has been a lifelong dream of mine.

Who are the three people, dead or alive, that you’d love to have dinner with?

The world is filled with amazing people so it is hard to pick specific individuals. Most likely, Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister of New Zealand, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and author Margaret Atwood.

How do you take your coffee?

With almond milk.

What’s the one album you’d take with you on a desert island? What embarrassing song do you admit to on your playlist?

Michael Buble’s greatest hits. “You’re the reason our kids are ugly” by Loretta Lynn — best love song ever!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Dark chocolate.

What is the last book you read?

Engagement Organizing by Matt Price.

What is your favourite TV show? What are you binge watching?

Mad Men is my all-time favourite TV series. I recently binge watched Chernobyl. As a former nuclear engineer, I found it most thrilling.

What is your all-time favourite movie?

I can’t decide. It’s a tossup between The English Patient, Doctor Zhivago, Inception, and a recent favourite, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.