Harmony Johnson-Harder, NDP

Personal details. Name, age, hometown

Harmony Johnson-Harder, 38. I am from Treaty 6 Territory.

Tell us about yourself

I am a Cree Metis woman, married with three children. I enjoy music and being outdoors. I paint and like to connect with my creative side.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

When I was 11, I acted in a film written and directed by Maria Campbell.

Why should voters hire you?

I am willing to stand up to the rich and powerful.

Who should we call for a reference?

My husband.

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

My greatest strength is my resiliency. My greatest weakness is a new album from a favourite artist.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? Obviously guns are dangerous and we need laws regulating their use. I am satisfied with existing regulations controlling guns.

The need for more pipelines? I do not believe that the government should be in the business of owning and building pipelines. I want to focus on building our local economies in the communities we live in. I want to create an environment where people can work where they live.

Western alienation? I believe we need proportional representation so that every vote counts.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? We need to work hard to reopen markets that have been blocked or find suitable replacement markets. We need to conduct ourselves on the world stage to avoid international conflicts. We should be a voice for peace in the world.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? We are facing a climate emergency and we need to take the necessary steps to avert an environmental catastrophe.

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

Be with my family; picking berries, camping and painting outside.

Who inspires you?

My parents and all the kokums.

What is your hidden talent?

Art.

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

I am not an athlete and have not been very athletic but I’m OK with it.

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

My grandmother and anyone who has a good story to tell.

How do you take your coffee?

Black with two sugars.

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

I would have to take three: Mama’s Broke, Builders & Butchers and Elliot Brood. I have many embarrassing songs.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Peanut butter marshmallow squares.

What is the last book you read?

A Recognition of Being by Kim Anderson. And I have to plug my dad’s latest book Peace and Good Order by Harold Johnson. He is currently on tour promoting its release.