Matt Fedler. Photo courtesy of Twitter, @MattFedlerNDP
Metis candidate, Matt Fedler, is hoping to champion Indigenous rights as the next MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster. The 25-year-old from North Battleford will run as an NDP candidate in the upcoming federal by-election.
In an interview with MBC news, Fedler said that he’d like to see more funding provided to programs for Indigenous children.
“I think it’s unacceptable that children on reserves are receiving a fraction of the amount of funding as off-reserve (children) for education, health, and social services,” said Fedler. “A big staple of my campaign is just focusing on basic human rights, access to food, clothing, shelter, education and healthcare, and I think in particular a lot of Indigenous children are being left behind in those areas.”
Fedler says that his background as an athlete has helped him develop traits that have made him into a strong person and politician.
“Through wrestling, I was able to get a scholarship to the University of Regina, I was able to travel across the country to compete,” said Fedler. “The skills that you acquire to be successful, in any area really, discipline and determination will certainly help.”
Along with attending the U of R, Fedler has spent years as a youth wrestling coach and even had a stint as a professional MMA fighter.
The by-election was called after longstanding Conservative MP, Gerry Ritz, retired in September. Ritz was originally elected in 1997 and held the position for 20 years. Despite a distinguished conservative legacy in the riding, Fedler is remaining optimistic.
“We’ve got a conservative candidate who doesn’t quite have the same name recognition as “Gerry Ritz.” We have an independent candidate, who knows how that might affect things, (and) I am a fairly unique candidate in my own right,” said Fedler. “Holding an election in December, in Canada, who knows the weather might even play a role.”
Polls will open in the Battlefords-Lloydminster by-election on Monday, December 11.