Claire Card, NDP

Personal details: Name, age, hometown

Claire Card, 60, Adams, N.Y.

Tell us about yourself

I am a professor and clinician at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. I am involved in mentoring students, performing research on animal health, supporting international development, and delivering clinical service in reproductive medicine for large animals.

What’s a little-known fact about you?

I am a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo.

Why should voters hire you?

I take their concerns seriously, I do my homework, I am a tireless worker, and I am committed to making life better for people through Pharmacare, expanding Medicare, and meaningful action on the environment, so our community is a vibrant, safe, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive place.

Who should we call for a reference?

Former students, colleagues, staff, clients, volunteer organizations, community members.

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

I have the ability to take in a lot of information, analyze it and work with people to find creative solutions. And I am stubborn.

Where do you stand on:

Gun laws? We need them. I support the lawful use of firearms, and I also support regulations to prevent misuse and crime.

The need for more pipelines? I am not in favour of expanding pipelines, because of climate change.

Western alienation? Western alienation is real. All parts of Canada deserve attention, Canada is more than just Ontario and Quebec. Ottawa has left the West feeling left out.

China? What should our approach be with some of our markets blocked? We need to diligently cultivate a positive relationship with China, and work to remove the existing barriers. We also need to work hard to diversify our market access, and increase our value added production.

Are we facing a climate change crisis? Is carbon tax the answer? Yes, unequivocally. Taxing polluters is a good idea. However, this current carbon tax is not a good fit for Saskatchewan.

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

Go for a run, catch up on my reading and cook a great dinner to share with family.

Who inspires you?

Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin.

What is your hidden talent?

I have a very good singing voice.

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

Eliminate poverty.

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

Jack Layton, Emily Carr and Naomi Klein.

How do you take your coffee?

I am a tea drinker, but take the odd decaf latte.

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

Classical music of Haydn. Darius Rucker’s Rock Me Mamma.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Fair Trade Dark Chocolate.

What is the last book you read?

Jagmeet Singh’s Biography, “Love and Courage.”

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

Handmaid’s Tale, Planet Earth Series

What is your all-time favourite movie?

Harry Potter series.