Kelly Kwan is a teacher from Turnor Lake. (saskparty.com)

By Derek Cornet

provincial election

Teacher selected as Sask. Party candidate in Athabasca

Sep 22, 2020 | 3:52 PM

A teacher from Turnor Lake has been selected as the Saskatchewan Party’s official candidate for the upcoming election in October.

“All my life I have seen not enough opportunities presented for our northern residents,” Kelly Kwan said. “I just thought ‘how could I give back to the communities that helped me and supported me and guide me to who I am today.’ Politics can be a powerful tool and vehicle to achieve that giving back to the community. There is so much potential in northern Saskatchewan with our biggest resource being our youth.”

A graduate of the former Northern Teacher Education Program, Kwan holds a Bachelor of Education and began teaching in 1989. Throughout that time he has also worked as a band manager and employment service officer, but currently he’s a Dene teacher for students between Headstart and Grade 9.

Kwan believes northern Saskatchewan has been left out of a lot of opportunities because the riding has remained NDP for so long. If the constituency belonged to the Sask. Party, Kwan noted he could bring the influence for positive changes in aspects like mental health, addiction and living standards.

“It’s just time we need to start having a voice in the North to start giving us these opportunities, and giving us the infrastructure we desperately need to start being positive and feeling good about ourselves,” Kwan said. “Why not be part of the governing party? Why can’t we have a voice within the government to speak on behalf of all northern residents in the Athabasca constituency?”

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It’s already been announced that NDP MLA Buckley Belanger, who has represented the region since 1995, has decided to run for re-election. Kwan didn’t want to say anything negative about him calling Belanger a wonderful person and a friend.

“I commend him and thank him for everything he has ever done for his efforts to make improvements in the lives of our constituents,” Kwan said. “But, the bottom line is as opposition, your back is against the wall right off the hop.”

Kwan also currently sits on the board for the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District, he serves as the president of the area’s Métis Local, Northwest Saskatchewan Métis Council, as well as various groups throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Kwan and his wife, Marlene, have eight kids.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno