Don McKenna

About Don McKenna

When were you born?

Between 1966 and 1980 (Generation X)

Tell our readers a bit about your professional life. What do you do for a living? If you're an incumbent candidate, what did you do before you entered politics?

I served in the RCMP for 30 years and retired as a Superintendent in 2019. I learned french and became bilingual. I served across Manitoba and took charge of Operational Policy and Compliance for the RCMP in National Criminal Operations.

I was the Canadian Contingent Commander on the Nations United Mission to the Ivory Coast during the conflict. I oversaw the creation of the Crime Reduction Strategy for Alberta, I transferred to Grande Prairie, which was the highest on the crime and violent crime index in Canada. Maclean's Magazine had it listed as Canada's most dangerous city. https://macleans.ca/news/canada/canada-most-dangerous-cities-2016-safe-your-city/

By working with the community, partners, city administration and councils and introducing crime reduction strategies, crime was brought under control and the year that I retired the city had fallen to the ranking of 31 on MacLean's list . https://macleans.ca/canadas-most-dangerous-places-2019/

During this time I sat on the board of the John Howard Society, the PACE Sexual Assault Centre, the Caribou Child Advocacy Centre, the Alberta Death Review Committee and I was the Security Chair for the Alberta 2018 Summer Games. I believe in a holistic wrap around approach to crime reduction.

What's the highest level of education you've attained?

Bachelor's degree

How long have you lived in the constituency? If you don't currently live there, what led you to run there instead of where you live?

4.5 years

What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?

Crime is the biggest challenge. Addiction, mental illness, family violence are factors that impact crime, but they also put undue stress on Healthcare and other government system. Presently there is no coordinated effort to address these issues or chronic offenders.

If elected, what will be your first priority?

My first priority will be to introduce crime reduction strategies. This will involve renewed partnerships between NGOs, police, education, communities and Healthcare. A concerted effort is needed to discourage criminal behaviour while at the same time redirecting those in need to services.

Who are your role models in politics, and why?

I don't have any role models in today's political environment, I find the finger pointing, name calling and posturing ridiculous. At one time politicians could discuss issues, come to agreement or agree to disagree. Now sides are polarized, they blame the other parties for issues that they had a hand in creating.

It doesn't matter what side of the house a good idea comes from, if it is a good idea, then it is a good idea.

This behaviour has led to a reduction in the number of people that bother to vote, politicians are now loyal to parties, not principles and not their constituents.

I am a fan of Tommy Douglas for obvious reasons, but I believe that he would be very disappointed in our present political state.

Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.

I love spicy food, my uncle was Sikh and owned a restaurant. I grew up eating curry and now I grow my own jalapenos and other hot peppers.

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