Bill Ironstand wants to provide a blue collar voice to the municipal race in North Battleford. (submitted photo/Bill Ironstand)

By Josh Ryan

Positive campaign

Council candidate Ironstand looking to advocate for youth, workers

Oct 7, 2020 | 11:38 AM

As the North Battleford municipal election fills with candidates, a common thread between most is the desire to bring a new voice to city hall. For Bill Ironstand it’s his primary focus in his bid for council.

The emergency management coordinator for Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, Ironstand is another political newcomer running for a city council seat. He said he decided to run after thinking of the possibility for a long time, wanting to advocate for other residents.

“Anyone that has a concern or question around the city, I want to be a voice for them,” Ironstand said. “I’m running because I believe I bring a new voice and new way of thinking.”

Ironstand said his longtime experience working in trades provided him a blue collar mindset, seeing the completion of what you start. He wants to apply that to what he sees as the major issues for the community:crime, poverty, and racism.

“I don’t want us to just be reactive when something comes up and then react to it,” he said. “I want to be out there, trying to change things for the better, everyday.”

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In addressing racism, Ironstand said it’s important to take that into account when seeking out businesses to bring into the region. By having conversations about the issue and peacefully confronting people about bias, he believes it’s important to have partners who promote antiracism to help in this regard.

“What kind of companies are we trying to bring into this city and what are we doing to bring that economic development into our community?” he said. “We must make sure those are the types of partners that the city works with in the future.”

Another key to the future for Ironstand is working directly with youth. He said he’d like to see a mentoring program that allows elders and older generations to provides answers to the questions of youngsters.

“If we want to make the city a better place, we need to start with our youth, because they’re going to be the future leaders of our community,” he said.

Regardless of outcome, Ironstand believes his running will bring about some good and if elected will provide the same positive, hard-working mindset instilled by his parents.

“You have to be passionate and that’s something I definitely am,” he said. “One way or the other, I’m going to stay involved and I’m gonna push for what I want, and people want, for our city.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports