The Liberal Party candidate for Moose Jaw/Lake Centre/Lanigan has finally been announced. In a public meeting on Saturday, Cecilia Melanson was named as the riding's Liberal candidate in the upcoming federal election.

Melanson is a graphic designer, notary public, and daycare operator who lives in Deer Valley with her husband and two children. She immigrated to Canada fifteen years ago from Ecuador and says she is used to a challenge. 

"It was hard coming to a place that was completely different. Not knowing any English or having any friends. But with hard work and determination, I was able to make something beautiful here. I learned to live without fear and to take risks. I wouldn't have been able to make my dreams come true if I hadn't moved here."

The issues Melanson cites as her priorities are increasing payments to families with young children under the Canada child benefit program and raising awareness of climate change. After growing up in a very poor family and having faced numerous natural disasters in her home country, Melanson has a very deep personal connection to the issues she hopes to address if elected to Parliament. 

"I grew up facing natural disasters. I was scared, I wanted to get away but had no place to go. I just had to face it. So yes, I'm very aware of the devastations poverty and climate change brings."

Melanson got interested in politics after Stephen Harper closed Parliament twice in the space of thirteen months. She becoming increasingly concerned with the way he was running the country after that. She saw the Liberal Party's slogan "Real Change," as more in line with the issues she saw facing Canadians on the ground.

"I asked myself what does real change mean to me? The answer was clear. A vision of the future that is different, better, and compelling. At that moment, I realized that the Liberal Party is the best solution for our combined better future."

Even though the Liberal Party has not historically had a huge amount of support in the Moose Jaw/Lake Centre/Lanigan riding, Melanson is optimistic and says no matter what, this is the right place for her to be right now.

"There is always a way to start from the bottom. There is always a way to start building something new. Let's see where this takes us. I already feel like a winner. Back in my home country, this could have only been a dream for me. But here I am, and whatever the outcome I will be pleased with where I've gotten."

Melanson looks forward to getting onto the campaign trail and hopes to be able to exchange ideas with people from all political affiliations. The 2019 Canadian federal election is unofficially scheduled to take place on October 21.

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