Meggan Hougham is a young woman who is not afraid to speak up for what she believes.
Hougham found herself in front of microphones and reporters as a spokesperson for the non-partisan group or Save Our Saskatchewan (SOS) when Bruce Power began to make inquiries about building a nuclear power plant in her rural region. She educated herself and others, deciding to get more involved and speaking out on the issue.
Hougham has recently announced her candidacy for the Green Party in the Lloydminster constituency for the upcoming provincial election. The seat is currently held by Tim McMillan, a well-known young man who seems to have lots of potential in his party.
Hougham's goal is to get some information out to the constituency and offer another choice on the ballot.
"People get frustrated and believe it doesn't matter if they don't vote," said Hougham, who spoke about a need for voters to feel their voices are heard and that they are included in the democratic process.
Hougham earned a degree in health sciences physiology at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently farming, raising Hereford and Angus cattle. She also owns and operates an eco-friendly general store selling products on-line and at the Lloydminster farmers' market.
She says her personal philosophy is, "When we move forward positively we have to ask ourselves does it make sense economically, socially and environmentally."
She calls her approach common sense for and by common people. She says the Green Party, which has never had a candidate in the constituency before, is trying to be positive.
"We want to get good ideas out there," she said. The Green Party appealed to her in the beginning because of their anti-nuclear stance and she remains impressed by their grassroots base and their desire to have open dialogue.
Hougham says she believes the values held by the Green Party as expressed in the Charter of Global Greens including ecological wisdom, non-violence, social justice, sustainability, participatory democracy and respect for diversity.
Recent federal election campaigns have brought more recognition to the Green Party across the nation and Hougham is impressed with federal leader Elizabeth May's positive common-sense style. Provincially the Green Party is still small without a large database of volunteers and a big budget, but that won't stop Hougham from running an active campaign.
She is currently recruiting volunteers, planning meetings and using social media and the Internet to get the word out while learning what it means to be a candidate.
"I want to vote breen, but somebody has to be on the ballot," she said.
Hougham is somebody who wants to share what she calls good ideas and gain support for the Green Party of Saskatchewan during the election campaign.
