DIGBY, N.S. — Clare resident Jason Deveau has been nominated as the Liberal candidate to run for the West Nova seat in the next federal election.
Deveau won the nomination at a riding nomination meeting held in Digby on May 17. He defeated candidate Michael Drew of Yarmouth who was also seeking the nomination.
In a posting on Facebook afterwards, Deveau said, “I am honored to have been selected as your candidate. The hard work to win the next federal election has begun. I look forward to connecting with as many constituents as possible as I work towards becoming the next Liberal Member of Parliament for West Nova.”
Deveau has been no stranger to the federal political scene. He has been the executive assistant to West Nova MP Colin Fraser, who announced last year that he would not be reoffering in the next election.
Deveau, is also a former policy analyst with the federal government, where he worked with senior government officials on a range of files relating to the environment, natural resources, and sustainable development.
At the time he had announced his candidacy for the West Nova Liberal nomination, Deveau said that growing the rural economy of West Nova is a top priority and he believed there must be a continued and sustained effort to protect current jobs in the region, while creating new opportunities to retain and attract young people who are increasingly drawn to other parts of the country.
He listed connecting all communities to high-speed Internet, ensuring additional funding is secured for ports and small craft harbours, investing in recreational infrastructure and completing the long-overdue Highway 101 project between Digby and Weymouth as some of the key investments required for growing the rural West Nova economy. He also said more needs to be done to help families and seniors in the riding.
Deveau is fluently bilingual in French and English, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography as well as a Master of Geography degree, both from the University of Ottawa. He has also served as a volunteer on the board of directors for several community-based not-for-profit organizations.
