2025 Candidate Q’s: Michael Nychyk
Thank you High River residents for taking the time to ask our 2025 Municipal Election Candidates the many questions before and at the All-Candidates Forum.
While we couldn’t get all the questions answered in person, we did go through the questions, remove the redundancy and have the Most Asked questions below that our candidates were invited to answer AFTER the forum.
Read on to learn more about your candidates and the issues that have been top of mind for our engaged citizens.
Email for more information: nychyk4highriver@gmail.com
What does advocacy mean to you and how best do/will you practice this attribute of leadership?
Advocacy is utilizing your position of leadership to support or defend the communities greatest need(s). As an example I have led Council in our advocacy to protect our communities quality of life and that there is assurance that no harmful consequences result from the construction of the approved biodigester. As another example I have also used my time on Council to advocate for youth in the community supporting amenities like the Pump Track, BCG, the Brian Perry Youth Park, and the soon to be completed outdoor rink/sport court in the SW.
What is your position on water conservation?
Water conservation and quality of water has been part of my Council responsibility for the past term.. I sit on the board of FRSC (Foothills Regional Services Commission) which overseas wastewater services between the municipalities of High River and Foothills County. The treatment of wastewater and it's return to our ecosystem is a vital conservation effort. Further my Council involvement has had me support other conservation efforts such as our Water Use and Restrictions Bylaw. This guides the community on water use from a conservation approach and also protects it by restricting use as required.
A lot of the candidates talk about local economy specifically; how do you plan to grow the economy? And how do you plan to encourage sustainable growth?
The local economy grows by providing the essential infrastructure, services, amenities, and green spaces that residents communicate as being needed or wanted. This creates the environment of the special community we call home and attracts new residents to want to live here. The residents of our community ultimately bring businesses or services here as we patronize them.
Business looks for opportunity, a need to be filled. If it doesn't exist in High River it is most likely because a business analysis has shown there is no need or the need is not large enough to support the investment of opening said business. There are retail businesses or services I would like to see, but being a business person myself I understand why some may not exist here yet. We live in the greater metropolitan area of Calgary and that, whether you like it or not, draws on consumer spending. Shop local when you can to support what we have and what may come!
How do you plan on responding to the growing needs of the youth demographics (ages 10 to 16) of High River to help retain or bring them back when they become adults?
Council needs to continue to provide amenities and supports for youth. I already touched on my involvement here in the previous advocacy question.
Regarding retaining or bringing them back, in my opinion, is simply staying on Councils "Why" ... we make a difference now and for generations to come. Our community has been guided by many, many Councils and I believe one item resonates throughout is that we all like the way it feels here. Some today refer to it as the "small town feel". Moving here in 2001, that was my attraction and where my wife and I felt we could start and raise a family. I had gone to school in the US in a large city and as many young people do, I thought that was my path out of small town Saskatchewan. But here I am, and I love it. But some young people will find other places to call home. So we may not retain them all or bring them all back. But working for High River today with a dedication to maintaining "our feel" for the future will have some come back and also bring others that capture the love we have for this place.
With an aging population and increase in disabled persons in our town, what steps do you propose to ensure a meaningful life for all residents?
The best example I can provide is the pool expansion. A very important part of my support for this project is the "zero entry" (like walking into a lake or ocean - gradual). This is true accessibility! There have been some that refer to this as the "kiddie" pool and that is a very narrow viewpoint. The fact is this addition provides very inclusive access for parents and toddlers, those with mobility issues, seniors and everyone else.
Personally, our children, learned to swim in the existing lap pool on a submerged table in the shallow end. Neither ideal, or in my opinion, especially safe. Although I do not participate in aquacise (... yet), I do know that a large number of seniors do and I believe there have been limitations for some due to pool access. And wont it be amazing that someone with a disability who couldn't access the pool or required assistance to enter the pool, perhaps by lift, can now have the opportunity to do so themselves?
So here is an example of an action taken by the previous Council and this current Council which speaks directly to contributing to ensure a meaningful life for all residents.
What does urban sustainability mean to you?
It means being conscious to ensure that negative environmental or social impacts do not result from meeting peoples needs in the process of development.