Krystina Waler representing federal Conservatives in St. Catharines

Krystina Waler, second from left, celebrated her candidacy for the federal Conservatives in St. Catharines with an event at Henry of Pelham Estate Winery on Aug. 27. Also on hand were, from left, Niagara Centre federal Conservative candidate April Jefs, MP Tony Clement, MPP Caroline Mulroney and Niagara Falls MP Rob Nicholson. – Scott Rosts/Metroland

For many years Krystina Waler has given back overseas, working in humanitarian aid with orphans and in the health-care industry in war-torn Ukraine, but now the St. Catharines resident is looking forward to serving her community back at home.

The 33-year-old was recently acclaimed as the Conservative candidate for St. Catharines ahead of the 2019 federal election. She hit the ground running, attending the Conservative party’s convention just days later in Halifax, before coming home and officially launching her campaign with a local event on Aug. 27. Waler now says she is looking forward to getting out in the community and hopes to be elected to the role of MP, a position Liberal Chris Bittle won during the 2015 election.

“I want to work with everyone for the common good of the city. This is about listening to the residents and understanding their issues and concerns,” said Waler.

While she is passionate about policy and has heard several local issues, including the need to see action with repairs at the Port Dalhousie piers as well as some immigration concerns given the city’s proximity to the border, Waler said she wants to hear from residents first.

“I will push for things I have passion for, but my biggest responsibility is to get into the community and hear what the people in St. Catharines have to say,” said Waler. “I am their voice and will champion those issues.”

Waler, a Sir Winston Churchill alum, said her interest in politics came during her time in Ukraine. When the revolution started in late 2013, she was on the ground doing charity work, watching the chaos unfold around her. Waler, who is now a director of humanitarian initiatives for the Canada Ukraine Foundation, ultimately connected with Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and forged a role as an adviser in the country. She also joined Baird when he was the first foreign minister to come to the country when the revolution ended.

“I started getting more and more involved with the party and on different policy files and learning them,” said Waler, who later travelled with former prime minister Stephen Harper to Ukraine as part of an official delegation in 2015.

Her involvement with the Conservative party built from there, helping with fundraisers and getting involved with the party in Toronto while attending the University of Toronto, where she was earning her master’s in health technology assessment and management. She also became friends with current Conservative party Leader Andrew Scheer and supported his leadership campaign, saying he has the tools to beat Justin Trudeau next year.

Originally asked to consider running in Toronto, Waler said she always saw her hometown as the best fit. When the candidacy role opened in St. Catharines, it was the perfect fit, she said.

“I’m honoured to do this. This is the place I am most passionate about and feel connected with,” she said. “I am a local girl, who believes in our city, and I am prepared for this position and to represent our community.”