Back in December when several Wildrose MLA’s crossed over to the join Premier Prentice and the PC party, the Wildrose party was left to decide what to do next. Long time Wildrose supporter Leela Aheer knew that her heart was with the Wildrose party and that is where her loyalty would remain. Little did she know, that her path would soon lead her to be selected by those closest to her to put her name forward as the Chestermere – Rocky View Wild Rose MLA candidate.
Although born in Edmonton, Aheer has called Chestermere home since 1979. She reflected on the moment that she and her father had taken the short drive from Calgary, where they lived before coming to Chestermere, and looking at the beautiful home, with red and gold décor and knowing it must be their home. Once coming here all those years ago, Aheer completed her grade school years and graduated from Chestermere High school.
After graduation, she set off to South India which is where her family originates. She wanted to experience firsthand where they came from, the lifestyle, the heritage. “There were many situations that I experienced over there during the year I was there, I am actually very grateful I made it back to Canada alive”. Leela and husband, Malkeet Aheer, both come from families that came to Canada to have a better life. Leela described her family as being in a higher class in India, where as husband Malkeet’s family was the poor of the poor. “My father in law is my hero”, described Leela, “in all seriousness, if you’ve seen the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, that is exactly how my father in law grew up. I have such respect and love for that man. He is one of the most kind, humble and genuine people you’ll ever meet. To come from absolutely nothing, being sold into slavery as a child by his own family and raise a family and build a life – such an amazing man”.
After her year spent in India, Aheer returned to Chestermere and began her post-secondary education at the University of Calgary. With her true love always being music, after three years of Political Science, she knew that it was time for a change and soon realized that Calgary was not going to be the place for that to happen. So, after just marrying the love of her life, Malkeet, she headed to Winnipeg where she obtained her Bachelor of Music from the University of Manitoba. Their eldest child was born there and it was then time to return to where Aheer has always considered her home – Chestermere.
Over the course of the years to come, Leela has ran several successful businesses, organizes and volunteers for a variety of community events, and plays in her “nationally released” ensemble Minerva. Aside from all of her public duties she also manages to keep her busy family of four running smoothly and proudly advocates on behalf of her special needs son. She also actively guides her older son at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She has many of Chestermere’s children the love and joy of music and is well known in the community for her love of the children that she teaches out of the studio in her home.
Volunteering and giving back to the Chestermere and Rocky View community is a true passion of Aheers. One of her most recent successes would be the role she played in the opening of the Chestermere Community Health Center which opened in January 2015. Leela believes in and cares about bringing localized health care to smaller communities and that it improves the health of citizens young and old.
Skip forward now to January 2015. Aheer says, “There had been many conversations that I was involved with and with other Wildrose supporters as to who now should put their name forward as the Chestermere – Rocky View MLA candidate. I will never forget the night that my name came up. I had been upstairs in my home teaching a student, and I came down the stairs into my kitchen where Patrick (Patrick Bergen is the President of Chestermere Rockyview Wildrose CA) and Malkeet were sitting talking and I asked “so, what names do we have?” and Patrick answered with “Leela I think you should do it”. Aheer goes on to explain the rush of emotion that came over her as she started running this idea through her head. “What did they see in me that they felt I could do this? Could I do this? What would this mean for my family?” said Aheer.
Aheer said that she took some time, did her research and discussed it with those closest to her to decide if this was really something she felt she could do. With full support of her husband and other Wildrose supporters, the choice was made and it was announced.
Since the announcement, Aheer has been door knocking, holding open houses and attending community events to really engage the public. “I want people to talk to me – whether they are happy, upset, and frustrated – whatever they are going through. I need to hear from them so that I can advocate for what they need and what the community feels should be the priority”. Come election time and should Aheer win the MLA seat, she is very passionate about her top priorities are. “Top of my list is fiscal responsibility – where is our money going? I want to see a list. A list that shows where tax payer’s money is going. Accountability. Education – especially for special needs students – will always be priority for me. Are the schools and teachers properly equipped to deal with students that require that extra care and attention? Property laws – what those residents in Springbank are going through now, could just as easily happen here in Chestermere and I don’t want to see that happen”.
Aheer went on to say that she strongly believes that there needs to be a strong opposition and that the Wildrose is the party to be that opposition.
“I always think of what will make my children proud. I want them to speak about me in a way that shows that they are proud of me and feel that I did what was best for not only them, but the community we live in”, said Aheer. “Chestermere has always been my home and I look forward to possibly getting that opportunity to represent its residents and other members of the Chestermere – Rocky View constituency”.
