Matthew Altheim was born in Edmonton, but lived in Stony Plain, Alberta until moving back to the riding of Edmonton-East in 2005. Matt worked in the private sector as a heavy equiptment operator and helped form the ground base for road construction. He also worked as an Armored Transport Officer, responsible for the transportation of secure goods.

                 In his younger years, Matthew watched as Canada sat on the verge of collapse, especially with the Quebec Referendum of 1995, then with alienation of Western Canada. He then decided he wanted to be part of the solution, to create an unyielding pride and devotion to our country and for a balanced and fair approach to federal governance in every region.

                 Noticing a need for change, especially with regard to social and judicial reforms, Mr. Altheim decided to join the grass-roots effort in Edmonton-East to address the challenges faced in his community. Along with other conservatives, Matthew formed the Conservative Association at Concordia University, where he served as President. Matt also served as the Vice-President for the Edmonton East Electoral District Association.

                Having seen the devastating consequences of crime, especially with the loss of a family friend, who was a RCMP officer in Mayerthorpe, Matthew decided he would make a difference and be a strong voice for judicial reforms in Canada.  He has long felt the victims of crime have been the last to be addressed. The concept of “time served” has been the basis for releasing inmates back into our communities, not on thebasis of personal rehabilitation. This has lead to Canada having an alarming rate of recidivism. The primary function of government is the protection of its citizens and Matthew takes this quite seriously.

                Being from a small town, Matt decided the strongest approach to dealing with the social crisis in Edmonton-East is to involve counsel from members in the primary organizations of the community.  Mr. Altheim has felt these people and organizations within the riding have been neglected in the past and there is now a great need to involve these people to solve the greater problems that we face.  Prostitution, gang-violence, drugs, and poverty are major areas of concern in Edmonton-East.  Matt believes that by taking the leftist approach, ignoring the criminal element to these problems, we will not be able to have any progress or prosperity. The goal is to bring about success by creating a safe and aspiring community.

                Internationally, Matthew hopes to help with the advancement of world aid, best served in the form of food and other essential needs, to areas of world conflict. He also believes change is needed to relieve major problems that contribute to the use of child soldiers, the biggest cause is that  susceptible orphans are being targeted by handlers.  Creating a safe environment for child orphans to live and flourish will help bring an end to the use of child soldiers.  Mr. Altheim believes in stronger UN resolutions to prevent countries, especially in the free world, from supplying weapons to factions that use child soldiers and civil conflicts that use genocide as a weapon.  Canada is a nation of conscience, and we will always be defenders of liberty and justice in the world.