Wong wants to be voice for Fort Richmond

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This article was published 27/08/2019 (2562 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The NDP candidate in Fort Richmond is promising to be an MLA for all if elected to the legislature this fall.

George Wong is running in the riding against incumbent PC MLA Sarah Guillemard, who was first elected in 2016.

For 13 years prior, the community was represented by NDP MLA Kerri Irvin-Ross.

“I have been involved in the community for a long time,” Wong said. “I’ve always given back to the community in my own way, now it’s my time to be doing it full-time, and to do it full-time with a stronger voice, I think I need a voice in the Leg.”

Wong, who declined to share his age saying instead “I’m always young,” immigrated to Canada in the 1980s from Burma, now Myanmar, and has worked as a certified management consultant for the past 30 years in Canada and the U.S., providing his services to major companies, including MTS after privatization, and working with small and medium-sized businesses, and non-profits. He is also the past president of the Manitoba Association of Management Consultants and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba. He currently sits on the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation council.

The husband from southeast Winnipeg grew up in Fort Richmond and still has family residing in the community.  

“Fort Richmond is the place that I grew up now going door-to-door, door knocking, it’s very family friendly,” Wong said. “My family lived in both Fort Richmond and Richmond West… These bring back a lot of family memories.

“This is an area that my extended family has called this home for the last 45, 46 years. It’s a natural fit for me to represent them,” he said.  

In choosing to support the NDP, Wong said it is the party for all Manitobans and can accommodate people from different backgrounds. Wong previously ran for MLA during the 2016 provincial general election in Fort Whyte against Brian Pallister.

Top of mind for voters in Fort Richmond is health care, Wong said, and the conversion of the Victoria Hospital emergency room to an urgent care centre.

“When I see the health care situation has been going down hill, especially with the recent development and escalation that is overly acted upon in terms of cuts and service reduction, I feel stronger than before that I must run,” Wong said.

Other issues raised by voters include public education and class sizes, addictions services, and crime, Wong said.

There are reasons for voters in Fort Richmond to return to the NDP, Wong contends, including electing a representative who is committed to “speak the truth,” share their opinions, and listen to constituents.

“It’s nothing personal, Sarah could be a good MLA, but unfortunately when Victoria Hospital (emergency room) was closed down, where was she?” Wong said. “Even I was very passionate about that. I don’t have a voice at the legislature. She does.

“I think I would be better representation for the Fort Richmond riding.”

Also running Fort Richmond is Liberal  candidate Tanjit Nagra and PC candidate Sarah Guillemard. The Green Party of Manitoba candidate Cameron Proulx was announced after press time. The provincial election is Sept. 10.