Friesen has sights set on legislature

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This article was published 27/08/2019 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A former school trustee from rural Manitoba is making the jump to provincial politics with a bid to become MLA for Fort Rouge.

Cyndy Friesen is running with the Manitoba Liberal Party in the newly redrawn constituency against incumbent MLA and New Democratic Party leader Wab Kinew.

“I’m focused on what we can do to improve the lives of the people in Fort Rouge and that is my main focus,” Friesen said. “I’m the progressive alternative and I’ve worked hard for people when I’ve been in politics these 12 years. I have a proven record. I’m known as a doer.”

Friesen served as a school trustee in the Hanover School Division for 12 years and was an active community volunteer before taking elected office, sitting on parent council and the board of women’s shelter Agape House, while raising her family in Steinbach, Man.

Friesen was on the Hanover school board in 2016 when a local parent requested a review of the division’s policy to consider homosexuality a “sensitive concern” and instruct teachers to refrain from discussing homosexuality in the classroom until high school. Friesen supported a review of the division’s policy although the board did not move forward with the request.

In 2018, with both children graduated from school, Friesen then ran for city council in Steinbach but was unsuccessful in that pursuit. She said it was at that time the Manitoba Liberal Party opened discussions with her about running for MLA. Friesen said prior to her involvement with the MLP, she was not a member of any provincial political party.

“I read their constitution and I found that my values lined up very much with what theirs were, and so after a lot of thinking about it I decided I would run,” Friesen said.

When making the decision to move to provincial politics, Friesen said she was particularly motivated by a 2018 decision by the provincial government to contribute $20 million to the local horse racing industry over a three-year period.

“I understand that this is a huge revenue maker for the province and that’s why they want to continue on supporting it,” Friesen said. “But saying that, where my passion is, is supporting and helping people who are providing essential services, such as daycare workers, and EAs in the schools, and health care, and when we hear that they’re being underfunded and not having a living salary, that makes me question the priorities of this government.”

As part of the 2018 Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission, the Fort Rouge constituency was rejigged to include the communities of Lord Roberts and Riverview, formerly part of Fort Garry-Riverview, represented by NDP MLA James Allum, who is not seeking re-election. The new constituency no longer includes the neighbourhoods of Crescentwood, Earl Grey, or McMillan.

The 58-year-old, who was born and raised in Winnipeg, has temporarily relocated to the city during the campaign period, living nearby in River Heights. Friesen said the MLP put her name forward for Fort Rouge based on her experience and qualifications.

“Going door-knocking has been fabulous,” she said when asked what she likes about the constituency. “The people are amazing and it’s just a great community. It’s very unique, very diverse, and it’s been such a great experience.”

At the doorstep, Friesen said she is hearing concerns from voters about climate change, health care, education and child care. If elected, Friesen said she would like to focus her energy on the province’s health care system, supporting frontline workers, and improving addictions services.

“My whole life I’ve had a passion for serving others and trying to improve others’ lives. That’s been something I’ve always done.”

Also running in Fort Rouge are NDP leader Wab Kinew, Green Party leader James Beddome, and Progressive Conservative candidate Edna Nabess. Manitoba Forward candidate Bradley Hebert could not be reached by press time. Manitoba First candidate Michael McCracken was announced after press time.The provincial election is Sept. 10.