Kinew believes people looking for change

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

After three years on Broadway, incumbent NDP MLA Wab Kinew is counting on voters in Fort Rouge to return him to the legislature in a bid to become premier of Manitoba.

After a period of party rebuilding in his first term as leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party, Kinew said his time at the legislature has not been without its challenges, particularly when it comes to juggling the needs of Manitobans.

“I always try to think about it at the local level and at the level of the average family — how can we make a positive difference,” Kinew said. “Big picture, I care about health care, about the climate, I care about work, but what does that mean for a family in Fort Rouge.

“To me the challenge is always to ensure we’re being responsive and listening, and getting it right in terms of those priorities.”

Kinew — a former broadcaster, author, and former University of Winnipeg associate vice-president of Indigenous affairs — was first elected to the legislature in 2016. The following year, Kinew was successful in his bid for leadership of the Manitoba NDP and has held the role since September 2017.

“It’s been a pretty amazing opportunity to talk to people around the province. I think that is far and away the best part of politics,” Kinew said. “Being the MLA for Fort Rouge and being the leader of the NDP has given me a chance to hear a lot from Manitobans.”

In his first provincial campaign as party leader, Kinew said he feels “really good” about his team and a platform based on health care, job creation, and addressing climate change.

“I think a lot of people, including people who voted for Mr. Pallister in the last election, are disappointed with the government and they’re looking for change,” Kinew, 37, said.

With the leadership position has come criticism of Kinew’s past, which the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba has made a part of its ad and social media campaign, under the banner “Wab Risk.” During his 20s, Kinew was convicted for impaired driving and an assault on a taxi driver. He has since received record suspensions for the two convictions, The Canadian Press has reported. Two assault charges from 2003 against a former partner were stayed in 2004 and Kinew has denied those allegations. He’s also faced criticism for misogynistic and homophobic comments on social media and in rap lyrics from about a decade ago. Kinew has since publicly apologized for the comments and lyrics, and any harm caused.

Under The Elections Act, candidates for the first time must disclose offences they have pled guilty to or have been found guilty of.

“I have a certain amount of reverence for the life experience that I’ve led because it’s taught me the value of compassion, and even more importantly, the importance of listening, and those are traits that I use every day as a political leader and also the MLA for Fort Rouge,” the father of three said.

During his time representing Fort Rouge — he lives just outside of the boundary which was redrawn as part of the 2018 Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission — Kinew said he is most proud of his one-on-one work with constituents even if it doesn’t get the attention of the public.

“When somebody comes up to me at Canada Day on Osborne and says ‘Hey, you got Hydro to move that pole in my yard, or ‘You helped me not get evicted,’ or ‘You helped my kid get that coverage in health care,’ to me that’s super rewarding,” Kinew said.

Directly related to life in Fort Rouge, Kinew said he wants to tackle the addiction and methamphetamine crisis if re-elected.

“I hear so often, parents in the Village are scared to take their kids to Fort Rouge Park because of needles, I hear from homeowners all over the constituency worried about property crime or theft and other issues that are being driven by addictions,” Kinew said. “The approach that we have really is to provide the missing provincial investment that has allowed the meth situation and addiction to get worse.”

Also running in Fort Rouge are Green Party leader James Beddome, Manitoba Liberal Party candidate Cyndy Friesen, 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.