Proud to represent Elmwood–Transcona
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2024 (316 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
If you told me 10 years ago that I would one day be representing the community I have spent my entire life in as its member of Parliament, I wouldn’t have believed you. Even 10 months ago, I likely still wouldn’t have. Having spent the last 20 years of my life working with and for this community, I could not be more grateful and humbled that the people of this community chose me as their representative.
Since accepting the nomination in April, I’ve had the chance to not only reconnect with but also to meet thousands of community members. I listened to your concerns and heard many great suggestions on how to improve the lives of Manitobans.
I share these concerns, because I have lived them. As a single mother, I know the anxiety and struggle that comes with opening those monthly bills, paying the mortgage, and doing mental math at the grocery store check-out.

Free Press file photo
Leila Dance celebrated with family and friends after winning the Elmwood – Transcona by election on Sept. 16.
People have been forced to choose between groceries and their prescriptions, between heating their home and putting gas in their car. That’s why I chose to run.
In my community work, I fought to fill the gaps left by Conservative provincial governments that cut and gutted the social services that we so desperately rely on to make ends meet. As wages continue to be outpaced by inflation, our local food banks are struggling to feed record numbers of people, and affordable housing has become more and more impossible to find. These are not luxuries – they are basic necessities of a decent, dignified life, the life we all deserve to live in our country.
The NDP and I have been pressuring the government to help families by permanently removing GST on life essentials, such as groceries, kids’ clothing and diapers, and to remove it from essential bills such as phone and internet bills, home heating, and much more. The government recently announced that it’s giving in to our demands, but only some of them, and only temporarily.
Families need long-term solutions, so I will keep fighting for things that with help you every day.
I also heard time and again about issues accessing government agencies, including Service Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency and Immigration. I am happy to announce that my Winnipeg office is now set up and ready to help you with those concerns. My office can help you get the answers you have long been waiting for and push the government to fix these services, so they work better for Canadians.
Please reach out to my office if you need help by calling 204-984-2499 or emailing leila.dance@parl.gc.ca
The people of Elmwood-Transcona sent me to Ottawa to bring their concerns and their struggles to Parliament and to be their voice. I could not be more excited, and committed, to representing our home in the nation’s capital. Thank you.

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