Keeping rural communities growing

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/09/2019 (2475 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Headliner posed the following questions to all registered candidates running for election in Lakeside.

Manitoba Liberal Party candidate Ilsa Regelsky didn’t respond by press time.

How are the health care needs of Lakeside residents being addressed?

Ralph Eichler (Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba): Health care has been challenging but I believe that the people in Lakeside will have better health care soon. It is hard to attract doctors to rural Manitoba but Lakeside residents are located fairly close to Winnipeg. The response time for rural ambulance service is 30 minutes.

Dan Rugg (New Democratic Party of Manitoba): I am concerned about how cuts to health care including the closure of the Seven Oaks Emergency room, are making life more difficult for the residents of Lakeside. The wait times for cataract, hip and knee surgeries have worsened and cuts in outpatient physiotherapy and occupational therapy are making it very inconvenient for patients to get access to these services. Adding a health care premium which could cost Manitobans up to $900 per adult is adding to our daily cost of living.

How can the current public education system be improved for rural Manitoba students?

Eichler: Manitoba students were last among students from all the other provinces when we formed government, but now they have moved to second place. There’s been a good response to the provincial educational review so far. While we can’t predict the outcome yet, a better job is needed in educating students throughout the province.

Rugg: Pallister’s closing of the Manitoba Curriculum Centre is a huge loss for rural teachers as hands-on availability is now greatly reduced. The government’s constraints on education are putting pressure on rural school division finances. Early childhood centres are still struggling while parents are still waiting for open spaces. The size of the classes is being increased with the result of less individual attention being given to each student, resulting in more of them falling through the cracks.

How can the provincial government help to stimulate economic development in Lakeside?

Eichler: We are fortunate in Lakeside as there are many opportunities for economic development and value-added investment. There has been $1.2 billion invested in Manitoba’s agriculture industry and more new initiatives will be announced soon. We have the environment needed to attract investment with natural resources and green energy.

Rugg: A low-cost intercity transportation system, that will allow residents that do not have the ability to transport themselves between communities, would help to sustain the present population of the rural communities. Too many of the younger people do not have the ability to take advantage of the different opportunities between the towns found in this district. This also affects the elderly, which have to relocate into areas outside of this district to maintain their current living standards. It’s imperative that the agriculture sector is kept affordable by reviewing the education tax model for farmers sooner than later.

— Staff