Martin will rally for new schools

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This article was published 03/09/2019 (2611 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Shannon Martin was first elected in a by-election in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 as the MLA for Morris. Now, due to the redistribution of boundaries, he is running as the provincial PC candidate for McPhillips.

Martin, 48, said he is running because he feels like he still has much to give as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

“I don’t think that my career as an elected official is quite over unless voters decide as such,” he said.

“My number one plan is to make sure that we as a government keep the commitments that we made to Manitobans, that we keep the commitments that are going to directly impact my constituents, in particular, our commitment for new school constructions both in the Kildonan portion of the riding as well as West St. Paul. The two schools that we talked to with locals are both welcome and needed.”

He mentioned that the riding has had tremendous growth with new families moving in. McPhillips is one of the biggest ridings in Winnipeg, representing a population of 22,240, including the RM of West St. Paul.

“I’ve seen the difference in the previous riding that I represented that a new school can make in a community,” he explained.

As the MLA for Morris, Martin has mainly helped people navigate bureaucracy and appeal decisions within the government. He has also made sure that priorities of residents are heard, whether they be rebuilding roads, construction of new schools and daycares, or repairs to existing facilities such as arenas.

Martin said he identifies with the PC party because he considers himself as a progressive individual, “but everything has to be done against the backdrop of people’s responsibility.”

Prior to being elected, Martin ran a non-profit called Reaching E-Quality Employment Services that help people with physical disabilities find employment. He also ran the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, working on behalf of small businesses ensuring government listened to them.

“I have a lot of experience working and dealing with small business owners and the challenges they face and working with marginalized Manitobans, in particular, those with physical disabilities, making sure they can reach their full potential,” he said.

He grew up and lives in La Salle with his wife and three kids. Aside from being an MLA, Martin also serves as the co-chair of Manitoba’s Red Tape Reduction Task Force.

Also running for McPhillips is John Cacayuran (Lib.), Greg McFarlane (NDP), Jason Smith (Green Party) and Dave Wheeler (Manitoba First). Smith didn’t respond to an interview request by press time, and Wheeler declined an interview.