Mirwaldt hopes to turn Elmwood-Transcona red

By: Sheldon Birnie Posted: 6:26 AM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 7, 2021

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This article was published 07/09/2021 (1828 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sara Mirwaldt is the Liberal Party candidate for Elmwood-Transcona in the Sept. 20 federal election.

The 22-year-old University of Manitoba student, who will graduate in the fall with a bachelor of arts in criminology, put her plans to attend law school on temporarily on hold when the election writ was dropped in August.

“I was inspired by the way the Trudeau government handled and continues to handle COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mirwaldt, who works as legal assistant. “Law school may be on hold, but we’ll see what happens.”

Before getting involved with the Liberal Party in 2016, Mirwaldt grew up in a household that loved talking politics around the dinner table.

“For some people that’s taboo, but not with my family,” she said. “Everyone’s very opinionated and loves having these conversations.”

As for political mentors, Mirwaldt credits Tyndall Park MLA Cindy Lamoureux with helping foster her own interest in politics.

“I’ve been so inspired by her,” Mirwaldt said. “She’s been an incredible role model.”

In 2019, Mirwaldt got involved with the Manitoba Young Liberals, and has since gone on to work for the organization at the national level.

“I’m trying to increase political opportunities for youth on the Prairies,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can so youth know where they can vote, and hopefully get as many youth out to the polls as last time.”

As a young person, Mirwaldt said the issue of affordable housing is one that resonates with her in particular.

“We’re not asking for free houses, we’re asking for a fair shot,” she said. “I think it’s incredibly important to address this issue, with the state of housing market.”

While Mirwaldt doesn’t live in Elmwood-Transcona currently, she’s got her eye on the market.

“I currently live in a neighbouring riding with my family and three dogs,” she said. “I hope to be able to find a location in Elmwood-Transcona for myself in the near future, and if elected I would certainly expedite that search.”

Mirwaldt touted the federal government’s recent agreement with provinces, including Manitoba, to provide families with affordable childcare as a big step in the right direction.

“We need to do more,” she said. “Across country we’d like to implement 250,000 high quality child-care spaces 23,000 in Manitoba. We need it.”

Care for seniors was another issue Mirwaldt said she would work at addressing if elected on Sept. 20.

“They’ve put so much into our communities, it’s our turn to support them,” she said. “If elected, I would look to work with provinces for better care, to put more money back to seniors to help them stay in their homes longer, and to improve quality and availability of long term care beds.”

If elected, Mirwaldt said she would be an advocate for the people of Elmwood-Transcona.

“There’s people struggling in our community,” she said. “We need people in elected office to bring these programs in at the local level. We need to be the change in our communities, and that’s what I want to fight for. I want to make sure these national programs have an impact on the local level.”

Incumbent MP Daniel Blaikie (NDP), Rejeanne Caron (CPC), Jamie Cumming (PPC), and Devlin Hinchey (Green) are also running for office in Elmwood-Transcona in the Sept. 20 federal election.

Sara Mirwaldt is the Liberal Party candidate for Elmwood-Transcona in the Sept. 20 federal election.