Fletcher works toward another term

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/08/2015 (4036 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steven Fletcher, incumbent MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley, is eager to continue representing the riding’s constituents in Parliament.

First elected in 2004, the 43-year-old Headingley resident is launching his fifth campaign and said he doesn’t intend on giving up his seat in the House of Commons.

“I’ve always been committed to running,” he said.

Although he said he’s a private person, Fletcher believes in being transparent about the challenges he’s encountered in his life following a 1996 accident that resulted in paralysis from the neck down. In fact, a book written by Linda McIntosh about Fletcher’s advocacy work for physician-assisted death, called Master of My Fate, is being released soon.

He said that his health has no negative impact on his current campaign or ability to serve as an elected official.  

“My record speaks to that very well,” he said.

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Fletcher cites the growth of CentrePort Canada and federal support for 17 Wing Winnipeg and companies involved in the aerospace industry as adding strength to the local economy.

“This is primarily a middle-class, working class riding,” he said. “We want to make sure that the residents benefit from the fruits of their labour.”

He was involved in the federal government’s Building Canada program through consultations with municipal groups to identify infrastructure needs. Evidence of funding through this program and federal transfer of gas tax revenue can be seen in the improvements being made to the Trans-Canada Highway through the RM of Headingley and upgrades to active transportation routes such as Charleswood’s Harte Trail and Headingley’s Grand Trunk Trail, Fletcher said.
He also spoke about his role in having the federal government compensate victims of Hepatitis C and thalidomide.

“We have transferred huge sums of money to the province for health care,” he said.
When interviewed on Aug. 5, no NDP candidate had been nominated in the riding, and Fletcher was anxious to find out who that may be as he views the NDP as be the biggest challenge to his re-election.

“I can only ensure that I meet the needs of the people in this riding,” he said. “I feel very fortunate in being their Member of Parliament.”