A progressive move in Winnipeg South

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This article was published 01/10/2015 (3668 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Niagara native has found a new home in Winnipeg and is hoping to represent it in the House of Commons this fall.

Brianne Goertzen is running for the New Democratic Party to become Member of Parliament in Winnipeg South. Goertzen, 30, was raised in Niagara, Ont. but moved to Winnipeg to complete her master’s degree in sociology at the University of Manitoba.

“When we moved here we just fell in love with the city. I think when you come to Manitoba and you come to Winnipeg after living in other places, you really do realize what you’re seeking in a place,” Goertzen told The Sou’wester. “It’s our home and we’re staying here for life.”

Winnipeg South has been represented by Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge since his election in 2006. Bruinooge is not seeking re-election this time around. Other candidates in Winnipeg South include Adam Smith (Green Party), Terry Duguid (Liberal) and Gordon Giesbrecht (Conservative).

This is the first time Goertzen, who works for the Canadian Federation of Students-Manitoba as the Manitoba organizer and holds a position on the executive of CUPE 3909, has run for public office.

“I’ve always been politically astute and for as long as I can remember I was the only kid going around talking politics,” she said. “But the decision to run was really about the fact that…I don’t see Canada the way it should be. At least for my son right now, I think that the country is on a track from the Conservative government that’s putting us in a position that’s pretty precarious,” Goertzen explained.

“If you think you can do a better job you should put your hat in the ring.”

While Goertzen currently lives in Transcona she is hoping to move into the riding in a year and said Winnipeg South has become her home.

“The U of M is like a second home to me, when I came to Winnipeg it was a breath of fresh air to go to a university that had staff, professors and a campus that were so welcoming,” she said. “I believe that riding is where I began in this city and it’s where my heart is.”

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Goertzen is a strong supporter of affordable and accessible quality child care and said if elected she would like to work to improve health care, the job market and the child care portfolio.

“I believe that child care is a policy that needs to be part of our family policy in Canada because it is such a hindrance for, disproportionately, women to enter the workforce when there is not adequate care for their children,” she said.

Nationally, Goertzen said returning the national age of retirement to 65 from 67 is an important issue for her. Beginning in 2023 only those 67-years-old or older are eligible for Old Age Security.

“Those folks that have already paid into the system expected to retire at 65,” Goertzen said. “By keeping it back at 65 and making sure there is adequate funding — I believe that’s important for us to maintain.”

The federal election is Oct. 19.