Born in India, I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 4, while my parents were at UCLA and USC. We then moved to Augusta, Georgia, and 2 years later, my Dad became a professor at McGill University in Montreal. We moved to Winnipeg in 1967, when my parents became professors at the UofM Medical Faculty. I went to Ness Jr. High, and then to John Taylor Collegiate. It was in high school that I developed my love for photography and was at the beginnings of video technology. Although studying Scie...
Born in India, I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 4, while my parents were at UCLA and USC. We then moved to Augusta, Georgia, and 2 years later, my Dad became a professor at McGill University in Montreal. We moved to Winnipeg in 1967, when my parents became professors at the UofM Medical Faculty. I went to Ness Jr. High, and then to John Taylor Collegiate. It was in high school that I developed my love for photography and was at the beginnings of video technology. Although studying Sciences and Engineering, I received a degree in Psychology, but then continued my interests in video production.
I'm married with 2 daughters. Tamara, now married has a B.F.A (Honors), and Kiara entering her 4th year in the School of Music. I am in charge of the video production for my church. I love dogs, and haven't really met one I didn't like.
Age: 65
Profession: I have been in the video production business for about 30 years. I started with photography, continuing to the first forms of electronic video production (1/2" reel to reel black & white), from tube cameras, to completely digital storage and sensors that we have now. I have edited documentaries, music videos, and tv programs that have aired on a variety of networks. My company developed software and hardware for headend switching at Shaw Cable in early 2000. I still continue to shoot and edit, and have great joy from that work.
Education:
B.A. Psychology (University of Manitoba) I did the "scenic route" by first taking Science courses, and then electrical engineering, but ws fascinated by why people do what they do, and psychology was very interesting.
About You
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
With parents and brother who were in the medical field, I am surrounded with friends who are doctors and nurses, and the alarming stories they tell me, and this has prompted me to act.
I have been deeply distressed at the mandated (forced) hours of nurses to work 16 to 20 hours. This definitely puts patient care at risk. Truck drivers have hour limits, but healthcare workers apparently do not. The elimination of emergency rooms and ICU's at hospitals that do surgeries that can often lead to complications such as knee and hip replacement leading to strokes, (such as Concordia), again puts patients at risk. Urgent care centres, to me, seem like they're more like walk-in clinics. I believe people should use their own family doctors or go to walk-ins for non-hospital problems as a first choice, and let hospitals be hospitals again.
The Manitoba Liberal party is intelligently addressing this crisis, by:
- utilizing funding available from the federal government
- amalgamation of the new entity, Shared Health, with the 5 Regional Health Authorities, back into the jurisdiction of Manitoba Health, thereby allowing the hospitals to have more control in addressing the needs of their local areas
- using patient-based funding to put funds where there is demand, i.e. eliminating knee and hip surgery quotas, restoring physiotherapy as part of the treatment, Life Saving Drugs program (CPAP, diabetes medications, cancer medication, etc.)
- allowing our doctors and nurses to have input, instead of paying outside consultants millions of dollars
The Manitoba Liberal policies are well thought out, with long term goals in sight, with reasonable cost allocations by working with the federal government to utilize programs available, instead of leaving millions of dollars on the table for health, infrastructure, HomeCare, etc.
I have spoken to people who have had loved ones transported to multiple hospitals and have died, leaving them wondering if they had remained at one hospital, would the outcome have been different.
We want to restore services and make them better in a more sensible and cost effective manner.
Other commitments:
- 10% increase in HomeCare funding
- Zero-Barrier Plan for Post-Secondary education, restore $12M that was cut for Universities and Colleges and maintain constant funding matching inflation rates
- Raising minimum wage to $15/hr in 2 years
- Timely Labour Negotiations and Safe Workplaces
- NO PRIVITIZATION
- Fight for National Pharmacare program, saving each family approx $350 per year
- cover costs for clinical psychological therapy, and increase the number of psychologists in Manitoba
- build 1200 additional community-based seniors housing units by 2024, for $160million, by partnering with the federal National Housing Strategy initiative
- restore senior programs while eliminating fees
- with 16,000 children on the childcare waitlist, $33M for increased spaces (2250/yr), early education, decreasing unfunded spaces, increase wages for Early Childhood educators to recruit and retain, support for low income families, literacy by Grade 2
- infrastructure "New Deal" 10-year strategic plan to prioritize urgent and high-return-on-investment projects, partnering with federal funds, including northern winter roads, ice roads, and support for Centre Port, $1.6B/yr for 10 years
- a party that acknowledges the climate crisis, the threat to future generations, with a Green Plan that is affordable and do-able, and negotiating our own Green Plan with the federal government
- serious steps to Save Our Lake, such as issuing $500M in bonds
- attacking the meth crisis with better treatment, drug stabilization units, harm reduction strategies
- Manitoba Development Bank, buy local strategy, comprehensive tax review as recommended by the Winnipeg and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
- high speed internet and cell phone coverage for northern Manitoba
- Arts and Culture support
There are more. Ambitious plans perhaps, but with partnership with federal programs, these goals are possible and are needed to grow our economy, and help our people.
see them all at:
https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/our-platform
Why did you decide to run for office?
A few years ago, when my wife had leukaemia and Guillaine Barre Syndrome, which had her in hospital for over 400 days combined, I became all to aware of the importance of healthcare. So when my 96 year old mother couldn't go to Victoria Hospital, 3 minutes away from where she lives at a PCH, but instead had to travel by ambulance to Grace Hospital at 11 PM, to be seen at 4:30 AM by the lone doctor, made me realize how messed up everything is. As I walk around the community these past weeks, these concerns have been reinforced again and again by the stories by Kirkfield Park residents.
I know that Grace Hospital is in the area, but with the newly refurbished Psychiatry floor empty, resources are sitting idle. But if you go to Grace, and your problem doesn't meet the "emergency" requirements, you'll be sent to another hospital like Victoria or Seven Oaks. A hospital is no longer a hospital. This isn't right. We have to fix this.
Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
No doubt there will be celebrations and funding for this great event. However, a working healthcare system, a growing economy, education excellence, and treating people with dignity and respect, may be the best way to celebrate the 150 year milestone.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
My favourite comedy movie is "Back to School" with Rodney Dangerfield. This may seem odd, but it's a classic. I recently subscribed to MAD Magazine, as it is the last 6 months it will be in existence. It's a magazine I grew up with in the 60's and 70's. Another icon that will fade away. Sad.
Find out more about Nathaniel Ernie, Liberal, Kirkfield Park:
https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/ernienathaniel
https://www.facebook.com/ErnieNathanielforKirkfieldPark
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