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Frances Koncan:
The Free Press invited all provincial candidates to fill out a questionnaire about themselves, the issues affecting their communities, and what they hope to achieve in office.
Ten questions on the issues: Find out how your opinions compare with the candidates hoping to become your next MLA.
We’ll then show you how the candidates’ positions compare to yours.
If a party’s position doesn’t appear on the scale below, their candidate did not respond to the question.
Legend
The provincial government says consolidating Winnipeg’s six acute care hospitals down to three will improve overall medical care for patients. Is that the right move?
Great idea
Good idea
We’ll see
Not a good idea
Terrible idea
PCHow much control should the provincial government have over the operations of Crown corporations like Manitoba Public Insurance and Manitoba Hydro?
Hands-off
Not much say
50/50
Some oversight
Direct supervision
PCThe Pallister government plans to eliminate the deficit by 2022. Should balancing the books be a priority?
Essential
High priority
Neutral
Low priority
Not important
PCIn Budget 2019, the provincial government spent approximately $350 million on highways. The construction industry says we need to invest more. Is $350 million the right amount?
Way too little
A little under
About right
A little too much
Way too much
PCThere have been calls to install safe consumption and/or injection sites in Manitoba, so that people with addictions can consume or inject drugs in a space with medical supervision and more readily available access to addiction services. Are these sites a good idea?
Urgently needed
A good idea
Not sure
Not necessary
A bad idea
PCHow important is it for the provincial government to take steps to address climate change?
Urgent
Important
Neutral
Not important
Unnecessary
PCWill a carbon tax influence consumer behaviour, such as encouraging people to drive less or make their homes more efficient?
Definitely won't
Probably won't
Not sure
Probably will
Definitely will
PCI would rather have more money in my pocket through tax cuts than have the provincial government increase spending on public services.
Strongly disagree
Somewhat disagree
Neutral
Somewhat agree
Strongly agree
PCManitoba’s K-12 education system is currently undergoing a review of curriculum and spending models. How much control should school boards have when it comes to making education budgets?
Total control
More control
Current system
Less control
No control
PCHow much do you consider a candidate’s personal history - before they entered politics - when deciding who to vote for?
Not at all
Very little
Neutral
Somewhat
A lot
PCThe candidates, as people: Would-be MLAs introduce themselves to you and describe their backgrounds, what made them decide to run for office, and how they hope to solve the problems facing your community.
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Age: 47
Profession: Small Business Owner /Elected Representative
Education:
B.A (Advanced) Political Science and Economics
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Affordability and taxes; crime and safety; health care. * Continue to lower your taxes including a $2020 tax roll back to put more money in your pocket. * Invest $10 Million in safer streets, safer lives action plan to fight crime in Winnipeg. * Commit to an additional $2 Billion Health Care Guarantee.Why did you decide to run for office?
To continue to make an impact in the community that I grew up in and represent. I want to make my province a better place for my children and future generations of Manitobans.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
Our government has committed an additional $45 Million for infrastructure investments and $5 Million for Manitoba 150th Celebrations. We have also made a substantial commitment to promoting our unique and wonderful province through promoting tourism.Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I played Centre and was Assistant Captain of the Silver Heights Huskies Hockey Team.
http://scottfielding4mla.com
https://twitter.com/ScottFieldingKP
https://twitter.com/ScottFieldingKP
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No response given
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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.
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-platformWhy 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.
https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/ernienathaniel
https://www.facebook.com/ErnieNathanielforKirkfieldPark
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I've been a grassroots activist ever since hearing Ralph Nader speak in the 1980s and subsequently meeting him several years later. I've been active with a number of environmental and social organizations and projects, serving on the boards/steering committees of the Manitoba Eco-Network, Computers for Charities, Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library, and Basketballs for Inner City Kids to name a few. I'm an avid basketball, hockey and football fan, having coached basketball at Kirkfield-Westwood Community Centre and at Rossbrook House for over a decade. In the last few years, I've also been actively organizing Gordon Bell alumni to re-connect with our school and one another, establishing several endowment funds and prizes for students and programs at Gordon Bell.
I feel I bring a fresh view to politics in our province, with innovative ideas for addressing issues as diverse as the meth/opioid crisis, reducing social inequality, transforming our health care system with an emphasis on preventative health, promoting gardening and tree planting, incentivizing the use of electric vehicles, and addressing the impacts and causes of climate change. I look forward to working with the Green Party team and with residents of Kirkfield Park to make our community healthier, safer and greener.
Profession: Data Management & Security Consultant/Web Developer
Education:
High School, Gordon Bell // B.Sc. (Hons) Computer Science, UM // M.Sc. Community Health Sciences, UM
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Climate change is without doubt the biggest issue facing us all! This is an enormous challenge and it's essential that we address this in a non-partisan manner. So we have to begin by working together, across all political stripes. We need to do more to encourage public transportation and use of electric vehicles, through significant tax rebates and installation of charging stations. Discourage non-essential air flights until electric planes are in wide use (e.g. encourage online communication for business meetings). And encourage and incentivize the shift toward plant-focussed diets.Why did you decide to run for office?
I realized it's time for me to step up and try to fix the problems we're leaving for the younger generations.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
Let our young people take over the occasion and allow them to organize activities & events!Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I'm a big music fan -- from 1920's early Jazz to Instrumental Surf, from Bluegrass to 70s Rock, I've got a pretty wide range of musical interests.
http://greenparty.mb.ca
http://facebook.com/Dennis.Bayomi
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