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.
Select the position that most closely matches your own for each issue below.
We’ll then show you how the candidates’ positions compare to yours.
Tap or hover your mouse over any party to read the candidate’s comments on this issue.
If a party’s position doesn’t appear on the scale below, their candidate did not respond to the question.
Legend
PC Progressive Conservative
LIB Liberal
NDP New Democratic Party
CPC-M Communist
GPM Green
IND Independent
MF Manitoba First
MBFWD Manitoba Forward
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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: I would like to see what the medical professionals have to say about this as they are the ones who know the needs of medical institutions the best since they live and breath it on a daily basis.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
How 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: No Comment
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
The Pallister government plans to eliminate the deficit by 2022. Should balancing the books be a priority?
Essential
High priority
Neutral
Low priority
Not important
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: First we need to ensure all Manitobans have their basic needs met (food, water, shelter) and then we can worry about the budget. Balancing the budget when there are Manitobans going without clean drinking water is meaningless.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
In 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: Manitoba's highways are run down and dangerous. With a province that relies on these roads for business, agriculture, and recreation, we need to ensure they are safe and kept up.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
There 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: We have a drug crisis in Winnipeg and Manitoba, without these centers for people, our brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles, they will not have access to a safe and clean location making them susceptible to disease and injury. These centers will also provide them with information on recovery so they can get the help they need.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
How important is it for the provincial government to take steps to address climate change?
Urgent
Important
Neutral
Not important
Unnecessary
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: Not only climate change but water and soil pollution. This is our home and we need to keep treat it with respect. If you throw garbage on your livingroom floor you will have to pick it up eventually, better to pick it up now before the flies and mice come.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
Will 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: It will provide businesses with encouragement to switch over to sustainable sources and consumers to be more cautious of the amount of fossil fuels they use.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
I 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: Not everyone in the same income bracket have the same financial needs. Putting money into public services ensures everyone has access to the same education, medical system, etc. No matter what their income is.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
Manitoba’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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: School boards know the running of of schools in their area, I believe we also need to consider a way of involving principals and teachers as they know the individual needs of our students and schools.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
How 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
LIB
Ilsa Regelsky: Humans are humans and we all make mistakes. We all made regrettable decisions when we were younger (even if it was just our fashion choices in middle school). That being said, if there is a pattern of behaviour where and individual is making the same mistakes repeatedly then that says something about their character. There is always room for personal growth though.
Did not respond:
PC Ralph Eichler
NDP Dan Rugg
The 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.
Candidates
Ralph Eichler, Progressive Conservative, Lakeside
No response given
Ilsa Regelsky, Liberal, Lakeside
I live on a hobby farm with family in the interlake. As a student at the University of Manitoba, I am passionate about helping people and the environment.
Read More
I live on a hobby farm with family in the interlake. As a student at the University of Manitoba, I am passionate about helping people and the environment.
Profession: Currently working as a server while finishing school.
Education:
Finishing a degree in biological sciences.
About You
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Climate change and pollution of Lake Winnipeg is the biggest issue in the interlake at the moment.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I want to be able to make a positive change for people and the environment.
Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
Celebrating Manitobans caring neighbourhoods and our beautiful parks while honoring the Aboriginals and Metis that created this amazing province.
