I was born in Selkirk, and come from a strong historical Red River Metis family and am the G3 grand-daughter of Duncan McRae - well known historical builder of the region. My father was a steel worker at the Manitoba Rolling Mills in Selkirk, and I have always been in the trades. As a project management professional, I have done work on civil infrastructure, water and sewer pipeline projects, breakwater and wharf repairs, water treatment and sewage treatment plants, and lagoons. I lead design-bu...
I was born in Selkirk, and come from a strong historical Red River Metis family and am the G3 grand-daughter of Duncan McRae - well known historical builder of the region. My father was a steel worker at the Manitoba Rolling Mills in Selkirk, and I have always been in the trades. As a project management professional, I have done work on civil infrastructure, water and sewer pipeline projects, breakwater and wharf repairs, water treatment and sewage treatment plants, and lagoons. I lead design-build project teams for Manitoba Hydro projects, and managed work in excess of $120 million over the span of my career. My work has covered projects with every level of government from the municipal, to the provincial and federal governments. I have also been an advocate for access to clean drinking water to all Manitobans, and worked extensively with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous commercial Lake Winnipeg fishermen.
Age: 47
Profession: I am the President of a successful construction company in the Interlake, a construction manager, and nationally certified construction safety officer. I also bring 19 years of military service to my diverse background in business management, resource management, contract negotiations, safety consulting and value added engineering solutions.
About You
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
This particular riding has multiple issues with the nature of the split demographics. The lack of a cohesive infrastructure plan, and combined economic development have left areas to stagnate. The continued dumping of under-treated sewage have impacted the quality of life, and how residents earn a living. Much of the east side of the lake is based on tourism. A polluted, and toxic laden lake do not promote ongoing tourism no matter how beautiful the scenery is. The continued destruction of wetlands have only made this much worse. The solutions start with accountability - and that means pushing for transparency from the City of Winnipeg and the Province with the ongoing issues with the City's treatment plants. Over the last three years, rural areas have been pushed into hooking up to a system that does not work. Until the system works, that needs to stop. The Manitoba Clean Water Commission had good recommendations in 2015 - the main issue is in bringing on engineering solutions that are based on the public interest and not billable hours.
Why did you decide to run for office?
In 2016, I experienced a number of situations where I needed to interact contractually with the Province. Over a period of three years, I could not find a single person or department that could answer my concerns. In the winter of 2019, I went to my own MLA - our former Minister Jeff Wharton - and attempted to find a way forward. After 40 plus attempts via email, phone, in person, public protests, and petitions, I did not receive even an acknowledgement. I have always believed that the role of a MLA is to listen, to be accessible, and help constituents bring a voice to their concerns. Even if an MLA cannot solve a problem, they can put you in the right direction. That lack of representation is what pushed me to run initially as an Independent. Shortly after I started my campaign - I became a part of Manitoba First based on their guiding principles of accountability and common sense policies.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
My life has been about breaking barriers in every sense. As a Metis woman, I have always had a rebellious spirit. That meant that I have never shied from a challenge. Whether it was helping my husband manage our family farms, or pursuing a career in the military - it was always about achievement through merit. I became a marksman shooter, and safety officer, pursued amateur bodybuilding, became a survival instructor - and all of it while being a mother. And when the construction came into my life - that became my passion. All of it taught me to stand tall, and never back down from a fight if it was for the right reasons.
Find out more about Jocelyn Burzuik, Manitoba First, Red River North:
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