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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: 56
Profession: Entrepreneur, business owner and politician
Education:
I graduated from Windsor Park Collegiate with a high school diplomat in 1981. Upon graduating I commenced my career in the transportation industry.
Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
To celebrate our 150th Anniversary we must ensure full inclusion of all the diverse cultures within Manitoba and moving forward in collaboration on reconciliation.Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
My wife Mickey and I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary on September 15th. We have 2 beautiful daughters and 5 precious grandchildren. From a very young age, I would spend my summers at the cottage in Winnipeg Beach. My first job, at the age of 14, was as the Bingo Caller at Walko Bingo in the Town of Winnipeg Beach.
https://jeffwharton4mla.com/
@jeffwharton4MLA
https://www.facebook.com/RedRiverNorthPC/
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No response given
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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.
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.
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Age: 33
Profession: Agriculture, Musician, Artist
Education:
Studied Ecology at the University of Manitoba 2004-2009.
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Issues affecting the community are also issues that are province-wide, whether it's Electric Vehicle infrastructure, the Red River and wastewater treatment, and the health of Lake Winnipeg. EV Infrastructure is inexpensive and should be done right away. Lake Winnipeg is like a mini climate change metaphor: we all know what needs to be done to fix it, and yet we do nothing. Wetland protection and restoration need to be priorities for our government.Why did you decide to run for office?
I am inspired by the actions of Greta Thunberg, and after seeing Elizabeth May speak in Winnipeg, I decided to run. I believe that in 2019, with the state of the climate emergency and the continued destruction of our environment, that the only moral choice available to is to act. The complete lack of leadership regarding the environment and Climate Change is irresponsible at best and those leaders need to be challenged to do the right thing.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
As a settler, my hope would be that we can view this as an opportunity to to focus on moving towards reconciliation. We can't look towards the future without acknowledging this history.Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I am in a local indie rock band, Hearing Trees. Last year we played 36 shows across the country, and seeing so much of our country gave me a much deeper appreciation for how amazing Canada is.
https://greenparty.mb.ca/candidates/graham-hnatiuk/
https://twitter.com/GrahamHnatiuk
https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyGraham
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Age: 37
Profession: 20 year healthcare worker at Concordia Hospital
Education:
high school dual diploma in software technology. Im currently taking accounting at Red River College.
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Healthcare and The Health of Lake Winnipeg are tied for the most serious issues. Reversing the cuts to healthcare that Pallister made is a good start to fixing healthcare, then we need to do things like increase bed capacity especially in long term care this will help ensure people are being placed in the right care and alleviate the bottle neck in our emergency rooms helping to reduce wait times. Building the upgrades to the North End Treatment Plant is a big step to keeping phosphorus out of Lake Winnipeg, It is the 4th largest producer of phosphorus in the country, anything to keep the Lake alive and thriving is money well spent.Why did you decide to run for office?
As a 20 year healthcare worker Ive seen first hand how bad healthcare was after the last PC government. I watched as things got better under the NDP, things werent perfect but they did get better. Now Im seeing the exact opposite happen. Cuts to front line staff that jeopardize patient safety and quality of care. Constantly working short or understaffed this is causing the staff to burn out, sick time is on the rise, overtime is higher then I can remember. This is leading to a system where results are worse and costs are higher. Add that to the cuts to education, infrastructure, the lake of action on climate change and the meth crisis. And a sincere belief that if re-elected Brian Palliste will attempt to privatize Hydro just like he did with MTS, I really couldnt sit by and let this all continue to happen so I decided to try and make a difference.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
Fireworks. Lots of fireworks. My kids love fireworks. Is 150 days of fireworks excessive?Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
Im a video game junkie. I can play for hours and hours if I had the time to do it. Its always been a way for me to unwind even to this dayRead Less