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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: It was apparent that the current system with acute care hospitals was not working as wait times continued to increase. So, changes were necessary. Cities larger than Winnipeg, have reduced the number of acute care hospitals. These cities have experienced positive results and reduced wait times as well as increased the availability of specialists for the emergency patients. This will result in better care, sooner.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: When I talked to families they all tell me the same thing—they didn’t vote to close emergency rooms or cause chaos in the health care system. Brian Pallister closed three emergency rooms across Winnipeg and it’s caused wait times to get longer and the quality of care to worsen. No one believes Brian Pallister when it comes to health care. The front line experts, like nurses and doctors, say his cuts have damaged our system and put patients at risk.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: No. We don't have the highways / infrastructure to support this. Other cities that have found success with this model also have the ability to move around the city more efficiently. There are zero high speed, north / south, routes to get from Seine River Constituency to either St. Boniface Hospital or Health Sciences Centre. Also, Winnipeg is a centre for many medical services to the Capital Region and having no emergency wards serving the north, northeast and south is leaving many Manitobans at risk.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: It is the responsibility of the provincial government to ensure that the Crown corporations are operating efficiently and effectively. The Crown corporations must be offering affordable services to Manitobans. Hydro rates have increased almost 30% since Greg Selinger became Premier in 2009. Rates have risen more than double the rate of inflation during that period, and even more concerning, hydro is projecting 4% increases every year for the next two decades. The NDP treated Manitoba Hydro as their own personal ATM’s and Manitobans are still paying the price.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: Manitoba Hydro must stay public so rates can stay affordable for families and we can transition it into a renewable energy company by creating thousands of clean jobs across the province. Pallister’s political interference in the affairs of MPI is wrong. Time and again, he puts the profits of insurance brokers ahead of the needs of Manitoba drivers. Families have already seen their autopac rates rise because of his interference. Brian Pallister’s plan to privatize Manitoba Hydro and MPI will means higher bills for families, big payouts to executives and poorer quality service. The NDP will keep our Crown Corporations public so that life is affordable for all of us.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: I would prefer a little from both sides of this question. MPI and Hydro should have the freedom to hire the staff needed to run the operation. However, MLA's are elected to serve the people and must accountable to ensure MPI and Hydro are running well. Crown Corporations should operate at arms-length from government.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: No Comment

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: Brian Pallister’s cuts to health care—like closing emergency rooms, cutting CancerCare or cutting physiotherapy—are hurting patients and causing chaos for front line workers. He’s made cuts on the backs of families, nurses, students and workers. It’s the wrong approach. I believe the solution to Brian Pallister’s extreme austerity is not extreme spending. The NDP’s fully costed platform has a plan to return to balance by 2024. We will achieve balance by making the right choices for Manitobans and eliminating Pallister’s wasteful spending--like $23 million in contracts to high-priced consultants or millions in expensive overtime pay for understaffed nurses.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: Yes and No. Being fiscally responsible is not inappropriate, however the human factor must be a priority.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: No Comment

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: Brian Pallister cut the infrastructure budget by 40% and then underspent it by about half. It’s meant less jobs for working families and millions in lost revenue for the provincial economy. The NDP has a plan to invest $6.6 billion in strategic infrastructure—like roads, buildings and highways—to create 50,000 good jobs and keep our economy moving.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: I don’t consider myself an expert in this area. Our infrastructure is aging and we tend to resurface rather than rebuild roads. I believe we need to bring the appropriate stakeholders to the table to develop both a short term and long term strategy to address the serious infrastructure deficit in Manitoba.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: The critical issue for people with addictions is to help them to heal. The funding for people with addictions should focus on healing and recovery. Our government is working with professionals to address the addiction crisis. Our government has invested in medical beds for those struggling with addictions and opened up RAAM Clinics. Funds need to be allocated to treatment and recovery and ensuring that the recovery is a long-term success.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: Experts are clear—safe consumption sites save lives and keep our communities safe. By providing safe and supervised access, these sites help people struggling with addictions to find treatment. Under Brian Pallister, Manitoba’s meth problem became a full blown crisis. His inaction has meant tens of thousands of needles in public parks, an unprecedented spike in syphillus and HIV rates, and a dramatic increase in property and violent crime rates. The NDP has a plan to immediately address the meth crisis, with some action being taken in the first 100 days of office. We will invest in long term treatment, harm reduction and supports for people with addictions so we can keep our communities safe.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: These sites are a good idea and have proven themselves in other cities, when the main focus has been on coinciding the injection site with mental health and addiction services. They are not appropriate, however, if that’s all we are planning to do. Addiction services must be more accessible on a 24/7 basis.

• How important is it for the provincial government to take steps to address climate change?

  Urgent

  Important

  Neutral

  Not important

  Unnecessary

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: Climate change is a worldwide problem. Our province has put forth its own Made in Manitoba Green Plan address the environmental issues facing our province.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: The fight against climate change is a fight for our future—a safer, cleaner future for our kids. Families in my constituency want to do their part to help solve the climate crisis, but they also want life to stay affordable. Under Brian Pallister, emissions rose and our lakes and rivers continued to be polluted. First he supported a carbon tax, then he flip flopped and let big polluters off the hook. The NDP has a plan that will help families make cleaner choices. It starts by taking $350 off every household’s Hydro bill to encourage them to use clean energy. We’ll also invest millions to upgrade the North End Water Treatment plant to help return Lake Winnipeg to health and to protect wetlands across the province. Our plan to transition Manitoba Hydro away from building dams and towards funding renewable energy sources will not only protect the future of our environment but create thousands of good jobs across the province.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: Very important. Addressing climate change is critical to ensuring we leave a good legacy for our children and grandchildren. The provincial government must show strong leadership in this area.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: No Comment

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: I believe a price on pollution will help families to become more aware of their greenhouse gas emissions. Our plan will go farther by incentivizing families to use more clean, Hydro power while giving them a break on their monthly costs. The money families save can go towards home retrofits or electric vehicles. The NDP will ensure 90% of revenue will be returned to families, and the remaining 10% will go towards green programs and infrastructure projects.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: I’m not sure. There seem to be experts on both sides of the discussion. Carbon tax alone will not encourage people to make change. This issue requires a multi-faceted approach where again governments must demonstrate strong leadership to finding solutions.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: No Comment

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: We know Brian Pallister’s cuts to health care, education and social services has made the system less efficient and more costly. The NDP’s plan commits to keeping the PST at 7%, but we do ask the top one percent of earners (those making over $250,000/yr) to contribute a little more in taxes to fund public services that benefit all of us. I believe this is a fair and balanced approach.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: I don’t believe that tax cuts necessarily work. The provincial government must develop a strong economy, including helping to create meaningful / well-paying jobs. With more people working and helping to support the economy, spending on public services will be sustainable.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: The public has been engaged to offer ideas and solutions to the current problems plaguing our education system. Upon the completion of this survey, the government will develop policies and programs based on this input.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: Local school boards have the expertise and knowledge about the communities, parents and students that they serve. We know Brian Pallister is planning to cut education just like he cut health care. The NDP has a plan for education that will help every student be successful—by keeping class sizes small for early years, hiring EAs and investing in French-language education. I believe education is next on Pallister’s chopping block. Only the NDP can put a stop to his cuts and create a better education system for all of us.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: Locally elected school boards are in the best position to make good decisions about the educational needs for their community schools. The provincial government is responsible, like with MPI and Hydro, to provide effective oversight to ensure school boards are accountable.

• 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

  PC

  Janice Morley-Lecomte: Candidates personal history is important. A voter will vote for the candidate that best represents their own values. Trust and respect are valuable when determining who one votes for, as this individual is a reflection of the values of the voting population.

  NDP

  Durdana Islam: As a New Democrat, I’m proud to be part of a team that reflects Manitoba and I know voters feel the same way. My fellow candidates bring a diverse experience and skills that will make us the best team to lead a government that works for all of us—not just those at the top.

  LIB

  James Bloomfield: I believe this pointed question is addressing Wab Kinew and Mr. Pallister’s personal attacks on him. There are certain actions Mr. Kinew is purported to have taken that still give me animus. However, I have personally experienced dramatic changes in my own belief system and celebrate the human capacity for change. Currently, I’m more concerned with Mr. Pallister’s bully like behaviour, which is most unbecoming of any leader.

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