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

  Audrey Gordon: Working in the health care system, I know our system needs to change so we can provide better health care at the right place and sooner. The old system was not sustainable. Change is required to ensure Manitoba no longer ranks last on key health care indicators such as hip surgeries, cataract surgeries, and wait times among others. While change can be upsetting, the healthcare transformation has already shown that emergency room wait times are improving. Residents have also shared that they have a better understanding of which facility offers the services they need. I believe Manitobans deserve to have a healthcare system that is responsive to their needs.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: No Comment

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: Manitoba's Crown Corporations are an important facet of life for all Manitobans. While the Corporations need to be run efficiently to ensure they are financially viable, sustainable, and customer-focused, they are also important policy tools for government. The Corporations ultimately report to the people and government of Manitoba.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: No Comment

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: We cannot continue, as the former government did, to practice generational theft by taking money from future generations to pay for out of control spending now. While the past government spent its way into a massive annual deficit, our PC government has taken a responsible approach to getting back to balance while maintaining the public services Manitobans need. Our PC Team has already reduced the deficit significantly, and with a responsible approach to fiscal balance, we are moving Manitoba forward.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: A balanced budget that is accomplished by starving the citizens of the province of a quality of life is of little value. It behooves us to bolster the productivity and attractiveness of Manitoba so that we can not only lure businesses, contributing, talented individuals and young bright minds to our province, but to but to better the living conditions of current Manitobans.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: Our PC Team is working to bring the budget back into balance over time so that we can move forward without leaving huge deficits for future generations to pay for. We've delivered on our commitment of at least $1 billion in strategic Infrastructure spending important projects such as highways, schools, and health care facilities. Our PC team is making the right investments for Manitoba's future.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: I would like to see an investment into research that would develop a material that is Manitoba durable. I acknowledge that roads are important, but with the constantly rising costs of construction, we will be spending far too much of the budget on replacing roads every few years.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: Other jurisdictions across Canada have tried this approach and realized there are other issues that come with opening these sites. Experts here in Manitoba have said this is not the right approach for Manitoba to address this issue. We need a comprehensive approach to dealing with the issues around addictions.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: I support the idea of safe sites and champion effective addition services, but once again suggest that this needs to be an holistic approach.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

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

  Urgent

  Important

  Neutral

  Not important

  Unnecessary

  PC

  Audrey Gordon: Our PC Government's Climate and Green Plan has real, achievable climate targets so that we can ensure Manitoba is here for generations to come. We have a real plan to reduce GHG emissions and the Conservation Trust is an innovative way to fund programs making a real difference for the environment here in Manitoba.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: I was very disturbed by the fact that the Premier was willing to play politics with such an important issue.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: The carbon tax imposed by the Liberals in Ottawa and supported by the NDP will make life for Manitobans more expensive as it will increase costs of most things Manitobans do.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: Most of us have limited incomes

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: The PC Team believes that Manitobans know how they want to spend their money. We believe in keeping more money on the kitchen table for families so they can afford the things they need. Government has a role to play in providing services that communities count on, but it needs to be done in a fiscally responsible way.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: While everyone would like to have more money, we also want to continue to enjoy the social services that are provided by the government. These things have a cost and the only way the government can raise money is through taxation.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: Government provides most of the funding already for education and the process needs to include input from government, citizens, and school boards to find the right balance. Local School Boards have a significant amount of taxation power and manage budgets in the hundreds of millions with little direct oversight where the future of our children is involved.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: As a former educator I have seen how schools often have to choose make difficult choices on the backs of our children because of the limited funds. At the same time the demands and needs of the students increase. This is not an area where we should be playing politics! These young people are our future. Let's leave education to those who have dedicated their lives to administering it.

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

• 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

  Audrey Gordon: I believe that a candidate's background, skills and experience are an important aspect of the electoral process. Communities should be proud of those elected to represent them as their officials. I believe my 35 years of public sector work experience, most recently in health care, would be a valuable asset for residents of Southdale.

  LIB

  Spencer Duncanson: No Comment

  NDP

  Karen Myshkowsky: 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.

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