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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.
No response given
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Profession: Director of Strategic Initiatives with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Home Care Program
Education:
Masters of Business Administration Degree. Bachelor of Arts Degree. Certificate in Change Management and Certificate in Applied Counselling.
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Healthcare, misdemeanour crime, meth addiction, and taxes are issues I hear most at the doors in Southdale. The residents of Southdale take these issues very seriously. I know the PC government's plan to transform the health care system, invest in safer streets and reduce taxes will produce the long-term outcomes residents desire. The community has already begun developing partnerships with stakeholders to identify solutions to public safety issues, and I want to assist with moving these solutions forward.Why did you decide to run for office?
I have worked in the public service for 35 years; 25 years with the provincial government and 10 years in health care at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. I also co-own a small business and am a committed grassroots volunteer. I am running to be the MLA for Southdale to give back to the community I have close ties to. My number one priority is to ensure the issues, concerns and needs of Southdale residents are heard at the Manitoba Legislature.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
I love Manitoba. The province is known for welcoming newcomers from several countries around the world. The people are friendly and there are so many fantastic attractions that should be showcased! Manitoba's parks, recreation and cultural spaces, offer Manitobans great opportunities to come together to express how much they love this great province of ours. I hope we can host a spectacular 150 birthday celebration that makes all Manitobans proud to call this province home!Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I am a HUGE sports fan! When I'm not knocking on doors and talking to residents, I'm cheering on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers or the Winnipeg Jets. You won't find me out door knocking in Southdale this summer without my Blue Bombers hat. I was also a cheerleader for the Bombers and often wonder where the Blue Brigades are now!
https://audreygordon4mla.com
@AudreySouthdale
https://www.facebook.com/AudreyGordonforSouthdale
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Profession: Arts Administrator, Educator
Education:
B.A. Brooklyn College (City University of New York), M.E. University of Manitoba
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
I find it difficult to target one thing as the biggest issue facing our community. I believe that every issue has, in turn, contributing issues that must be address simultaneously if we wish to truly see progress in our efforts to eradicate them. The issues of crime, drug addition, a floundering health care system, childhood poverty, a lack of a sense of belonging contribute to the ever increasing crime epidemic. Now I might say that I would like to see more funding go to education and drug treatment agencies. While we are at it let's look for ways to create the most innovative and efficient health care system. We might even look for ways to curb the flow of children into our overburdened child care systems and on and on. But it would be presumptuous of me to assume that I have all of the answers. I like to think the true answer lies in sitting down with a group of bright, innovative, engaged, open-minded individuals who really care about making Manitoba a better place in which to live and coming up with realistic solutions.Why did you decide to run for office?
I came to Manitoba as a young man straight out of university and much to my parents surprise, I chose to make this province my home. It was a province with great potential and a warm heart, filled with generous people and a bright future. Under this administration I have seen much of the progress that's been made over the years chipped away by austere, regressive policies that threaten to eventually cripple our province's future. I believe in being fiscally responsible, however, my meagre understanding of economics suggests that the best way to get out of debt is to find ways to build capital. Cutting essential services only increases the likelihood of losing the tax base to more vibrant provinces.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
Manitoba has a dynamic, diverse population, a fact we celebrate annually. Perhaps we need to take a little time to celebrate our shared values and appreciate that which we have in common. I believe this might be done through stories that are shared by individuals from every corner of the province through the media.Read Less
No response given
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Age: 45
Profession: Teacher
Education:
BA University of British Columbia BEd University of British Columbia
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
There are several issues that are of direct concern to our constituents. Foremost in people’s minds when I am on the doorstep are Pallister’s cuts to healthcare. These have directly affected our community. We have lost access to emergency care at both Concordia and the Victoria, we lost access to QuickCare clinics on Vermillion and St Mary’s Road, amongst other locations. I know that my family depended on QuickCare at Vermillion. Our senior population has been greatly affected by the cuts to healthcare – they have lost community health services such as physiotherapy and home care as the Pallister works towards privatizing these services. I will work to restore these front-line services, the NDP will cancel Pallister’s plans to privatize home care, allowing people to stay healthy, at home, longer. An NDP government will be a leading voice for universal national pharmacare and work with the federal government to lower drug costs. For our renters, rent has climbed 7.4% in the last 3 years, making life even more unaffordable. The PCs cut Rent Assist hurting low-income renters, with some families seeing a cut of more than $1000 per year. An NDP government will improve Rent Assist by reversing the cuts and will also improve opportunities for first-time home buyers to get themselves out of the rental market and into their own home. Childcare is another concern for younger families in the Southdale riding. Some families wait 3-5 years for one space and many parents can’t afford to pay the fees already. I have spoken to families who have been forced into a single income as one parent stays home in order to be able to provide care for their children as there is no other option. An NDP government will work to reduce the wait list and create new public child care spaces every year and move responsibility for child care to the Department of Education. As an educator I feel passionate about this step in recognizing the importance of child care in social and personal development.Why did you decide to run for office?
As an educator and an autism parent, I understand first-hand the supports needed for parents and students in public schools and in our health care system. I know that community supports are vital to helping students succeed as they prepare for life beyond secondary school. I work alongside mental health professionals and social workers and maintains close connections with community supports. Throughout the last 3 years of the Pallister government, we have seen the cuts in healthcare and education drastically affect my students and my own family. This was a determining factor in my decision to run. We need a strong community advocate to ensure we keep frontline services where they are needed the most.Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
I would like to mark the celebration by making sure ALL Manitobans have access to quality health care!Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I volunteer for Cakes for Kids, an award-winning charitable organization that provides cakes for children who would otherwise go without. I have made this a way to build generosity, compassion and a sense of community, with my students and my own children.
http://www.karenmyshkowsky.ca
@karen4southdale
http://www.facebook.com/karenmyshkowsky
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