In the 2016 provincial election, I became the first openly transgender person in western Canada to run for public office. My many appearances in public and the media regarding transgender issues arguably make me the most well-known transgender person in Winnipeg.
The many struggles and profound decisions I’ve faced have imparted a new-found level of confidence and personal strength, allowing me to find my voice and work to make a difference for others in the world through advocacy in the field o...
In the 2016 provincial election, I became the first openly transgender person in western Canada to run for public office. My many appearances in public and the media regarding transgender issues arguably make me the most well-known transgender person in Winnipeg.
The many struggles and profound decisions I’ve faced have imparted a new-found level of confidence and personal strength, allowing me to find my voice and work to make a difference for others in the world through advocacy in the field of human rights.
Since the 2016 Provincial election I have remained active in politics working as the constituency assistant to Dr. Jon Gerrard, MLA for River Heights, who has held the seat for 20 years, and is one of the most respected political figures in the country. I also worked alongside MLA’s Cindy Lamoureaux, Judy Klassen and leader Dougald Lamont, and other members of the Manitoba Liberal Caucus.
I maintain a profile in local media speaking on Transgender related issues, and enjoy speaking to groups, schools and organizations about my personal journey in an effort to foster understanding and raise awareness on Transgender issues.
In 2015 I was honoured as the first ever Transgender Grand Marshall of Winnipeg’s Pride Parade for my work in the community. In 2016 received the “Trailblazer” award from the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce. I sit on the executive of Manitobans for Human Rights Inc. a group focused on Human Rights education and awareness, with the goal of having Winnipeg designated a Human Rights City. I have also sat on the governance board of Pride Winnipeg and served as Advocacy coordinator, and serve as secretary for the Manitoba Liberal Women’s Commission.
I am driven to make a difference. Working in the legislature these past three years has given my drive to make a difference substance, and focus. With this experience, I have never been more ready to take on the role of an MLA. I believe that the Manitoba Liberal party is the choice, the alternative to the PC’s and NDP. Manitobans need to know that there is another choice for them, a thoughtful choice that will balance social and fiscal responsibilities while investing our way out of debt without balancing the books on the backs of the most vulnerable in our society. Every decision I make will be viewed with a lens focused on human rights. Including standing firmly behind a bold and achievable green plan that could put Manitoba on the map as a world leader in reversing the effects of climate change.
Age: 58
Profession: Constituency Assistant to Dr. Jon Gerrard, MLA River Heights and
Caucus Services Coordinator MB Liberal Party
Education:
Graduated from St. John's High School in 1979, followed up with photography related studies.
About You
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Meth and crime is a topic that we discuss at the doors every single evening that we are out canvassing.
Meth and meth related crime are everywhere in Winnipeg, but in Wolseley people report daily of property being stolen, cars rummaged, and needles found in parks and yards.
The wonderful people who do the weekly Wolseley walks and the Bear Clan in West Broadway do a great job of finding needles and cleaning up the streets. But still the people I have talked to are worried, in some cases scared, about the effects that this is having in their neighbourhood.
We need to address the many aspects of why people take meth. There are many social and mental health related reasons someone starts to use it. For example, I met a young woman last fall while walking with the Bear Clan in the North End, who was 6 months clean, but had taken it so that she could stay awake and not be raped or have her belongings taken. She’s doing much better now, and could not have gotten clean if not for the support of her community and the Bear Clan.
Trauma and poverty are only two reasons people can become addicted.
Manitoba Liberals want to address this issue with three policies that will help.
We will use the proceeds from legal cannabis to fund education for prevention and treatment and support for those addicted. Instead of putting it into general revenue.
A guaranteed basic income to help families with their basic needs far better than our existing and broken EIA systems, helping them make better choices for their foods, heath, and lifestyles, thus reducing impacts on our police and healthcare services, and reducing the stress that could lead to addiction. This is a very important to me personally, as it affects many people I know, and five years ago I relied on EIA to get by.
Our EIA and EI systems are outdated and flawed, there have been no increases since 1986 even to the rate of inflation. It’s demeaning, and stigmatizing and forces people into challenging circumstances and is often time impossible to get off of, which only deepens the stereotyping. They are unfair to anyone who needs the system to survive, especially if one is disabled, in poor health, has mental health struggles, is Indigenous, or 2SLGBTQ.
And perhaps most importantly provide basic mental heath coverage under Medicare so that those who need help and support get it before turning to drugs or other addictions.
We will lift up the people who need it, and help them, and in the process help us all become better friends, neighbours and citizens.
My job for the past three years, has been working for Dr. Jon Gerrard, the MLA for River Heights. We have met and advocated for so many people affected by addictions, mental health, and the CFS system. Which is why I am so proud that we have polices like these that are so focused on people. We all need to live our lives in dignity, without the burdens and stresses created by unnecessary and uncaring cuts to programs.
The budget should not be balanced on vulnerable people. Our system should exist to help them have the best quality of life possible by providing them support and empowerment through these programs, so that they can live, work and share in everything our province has to offer.
Why did you decide to run for office?
For much of my life as a parent, manager, community leader and activist, I have wanted to make a difference. When I was younger politics was never something I saw for myself. Over the past decade I had become a community activist and had come to realize that in spite of the good work and awareness being raised by advocates and community groups, change seemed slow. Just before the 2016 election, I was inspired to step up and volunteer. I met with the then leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party to see how I could help. During the interview, I would “get up on my verbal soapbox”, as I like to call it, and speak about issues that I was passionate about. I was told twice during that interview that I, “need to run for office.” And finally, “Your people need you to.” That struck a chord. I shortly went to work becoming a candidate. And that changed my life.
Not long after the election I got the best job ever as the constituency assistant to Dr. Jon Gerrard, where I have learned, hands-on, more about the role of an MLA, and worked side by side with him to advocate for people who need help. We have helped save lives, raise awareness for injustices and made real differences in many lives for people who have faced so many difficulties. It is so very rewarding. Every day I felt like an MLA in training.
I, am no stranger to change. Aside from what’s been in the papers when I advocate for my community, I have had more than my fair share in the past decade. And you know what, I survived.
Manitobans need change. We need to convince them during this campaign that change is necessary away from the only choices they thought they had, to a choice that they can make for the better.
My choices at one point in my life about nine years ago seemed very limited. But thanks to someone saying the right thing to me at the right time, I was able to make a better choice, and be here today to help make a difference in the lives of my community and friends.
Manitoba is marking its 150th anniversary next year. Suggest one way we can make it a memorable occasion.
For Manitoba’s 150th, I think it will be an excellent opportunity to raise more awareness of our history as a province. An honest history where we can educate people about our time here as settlers, real stories about indigenous peoples and our treaties, plus the histories of all of the people from the many cultures who have come to settle here and call Manitoba home. It’s important to look at the history of the province from many perspectives.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I was once very withdrawn and had a pretty solid wall between myself and most people. Since those days, I have become pretty extroverted and adventurous. I love to play guitar on stage and have skydived twice. But within all of that I have a strong sense of empathy, based on what I have experienced in my life and I always do my best to look at situations from other peoples' perspectives, put myself in their shoes, so that I can listen and help more effectively.
Find out more about Shandi Strong, Liberal, Wolseley:
https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/shandistrong
@ShandiStrong4
https://www.facebook.com/ShandiStrong4/
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