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Frances Koncan:
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
INDHow 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
INDThe Pallister government plans to eliminate the deficit by 2022. Should balancing the books be a priority?
Essential
High priority
Neutral
Low priority
Not important
INDIn 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
INDThere 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
INDHow important is it for the provincial government to take steps to address climate change?
Urgent
Important
Neutral
Not important
Unnecessary
INDWill 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
INDI 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
INDManitoba’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
INDHow 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
INDThe 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: 42
Profession: Carpenter
Education:
Working on my grade 12
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
My biggest issue is meth and poverty I would like all three levels of the government to work together on this fight on methWhy did you decide to run for office?
Somebody believed in me and asked for me to run so I said sureTell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
Helped in 2 great campaigns one was glen Murray and two Jim rondoRead Less
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Profession: Company Program Manager for a non-profit, focusing on high school students developing business and fostering entrepreneurship.
Education:
Graduated from the business administration program at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, MB. Certified in workplace and family mediation from Herzing College.
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
Healthcare. We all know that our healthcare system needs major improvements. For years there has been a lot of talk about improving healthcare and very little action. Same formulas equal same results. I support healthcare changes for better results. I would keep the government accountable for changes that will improve the system, realizing that change is difficult.Why did you decide to run for office?
To have and be a voice at the table for a better Manitoba. Better healthcare, better education, better stewardship of our resources.Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
A couple of things voters might find surprising is that growing up in a family of 7 children, we learned the value of work, hand-me-downs and at times only having 'enough'. During my first years of living on my own, I worked and lived in downtown Winnipeg. I would frequently ride my bike through the Wolseley neighborhood enjoying this very unique community within this larger community of Winnipeg.
http:www.elizabethhildebrand4mla.com
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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.
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.
https://www.manitobaliberals.ca/shandistrong
@ShandiStrong4
https://www.facebook.com/ShandiStrong4/
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No response given
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Age: 47
Profession: I am a 20 year small business owner and operator doing handyman and renovation work. I've also worked as a crew member on the Sea Shepherd ships and for other conservation groups.
Education:
Some university including a three years of a computer engineering degree.
What is the biggest issue facing your community, and how would you address it?
The biggest threat facing Wolseley and every community in the world is the climate crisis. The climate crisis is not only an existential threat to life on the planet, it also undermines every facet of modern life. I would address it by strongly advocating for climate action, green jobs and transforming our economy. We also have to change everything about how we produce, transport and use energy.Why did you decide to run for office?
A growing number of people share my concern for our planet and none of the other parties provide any solutions. I've never felt represented in the political system. That's why I'm running for the Green Party of Manitoba.Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I'm a cancer survivor, I've been to Antarctica twice, and I've been on two seasons of a conservation-based reality TV show.
https://davidnickarz.com/
David_Nickarz
https://www.facebook.com/David.Nickarz
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