Manitoba Votes 2016 - Representing Agassiz
- Details
- Published on Thursday, April 14, 2016
Banner Staff
The Neepawa Banner
Question: Why should you represent Agassiz constituency in the Legislature?
Name: Damian Dempsey
Home: Arden
Party: Independent
Answer:
The person elected to represent Agassiz on April 19 should be just that—a representative for this riding, not necessarily the representative of a major party here. Many area residents I have visited with feel their concerns and issues have been marginalized or ignored by whatever party has been in power. As Winston Churchill said, “Some will sacrifice principle for party,” not because they set out to, but because they must do that to remain in the good graces of their party. We in Agassiz dutifully pay our taxes, vote for one party or another, maybe even pay party dues, but our needs for fair education funding, small business stimulus, improvements in infrastructure and more health care services/facilities go unmet. Don’t get me wrong: the Agassiz MLA will need to work with the party in power, but we need a voice for a local agenda promoting our interests and needs. I think I offer both an equal vote with all other MLAs as well as the ability to put forward policy that will move Agassiz forward.
I chose to settle here as an adult and brought my family here to raise. We bought a farm and worked it, increasing the size and the cattle herd over the years. I bring a pioneering spirit to my work, always doing my best and then some, looking to find a better way to do things. My kids attended elementary school in Arden and I saw the small local school closed down after expensive upgrades were made just the year previous. I have seen taxes on my farmland continue to rise to pay for an education budget that keeps rising but doesn’t offer results for students and doesn’t support teachers well enough. The solution is not simple, but there needs to be a better way and innovative thinking is required. Our rural areas have lost health care services and staff, while our population continues to grow with young families and seniors. We pay to import doctors from other countries, but openings in Canadian medical schools are few for our aspiring students. We can’t just keep throwing more money at these problems; we need to be wiser about how our dollars are spent and listen to the stakeholders as we address issues and target spending. We need a farmer’s conservative eye as we decide how to spend those hard-earned tax dollars in our province.
I am not afraid to take definitive positions. In my experience as chairman of the local farmers’ association back in England and on committees I have participated in here, I make my opinions known and am always prepared to support them. In this campaign, my stance on getting a new regional hospital built at Neepawa is one example. I am not prepared to stand by, or simply be at the table, as our health services erode and infrastructure crumbles. I am prepared to listen to others and work together for the good of the province, but not to let our riding’s needs be ignored any longer.
As MLA, I would support policies that reward hard work and enterprise, but I also value a society that is compassionate and caring, where everyone is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. My priorities are health care, education and infrastructure. I am against waste and in favour of a balanced budget. I believe these are your values and priorities too. If you agree, vote Damian Dempsey for MLA.
Name: Eileen Clarke
Home: Gladstone
Party: Progressive Conservative
Answer:
I’m excited to be one of the 57 professional and engaged Progressive Conservative candidates who are ready to get to work on April 20. I believe in the potential of our province and I have been meeting with and listening to the residents of Agassiz. We want Manitoba to become the most improved province in Canada by the end of our first term. The most improved in health care, education, financial security, prosperity and government trust and accountability.
I will use the knowledge and experience that I have acquired while operating my business and eight years in municipal government. As the Vice-President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, I spent four years listening to the issues and concerns of all municipalities and working hard on their behalf. I commit to the same level of energy and responsibility to the residents of Agassiz and the province of Manitoba. I was instrumental in the past in accessing funding approved in the RM of Westbourne project through the Canada Building Fund rural water pipelines as well as funding for the MacGregor Assisted Living Facility. I’ve been working on behalf of rural and urban municipalities and I know and understand the issues they face. I’ve sat on several provincial and federal committees and I’m respected for my grass roots approach. I’m well prepared to move to the next level of government and I’m respected in the political world for my concern and compassion for seniors and those who are not able to speak for themselves.
In the role of an MLA, I know there are many issues beyond what are being identified in this campaign that are urgent and priorities for many.
• I stand for trust – it’s time for a government that people can trust the commitments they have made and believe in a Better Plan and a Better Future for all Manitobans.
• I stand for compassion; there are many residents in Manitoba who are suffering physically, emotionally and financially. That has to be taken into consideration when important decisions are made by government.
• I believe in inclusion; that means I consult with residents and stakeholders in Agassiz when there are changes to be made in legislation and regulation. I will represent all people and I will be a strong voice for Agassiz.
• I believe in teamwork and that’s what the PC Party built on. Together with other stakeholders, we will find new ideas for better governance on your behalf.
• I believe in common sense decisions and taking into consideration the long term effects of these decisions. Manitoba needs a change. We need to get Manitoba back on track.
Answers to this week’s question from Green Party candidate Robert Smith and NDP candidate Courtney Lucas weren’t available by print deadline.
Robert Smith did, however, answer the questions from the last two weeks in this edition.
Name: Robert F. Smith
Home: Edrans
Party: Green Party
Question: What do you think needs to be done in the short term (1-2 years) and long term (over 2 years) to address the issues of health service erosion? (week 2)
Answer:
The only solution to the doctor shortage and the resulting service erosion at our local hospitals is the greater use of nurse practitioners.
They could assist the doctors with minor illnesses, thus allowing the doctors to focus on more serious illness or emergency care!
Society expectations need to (no must), change. We, the people need to accept personal responsibility for our own health care. Maybe if we paid a user fee, we would understand health care is not free. It costs our Manitoba Government a major part of all provincial taxes collected.
In the long term, health care starts with a better diet, more exercise and a preventative health care plan created specifically for each and every individual. The society expectations need to change. We need to accept personal responsibility for our own healthy living.
You do not fix a problem with drugs that only address the symptoms. The cause needs to be determined, what is really making you sick and requiring the drug medication. Maybe a lifestyle change needs to happen.
Living in rural Manitoba far away from a major health provider, in an emergency, we must drive half way to town to meet an ambulance if we expect emergency services for a seriously sick or injured person in 30 minutes. That would likely be 50 minutes or more to the major hospital, but you would have to break the posted speed limit.
My wife, Karen, and I understand other people’s concern of being half an hour or more from the nearest first aid and emergency care.
For our own personal experience our family doctor is in Brandon so when our second son was diagnosed with asthma, we needed to make three emergency trips before he was given an inhaler to use.
Question: What is your opinion on the current taxation structure, do you think any modifications should be made? (week 3)
Answer:
We need (no we must) change our present taxation structure, because it is unfair!
It is unfair to the average citizen with a lower income and it is unfair to the small farmer.
When they own land and buildings on which they are taxed by Municipal Governments and School Boards; not on their profits or disposable income, but on the assessed value of their land and buildings. Then after they pay their taxes both the average citizen and small farmers are forgotten by both school trustees and the municipal councils.
The councils are focused on their own issues that cater to large farmer, industry that supports public infrastructure built for larger trucks that take product to and from large farms and industry and then municipal councils forget about all the other roads.
The school board is dominated by influence of teachers, principals; superintendent; Manitoba Teacher Society and Public Unions like CUPE.
The problems are even larger at the provincial level because so many exceptions and loop holes that cater to the rich, who own stocks and bonds and who have capital gains that should be taxed.
So provincially what choice do we have?
The NDP party caters to big unions, the Liberal party caters to the professionals (doctors, lawyers, teachers and preachers) and the Conservative party caters to the concerns of big business which includes big farmers and big agricultural related business.
So what party is concerned about the average citizen, the working poor and the small farmer?
Only the Green Party is progressive in its thinking and actions. Only the Green Party is caring, compassionate and understanding of your concerns.
So why wait until the next election in four years? The Green Party under the leadership of James Beddome, a farm boy from Minnedosa that went to Winnipeg to become a lawyer, is the only positive progressive choice in the 2016 election!
