Healthcare, Education, Climate Change are top of mind for many Winnipeg voters

Manitoba’s political parties aren’t the only ones gearing up for the provincial election on October 3rd.

Many in Winnipeg are paying close attention to which candidates they might vote for. On the heels of Wednesday’s 1 Million March 4 Children, education and children are the top priority for some.

Rana Issa is originally from Lebanon and now lives in Transcona. As a mother of three, she says her top priority is her children in this year’s election.

“We don’t want them to be exposed to something at school like, we prefer that we do our job. That we teach them,” said Issa.

“I hope it will make difference this time. I will be voting and all my family will be voting as well.”

Steve Rauh is a family therapist living in the Riverview area. He says he wants a plan to address climate change.

“It’s not like there is a single issue. But there is a whole question of, how do we take care of ourselves, how do we talk together so that we can learn to learn from each other – not trust each other necessarily but learn from each other,” said Rauh.

“We haven’t had much effects here because we did have a bit of a heat period at the beginning, but if you were in Phoenix or in Texas where the heat domes occur, you know the world is changing. And the world is changing seriously.”

Another top issue – healthcare. Grant Plattz, who lives in Wildhood, offers insights as someone who used to work in the industry.

“It is a very complex issue. So to think that one party or the other has all the answers, I’m not so sure,” said Plattz.

Malcolm Bird is an associate professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg. He says he’s not surprised to hear what people are most concerned about.

“We all really care, especially when our family members and ourselves face health challenges – we want to ensure that there’s a robust system there to protect us,” said Bird.

“The other big issues that many Manitobans are worried about of course are crime, so they’re worried about their safety and security. And the other real important issue is inflation. The fact that prices are rising and wages are not rising as much, and this is causing all Manitobans to really have to reduce their consumption. For many people, especially at the lower end of the economic spectrum, this is very, very difficult and imposing great hardship on them.”

Bird says people are concerned because these issues, and government’s decisions, have profound and tangible impacts on the population.

“Whatever government wins in October, they face some really, really difficult choices. We here in Manitoba, we do have some big problems and one of those is the state of our public finances. We hold a lot of debt. We continue to spend more money than we bring in, and that ultimately isn’t sustainable. And so whatever government comes into power, they’re going to have to be very careful in how they allocate public resources.”

Bird is predicting the Conservative party’s voters will be consistent in voting, but the same may not be the same for NDP voters. He says regardless of which government wins on October third, difficult choices are ahead in terms of how to allocate finances and satisfy the public.