Filipino Canadian candidate running for Conservatives in Winnipeg North

At the edge of Waterford Green Village Centre in Winnipeg is a life-sized monument familiar to many Filipinos: a statue of Dr. José Rizal, who played a key role in the Philippines’ history and democracy in the late 1800s.

This statue is in the federal riding of Winnipeg North, where more than 30 per cent of the population is of Filipino origin, according to Statistics Canada data in 2021.

It was also where the first Filipino Canadian Member of Parliament, Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, was elected in 1988.

This general election, another Filipino Canadian, Rachel Punzalan, is trying to re-claim the seat in Parliament, this time from Liberal incumbent Kevin Lamoreaux, who’s represented Winnipeg North since 2010.

Some community members are wondering if it’s time for Punzalan, who’s running for the Conservatives, to be elected.

Lamoureux seeks another term

Visiting homes around Inkster Boulevard and McPhillips Street, Lamoureux was joined by seven Filipino Canadian volunteers in his door-to-door campaign. Most of the households they knocked on were Filipino.

“My strategy is very simple,” Lamoureux told OMNI News. “Knock on doors, meet people, talk to them, let them know my past and where it is I want to go.”

Community leaders say this may be why Lamoureux has been the riding’s MP for over a decade.

“The community felt his sincerity, I think, in terms of the services he has provided to the community,” said Perla Javate, president of the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba.

“You could always reach Kevin every Saturday at McDonald’s Keewatin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” added Kris Ontong, community worker and co-founder of Barangay Canada. “What that created for him is an aura of approachability and accessibility by his constituents.”

A political analyst agrees, referencing how Lamoureux has “bucked the trend.”

“We’re looking at over 30 years of him being a present politician … that means he got all the networks and connections,” said Christopher Adams, adjunct professor of political studies at the University of Manitoba. “When the rest of Winnipeg goes NDP or Conservatives, he’s been able to hang on.”

OMNI News spoke with long-time residents in the riding, with some saying top-of-mind issues include affordability, health care and public safety.

If re-elected, Lamoureux says his next priorities will be the economy, health care and supporting workers.

“One of the things I’ve been advocating for, along with (Liberal Leader Mark) Carney, is the issue of diversifying trade,” Lamoureux said. “For example, last year I was in the Philippines on two separate trade missions, and the most recent one in December. We talked about having discussions to have a formal trade agreement with the Philippines and Canada.

“That’s one of the ways we counter Donald Trump and what Trump is talking about.”

Can Punzalan challenge the incumbent?

Punzalan, challenging Lamoureaux’s seat in Ottawa, moved to Canada from the Philippines almost 17 years ago.

She is a small business owner and has been a lawyer in Manitoba for more than 10 years.

OMNI News contacted her multiple times for an interview, but did not receive a response.

“It’s going to be very difficult to unseat an incumbent that’s been there for 15 years and prior to that as MLA,” said Jon Reyes, a former Manitoba cabinet minister with the Progressive Conservatives.

“Rachel is gaining momentum as you can see from the polls … there had been more signs going up from organic communication, if you can call it that. You never know what’s going to happen.”

OMNI News also reached out to NDP candidate Adebayo Akinrogunde and Green Party candidate Angela Brydges, but did not hear back from either candidate.

Lamoureux says he does not take anything for granted, when asked how he felt about competing against a candidate who is part of the riding’s “vibrant” Filipino community.

“What I bring to the table is a very comprehensive understanding of the Filipino community,” he answered. “The Filipino heritage community have been a great blessing in my life, and I continue to work hard for that community along with other communities.”

Community leaders say they are closely watching whether Filipino voters will choose Lamoureux’s track record or support Punzalan for more Filipino representation in the House of Commons.

“Now for the Filipino community, they’re still interested in accreditation of foreign-obtained credentials and immigration, they are still top-notch issues,” said Pagtakhan, the first Filipino Canadian MP who represented Winnipeg North-St. Paul with the Liberal Party from 1988 to 2004.

“This is why, when I think of Punzalan, I wish her well, but Kevin Lamoureux, a Liberal like me, has done far more work for the Filipino community than any other MP.

“The best approach to me is to say, I’m running to represent you. I know the language, I know the issues, but do not vote for me because I am Filipino. Vote for me because I will care for you, for us and for others.

“That’s why you have (to have) a real deeper sense of purpose. You have to know your entry.”