Assiniboia
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Charles Ward
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
I watched my mother, father, and my wife struggle to find support. And the level of support available was sub par. I am sorry a $500 credit is not acceptable to one who can not buy equipment. And relying on 3rd party insurance is not the way.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
They all are, as they are all layered on each other. They are all integrated you can not take one and leave another. The ability to earn a living and feel part of society is a great need.
But you need an accessible Manitoba.
And you need skilled workers to provide the care needed.
And you need access to basic services, to make your life comfortable.
And none of that can happen without access to services.
Q: Disability discrimination has made up the largest share by far of all the formal complaints lodged with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission over the last 20 years. What do you think accounts for this and what do you think needs to be done to address it?
We need to realize we are all Human beings first and foremost. PERIOD full stop.
Awareness acceptance, care, and loving are what is required.
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: Nellie Kennedy
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
I have a family member who lives with an intellectual disability. I have played an integral part in advocating for services and protecting her dignity. This has played a large role in the work that I do and the perspective I bring to my advocacy every day. I have seen first hand the barriers someone faces in living a full and inclusive lives.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Services and Resources is of the greatest interest to me. I have worked in this field, supporting adults with intellectual disabilities for 20 years. I have seen how people can be negatively impacted by cuts to services, or thrive when they are properly supported and can reach their dreams.
Q: Disability discrimination has made up the largest share by far of all the formal complaints lodged with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission over the last 20 years. What do you think accounts for this and what do you think needs to be done to address it?
Manitobans with disabilities have the basic human right to fully participate in all aspects of life. Unfortunately, stigma and systemic barriers often prevent that from happening.
We need to take action to combat stigma, to come at it from every angle and provide solutions so people can live with dignity whether that’s at school, at work, or anywhere else.
We need to work with the community to implement and enforce the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, supporting education and awareness campaigns, and properly funding disability supports – including raising wages for disability workers.
People with disabilities need to be at decision-making tables. The Manitoba NDP will make sure the community is regularly consulted and included from the start – including as a part of our new Premier’s Business and Jobs Council.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba (PC) - Candidate: Scott Johnston
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
My family has been blessed by circumstance to not have had any permanent disabilities. We have had to manage some long-term illnesses that our strong family has been able to support each other when in time of need. We sympathize with those that have long term issues. At this stage in my life as a senior I am certainly aware of the trials and tribulations that a family may go through as they proceed through their life.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Of the top 5 priority issues cited, the one that is of greatest interest to me is Basic Needs. Meeting basic needs of individuals living with disability is important to the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. That is why we launched the Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities. A re-elected Progressive Conservative government would review the new program with community involvement to ensure that the program indeed meets the basic needs of individuals living with disabilities.
Q: Disability discrimination has made up the largest share by far of all the formal complaints lodged with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission over the last 20 years. What do you think accounts for this and what do you think needs to be done to address it?
The largest cause of discrimination to individuals with disabilities is probably due to a lack of awareness by the general population. A re-elected Progressive Conservative government would undertake a campaign of public awareness to mitigate this type of discrimination.