Fort Richmond
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Ernie Nathaniel
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
My sister had Down’s Syndrome and never talked during her entire life. I knew she still had a deep understanding of how people felt and could display how she felt, although she could never verbalize it. My parents took care of her all of her life, and school during the early 70’s was not ideal. As they got older, the last few years of her life she spent in a community home run by DASCH, and there she experienced many outings that she didn’t have the chance to do before. Society has learned much since those days, but there is still a long way to go. The Manitoba Liberal Party has announced the desire to create a “guaranteed dignified income for people with severe physical or mental disabilities, as well as for people over 60”.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Each one of the main issues; Accessible Manitoba, Skilled Workforce, Basic Needs, Employment, and Services and Resources are all extremely important. The potential of people with disabilities is grossly underestimated because they often don’t get a chance to show where they could thrive. However, since our MLP party has in their platform both EIA and “mincome” improvements, I will have to say that this is where the MLP has some solid plans to help people, especially those with disabilities to be lifted out of poverty. Nevertheless, all of the 5 issues are important and need to be addressed.
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?
I honestly never knew that Disability Issues were responsible for such an overwhelming number of complaints. Life is not fair. We are not born with equal opportunities, and this constant “picking oneself up by the bootstraps” mentality is so inadequate and cruel. Of course, all of us should do our best and work hard, but some need more assistance due to no fault of their own. A compassionate society will look after the “least of these”, as the biblical phrase goes, not as a burden, but with a joy that comes from helping each other.
These human rights cases should be examined in a timely manner, but as we have seen with cases with seniors, those most fragile are often ignored and mistreated (that is why we have supported a Senior’s Advocate for years – another issue of course). We have to address these problems by creating government rules that give people the chance and ability to contribute to society, and those with disabilities to have those opportunities that have been previously denied. We must respect everyone.
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: Jennifer Chen
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
As a School Trustee, I learned so much from the many advocates I met in our schools and communities. They work so hard to ensure students with disabilities have the individual supports and resources they need.
I appreciate how our public school system is evolving to see differences in ability as a positive part of diversity. With this approach, we share the responsibility of finding solutions when we encounter obstacles.
Ending discrimination against people with disabilities requires that we end cuts to public health care, education, and municipal services, and I am passionate about advocating for improving school outcomes for all.
I fought for more resources and supports for special needs students during my time as a school trustee. With my young children attending school, I can see firsthand how much better classroom experiences are for everyone when we embrace our differences. It’s an issue that is close to my heart.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
I am especially interested in the priority of Meeting basic needs.
The new supports available to Manitobans do not provide an adequate level of basic income for people with disabilities to live with dignity. All the cuts to public services, compounded by severe strains on our health care system and the lack of availability of safe, accessible and affordable housing have made it even more challenging. Supporting a livable income for all, including supplements for those with disabilities and other needs that may create financial strain, is an area where federal, provincial and municipal governments must work together. I am keenly interested in finding ways for all levels of government to work together to create programs and supports that make life better for people with diverse abilities.
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?
Manitoba’s Human Rights Code supersedes other laws. The protections the Code provides against discrimination are powerful, but it is an involved process to bring a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. The fact that such a high percentage of complaints centre on disability tells us that further action is needed.
Government has a significant role in public education and combatting stigma, to come at it from every angle and provide solutions so people can live with dignity – whether that’s at school, in the community, at work, or anywhere else. We need to work with the community to implement and enforce The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, support 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: Paramjit Shahi
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline