Fort Rouge
Communist Party of Canada – Manitoba (CPC-M) - Robert Crooks
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
I have lived with psychiatric and physical disabilities my whole life, whether my own or those of my loved ones. The effects of these disabilities are global in that they affect every aspect of life. But what I find most frustrating is that many - if not all - of these disabilities are manufactured by the physical and social environment. Every time I see someone in a wheelchair on the shoulder of the road, I don’t think of how their disability is hindering them and placing them in a dangerous situation, but how our government is failing us. Sidewalks are impassable in winter due to snow, and in summer due to construction and poor upkeep. Similarly, the inaccessibility of some buildings is what prevents people from entering, not anyone’s disability. Our underfunded transit service, which is unreliable, inaccessible and expensive, creates barriers to mobility for huge numbers of our province, and not just for those who would be classified as having a physical disability. These are not the problems of individuals but of society, and they can be solved by prioritizing human rights over austerity and private profit.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
The issue I would prioritize would be to meet basic needs. Nobody should be without quality housing, nor should anyone ever go hungry or worry about having enough money to survive. The idea that some people have to go without because they were somehow unlucky, undeserving or irresponsible is a capitalist construct that treats basic human rights as commodities. Any attempt to meet people’s basic needs is seen by capitalists as interfering with the right to profit. EIA should be replaced with a basic liveable wage; subpar, expensive and precarious housing options should be replaced with quality homes. Rent-geared-to-income housing should be normalized; the government should enact price controls to keep the cost of food affordable; healthcare should be expanded to include dental care and pharmacare. No one should live in poverty.
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?
Disabilities can often be invisible, and for that reason, they may be neglected, or to be treated as though they are less significant or even fabricated. This must be changed with campaigns of awareness. However, perhaps a bigger problem is that people with disabilities live in an environment that is inaccessible. Often, people with disabilities require “accommodations” that will require extra spending. In a capitalist society, the bottom line is profit. Businesses don’t want to spend money to accommodate everyone because it will eat into their profits; governments are overly fixated on being seen as fiscally responsible, and want to cut spending as much as possible. What I believe needs to be done to address this issue is to create stronger laws with stiff penalties for landlords, developers and employers unwilling to implement the proper accommodations before they are needed. And these laws must be enforced by a well-paid, well-staffed and well-trained dedicated department.
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Katherine Johnson
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: Wab Kinew
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
My predecessor was Jennifer Howard who brought in the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. It was a major development in our province. The only way she said she would support my candidacy would be if I committed to helping we make progress on implementing the Act. I was proud to agree and have been proud to advocate for the implementation of the Act during my time at the Legislature support if we make progress on AMA. So I’m committing.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Jobs and employment is of the greatest interest to me. I know a job is not simply a pay check but provides dignity and support as well as inclusion in the broader community. Supporting Manitobans with better employment opportunities is near and dear to me as a political leader.
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 most important thing I learned as political leader was from a group of rural families in the Parkland and Westman regions. The lesson was important. It was that sometimes exceptional kids have exceptional needs. I know the needs of many Manitoba families aren’t being met currently. This explains why the number of complaints lodged with the Human Rights Commission is so high. I’m working so that if we have the great honour of forming Government if you or your child has a need that isn’t being met you won’t need to go to the Human Rights Commission. Rather you will have a government that takes your concerns seriously and acts on them.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba (PC) - Candidate: Rejeanne Caron
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline