La Vérendrye
Keystone Party (KP) - Candidate: Matthew Wiebe
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
Two examples of how disability affects me and my loved ones directly that are quite immediate are that my father, who is a retired RCMP officer, suffers from PTSD and COPD who struggles to regain the same quality of life he had before he joined and my father-in-law who suffered from a stroke a number of years back and has a pacemaker but can barely climb the stairs in his house without panting. This doesn't mention the litany of mental health struggles that go along with that or that affect myself or my family. It's a constant struggle and can be incredibly exhausting. I'm grateful that both of my fathers are still around and while they do their best to make the most of their situations, they do suffer daily with these disabilities.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
I think the greatest issue the DMVote has laid out is the one regarding accessibility. My aunt suffers from cerebral palsy which requires the use of canes and wheelchairs and that prevents her from being able to use stairs effectively. She still can use them, however it takes a long time and has caused her to stumble and hurt herself on a number of occasions. Seeing Manitoba be more user friendly to those who are struggling already with ease of access and freedom of movement would be a huge boon to the province as a whole. It would allow a larger number of individuals to become more independent and let them be free to do the things they want to do without always needing assistance.
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 think what accounts for the large amount of complaints has something to do with our societies response to disability. It seems to me that for a long time discussing disability or mental health issues was seen as taboo, or weakness on the part of the individual. Now however society has started to break free of those boundaries or restrictions and we now see a large number of people coming forward and, not only allowing their issues to be seen and heard, but to also demand compensation from those who they feel have wronged them. I think that there is a fine line between being seen and heard, and pushing your disability on someone and demanding they meet all your needs. That's not how life works. Every one struggles and everyone has a right to be heard. But that also requires compassion and grace from both parties if there is ever to be peace and understanding. Now that's not to say that some folks have indeed been wronged and compensation is required, I'm talking more in general terms.
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Monica Guetre
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: Bianca Siem
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba (PC) - Candidate: Konrad Narth
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
Disabilities have played a significant role in my life just as they have in the lives of every other Manitoban. Although I haven't has to life with a disability myself, I have been surrounded with close friends and family that live with disabilities. One of my closest friends most of my life is someone that has lived with cerebral palsy. I have seen first hand the tremendous capabilities someone with such a physically restrictive disability is able to have with the right support systems in place. I have also seen the tremendous gabs that exist in effectively helping those with disabilities and the opportunities available with some more work.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
The employment priority is of greatest interest to me. The reason for that is because of the significant labour shortage that we are faced with in Manitoba and across the country right now. I have had the opportunity to see the value of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and know that with the proper support network we have an untapped labour market that would also improve the quality of life for many people 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?
I feel that a lack of understanding for those with disabilities accounts for disability discrimination. Employer incentives along with employee partnership programs would greatly reduce these statistics. The acceptance needs to start with employers but needs to be nurtured through the development of integrated team structure that is able to highlight the strengths of those with disabilities.