Radisson
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Jean Luc Bouche
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
It has not.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Basic needs no one should be left behind
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?
Too much talking not enough doing
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: Jelynn Dela Cruz
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
Growing up with compassionate family and friends in the care industry, I was raised alongside loved ones with disabilities, both visible and invisible. Because of this, I was inspired to take my career into the disability services sector at L’Arche Winnipeg - a Transcona-based non-profit that houses, employs, and creates social opportunities for people living with developmental disabilities. I hope to build on this work and advocacy in the Legislature as Radisson’s MLA.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Basic Needs. Every human being deserves to live, work, and navigate the world with dignity. Opportunity is fostered once basic needs are met, and not everyone has equal footing in that regard.
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 – but unfortunately, stigma and systemic barriers often prevent that from happening. Government needs 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: James Teitsma
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
My wife Joanne and I have always believed in the intrinsic value and worth of every human being, regardless of abilities. We have instilled those same values in our six children. We give of our time and money to organizations that assist those with disabilities likes Cornerstone Christian Care Society and L’Arche Winnipeg. I have directed the attention of legislators and constituents to see the value and worth of people with Down Syndrome on several “Crazy Socks” days at the Manitoba Legislature as well as in newspaper articles. I also enjoy participating in “Bring your MLA to Work Day” every year during Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
All of DMVote’s 5 priority issues are important to me. The one I believe deserves special attention is EMPLOYMENT. The positive impact of employment on persons with disabilities is significant – they gain confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and an ability to give back. The benefits to their colleagues and employers are also significant. I believe increased employment for individuals with disabilities will benefit our entire province!
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 was surprised to see the large share of formal complaints related to disabilities lodged with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. I don’t understand why that is. I think further analysis should be done to understand the nature of such complaints. Are they rooted in a lack of awareness of human rights legislation? Do they relate more to accessibility issues? Or employment discrimination? Or something else? Once that is better understood, we can work together to make concrete policy recommendations and take action to help reduce the number of complaints and make spaces safer for everyone.