Waverley
Green Party of Manitoba (GPM) - Candidate: Manjit Kaur
The candidate did not respond by our September 20, 2023 deadline
Manitoba Liberal Party (MLP) - Candidate: Uche Nawankwo
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
Several factors can result in an individual experiencing a disability situation and it can happen to anyone. It could result from a fall, a medical condition that is not quickly identified and treated, a defection during birth, and a host of other factors. I have had a fall that made me sprain my ankle. I had also had an accident that if there was no quick accessible and affordable healthcare, could have resulted in a disability. I strongly believe that sincere and genuine attention should be given to issues that can reduce the impact of disability on our families and society members.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
All five priorities are very important and sometimes ranking them might result in creating more inequality because individual needs are different. However, I understand that when it comes to resource allocation, we will have to prioritize. I think providing the basic needs is very important. Every human being deserves and desires their basic needs to be met; accommodation, food, clothing, access to affordable and available healthcare, education, access to employment opportunities, and the love and care of family members, these are basic needs. Thus, I would say access to basic needs because that priority sort of encompasses other priorities.
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 when people look at others and feel that they are superior or immune to the predicaments of others, they tend to look down on those experiencing the challenges of life. We are in no way better than people who are experiencing any form of disability. We must recognize that it could have been us in their situation.
We should have love and respect for every person regardless of their disability because they are human beings like us.
To address these problems, we must remove every form of discrimination, stereotype, and bias. We must recognize that we are no different from those experiencing disability, and that they all need the same basic needs as everyone else.
New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) - Candidate: David Pankratz
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
In both my professional and personal journey I have witnessed firsthand how disabilities have impacted individuals and families. In my work as a paramedic I have the seen importance of inclusive and accessible environments for people with disabilities.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
Ensuring timely and equitable access to services and resources. I believe this is one of the most important issues facing Waverley right now as we are a growing community with many young families. Having accessible and equitable community services is paramount.
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 disproportionally high number of human rights complaints related to disabilities indicates obvious systemic barriers still in place that prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing the same opportunities as others. It speaks to the need for inclusive policies that work to remove those barriers and support a society where everyone can participate fully.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba (PC) - Candidate: Jon Reyes
Q: How have disabilities played a role in your life and the lives of your loved ones?
Disabilities of individuals from what I have seen through the eyes of others and how it has affected their lives has been an eye opener for me. I always look on how we can improve and enhance programs and services and the issue of disabilities is very unique and should always be reviewed in a routine and timely manner. Why? Because people’s lives are affected and it’s all about improving people’s lifestyles and best practices.
Q: Which one of DMVote’s 5 priority issues is of the greatest interest to you and why?
For me, the DMVote top priority issue of greatest interest is meeting basic needs because Manitobans living with severe and prolonged disabilities deserve dignified support. After DMVote advocacy called for it in 2019, our PC Team delivered Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities, a new disability income support program. There’s more to do but enhancements we made to benefits in recent years are steps in the right direction. It’s important and urgent to get it right. A re-elected PC government would conduct a review of the newly launched program and involve community members.
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?
A lack of public awareness of disability issues may be behind disability discrimination; government has a role to play in fighting back against discrimination through public awareness campaigns that highlight things like the positives of hiring persons with disabilities. A re-elected PC government would undertake such a campaign.