“Too many hospitals” says new Liberal candidate
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/03/2016 (3851 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Newly announced Brandon West Liberal candidate Billy Moore made massive waves at his first public appearance on Wednesday, suggesting Manitoba should cut hospitals to reduce wait times.
Moore took a seat alongside his two Brandon West counterparts for the Brandon Friendship Centre’s debate.
Responding to a question on whether his party would commit to core funding for the Manitoba Métis Foundation to pursue an integrated health approach, Moore said:
"There are too many hospitals and consequently the cost of it, a wait time is very long. Now, if we can eliminate some hospitals in Manitoba people won’t want to get sick because they have no where to go – they will want to stay health and work and that’s where the health comes in.”
On Thursday morning, Brandon East Liberal candidate Vanessa Hamilton addressed the issue on Twitter.
“We rely on hospitals too much. Under Selinger more people are ill. Healthcare $71 million over budget,” she wrote. Hamilton, a former city councillor, works as a healthy living facilitator and registered dietitian with Prairie Mountain Health.
@ZachFleish We rely on hospitals too much. Under Selinger more people are ill. Healthcare $71 million over budget. #bdnmb #mbpoli
— Vanessa Hamilton (@NessaHamilton1) 31 March 2016
Moore’s candidacy was something of a buzzer-beater. The 76-year-old said his papers were approved by Elections Manitoba with only two-and-a-half hours to spare before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Portage La Prairie resident originally hails from South Indian Lake, about 130 kilometres north of Thompson, and is a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation based in Nelson House, MB.
Moore’s work history includes stints as youth ministries director for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, economic development officer for Indian Affairs in Thompson and local government advisor for the province.
More recently, he’s been busy with a different pursuit.
"I travel across Canada and sell native art. I buy from the artists, from different producers at wholesale, and then put them in my van and I go travelling," Moore said. "I don’t have a store – I enjoy meeting people and then I travel."
Now, he wants to give politics a shot.
"I thank you in advance for taking me to the legislature to represent your needs. Right now I can’t say what they are and what they will be, ecetera,” he said in his opening statement on Wednesday.
Moore decided to run two weeks ago. When he applied with the Liberals he was given a choice of six vacant ridings to run in.
"I’m not totally unknown in Brandon," he said. Moore, father of four children in their 40’s and 50’s, has grandchildren living in the constituency, and he once studied at Brandon University for about 30 months. His confirmation means all three major Manitoba parties will have candidates on the ballot in both Brandon constituencies.
At several points in Wednesday’s debate, Moore told questioners he didn’t have an answer but that he would be able to answer once he gets in office.
"I am very green right now but I assure you I will learn those things as I go along and I will have more answers for you,” he said.
A pamphlet he handed out before the debate said the Liberal party promises Manitobans equality in jobs, justice, health, education, environmental sustainability and housing "… as well as other concerns as they arise." The back page features, in bold, large font, the words "LOVE AND HARMONY."
"If I attempt to give them an answer now, I may mislead them and that’s politics and I don’t want that," he said afterwards.
He knows that means a lot of trust on the part of voters.
"I’ve had experience in (the) public (eye) for so many years and I know I can deliver what they need, when they tell me what they need. I can influence the government and I can push it until it’s delivered," he said.
Now, he’s ready to work hard to introduce himself to the Wheat City.
"I’ll either go door to door or go to public functions, events and make myself known to people that are going to be voting for me," Moore said.
"I’m taking the riding, I don’t care who says no. God as my witness."
History
Updated on Friday, April 1, 2016 10:47 AM CDT: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Brandon East Liberal candidate Vanessa Hamilton is a board director with the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals. In fact, Hamilton was a executive council director with the MAHCP only until 2013. She is not currently a board director with the organization