Custance seeks PC nod in Turtle Mountain

Investing in infrastructure and health care, making the region a good place to live and being a strong local rural voice are the main priorities for Mark Custance as he vies to become Turtle Mountain’s next MLA.

“Infrastructure, health care and really focusing on what’s going to keep people in their communities as long as possible,” Custance, a councillor in the Municipality of Two Borders, said during an interview Wednesday at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon.

“If they have to go to Winnipeg for medical appointments all the time, we don’t want that.”

Custance, who is seeking the Progressive Conservative party’s nomination, said extended waits for ambulances are a problem in the area, and rural parts of the province need good partnerships with the provincial government to help local people, which can also include selling goods in the agriculture and oil sectors.

“My focus is to give people more reasons to stay, know that they’re going to be safe, that they’re going to have medical care, and that they’re going to be able to have a business and have a life,” said the 41-year-old Custance, who lives in the Pierson area with his wife and five children and co-owns Real Garlic/Real Greens, a greenhouse that grows fresh produce.

He said he and his wife both had to leave the area to find opportunities, so he wants something different for his children.

“I want to bring us to a place where the quality of life is better. The services may be a little bit reduced, but rural Manitoba is still the best place to be,” said Custance,

Custance is hoping to win the PC nomination against Wally Daudrich, who narrowly lost the party’s leadership last year. Daudrich received more votes than Obby Khan in the leadership race, but lost because votes were weighted by constituency.

Current PC Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk announced in November that he would not stand for re-election and would be stepping away from politics.

The NDP also announced last month that former Killarney-Turtle Mountain mayor Rick Pauls will run under that party’s banner.

The next election is slated for October 2027, but Premier Wab Kinew hinted at calling an early election last year. He has since repeatedly walked back the possibility of an early election.

Custance said the possibility of a snap election is why he announced his candidacy last month. If the premier doesn’t call a snap election, it will allow Custance to finish his term as a councillor in Two Borders, he added.

Custance was first elected as a councillor in 2022 after narrowly losing a seat in the 2018 municipal election.

He said his time as a councillor will help if he is elected as an MLA. That includes having had regular talks with reeves and mayors in the region, speaking with residents and going to events.

“Just having my ear to the ground, really, and having those relationships already, helps me hear what people are saying,” he said.

“Whereas I think you have somebody coming into the area, or maybe not from there, (they) wouldn’t have that same level — not saying that somebody couldn’t do it, but it just kind of gives me that jump to have those relationships already,” he said.

While Custance and Pauls live in the riding, Daudrich splits his time between Churchill and the Morden area, which is just east of the Turtle Mountain constituency.

Custance said he is running for the party because “the PCs represent the strongest rural voice” in Manitoba and that Tory MLAs showed up to get things accomplished for the region, specifically on a hydroponic operation.

He also said he was raised on conservative values and is doing the same with his children.

The PCs under Piwniuk have won Turtle Mountain by more than 32 percentage points in the two elections since the riding was recreated, while the NDP has seen its support in rural areas rising since the 2023 provincial election.

The NDP currently has 47 per cent support in rural and northern areas of the province, compared to 43 per cent support for the PCs, according to a Probe Research poll done for the Winnipeg Free Press and released last month.

Across the province, the NDP hold 55 per cent support compared to 35 per cent support for the PCs, the poll found.

Asked about the past riding and recent polling results, Custance said voter turnout has been down in recent elections, which indicates that people are feeling that their voices aren’t being heard.

“If anything, I welcome other candidates to come out and listen to their communities and I think whoever listens best should get elected, regardless of political stripe,” Custance said.

“I very much feel that I’m a bring-everybody-to-the-table person, rather than make a separate table for people.”

The PCs haven’t announced how the nomination process will work with at least two candidates hoping to represent the party in Turtle Mountain. The party sent a statement to the Sun on Wednesday about the interest in the riding.

“We welcome the interest from all potential PC candidates in what will be an exciting nomination process,” party president Peter Smith said.

“There is still plenty of time before the October 2027 general election for all interested candidates to submit their nomination paperwork and expressions of interest. This is a great time for the PC Party in Turtle Mountain.”

» alambert@brandonsun.com