Candidate profile — Moore believes Liberals ‘for the people’

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This article was published 09/04/2016 (3779 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Often politics has “a lot of talk, but not enough action,” according to Liberal candidate Billy Moore. He promises to do the opposite — “less talk, and more action.”

So far, the whirlwind candidate has delivered on the “less talk” pledge, as he seems wary of speaking with the media.

During an interview with The Brandon Sun, Moore wouldn’t answer several basic questions, such as what the main issues are in Brandon West or identify his top priorities if elected.

“That I will not answer. I’m still fresh,” he said. “I must have the experience first before I answer.”

He also wouldn’t get into which general projects he’d be pushing for if elected, and wasn’t familiar with the Brandon School Division’s request for a new school.

“What I have in mind I will keep to myself. They will surface once I get elected — but they’ll be good,” he said, with a laugh.

Moore’s campaign theme is “love and harmony.” He said if there is love, people can work in harmony. Where he lacks in political knowledge, he makes up for in life experience. The 76-year-old is a grandfather and great-grandfather.

The Portage la Prairie resident is originally from South Indian Lake, about 130 kilometres north of Thompson, and is a member of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Over the years, he has worked as an economic development officer for Aboriginal Affairs in Thompson and local government adviser for the province.

“With my extensive experience working for both governments in the past, and being a people’s person, I believe I do have qualities for the position,” he said.

More recently, Moore has travelled across Canada selling native art.

“That’s how I got to meet a lot of people right across Canada,” he said. “That was a very good thing, and got to learn a few things.”

Moore said he was drawn to the Liberal party after deciding that “PCs are for the rich, NDPs are for the poor and the Liberals are for the people.”

He made waves when he was first introduced as a candidate and said there are “too many hospitals” in Manitoba, later calling it a publicity stunt.

He’s remained low-key ever since. His papers were approved by Elections Manitoba with only two-and-a-half hours to spare before the deadline.

As for his Brandon connection, Moore said he has lived in the Wheat City off and on for the last four decades. He visits Brandon often, as he has family living here. At one time, Moore served as executive director of the Brandon Friendship Centre.

He said he has been enjoying the campaign thus far, and is canvassing neighbourhoods.

“I love people, so I enjoy them when I meet them, even the strangers in the riding,” he said.

Moore is very optimistic that this is the year Brandon will see Liberal MLAs.

“We are going to win by a landslide,” he said. “I’m not only hoping — it will happen.”

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