Sun asks Brandonites: Do you intend to vote?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/04/2016 (3716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 41st Manitoba general election campaign is coming to a close. With only a few days left before election day on April 19, The Brandon Sun student reporter Samantha Samson took to the streets to find residents of both Brandon West and Brandon East constituencies. We asked them two simple questions: Do you intend to vote? And why — or why not?

Brandon East: Chris Speelman

Voting: You bet.

I don’t want to see Hydro privatized. Plus Greg (Selinger) is doing a good job. Being an accountant, I think it’s an economist we need.

Brandon East: Britney Judd

Voting: Probably.

It’s interesting since we have a candidate who wants to lower taxes. I think that’s odd because our roads are still so bad. And if the taxes are cut, where will those cuts be?

Brandon East: Susan Rule

Voting: Yes.

I’ve always liked politics. I grew up in a PC house, but I was always Liberal. Back then, I didn’t speak up much. Now I can vote however I want and keep up with things online.

Brandon East: Ed Bachmier

Voting: Still pondering.

I’m reading all about the candidates and keeping up with the headlines, but I still can’t make up my mind.

Brandon East: Carman Hainsworth

Voting: Absolutely.

I want change. We need more money for farmers — my dad was a dairy farmer before he died. And we need more support for people like me, with disabilities. The disability vote is important.

Brandon East: Norman Spence

Voting: Probably not.

This would be my second time voting, but I don’t think I will. I work at a casino, and I don’t feel like I have the time. Plus, I don’t know what the parties are promising, what they’re offering.

Brandon East: Corey Beardy

Voting: Yes.

You have to lend your voice because you can’t let other people speak for you. We need better access to affordable housing. That way, we won’t spend all our money on rent.

Brandon East: Kaley Bell

Voting: Yes.

I’ll vote because we need better access to child care. There isn’t enough. I have four kids, and the oldest two (three-year-old twins) just got into daycare. The wait lists are so long, so maybe we need more support for workers or students.

Brandon East: Robert Prive

Voting: Not sure yet.

I watched the leaders’ debate, and I’m still not sure (who to vote for). As long as we get better health-care access and support for Métis rights. It’s supposed to be the new millennium, but we’re not seeing it.

Brandon East: Mel Noah

Voting: Maybe.

I’ve never voted before. I’m more into following the American election than the Canadian ones. Health care is so important. I sprained my ankle four months ago, and the doctor didn’t even show me how to use my splint. We need more consideration for the patient.

Brandon West: Cecilia Fjeldsted

Voting: Voted in advance.

I think we need a different government. The NDP have put Manitoba into so much debt, and they’ve been in power for quite some time. I’ve always supported PC.

Brandon West: Lorraine Flatfoot

Voting: Maybe in advance.

I go to ACC and I’ve seen advanced polling at school. I’m an early childhood education student there, so I think more benefits for child educators is important.

Brandon West: Cory Winning

Voting: No.

I’ve lost faith in politics, but I try to keep up with the headlines. I’m hoping the candidates here support our prime minister with marijuana legalization. If the Liberals stick with their agenda, they’ve got it all the way.

Brandon West: Season Clyne

Voting: Yes.

We need more daycares. My son is six now, but I couldn’t get him into daycare before. I tried to go to school and raise him, but it didn’t work. I’ll have to look into who cares about child care. I’ve even heard of people signing their kids up for daycare before they’re even born.

Brandon West: Kathy Oman

Voting: Yes, but not sure for who.

Health is a big issue. I went to the emergency a few weeks ago and waited for four hours before I got in. Also, affordable housing. You see all these people living on the street, and these new houses going up, but nobody can live in them because rent is too high.

Brandon West: Jessica Sterling

Voting: Of course.

If you don’t vote, you can’t complain. I work in a personal care home, so I’m looking at health issues from candidates.

Brandon West: Tayisiya Sholokh

Voting: Probably vote in advance.

We need more licensed daycares. We moved here in June, and we’re still looking for a spot for my son (19-month-old Mitchell). I don’t want to just give him to some mom. I need a licensed place.

Brandon West: Ron Spence

Voting: Yes.

I always vote when I can. I’ll be voting for the party who’ll privatize Hydro. I work there, so I need to know what’s happening — and I need to keep my job.

Brandon Sun: Katelyn Jones

Voting: Not old enough.

I turn 18 in July, but I’d like to say I’d vote if I could. I’m not sure, though. My parents never really talk about it. I’m going to BU for English in September, so I’d look at tuition costs.

20) Brandon West: Gervindradeo Krishn

Voting: Voted in advance.

I’m retiring in May, but I need to pay for kidney transplant drugs. I’ll be on a set income, so I think seniors and people with diseases should get subsidized medication.