Neelin students grill candidates

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This article was published 23/09/2023 (805 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After facing questions at a Brandon Sun debate and a Community Wellness Collaborative earlier this week, provincial candidates in Brandon West and Brandon East met with what might have been their toughest crowd of all on Friday afternoon: high school students.

École secondaire Neelin High School students grilled Brandon West candidates Bill Marsh (Green Party), Wayne Balcaen (Progressive Conservative), Quentin Robinson (NDP) and Brandon East candidates Trenton Zazalak (Liberal), Glen Simard (NDP) and Len Isleifson.

Dozens of their classmates filled the rows of the school’s drama theatre to hear what they had to say as they asked questions in both English and French.

The first question for the candidates was why they wanted to enter politics.

Robinson had never intended to run for public office, but said he was motivated to run to make a difference when it comes to topics like climate change and 2SLGBTQ+ issues.

In a similar vein, Zazalak said he’d never wanted to be a politician either. But having four children, he wanted to make sure they and other children would have opportunities available to them as they grew up in Brandon.

He asked how many students wanted to be a doctor, with a few raising their hands. If they want to get medical training, Zazalak said, they would have to go to Winnipeg. That’s something his party wants to change by bringing a medical school to Brandon.

Balcaen said he has been serving the public for several years by working for various levels of government and volunteering to coach sports teams. But during his time as police chief, he saw how being in government effects change.

After volunteering on the board of directors for the United Way in Brandon, Isleifson said he started looking for ways to have a bigger role in serving the community where he raised his family. That led to a successful bid for city council, then for MLA in 2016.

Marsh said his interest in politics started when he was driving a shuttle for Riverheights Terrace, conversing with the residents of the facility about their views. A longtime PC supporter, the Green Party’s focus on the climate attracted Marsh to run for them as a means to promote a change in government and attitudes.

Simard, who taught some of the students present when they were in elementary school, joked that he wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that some of his potential constituents were people he’d assigned pushups for speaking English in a French class.

He said he likes finding solutions to problems in his work as a volunteer with community and sports groups. Being a teacher is something Simard loves, but he said he thinks he can make a difference as an elected official.

When asked about their first priorities if elected, Zazalak admitted it was likely his party will not form government. But if the Liberals hold the balance of power in a minority legislature, that will allow them to implement their priorities for Brandon — like establishing a medical school.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Marsh said it was clear Manitoba’s health-care system needs to be brought back into shape before another crisis hits the province, along with setting up climate policies to ensure a future for younger generations.

As a political newcomer, Balcaen said his priority would be to learn the ins and outs of government so he knows how he can make a difference as an elected official and partner with local organizations to achieve shared goals.

Canvassing with potential voters, Isleifson said he has heard that locals want progress made on the issues that ail downtown Brandon. Before the election, that was one of his priorities, and he’ll continue that work if re-elected.

Education, health-care, affordability, reconciliation and opportunities for youth are all priorities for the people of Brandon East, Simard said. If elected, he said his priorities would be their priorities.

Robinson concurred with Simard, saying the priorities in Brandon West are much the same. On a personal level, he said dealing with climate change is very important to him by making electric vehicles more affordable and protecting the environment.

The final question was about affordability — what would they do to reduce the cost of living? One representative from each party was invited to answer the question.

Marsh referred students to the Green Party’s website to learn more about their economic platform.

There are two ways to address affordability, Isleifson said: intervening to lower prices or helping residents keep more money in their pocket. He said he believed the students in the room would do a better job of spending their money than the government would.

According to Simard, there are students in Brandon who decide not to graduate from high school because they must find a job to help provide for their family. He said government needs to make sure things like health care and education are in shape so people are in a position to work.

Zazalak said a lot of the cost-of-living crisis comes from a consolidation of businesses into small oligopolies that charge oversized prices because of a lack of competition. Government, he said, needs to encourage young entrepreneurs to go into business and improve the level of competition.

Election day is Oct. 3. Advance voting begins today and finishes on Sept. 30. A full list of advance polls can be found at electionsmanitoba.ca.

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