Manitoba Election 2016

Andrew Micklefield - Rossmere

1. Why did you decide to run in the 2016 Manitoba election?

I am running because I want to help improve our province. We lead the country in out-migration of people, and members of my own family and several friends have left Manitoba for other provinces. My work as a school Principal exposed me to Winnipeg’s newcomer and refugee communities and the challenges they face; this work gained positive attention from politicians and people started telling me, “you’d be good in politics, you should run for office.” It’s not right that businesses are closing, families are struggling and friends are leaving. We can do better than this. I want my children to live here; I think Manitoba has a lot to offer. This province has a lot of untapped potential. I want to help build that potential into a better future for all of us.

2. What experience will you bring to complement your role as MLA?

I have been married for 17 years with 3 children, so I understand the realities of family life and the dynamics of raising children in 2016. I spent much of my childhood in this area, and both my parents and my wife’s parents still live nearby. I care about people and have helped refugees find work and housing. I helped facilitate an arrangement where private land and public money came together to provide soccer fields in North Kildonan. I have sat on several boards and participated in collaborative decision making processes. My work as a Principal put me further in touch with families and the challenges faced by children and young people. I’d like to bring these experiences together to serve our community and province.

3. Is there anything in particular you would like to change in our province? In your electoral division?

As I listen to Rossmere residents, I often hear heartbreaking stories of how the current government has failed them: business owners frustrated by more red tape than anywhere else in Canada; families struggling with some of the highest taxes in Canada; seniors needing care waiting longer than they should; medical professionals wanting to help people but caught in a broken system. The hospital that serves our area has the worst ER wait time in Canada. People want change and I want to help address these very real and often painful concerns.

4. What key issue(s) / topic(s) would like to stand for in your role as MLA, and why is it important to you?

There are many important issues. I will absolutely stand for family values, speak for the vulnerable, and support initiatives to improve Manitoba’s economy and education system.  We must honour those who built this province, for example, by ensuring that we have an adequate level of personal care home beds. We also must create a supportive environment for our youth who will build our future. It is alarming that over 20,000 young people have left our province in recent years. With the country’s lowest education scores in math, science, and literacy, our children need better, our province needs better.

5. What is one thing in particular that you value about the electoral division that you wish to represent?

I like it here. Rossmere’s strength is definitely its diversity. We have people from all stages of life representing many different ethnicities, ages, and economic backgrounds. We have many seniors, and yet young people are moving into mature neighbourhoods and opening small businesses here. We have family run businesses that are decades old, parks and trails, and we’re not far from other amenities. It’s a great place to live and it’s a friendly area.