Manitoba Election 2016

Peter Chura - Seine River

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

There was obviously a big appetite in Manitoba for change in the Legislature, and a need for more choices. A renewed Manitoba Liberal Party offers a progressive, fiscally responsible option with a new leader and new slate of candidates.

I want to be part of the meaningful change our party can bring to Manitoba politics, and after several years living in Seine River I’d be very happy to represent the friends, neighbours, teachers, coaches and other parents I’ve come to know so well.

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

I was a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years, and much of my time was spent covering politics and examining public policy issues. That included several years reporting on federal politics on Parliament Hill, and the past 8 years as the supervising producer and anchor of Global’s 6 p.m. Evening News in Winnipeg.

That gives me a lot of experience quickly grasping the essential points of issues, how they impact and interest the public, and how to best communicate them to people.

I also have the experience of being part of this community, including raising children, sending them to school and sports, and being a homeowner.

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

Infrastructure is a big one. I hear it a lot at the door, and while most understand that in Winnipeg the municipal government delivers those services, most also want to see the province show leadership. Our plan to commit the money from the PST increase to a municipal infrastructure fund – which Winnipeg’s mayor supports — will go a long way to getting our streets, sidewalks, back lanes and water mains fixed and properly maintained.

Education is also a major interest. Like many parents, I’ve seen the achievements and challenges of our school system, and many teachers who live in Seine River have shared their concerns with me about the need for the school system to continue to grow and support increasingly diverse classrooms. I support our plan for all-day kindergarten, and continued growth in funding for the education system overall so teachers and students have what they need to succeed.

 

 

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

I like how family-oriented the community is. Each neighbourhood has its own unique characteristics, but all have in common a strong family feel in their focal points like schools, rinks and parks. I’d like to make sure families have all the opportunities they can to enjoy their time together, for parents to be confident their kids are well taken care of in school and day cares, and for seniors and the disabled to have better access to home care.

6. Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

A big thank you to everybody who is helping out on the campaign in Seine River, knocking on doors and making calls and spending hours doing all the little things that need to be done to reach out to voters or to just keep me going. To the friends and family and new people in my life who I’m very lucky to have with me and to whom I will forever be grateful: thank you.