Manitoba Election 2016

Audrey Gordon - Fort Rouge

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

I decided to run because I want to contribute to building a better province and a better quality of life for all Manitobans.  The Provincial Government deficit and net debt which are increasing at an alarming rate is a primary concern for me.  The debt will need to be paid back at a later date through taxes and will be paid by future generations; our children, grand children and possibly great grandchildren if the debt continues to grow.  I want to be part of the team that has a plan to get the province’s books in order.  I am also running because I believe Manitobans deserve better healthcare.  I am also deeply concerned about the children and youth in this province. It is disheartening to see the poor education outcomes for our children.  The child poverty rate and the number of children in care are also shocking statistics.  The number of people leaving Manitoba for other provinces is slowly climbing — and young people are leading the charge. I am running to be part of the team that has a plan to deal with these issues that impact our province’s future generation.

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

I have 28 years of diverse public sector experience having worked for the provincial government in management and leadership positions, as well as the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).  I have overseen several major healthcare projects which improved service delivery for Manitobans in areas such as child health, long-term care and kidney health. I am also a small business owner who knows the challenges and concerns of owners in the community.  I believe strongly in giving back to my community and was a member of the WRHA, Youville Clinic and Immigrant and Refugee Communities of Manitoba Board of Directors and volunteered at the Vista Park Lodge.  My academic achievements include a Masters of Business Administration Degree from the Asper School of Business (Dean’s List), a Bachelor of Arts (with an inter-faculty option in aging), a Certificate in Applied Counselling from the University of Manitoba, and a PROSCI Certificate in Change Management.

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

I would like to have more transparency and accountability in the way government does business which is one of the reasons I am running under the leadership of Brian Pallister and am thrilled to be a candidate for the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives.  The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives is the only Party that has committed to bring in Manitoba’s first Open Government bill which will establish new, higher standards for transparency, accountability and MLA ethics, with open contracting procedures, and give real authority to independent Legislative officers to investigate and report.

With regard to the electoral division of Fort Rouge, I would like to implement more forums and mechanisms for residents to share their ideas, concerns and issues with me e.g. town hall meetings, roundtable discussions, community meetings, electronic information sharing.  I think it’s very important that residents have access to their MLA at all times to ensure the MLA is bringing forward their priorities to the Manitoba Legislature on a regular basis.

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

I want to advocate for better care for seniors and families.  Homelessness and poverty are primary issues in the constituency and I want very much to work with local organizations and affected stakeholders to address these issues.  I think its unconscionable that one in three children live in poverty in this province.  I also want to advocate for better education results for students in this province.  The province needs to invest in education to improve our children’s future.  Fort Rouge has a large demographic of young people.  These young people are asking for better opportunities for jobs.  I want to work to make these opportunities available to them so that they can be proud to call Manitoba their home.  The Osborne Village and Corydon Avenue areas have over 200 businesses combined.  As a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges and issues faced by small business owners.  I want to work with the PC Government to develop a comprehensive access to capital strategy in consultation with the business community.  The strategy would include improvements to the Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit and a community-led, government-championed approach to available federal programs.

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

Fort Rouge is a special community in the heart of this City.  I value very much its dynamic mix of both arts & culture and ethnic diversity.  Its sense of belonging comes from the seniors, students, professionals and families who call Fort Rouge home; from a wide range of dedicated community & resource organizations; and from the many, many small businesses — which when put together make this a truly vibrant community.

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

I am humbled to have this opportunity to be a candidate in the constituency of Fort Rouge.