Manitoba Election 2016

Damian Dempsey - Agassiz

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

My decision to run for MLA comes from a desire to advocate for people like myself—from practical, working, budget-conscious families who don’t like to see hard-earned money wasted or political infighting getting in the way of effective government. The years of farming, raising a family and working at the hog plant have given me a broad perspective on the issues of concern in the Agassiz riding. As I was required to take unpaid leave from my job while campaigning, it was a big decision to run for MLA.

Over the past 20 years, I have heard the same issues come up over and over again, with new ones surfacing every year, and those are what I am focusing on in my campaign and, if elected, as Agassiz MLA. I am at a point in my life where I can take a break from my job, farm and family to speak up and try to do something about those issues.

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

Please take a look at the issues I address in Question 4. Some of these are things that need to be changed, either in the electoral division or in the province. Generally speaking, I think that more participation in decision-making by stakeholders is something we should work toward.

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

If elected MLA for Agassiz, I will work to:

• Locate and build a new, regional hospital in Neepawa, with a large catchment area
• Demand fiscal responsibility and transparency in government; curtail waste
• Return PST to 7% and increase the basic personal amount required before tax is paid
• End the MPI and Manitoba Liquor Commission monopolies
• Advocate for profitable and sustainable farming and ranching industries in Manitoba
• Advocate for small-business-friendly economic policies
• Promote policies that strengthen and support families
• Strengthen universal health care, attract more doctors, end wait lists, particularly in rural areas
• Explore private sector participation in providing medical services
• Ensure that the AMA (Accessibility for Manitobans Act) is carried out
• Fight against the introduction of a carbon tax that harms industry and consumers
• Move funding for education away from property/farmland taxes to income tax
• Improve outcomes for students and conditions for teachers with better targeted spending
• Improve flood mitigation policies, and require timely/adequate compensation to those affected.

Some of these issues have affected me personally, while others are common sense or just becoming necessary to get us moving forward in Agassiz and the province.

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

I am running as an Independent, so I am not committed to any party. If I am elected as MLA, I will support policies that I believe are right for Canada, Manitoba, and most important Agassiz. My job will be to represent Agassiz in the legislature, not to represent a party. An Independent’s vote is equal to that of any other MLA, and I would expect to support the party in power on some issues.  However, as an Independent I would also promote an agenda that is pro-Agassiz and pro-rural, something a party-affiliated MLA might not be able to do because of party platform constraints.  I would expect that MLAs from other primarily rural ridings would share the concerns of our riding and be interested in working with me on drafting legislation to help move our areas forward.

I hope that you will consider voting for me. If I am elected, I will work hard and do my best for the people of Agassiz. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. I would be happy to discuss them with you by phone, email or via Facebook. Or visit my website. Thank you.