Manitoba Election 2016

Dave Gaudreau - St. Norbert

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

I’m running because I am passionate about building and supporting my community. St. Norbert is my home. I’ve spent over 30 years of my life here, raising my son, coaching youth soccer, and volunteering in support of everything from cancer research to school advisory councils to community-club BBQs.

As a parent, I value the way education and economic growth open doors. I want to continue working to create more opportunities for young people, including education and work in the trades, which provided such a great start for my own career and family. I know how much working families depend on services like health care and child care. So I want to continue the good work we’ve done, and expand even further.

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

I have lived here for over 30 years and I am the best choice to represent my neighbors’ concerns because they are also the concerns of my own family.  I have never stopped canvassing, attending events and listening to the families who call our community home.  I will continue to be a strong advocate for the priorities of local families so that our community can continue to thrive.

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

My top priority going forward will be to ensure families all across Manitoba, including St. Norbert, have access to quality, affordable child care. Child care is so important to working families. It gives parents the flexibility to go back to work, and it gives our young people the strong foundation they need for a good start in school. My first policy priority will be working to fulfill the NDP’s commitment to build 12,000 new child care spaces in Manitoba. This will help ensure that families in our community can access the child care they need.

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 will continue to stand up for our community, ensuring that the services families count on are there for them. I have been extremely successful in bringing important investments to our area and I want to ensure that we keep building our community.

Access to affordable child care is an issue for families throughout my area, and that’s been a big focus for me. Our kids also need good schools that are close to home. Families in South Pointe are thrilled with the new K-Grade 8 English and French Immersion School that will serve that growing neighbourhood.

Access to quality health care is also something I hear about from voters. That’s why I’m proud that the new Fort Garry ACCESS Centre is almost complete, and that we’ve committed to building a new QuickCare Clinic for our area.

In St. Norbert proper, the Highway 75 Bypass is a big issue. We have transport trucks and heavy traffic rolling through the heart of the community at all hours, past a school and the Farmers’ Market. It’s a real safety and quality-of-life issue for families in our area. The NDP – unlike the other parties – is firmly committed to building the Bypass.

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

The diversity of our community is truly spectacular. If you go to La Barriere Crossings School, you will see that they have flags up for every nationality of child attending school there. There are over 100 flags from all over the world. Our community is a success story of multiculturalism, and I am so proud to represent and promote this diversity as your MLA.

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

I am a local guy. A journeyperson welder by trade. I am running to represent everyone in our community. They are my friends, family and neighbours.  I care deeply about them and want to ensure their needs are met.