Manitoba Election 2016

Joe McKellep - Assiniboia

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

I believe in giving back to the community, and I want my children to grow up in a province with a compassionate public healthcare system, high-quality education and fulfilling job opportunities. I was motivated to run to protect and improve the vital services Manitobans depend on every single day. I’ve been knocking on doors every day to listen to the people of Assiniboia, and I’ll work hard to serve them and all Manitobans.

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

I believe that it’s important that our representatives reflect the people that they are elected to serve.  I was born and raised up North and I have called Winnipeg my home for over a decade now.  I have a wife and two daughters and we have another child on the way.  I’ve worked in a variety of industries including logging, fishing and construction, and I’ve also owned my own business.  For the past ten years I’ve been a public servant in the provincial government, currently with Manitoba Justice.

This broad range of experience has given me a real understanding of the issues and challenges that are most important to people in my community and across this province, and I think it will be a real asset in helping me serve the people here in Assiniboia.

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

I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve in Manitoba over the past several years.  We have one of the best economies, the second lowest unemployment rate, and the lowest utility costs in the country.

But, there is still more to do.  We need to continue to improve our healthcare system and address wait times. The expansion of the ER at Grace Hospital and the recent opening of the West Winnipeg Quick Care clinic will go a long way to achieving this goal.

I’ve been hearing on the doorstep that we also need to ensure that our families have access to affordable, accessible childcare. That’s why I’m so proud that we’ve announced the creation of 12,000 new daycare spaces across Manitoba.

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 believe the most important role of our elected representatives is to serve their constituents.  I want the people of Assiniboia to know that, whatever their concerns may be, I will stand up for them and bring their voice to the Legislature.  Whether it be improving access to vital services like healthcare and education, or ensuring that our seniors can retire with dignity and stay in their homes longer, I want the people of Assiniboia to know that I will work hard for them every single day.

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

The deep sense of community here. People here in Assiniboia understand the importance of giving back to the community.  They are very involved in our community centres, our seniors’ centres, and with our youth sports teams. These are the things that make Assiniboia such a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

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

I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to run to represent the people here in Assiniboia.  For the past 17 years, we have had such an incredible representative in Jim Rondeau.  Jim has been a strong voice for this community and I am deeply honoured to be the first person he has endorsed in his entire political career.  I want to continue to build on the work he has done and will work hard every day to make this community even better.