Manitoba Election 2016

Patrick Wood - The Pas

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

There is a need of focus on solutions in the riding. Very little has changed and not for the better, today we continue to face high unemployment rates, see poverty rates rise, lack of housing  and the Child and Family Services is failing. There is a real disconnect between First Nations communities and the Provincial Government this relationship must be bridged and begin to build and improve relationships with First Nation Communities. These issues are important and matter to me. As a Front-line worker, I have seen first-hand the devastating results on the issues I mentioned it has on our families in our communities. We need bold changes and action to address these concerns in order to have a sustainable society and that is the reason why I chose to run in this election.

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

I have worked in different capacities in various areas that include being a Facilitator exploring the relationships and dynamics existing within and between different identity groups and building leadership capacities for 17 to 35 year old youth. I have worked in the education system and as a Senior Treatment Counselor in an Adolescent Treatment Center and working in the Child and Family Services Field. These experiences allowed me to interact with people at a grassroots level, advocating and making good sound judgment dealing with societal issues and helping our citizens. The same work ethics and hard work from my life experiences would complement my role as MLA.

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

If I get elected, I will make sure all the children in the riding and across Manitoba receive what they need to thrive and to develop into engaged, contributing citizens. We must fix the problems in Child and Family Services. The systems in place need to stop failing our children. I will work on lowering caseloads to a maximum of 20 per worker. Make supports available to youth under the Child and Family Services until they are 25 years old. We also need to look at custom adoption practices to allow the child to be raised by a relative according to the custom of the community.

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 have worked in the front lines as a Counselor, Advocate and in the Child and Family Services Field. I have listened to youth, parents, guardians and other professionals share their frustrations with issues around homelessness, poverty, unemployment and lack of proper health care. I have seen first-hand how these issues can affect children’s development and family structures, it is important to me address these issues.

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

We live in a diverse electoral division, we have a variety of demographics that live and work in the division. We live in caring communities; it is great to part of a community that comes together in different states of crisis and activism. The government need to recognize the efforts and hard work the people in the electoral division have done today and in the past. I value the resiliency of the people.

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

At some point we have to ask ourselves where we want to see ourselves decades from now. Will our future generations be better off from our actions today? The Greens understand that Manitobans want security and long-term sustainable solutions around a green economy. Our choices today will impact future generations regardless, so our choices today should lead to positive growth ensuring citizens receive the best health care, access to high quality foods, end child/elder poverty and have a good clean green economy built on the principles of sustainability. The Green Party of Manitoba represents those principles and is the reason why I chose the Green Party of Manitoba.