Manitoba Election 2016

Piero Scaramuzzi - River East

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

I ran because there are a number of concerns I have relating to Manitoba’s poor record in education, health care, and our inability to foster a climate of opportunity causing our best and brightest to continiously look else where for those opportunities.

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

I attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985, and attained a Certified Management Accounting Designation in 1992. I have spent 30 years working in the aerospace sector in Manitoba and held a number of managerial positions, and was fortunate to have worked on programs that were valued at in excess of one billion dollars.

Since 2009 I have been a member of the Board of Directors of the Villa Cabrini Seniors Residence facility, and I am currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors.

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

Education and health care are areas of concern. Manitoba spends more then the national average on education and health care, and this is positive, but we deserve better results than having the longest wait times for health emergency services, and having the lowest scores in Canada for math and reading comprehension. We have to get at the root of the problem as to why we are not able to provide an average level of service despite spending an above average amount for health and education.

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

As mentioned above, education and health are important, as these are two fundamental programs that will provide the opportunity for all Manitobans to improve and maintain their lives.

Spending and taxes are also an important issue for me. The NDP have not been good stewards of our assets, and have allowed government spending to increase at a much higher rate then inflation. In typical NDP fashion, they’ve determined that taxes should be increased to pay for their mismanagement. I believe in strong social programs, but the quickest way to undermine those programs is to ineffectively manage them, and then ask Manitobans to pay higher taxes to support programs even though there is no improvement in the level of service.

 

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

The people are frank, honest, and congenial. Even the residents I spoke with who were not supportive of the Liberal policies thanked me for taking the time to speak with them, and offered me good luck.

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

I would like to thank the residents of River East for opening their doors to me and allowing me to present the Liberal platform for Manitoba.