Manitoba Election 2016

Rana Bokhari - Fort Rouge

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

Manitoba welcomed my parents when they arrived as immigrants over 40 years ago.  For that I will forever be grateful and that gratitude is why I seek to serve my province.

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

I have degrees in law, criminology and psychology and have done a great deal of work as a fundraiser for charities in our province.  I also was intimately involved in running the family farm in Anola, Manitoba

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

I want to tackle the challenges of mental health and that is my first priority to bring the services of psychologist under Medicare. Income should not be the determining factor when it comes to access to mental health services.  In Fort Rouge I want to ensure rents are not rising faster than people’s ability to pay them.

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

Clearly I’m passionate about mental health issues, but also very interested in meaningful solutions to eliminating poverty which is why we will do a pilot project on Basic Income to see if the fiscal savings match the social values that would come with a Guaranteed Minimum Income. I’m also a huge advocate for Indigenous issues because I believe engaging our indigenous population is the key to our province’s long-term success.

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

I love the village and the energy of the constituency.  I also love the diversity of Fort Rouge.  There are seniors mixed with young families and singles from all walks of life.  I think Fort Rouge really is a cross section of what Manitoba looks like.

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

I just want to say how blessed I feel to be part of a team of people focused on offering something different to Manitobans.  The Liberal Team has the oldest candidate and the youngest candidate and everything in between.  I’m also blessed by the number of indigenous candidates that have chosen to run under the Liberal banner.  This means so much to me.