Ryan Colyer

Ryan Colyer
Political Party: Liberal
Phone: 204-960-7921
Questionnaire: Read Ryan's Response

News that mentions Ryan Colyer

Articles are automatically gathered from Google News by searching for the candidate's full name.

PC Andrew Smith wins Southdale: CTV News Winnipeg

April 19, 2016

CTV News - PC candidate Andrew Smith has been elected in the Southdale riding, CTV News has declared. The former staffer with Provencher MP Ted Falk won in the formerly New Democrat riding, beating out Liberal Ryan Colyer and NDP candidate Dashi Zargani.

An open race in Southdale constituency

April 16, 2016

CTV News - Education is on the top of the list of priorities for Liberal candidate Ryan Colyer. He has been campaigning in his free time, bringing his kids along with him to help. "I'm a big fan of community schools. I am not a fan of school buses going on Bishop ...

Greens say NDP played dirty

April 16, 2016

Brandon Sun - New Democrat Dashi Zargani, Progressive Conservative Andrew Smith and Liberal Ryan Colyer are vying for the Southdale seat in the provincial election on Tuesday. NDP spokesman Andrew Tod said he knew nothing of the Green party's allegations.

Q and A with Southdale candidates

April 11, 2016

Winnipeg Free Press - The Lance contacted candidates in the April 19 provincial election to answer questions for voters. Here are responses from Southdale candidates Dashi Zargani (NDP), Andrew Smith (PC), and Ryan Colyer (Lib). Dashi Zargani (NDP) Age: 45. Occupation: ...

CTV Winnipeg

April 6, 2016

CTV News - Southdale. The electoral division of Southdale. CTV Winnipeg Published Wednesday, April 6, 2016 6:04PM CST. There is no incumbent in the electoral division of Southdale. Manitoba election 2016 candidates: - Ryan Colyer (Liberal) - Andrew Smith (PC)

Questionnaire Response

Ryan Colyer - Southdale

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

I have long promoted South Winnipeg.  As my stomping grounds, I have had tremendous experiences here. I want to give back to my community. I felt that while away overseas teaching, I was very connected to my adoptive, local communities.  Since my return, I have wanted to give back and be the voice of my people. It may seem cliché but it really was that simple of a reason.  We are 3 generations deep in Southeast Winnipeg and it’s time to do more. I wanted to couple my corporate and educator experiences in a role where I can impact on behalf of others and create a positive legacy. I thrive in bringing people and ideas together, even when they differ which is perfect for politics.

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

I’ve worked with people in all circles and demographics.  I bring a well-rounded approach to politics. I understand the right. I also know the left.  I work to be the voice of all people in Southdale, not just the ones that support me. Having years in corporate and education, that is the private and public sectors, has shaped my view on things.  I rarely take a pure stance on an issue and prefer to assess it before making a snap decision.  For nearly 20 years decisions have been made but not much has changed. I look to bring my corporate experience in to play to get the job done sooner rather than later. I look to bring my negotiation and educator skills to help advise people of our mandates in a meaningful, thoughtful and informed way.

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

Yes!  Stop the overwhelmingly one-sided approach to running our province – we are too partisan. Politics and politicians leave a sour taste in the mouths of many.  I want to change the ethics and bring back the grassroots, for-the-people option for voters. I want a better Manitoba and Southdale. I want the sharing of funds amongst municipalities increased as they have been hurting for far too long.  I want more done for the North – from infrastructure to health and living.  I want to see more affordable housing options in Southdale.

Education is vital for me.  Children need to have opportunity at home.  I want to revisit a school for Royalwood. I want to stop the brain-drain by making post-secondary education more affordable.  If one graduates with such high debt that they struggle to service it locally, they leave. This hurts all of us – from doctor shortages to long wait times at hospitals, and we see this in not only in the health care industry.

I also want to have our road and waterways looked at in the form of infrastructure needs, the movement of people and goods and environmental assessment.

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

  1. Ethics in politics. I think many work for their own benefit but that should not supersede why we were elected. We are to be the voice of our constituents.
  2. Daycare spaces.  It is important to me because I and many people I know have struggle in finding good, reliable, CLOSE daycare spaces. Parents shouldn’t have to drive all over the city to drop their children at daycare and with the growth of the young family segment in Southdale, this is a growing concern.
  3. Community-based schools. It fosters connections between neighbours. It also addresses traffic and the dangers associated with school buses traveling along busy thoroughfares like Bishop and Lag.  It also reduces traffic congestion on those routes if the commute to school could be done solely on local streets.
  4. Payroll tax reduction and removal. Many business owners live in my riding. They play a major role in the growth of our province, city and riding and THEY should be able to reinvest the tax money back into their business. One of the largest expenses a business face is salaries, adding a tax atop that is detrimental and only serves as a Band-Aid to government coffers.

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

It is my home. I grew up here. I value its place in shaping me, especially as a young person. What I value most about it is the impact it had on me.  How did it do that?  It is a great place to raise a family. I/We enjoy a rather safe and enviable existence. The role of family is a prominent aspect of living here. You can see it in our many parks, community clubs and green spaces.  We have some of the best new developments in Winnipeg.  We are clean, safe and a place where, for the most part, people still know their neighbours.  We are a established, connected community and we are blessed for it.

But, it doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. We need more schools – at least in my opinion.  We need to take better care of the elderly. We have great service for newcomers but we can always do more. I want to build upon our great community and use it as a model for the province.

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

I want to thank those that have taken the time to read this. I know many are undecided and are tired of how things have been going. A lot of things have to been done in the years ahead to make up for the past years of neglect.  I know most of us want change.  I only ask that you exercise your right to make that change happen.  I hope that something I said resonated with you and if so, please show your support by voting for me to represent you.  Even if I haven’t, please make sure to read what my opponents are saying and vote with whomever does resonate with you.  Having living abroad in places where people are jailed for trying to voice their objection, we are lucky we can do so anonymously.  All we really have to do is wait patiently with our neighbours to cast our ballot.  I welcome comments and inquiries.  I can be contacted on by email [email protected] or on my cell 204 960 7921 (don’t mind my voicemail as I use one number for work, home and campaigning as I always like people to be able to reach me).