With a snap federal election on the horizon, Lisa Tessier-Burch stands as the New Democratic Party’s candidate for Portage Lisgar. In a recent interview with Portage Online News, Tessier-Burch shared her views on tariffs, water infrastructure, housing, and more, underscoring the NDP’s commitment to everyday Canadians.
Tariffs and Diplomacy
Q: Tariffs have added economic pressure lately. Does the NDP feel it’s responsible to continue pushing for retaliatory tariffs, or is more diplomacy needed to avert a potential crisis?
A: “One thing that the NDP party has said right from the get-go, when the discussion of tariffs became prominent in the media discourse is that the NDP has always stood for Canadians, Canadian jobs, Canadian infrastructure, so any threat to Canadian sovereignty has to be taken very seriously and the NDP has put pressure on government in the past or recently in order to make sure that retaliatory tariffs are something that are prioritized in order to protect Canadian jobs and Canadian infrastructure. One thing that is also of note for the NDP party is that we're not a party that engages in the divisive rhetoric that's coming out of the United States like other parties are doing right now and using that as part of their election platform where the party that represents everyday working Canadians. And we're going to always put the jobs and the everyday Canadians' needs first.”
Upgrading water infrastructure
Q: There’s a significant push to upgrade the water treatment plant here in Portage. What can voters expect from you to support and improve water infrastructure throughout the riding?
A: “The NDP has always prioritized environmental action and anything that creates more jobs and creates cleaner energy sources or prioritizes better conditions of living. What access to water for people in our riding is something that the NDP is going to prioritize as their plan of action. If I were to be the successful candidate, I would advocate strong for continued support, continued funding into initiatives and projects that would allow us to maintain, create and maintain an efficient water treatment plant and waste treatment plants so that there are things like jobs and there and we don't have to worry about having potable water security issues.”
Affordable housing
Q: Affordable housing remains a pressing issue as rent rates soar in Portage Lisgar. What steps would the NDP take to alleviate high housing prices and deflate the housing bubble?
A: “Housing prices and help to deflate the housing bubble – the NDP is pushing for a National Housing strategy right now. The NDP believes that no everyday Canadian who gets up and goes to work should have to make the decision between paying their rent and putting food on the table. So a National Housing strategy is of utmost priority and utmost importance for everybody. The cost of living is going up. It's difficult for everyday Canadians to make ends meet. And no one should have to make the decision between, do I pay my hydro bill or do I buy groceries for my family? Affordable housing is just a basic human right, and it's something that we work for everyday Canadians.”
Housing strategy compared to conservative proposals
Q: The Conservatives advocate for opening the floodgates on the housing market to meet demand spurred by inflation and immigration. Is that a strategy the NDP would support?
A: “There’s no doubt that the NDP is always going to support projects that provide affordable housing to Canadians, whether they're immigrants or not. But our concern for the party as a whole is if a conservative housing plan comes into action, who are the beneficiaries of that plan? Is it the ultra-rich or is it everyday Canadians? Because if it is the billionaires and the one-percenters that are coming in and making and building these houses and it looks great on the outside, at the end of the day, who's benefiting from that and is it going to be equitable construction and housing across all ridings? The NDP does have a housing strategy that they hope to push forth, but any housing strategy that’s put forth, the NDP is going to work hard to advocate for the rights of everyday Canadians.”
Tessier-Burch also directs interested parties to read over a recent release by the NDP regarding housing: The NDP will unlock public land to build more homes people can afford
Diversifying the economy
Q: Agriculture is a cornerstone of Portage Lisgar’s economy, yet diversification is essential for long-term stability. What policies would you champion to foster new industries and support small business growth?
A: “We're seeing right now the effect of the US tariffs on the potato business in Manitoba and in Canada, so that's something that's really important to the people of our riding. We have lots of that – that's jobs in this riding, that's livelihoods. So in order to make sure that our farmers who grow our food are supported and those businesses that work with farmers to manufacture, produce or distribute our food, the NDP has plans in place or will always support jobs and investments into those areas so that we can continue to be self-sufficient in terms of agricultural and agri-business, and creating jobs for people that work in those areas.”
Appealing to a traditionally conservative riding
Q: Portage Lisgar has a long conservative history. How do you plan to appeal to voters who may not traditionally support the NDP?
A: “I feel like I'm here as an NDP candidate to provide an option for the people of Portage Lisgar and just because it has been a traditionally conservative riding doesn't mean that that should be the only choice. Choice should always be an option in every riding across Canada. For those I know, there's a lot of naysayers saying, 'Oh, this is never going to be an NDP riding. This is never going to be a left-leaning riding.' I'm not here in order to engage in that kind of rhetoric; I'm here to say, 'Hey, look, an option should always be available.' The NDP has long been a party that works for everyday Canadians and represents the good for everybody. It is the party of taking care of each other – the measure of a Great Society is how we take care of those that can't take care of themselves. So I'm here to provide that choice and that option for the people of Portage Lisgar.”
Addressing labor shortages and modernizing workforce training
Q: With persistent labor shortages in manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, what will you do from Ottawa to help modernize immigration and workforce training?
A: “An MP, my job would be to put pressure on the government and on the party to advocate and put into place projects that could come into our communities and create jobs in agri-business and in manufacturing. In order to address the labor shortage, this is something that's really at the heart of our community. We are in Portage Lisgar – we're small and mighty out here in Manitoba and we are, in a lot of regards, the breadbasket of Manitoba. We do a lot of agri-business and farming, and that feeds everybody and provides jobs for the people of our riding. Having a candidate that brings these issues to the attention of Parliament is really important.”
Ensuring federal support for public safety
Q: How would you and the NDP ensure that federal support for public safety and policing meets the needs of rural communities like Portage Lisgar?
A: “We have lots of wonderful organizations outside of the RCMP that do a lot of community building and social awareness to promote public safety and prioritize the safety of our citizens in our riding. Celebrating those and making sure that they get the attention and support they need is something that I would prioritize. I'm thinking of organizations like Bear Clan and other community organizations that bring people together to make our streets safer, and I would propose projects that invest in social initiatives to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty. I have seen kids come to school with empty bellies, and that’s not conducive to learning or healthy growth. The NDP would prioritize projects that support those most vulnerable.”
Carbon pricing and environmental action
Q: With the carbon price currently at $0 after recent cuts, is the NDP planning on raising carbon pricing, and how will you address concerns from farmers about rising fuel costs, drying grain, and fertilizer?
A: That's a really good question. Unfortunately, carbon taxing is necessary moving forward. The NDP is a party of progress when it comes to environmental and climate action; we need to have some sort of carbon tax to address climate change. That said, the NDP has been very vocal in that these carbon taxes should go towards investments into green energy solutions, which in turn create more jobs and support our communities. The carbon tax shouldn’t be put on the shoulders of the everyday working Canadian – it should be on the ultra-wealthy and the big corporations that can afford to pay those carbon taxes.”
Why you and a willingness to defy party lines
Q: Portage Lisgar hasn’t elected an NDP MP in decades. Why are you the right candidate to potentially change that, and is there one issue on which you would defy your party to represent the riding?
A: “I recognize that it's been a very traditionally conservative riding federally and provincially for many years, but I do believe that representation matters – voices matter, all voices matter, not just the voices of the right. I believe that when it comes time to vote, there should be somebody that represents your beliefs and your politics on the ballot. If the people of this riding come to me and say, 'This is a priority for us. We need you to advocate for this,' then that’s my job as a representative for the people of Portage Lisgar, regardless of what the party line is.”
Final thoughts
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with Portage Lisgar voters as the election approaches?
A: “I would just really like to encourage everyone in Portage Lisgar to go out and vote on Election Day. It's really important that everybody's voice is heard, and we're seeing a lot of divisive rhetoric coming out of the United States. I just want everyone to know that you don't have to vote based on the politics of fear, which is what some parties are hoping you'll do. You can get out and cast your vote, and that's the best thing you can do on Election Day.”