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(l-r) Jackie Kirkup, Chamber president Loretta Turner, Ray Berthelette (NDP), Stephen Reid (Liberal) and Colleen Robbins (PC)
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(L-R) Jackie Kirkup, Chamber president Loretta Turner, Ray Berthelette (NDP), Stephen Reid (Liberal) and Colleen Robbins (PC)
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It was a full house last night at the candidates debate in Souris, with the three parties and their representatives going toe-to-toe in front of a lively audience.  Residents and business owners in the Spruce Woods Riding filled the seats in the Avalon Theatre, joined by provincial and municipal dignitaries.

The event was hosted by the Souris-Glenwood Chamber of Commerce.  Chamber president, Loretta Turner, and WCG-TV interviewer, Jackie Kirkup, led the three-some in 10 questions where the candidates were allowed to prepare their answers ahead of time. After that two questions were asked that were not prepared before the debate evening.

Questions to each of the candidates included what advocacy would take place regarding the need for poor road repair and rebuilds, rising crime and our struggling health care system.  They were each asked to share personal experiences or stories that made them want to advocate for change in government or policies with regard to health care and the justice system.  They were also asked about wages, taxes, the need for more healthcare workers and more veterinarians ... those topics that are pertinent to all Manitobans at this time.

Each of the candidates were allowed two minutes to answer each question, with an opportunity for one rebuttal through the course of the evening.  Upon a rebuttal (by lifting a playing card) that candidate is allowed to share his/her thoughts, to which the original speaker can respond in kind.

This is the first question asked of the candidates, and their responses ... and what unfolded within the first 15 minutes of the debate. Each candidate was drawn at random to answer the question in turn.

To Ray Berthelette, Manitoba NDP candidate for Spruce Woods. 

Q. Ray, what has motivated you to run in this by election? What are your goals and objectives? 

A. Bottom line for me is that I believe in the opportunity to help people of the Spruce Woods constituency, get the services and infrastructure improvements they deserve.   

Whether working as a correctional officer or helping get people housing or fighting for the workers, I have always listened and helped people throughout my life. I've always gone out and went the extra mile for people.

Working for Glenn Simard, MLA Brandon East reignited my passion for public service and my passion for politics.  I'm running to be your MLA because I want to help you ... and I believe I am the best person to do that.  My goal is to provide for the constituents because I want to help more people and I believe I'm the best person to do that. 

I am a caring, compassionate person who wants to do the job for the constituents, for the complete term. So in other words, two years this time and four years next time.  My objective is to provide a voice at the decision making table for the people of Spruce Woods. 

To Stephen Reid, candidate for the Liberal Party of Manitoba for Spruce Woods 

Q. Stephen, what has motivated you to run in this by election? What are your goals and objectives? 

A. I was born and raised in Brandon, MB here. And I've spent my entire life growing up in the communities around here ... fishing all throughout the entire Riding. 

My family history in this Riding is quite deep as well. My father, Jim Reed, was the Mayor of Brandon for 15 years. My grandfather, Jim Reed as well, was the editor to the Brandon Son and my great grandfather, Jim J.R. Reed was a prominent educator and was Mayor of Swan River for quite a few years and has a school named after him in Brandon. 

You know, being born and raised here in this area, I've seen the cuts, the centralization and the corrupt leadership, the PC party and that they've given us in their years in power. Provincially, I've also seen the broken promises and investment that is not research backed by our NDP government that they have produced over the last two years. And I think it's time for a change. 

 It's no secret that our premier has spent a lot of money and energy in our Riding over the last two weeks.  So let me state that was the last two weeks.  This was a blatant move to attract votes and from somebody who has never really been to our Riding or spent money in our Riding before. 

As I've said before, Mr. Kinew, we're going to take your money absolutely and thank you, but we need somebody at the table here who is going to be the checks and balances to make sure that that money gets spent the right way and we have investments still coming into our Riding. 

You know, in our Riding we have a lot of issues. Healthcare is really suffering.  Crime, we have in Manitoba two times the national average of crime in Canada and you know we have so many broken promises and cuts from the other two parties that it is time for a real leader to come to the table and negotiate between these two parties and get the best deal for the people in Spruce Woods. Thank you very much. 

What Stephen Reid was referring to were the multiple announcements of funding for various projects in the Spruce Woods Riding:  $2 million for upgrades at Spruce Woods Provincial Park (announced July 18th), $115 million for Glenboro PTH 2 (July 25), funding for road improvements on PTH 5 and PTH 34 (July 14), Spruce Woods Housing Co-op $500,000 (July 10), Oak Lake aeration project $95,000 (July 11), and Oak Lake Dam $19.7 million (July 8)

Ray Berthelette held up his card for a 30 second rebuttal to Stephen Reid’s answer. 

Ray:  “Unfortunately for the Liberal Party, that there is no way they can do anything that the Liberal candidate just said. They are a one person party currently in Manitoba. They do not have the access to the premier I would have or to the Ministers and the political staff. So when he's telling you that he's going to make changes, it's blowing it right out of his ***.” 

(yes, the audience gasped and then chuckled nervously) 

Stephen Reid’s response:  Ladies and gentlemen. Manitoba and Canada specifically are currently running on almost a two party system right now, and we need that representation from the third party in the Parliament and in the Legislature and for me to be your Liberal candidate, I have the question ... will Mr. Berthelette stand up against Mr. Kinew if there is something that is not jiving with the people of Spruce Woods? I know I will.” 

To Colleen Robbins, candidate for the PC Party of Manitoba for Spruce Woods 

Q. Colleen, what has motivated you to run in this by election? What are your goals and objectives? 

A. So, family and community, I've been involved for many years and this byelection is a chance to help to ensure that my grandkids have the same opportunities as I did. Two years ago Manitobans were promised bail reform, healthcare improvements and affordability. That never happened. It motivated me to run, to fight for Spruce Woods and my community.

Whether you live in Brandon North, Oak Lake, Holland, Souris, and all the communities in between I will be there. I will be your voice and I will be strong. My goal is to ensure that every resident of Spruce Woods feels that they have a voice in how our province is led. 

"I'm not surprised by the turnout. I was expecting to have about that many. So I think we had about 80 to 100 people,” said Turner. “The candidates were very well prepared and very easy going. All three of them are lovely and personable. I think that Spruce Woods is in a good position and I think all three of them would do their very best to serve us.” 

"Even just like the two questions that they had no knowledge about that were coming, I think they answered them very well and we were able to have fun with them, with our trivia round which we really enjoyed too,” she added. 

“So, one thing that we really wanted to know was like we know who is in power, whereas 2 years ago we didn't,” shared Turner. “So there were a lot of party and campaign promises and this one they know who is in power and it's how are you going to work within that to represent Spruce Woods as best you can." 

"And I think they nailed it on the head. All three of them understand and know that it's the people in Manitoba and the people in Spruce Woods that make us who we are.  I've lived in other provinces as well, and it's the people - I am a Manitoban and there is no doubt that I'm a Manitoban. This is where I belong and I think it's what they said ... it’s the people." 

“I definitely agree,” added Jackie Kirkup. “I am a Manitoban and I've never left Manitoba, so yeah, the people around this constituency and all of Manitoba just are, yeah, friendly. Our license plates show that that we're friendly Manitoba, so that is what I feel about it. And you know they're going to work together because they're going to have to all work together.  So, I think that the message came across that they are willing to listen and yeah, work together to help Manitobans and our constituency.  I think there's going to be a great election in this Riding,” added Kirkup.


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