With the intense fall sitting of the Manitoba legislative assembly under her belt, Carrie Hiebert is finding her feet as the newly elected Progressive Conservative MLA for Morden-Winkler.
"The opposition isn't exactly where we wanted to be," explains Hiebert, "but it plays an important role in the government processes. I was able to experience sitting in committee when the NDP was passing a bill for the holiday tax, a break for the gas tax. There were some things that were left out that weren't covered. So, we went to bat for some of the agricultural industries, the snowmobilers, different people that weren't part of that, so that we could advocate for everybody, so everybody gets the benefit of that tax break. We did see the NDP makes some amendments to the bill. So those are things that I'm excited about that I can stand up and I can advocate for everyone here in Morden-Winkler."
While she anticipates being back in session in the new year, the young politician acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead.
"I'm the Shadow Minister for Housing Addictions and Homelessness and really honored that I was asked to do that because I have a real passion for that. Housing is something that's really a big thing in the province and across the country. We're experiencing that even in our own hometowns, the city of Winkler and Morden. We both have affordable housing issues and those are things that I'm really passionate about and seeing what I can do to help the situation, what can I do in a tangible way to make those things better, to meet the needs that we have in our community and then in our province as well. Also, just get out there and talk to you and meet with you and ask how are things going? What can I do to help you? That's my job."
Whether or not constituents voted for her won't affect how Hiebert approaches her job.
"I was elected by the area, by our community and I will represent every single person exactly the same way. I want to do that. That's my goal. It doesn't matter who you are, what your ideals are. I just want to know what I can do for you as your elected official because that's what you've done - put me in this position and that's my goal is just to work for the community."
If there's a particular element of her new job that appeals to her, it would be meeting people and making connections.
"Especially going to events or things in organizations that I haven't been involved with as much as in the past, going to these new places and talking to everyone and making new friends everywhere I go. I love people. I'm a people person. That's probably the most fun part about my job is just getting out there and talking with you one-on-one or in small groups. I thrive in that. I'm looking forward to meeting everybody that I can."
Hiebert is excited to be part of a new team in the legislature.
"Our PC caucus, there's a lot of new people on there, a lot of new MLAs with the ones that are returning as well. It's just a really new energy! It's an amazing group! I'm looking forward to 2024, working together with all of my new colleagues."
The first session of the 43rd Legislature will reconvene on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
~With files from Robyn Wiebe~
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