2019 Manitoba Election

Colleen Mayer - St. Vital

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

I had worked for the former City Councillor for St. Vital for many years and being able to find solutions and help the people in my community was very rewarding. Having lived and worked in St. Vital for over 25 years I felt I could make a difference helping others as their local advocate.

Also, being a mother and a school trustee gave me first hand experience into our education system.  Wanting to make education better for all of our children really matters to me and I thought this was a great opportunity to have a bigger voice at a different table.  Our children deserve the best foundation we can provide them.  If we give them strong starts they will be better equipped in their lives and this benefits us all.

2. Why should a voter consider electing you to represent them?

I was elected as the new MLA for St. Vital on April 19, 2016. In addition to my duties as MLA, I proudly serve as the Minister of Crown Services. 

I was elected as a Trustee for the Louis Riel School Division in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. I have a good understanding of the issues that are important to the residents of St. Vital and am dedicated to improving the community which I feel are two of my greatest strengths.

As Executive Director of the Old St. Vital Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), I built solid relationship with many city departments, local businesses and organizations, and the community-at-large. These relationships and my time with the Old St. Vital BIZ have been fundamental in developing my understanding of the needs of St. Vital.

I am passionate about giving back to my community and have given my time to many organizations including the United Way, the Windsor Community Center Board of Directors and the Youth Justice Committee. My family and I have also participated in the Winnipeg Homestay program as a host for international students.

3. What key issue(s) / topic(s) will you stand for in your role as MLA, and why are these important to you?

Affordability for all is a concern as well.  St. Vital has a diverse population and all groups have spoken to me about the struggles of making ends meet.  Seniors are living longer, services need to be sustainable and affordable.  We are going in the right direction, but we need to make sure the decisions we make are sustainable.  I know my constituents appreciate the work we have done on this already and are looking forward the new proposed ideas in our next term.  Tax relief options that we are proposing has resonated well in my community.

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

I wear my heart on my sleeve and care deeply about the people in my community.  I do my best to listen and hear what people tell me, try to find solutions or help where I can and it matters to me what people think and feel. I can’t be an effective leader if I only hear the good.  Taking St. Vital’s voice to the legislature is something that I take very seriously and I am humbled that they have given me the opportunity to represent them.