2019 Manitoba Election

Hector Swanson - Agassiz

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

I decided to run for office mainly because of the deteriation of the healthcare system and the lack of infrastructure support in the Province and Agassiz constituency. Governments over the last decade have made many promises to rural healthcare improvements but have lacked follow-through.  Neepawa and area was promised a New Hospital and it has failed to move beyond the discussion stages.  I have got the support of the Manitoba Liberals pledging to move forward on this promptly if elected.  I would like to support all residents in the Agassiz constituency by getting this completed.

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

People should vote for me as a long-time resident of Neepawa who cares about the Agassiz constituency. The citizens of my district are my first priority. I am someone who you can talk with if you have a concern and I will do my best to follow-up and work towards getting it remedied. I can relate to people and the working class as I do not have unlimited funds at my disposal to live on. I am an average, blue collar guy who has a lot of experience with common-sense approaches and feel that that is what is needed to make the changes and improvement that we need.

By supporting the Manitoba Liberal Party and myself, you are supporting a new hospital in the Agassiz region. The Manitoba Liberal Party has publicly endorsed the building of a NEW Hospital in Neepawa if elected. It is something that other governments in the last 15 plus yeas have only talked about. The Liberal Party is not just talk as it has been formally voted for at the April 2019 Liberal AGM Convention as the #1 policy that was also unanimously passed and approved as our provincial mandate for our party.

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

Healthcare in Manitoba is the most important issue for me. I am concerned with the lack of access to appropriate and timely healthcare services. A New Hospital will support ensuring these services are continually improved for the region.

We need to support senior citizens with: access to strong home care services (reliable and consistent and supportive of other common needs); access to transportation for healthcare services; as well as access to assisted-living (right now we are lacking options in many communities and this is causing early-entry into care homes).

My third issue is infrastructure in the rural areas. Example, highway#34 needed attention three years ago and still needs it.  Other communities in Agassiz echo this example. We need to invest in our communities and continue to improve our infrastrure now.

Lastly, taxes.  We are being made to feel like our taxes are being reduced.  However, that cannot be further that the truth.  We are receiving less services for our tax dollars.  Cost-of-Living and Hydro increases are far exceeding income.  Most residents in Manitoba, as much as they do not like paying taxes, will do so but expect services in return.  We need to stop reducing taxes for the wealthiest-Manitobans.

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

We need to vote differently if we want to see change.  Voting for the same will give you the same.

It is time we make a change at the polls in order to see a difference with A New Way Forward.