Candidates in The Pas byelection lay out their priorities

CBC host Janet Stewart interviewed the three candidates running in the provincial byelection in the electoral division of The Pas this week on Radio Noon. 

Constituents head to the polls on April 21 to decide who will fill the empty seat in Manitoba's legislature.

Liberal candidate: Inez Vystrcil-Spence

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Inez Vystrcil-Spence is a former health director for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and also a former policy analyst for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

She was born and raised in Thompson but has roots in the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

Vystrcil-Spence said Monday she saw differences across the region in terms of priorities. In the community of The Pas she said one of the top concerns has to do with the fairness of municipal tax assessments. Meanwhile, on the reserves, she said constituents want more opportunities for the youth.

"Young people are not as involved in the traditional activities," she said, "and the feeling is that maybe if we saw more of them involved in hunting, trapping and some of the more cultural and traditional activities, we might see benefits downstream."

During her time working with First Nations, Vystrcil-Spence says she has seen a lot of jurisdictional disputes between federal and provincial levels of government and she thinks that background would help her serve The Pas.

"Often what happens is one tries to pass off responsibility off to the other. What I see my role as being is applying the knowledge that I've learned," she said. 

​As a Liberal candidate, she said she isn't worried about the challenge of unseating the NDP.

"They think that they've given this opportunity to the NDP for long enough and there hasn't been enough indicators of progress and resolution to some of the longstanding issues," Vystrcil-Spence said.

In facing the problems associated with the number of Manitoba children being put in the hands of Child and Family Services, she said she would push for more resources to be brought north. 

"We would like to bring our children home and that involves designing programs and having the resources in place to care for our children."

Additionally, she wants to see more culturally appropriate protocols and procedures put in place. 

"This wouldn't happen to our children if they were at home," Vystrcil-Spence said. "We do have issues, we struggle with a lot of sad situations in our communities, there are risks but this wouldn't happen to them."

PC candidate: Jacob Nasekapow

Jacob Nasekapow is born and raised in Moose Lake, Man. and is a former band councillor from the Mosakahiken Cree Nation. He volunteered for that community's search and rescue team as well as running a Sunday school for young children with his wife.

Nasekapow said Tuesday he sees many issues in The Pas but he said "in the forefront" are hydro concerns and road issues.

"We need a voice to bring the issues that are in the north, we are important people. That's the big thing that we want to bring across, we are the people that live in this land and we're very valuable."

He said he chose to run for the Progressive Conservative Party because in his time working as a band councillor, he had no luck collaborating with the NDP representative in that riding.

"After I met with Brian Pallister and his team, I sensed more of a team-player relationship with them, with that group and that caucus. They listened to us with the issues that are affecting the north."

CBC's Janet Stewart also asked Nasekapow about CFS concerns in Manitoba.

"Throughout my years of working with Child and Family Services, we ran into a lot of issues with regards to provincial policies and guidelines."

One of his goals, he said, will be to bring the concerns of fishers and trappers before Manitoba Hydro, to see if they can find a solution to how the water levels in the area effect their ability to earn their livelihoods. 

When asked if an inquiry should be conducted into cases of missing and murdered women in Canada he said he would rather see the money spent elsewhere.

"The community members want action instead of another study. We need the funding to come to our areas to stop these things from happening."

NDP candidate: Amanda Lathlin

Amanda Lathlin is the daughter of longtime MLA Oscar Lathlin. She's also a representative workforce co-ordinator at the University College of the North and her political career began as a band councillor for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

Lathlin said if she is elected, her focus will be on the issues of proper health care, housing and infrastructure.

"Those jurisdictions are starting to become partnerships now to help solve these problems," she said." Trying to work together to reach a common goal, which is to improve the lives of our northerners."

"There are major concerns regarding waiting times which need to be addressed by providing more doctors and I'm pretty sure the minister of health agrees with that as well and I'm sure we're working towards that plan and providing that."

With the NDP facing tough poll results Stewart wanted to know how Lathlin would act if the NDP we no longer in power.

"Opposition is probably the best place to start," she said, later adding, "I'll be part of the team too, I'll work hard to ensure that we continue to remain in government."​

Lathlin also spoke about the idea of having an inquiry held into Canada's missing and murdered women, saying she is "absolutely for it."

"I'm raising three of my sister's daughters, she lives what you might call a high-risk lifestyle, she said.

"In fact I tried to report my sister missing with the Winnipeg Police Services a few years ago and when they asked for a description, once I said she was Aboriginal and led a high-risk lifestyle, I was concerned because the concern in the [officer's] voice disappeared... I became quite angry with that response because it just showed that maybe there needs to be more compassion and awareness towards our Aboriginal women, and I am a part of that group as well."

Lathlin concluded the interview saying, "Grassroots, that is the whole point of this job, to help people."