How Kirkfield Park's byelection could preview next year's provincial election
A local race could set the stage for the provincial election next year.
On Dec. 13, residents in Winnipeg’s Kirkfield Park will elect a new MLA.
In recent history, the seat has flipped between the orange and blue parties.
Sharon Blady held it for the NDP and was defeated by Tory Scott Fielding.
His departure this year triggered a byelection.
Like Fielding, the PC candidate, Kevin Klein, is also a former city councillor.
“I proved myself at the civic level of government, I held people accountable, I ask tough questions, that will not change,” said Klein.
After an unsuccessful bid for mayor, Klein is jumping into provincial politics.
As a councillor he represented a portion of Kirkfield Park. Klein says crime is a big issue and he applauds the premier’s recent announcement to add 2,000 staff to the health care system.
“There have been mistakes made, but things are happening that I appreciate, things are happening that I can say, this was done because they’re listening to residents.”
The polls have Klein’s Tories trailing the NDP.
Juvenile councillor Logan Oxenham is the NDP candidate. He’s lived in Kirkfield Park for ten years.
“It matters to people that there’s someone who lives in the community, understands the community, that has the community in their best interests, and is not just looking for a job,” said Oxenham.
He says he is running for the party to help fix health care.
“Definitely seeing this as an opportunity for Manitoba’s NDP to really show we are ready to form government, we’re ready to take the lead, and to solve the health care crisis.”
Someone who knows about health system problems first hand is nurse Rhonda Nichol, the Liberal hopeful.
“It’s been very difficult to take all that home with me at night, it’s actually so bothersome that I find it difficult to sleep at night,” said Nichol.
She worked at Grace Hospital for 29 years, and is now at CancerCare Manitoba.
“I believe that there’s a huge benefit to having somebody that’s actually been working in it, through it during the pandemic,” said Nichol.
There is a fourth candidate. Dennis Bayomi is representing the Greens. He wants more money for libraries and says health care isn’t the only crisis.
“There’s nobody talking about the climate emergency, everyone’s talking about the health care crisis,” said Bayomi.
Advance voting runs Dec. 3 to 10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.