By Thandi Vera
Voters in the Manitoba riding of Assiniboia say better roads, safety, healthcare, and leaders who advocate for family values are on their minds heading into the Oct. 3 election.
This provincial riding in northwest Winnipeg is framed by city limits to the north and west. Venture south, and you’ll find Portage Avenue, except for a brief detour east of Sturgeon Road, where Ness Avenue intersects. Moray Street defines the eastern boundary, wrapping around friendly neighborhoods like Surgeon Creek and Crestview.
The current MLA, Scott Johnston, secured the seat in 2019 as a representative of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba. It’s worth noting that the PCs have held sway in Assiniboia since 2016.
Riding Facts:
- The total population is 22,825 with the median age being 41.2 (which is slightly above the median provincial which is 38.4 according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census data.)
- 94.3 per cent of the population are Canadian citizens.
- There are 3,615 visible minorities since 2021.
- Since April 2023, there are 17,080 registered voters.
- Since 2021 there are 9,690 people who are married or living under common-law in the riding.
- Since 2021, there are 11,660 people in the labour force with an employment rate of 58 per cent.
- The median household income in 2021 was $76,000 and the median family income is $96,000.
- There are 11 public schools located in the riding.
Data sourced from Elections Manitoba
Meet Assiniboia’s Candidates:
Scott Johnston (Progressive Conservative – incumbent)
- Elected MLA for St. James in 2016, re-elected for Assiniboia in 2019, currently serves as Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Finance.
- 25 years in St. James-Assiniboia School Division, including committee chair roles.
- Former President of J.F.J. Agency brokerage firm, representing Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
- Slogan: “Fighting for Assiniboia.”
- Secured Assiniboia seat in 2019 with 43.97% of the vote (4,108 votes), against Joe McKellep of the NDP with 35.24%.
- Preceded by Steven Fletcher in 2016, representing the Progressive Conservatives. However, Fletcher was later removed from the party’s caucus.
- Historically, the Progressive Conservatives hadn’t won the seat since before 1999, showing a history of political shifts in the constituency.
Nellie Kennedy (New Democratic Party)
- NDP candidate in Assiniboia, a resident for 13-plus years.
- Community service worker with Community Living Disability Services, co-founder and volunteer director of Postpartum Depression Association of Manitoba.
- Campaign slogan: “Make Life Better. Together.”
- In 2019, Joe McKellep ran for the NDP, securing 35.24% of the vote with 3,292 votes.
- Before McKellep, Assiniboia had been in the hands of the NDP’s Jim Rondeau from 1999 to 2016 — a long run of NDP representation in this riding.
Charles Ward (Manitoba Liberal Party)
- Cyber security professional with years of experience working in the USA and Canada.
- Assiniboia resident since childhood, attended Lakewood School and Hedges Middle School
- Campaign slogan: “Real Change for Assiniboia.”
- In 2019, Jeff Anderson ran for the seat and received 1,247 votes, accounting for 13.35% of the total votes.
- Liberals held the seat for 15 years from the early 1960s to 1977 when the PCs took over, with their last win in 1988.
Voter Viewpoints:
Stephanie Ross, 33, works in retail.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“I’ve been living here for most of my life so quite a few years.”
What life is like in Assiniboia?
“I think most of what I’ve liked about living around here has been usually it’s fairly safe. For the most part you can get to know people. The surrounding area has changed a little bit in the last couple of years, but it’s pretty good.”
What is something you’d like improved in Assiniboia?
“Definitely the roads, they’re getting worse.”
What’s something you’d like to see improved in Manitoba?
“There’s been some string of violence that’s been going around lately in Manitoba. I even know one of my coworkers, her kids just got beaten up by a group of five people. They decided to beat up her kid and they ended up in the hospital for 13 hours. Stuff like that should be taken more seriously, and an improvement on our health care.
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“Probably starting to improve the health care because there were so many cuts made recently that a lot of the emergency rooms only have one doctor on overnight, and if there’s something that happens, it’s not good.”
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Chris Wayne Robert, 39. Currently unemployed.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“I’ve been living here for about 13 years.”
What life is like in Assiniboia?
“The neighbors are very friendly. They’ll come out and talk to you and they’ll want to know you and just talk and invite you over and stuff like that. It’s really nice here.”
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“At the top of my head, I’d say healthcare and improving the budget. I think it could be better.”
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Name: Pam M., 43, works as a cashier.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“For about 11 years.”
What life is like in Assiniboia?
“I like how there’s everything around us like stores, schools, and its fairly safe.”
What is something you’d like improved in Assiniboia?
“I would say the roads could be a lot better.”
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“To be honest I choose to stay out of politics and stuff like that. But if I had to choose I guess it would be healthcare.”
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Maureen Nowlin, 29, works administering payroll.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“For about three years now, my family and I still kind a bit new.”
What life is like in Assiniboia?
“It’s catered to families. Like, there’s a lot of parks, schools, and travel areas.”
What is something you’d like improved in Assiniboia?
“I know there’s been complaints about the bus loop on Buchanan. I guess it’s the end of the route, so at the end of the shift, whoever’s on the bus, they just leave and say, figure it out. Otherwise, from my perspective, it’s pretty quiet and it’s safe and family friendly.”
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“I always look at childcare issues. Whether it’s maternal leave, or whether it’s childcare.
I don’t have a party that I follow, I just look at what every person’s stance is.”
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Joe Nowlin, 31, works in the social services sector.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“We’ve been here for three years.”
What is something you’d like improved in Assiniboia?
“Honestly the roads are getting pretty bad.”
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“I particularly look at the economy more, and childcare too of course.”
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Yuliia Salish, 27, Walmart employee.
How many years have you lived in Assiniboia?
“Since February so I’m really new.”
What life is like in Assiniboia?
“I love the people; everybody is friendly here and helpful. And I feel safe in the neighbourhood.”
What should candidates be talking about as they compete for votes?
“I think education, because back in my country I was a teacher before I came here. That’s why I’m interested in this topic, I think education can really unlock doors.”
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