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‘There’s only so much money to go around’: Manitoba election 2023 swing riding profile: Southdale

By Jura McIlraith

Few campaign signs line the sidewalks along residential areas in Southdale. Representation is split evenly between the Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party and Manitoba Liberal Party candidates.

Voters in Southdale say they want clear plans of action from their candidates to fix health care, education and infrastructure and to create more affordable housing.

The Winnipeg riding includes the communities of Southdale and Windsor Park. The Winnipeg Stockyards, Seine River, Lagimodiere Boulevard, Fermor Avenue and Abinojii Mikanah (Bishop Grandin Boulevard) serve as the riding’s boundaries.

The riding has traditionally swung between Manitoba’s two major political parties. Since its creation in 1999, the Progressive Conservatives of Manitoba won the 1999, 2003, 2016 and 2019 elections with the Manitoba New Democratic Party winning two terms in 2007 and 2011.

The Candidates:

Audrey Gordon

  • Gordon is Southdale’s incumbent candidate, having won the 2019 election representing the Progressive Conservatives.
  • She received 4,493 votes gaining 42 per cent of the votes in the previous election. Gordon won against NDP candidate Karen Myshkowsky by 483 votes.
  • Gordon has served as the Minister of Health, Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery since Jan. 5, 2021.
  • Before becoming an MLA, she was Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
  • Gordon was among the first three Black MLAs sworn into the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and is the first Black cabinet minister.
  • Her campaign slogan is “Fighting for Southdale.”

Robert-Falcon Ouellette:

  • Falcon Ouellette represents the Manitoba Liberal Party.
  • He was a Member of Parliament representing the Winnipeg Centre riding from 2015 to 2019.
  • He unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Winnipeg in 2014 and 2022.
  • Falcon Ouellette currently works as a professor and warrant officer with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and served as commander in the 5th Field Ambulance with the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years.

Renée Cable:

  • Cable is running for the New Democratic Party for the first time.
  • She has worked with the Manitoba Legislature in various roles including legislative affairs, constituency casework, budgeting and mentoring interns.
  • Cable has a background in management, HR and public policy and served on childcare, community centre and non-profit boards.

Amarjit Singh:

  • Singh is an independent candidate.
  • No additional information could be found on Singh online or on social media. Singh had no campaign signs in Southdale.

RIDING FACTS BY THE NUMBERS:

  • Southdale’s total population is 23,140 with 17,301 registered voters as of April 2023.
  • The average age of those living in the riding is 42.4, which is slightly older than the provincial average of 38.4.
  • The median household income in $94,000.
  • In the riding, 10,500 residents over the age of 15 have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.
  • The median value of homes in the riding is $348,000. The majority of residents own their homes instead of renting.
  • Many residents work in health care and social assistance with 1,658 people working in the profession, followed by 1,275 people in educational services and 1,225 people working in retail.
  • Fourteen per cent of those living in Southdale identify as Indigenous. Nineteen per cent identify as a visible minority.

Information from Elections Manitoba

Oscar Brauer, 86, has lived in the Southdale riding for the past 30 years and wants to see shorter wait times in the health care system. Brauer wants to see everyone benefit from better health care practices. JURA MCILRAITH

VOTER VIEWPOINTS

Voters in the riding explain what they want politicians to be talking about as they compete for votes on Oct. 3:

David Hallatt, 45, an occupational therapist in Winnipeg:

“Health care is problematic, and I see that as an issue provincially. I think they need to be talking about fiscal responsibility, like we have problems but how are we going to address it in a fiscally responsible manner because there’s only so much money to go around. It’s a hard problem to solve because it’s a mess.”

Oscar Brauer, 86, a retired plumber:

“There’s a lot of issues with sidewalks and road services. Infrastructure is missing in general, so it’s sad. [Candidates should also talk about] health care for every person. We should include them all and not just a handful.”

Gabrielle DeMings, 25, on maternity leave from a service manager position at Rec Room, an arcade and gaming bar:

“I don’t think we have a lot of funding for education here in schools, and we should be getting teachers raises because they do a lot for our kids. They’re the future of our communities. That would definitely get my attention.”

Greg Silva, 58, a Transportation of Dangerous Goods inspector for the Government of Canada:

“Affordability of housing is important, not so much for me, but for my daughter. When I was growing up, you could probably get by and find places to rent if you didn’t earn a lot. Whatever [candidates] say they’re going to do during the election, I’d like them to follow through on it.”

Alycia Perrault, 23, a psychology student at the University of Manitoba:

“I think in Manitoba, our health care system needs some big changes. The number of doctors and other health care professionals leaving the province to work elsewhere, the long wait times, the lack of available beds and lack of nurses are contributing to the health care crisis.”

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