All-candidates forum connects politicians with community ahead of Point Douglas byelection

Voters in Winnipeg's Point Douglas area will soon be heading to the polls but on Tuesday night they got to know their candidates a little better.

An all-candidates forum at Thunderbird House had four of the five candidates take questions about economic development in the neighbourhood, the child welfare system and even pipeline safety.

Progressive Conservative candidate Jodi Moskal declined to participate.

The byelection to replace former MLA Kevin Chief will be held June 13.

• Electrician named PC candidate for Point Douglas riding
• Manitoba byelection for Point Douglas set for June 13

About 70 people showed up to the event which was organized by Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO), Fearless R2W and Youth Parliament of Manitoba.

Jenna "Liiciious" Wirch, the youth engagement coordinator for AYO, said the candidates did a good job, especially since it can be difficult when they are faced with the concerns of the neighbourhood.

"I think they did beautifully and they tried their best to be respectful and to answer them wholeheartedly," she said.

"It is very tough when you are faced with a bunch of issues that your riding has gone under Fighting for a bunch of human rights all the time it can be taxing on the soul, and so that's why we have such strong candidates."

Historically, Point Douglas has a fairly low voter turnout and Wirch said it's because a lot of the issues during election season aren't relatable to young Indigenous people.

"I know from my point of view, I care about taxes but at the same time I care about putting food in my belly. If we change the narrative here I think there would be a higher turnout," she said.

She added that having the forum helps to engage in the narrative that matters to her peers.

"I'm a young Aboriginal person and a lot of my friends don't even care. They are trying to get out of gangs, trying to get out of poverty, trying to find a roof over their head, trying not to be sexually exploited on the street, so why should we even pay attention to politics?" Wirch said.

• Indigenous rights activist set to be named NDP byelection candidate
• John Cacayuran named Liberal candidate for Point Douglas

"But when the politicians reach out to the communities then maybe the turnout rates, the voting turnout rates will be higher."

The forum was also a good opportunity to ask the tough questions, said Adrienne Tessier, deputy premier of Youth Parliament of Manitoba. She added it's important to reconnect candidates with their communities but also "reconnect communities with their politicians."

"We think it's really important that all candidates engage with the community and are willing to answer questions," she said.