Jim Carr, Liberal Winnipeg South Centre

Why do you want this job?

I want to be a strong voice for the people of Winnipeg South Centrein Parliament. I want to be a part of a team of candidates from coast to coast to change the government of Canada and offer a new vision for our future.

What's the biggest issue for the country and in your riding?

People want change and they want a change of how we govern in our country. They want respect for democracy and democratic institutions. They want respect for veterans. They want more respect for difference and dissent. They want to see that the prime minister meets with premiers and mayors to talk about great national issues.

I think that people want a different attitude towards the way in which we talk to each other as Canadians, and I think the country is ready for a completely different attitude towards the politician and the way politicians relate to their constituents. I think the same applies to my riding.

There are all kinds of issues because there is so much diversity within the riding itself, from very expensive homes to assisted living to subsidized housing and everything in between. The issues are as diverse as they would be in any other place across Canada.

3. What would you do with the Senate?

I would reform the Senate. You can't abolish it because it requires unanimous agreement between the premiers and the government of Canada through both the House of Commons and the Senate itself. It's never going to happen. A federation like Canada needs an upper chamber to make sure regional interests are reflected within the central government, but they have to be held more accountable than this group of senators is.

I think Mr. Trudeau did the right thing when he separated the House caucus from the Senate, and when he said he would use a different appointment process for every senator after this. This will make it less the control of the prime minister's office, but more a consensus among people who could take a look at all of the skills we need in the Senate and appoint people who can reflect the diversity of the country. These people would not be responsible, accountable or beholden in any way to the government of the day.

4. Winnipeg was described as the most racist city in Canada. What would you do to combat racism?

People have to educate themselves about the diversity of our community. We have to look at reducing poverty, particularly within marginalized communities. Mostly, it's an attitude of inclusion and a commitment to do whatever we can as individuals and as members of a community to make sure that we understand diversity is a strength. We all should have the right to achieve our aspirations as Canadians.

5. What role should the federal government play in dealing with climate change?

It should take a leadership role and Mr. Trudeau's already announced that he would establish national goals of greenhouse gas emissions with the premiers. If elected, he will take that consensus to the international conference on climate changein Paris,and show Canadians are united in their acceptance and responsibility, both internationally and at home.

6. If there was one government policy you think is done better in another country, what is it?

The Australians have figured out what to do with their Senate. It's a federation that understands you have to have an upper chamber that reacts responsibly to controversial issues. I also think some European governments have a better understanding of the importance of reducing income inequality. This is something the Liberal Party is addressing in this election with some considerable public policy shifts on those issues.

7. Under what circumstances is deficit spending a good choice?

It's a good choice when the economy is sluggish, when interest rates are low and when job creation ought to be a priority. That's exactly why we have announced an investment in infrastructure and in social housing. We also want to invest in green technologies through rapid transit, in consultations with the provinces and the municipalities, so that we are all aligned with the priorities that are important to each community. This is the perfect time to invest in Canada.

8. What do you believe is the single most effective way to fight crime?

We have to have a generational approach to reducing crime by reducing poverty in the long term. We also have to find ways of giving those who are incarcerated the means to be productive and employable when they get out. Over the last number of years we have dropped the ball. We should understand how important it is to find ways of giving people the tools they need to join the mainstream economy after they get out of jail or prison. We have a responsibility not only to make sure that those who commit crimes are properly punished, but also that we as a community and as a society take necessary measures to try and prevent it.

9. What should be done about homegrown terrorism?

I think we should have a better understanding as Canadians that our greatest strength is our diversity. That being said, we have to understand we have a set of laws that govern all of us, and everyone has a responsibility to abide by the spirit of the law while embracing the strength of community through the diversity of who we are as Canadians. We also need to make sure we are in touch and understand where the possibilities are highest of homegrown terrorism and take the necessary steps to monitor it.

10. If there was a gay pride parade in your riding, would you go? Why or why not?

I went to the last parade and I was happy to be a part of it. We should respect the dignity of the individual and celebrate the diversity within the community. I was happy to celebrate that diversity with the community.

11. Have either you or your family had a frustrating experience with the health-care system, and what would you do to fix the problem?

We know wait times are too long. One way to relieve the pressure in emergency rooms is to create a long-term development of community health-care clinics for a wide range of services. I think if we look at ways in which we can deliver services more appropriately, we will find that in the long term, we will also deal with the problem of escalating costs. We have to emphasize the importance of prevention, so that we can do as much as one can reasonably expect to promote the kind of lifestyle that will make for a healthier population.

12. What would you do to get more people to vote?

I want to know why young people don't vote in numbers that older people do. For me it's about listening to young people and finding ways to engage with them. I want to have conversations with them about the issues that are important to them, such asjobs and the environment. We try to be as welcoming as possible on our own campaign and in our own political party for people who are getting involved for the first time. The key is to listen, to understand and to welcome the issues that are most important to them.

13. What's a better use of federal dollars: fixing roads or building rapid transit infrastructure?

Both. They're long-term investments and we have to sit down with the provinces and with the municipalities to determine the priorities that are important to all those levels of government. We need to make the investments that are consistent with those priorities.

14. Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? And have you ever used it?

Yes, I do support the legalization of a small amount, and yes, I have tried it but not for a long time.