About Larissa Ashdown
When were you born?
Between 1966 and 1980 (Generation X)
Tell our readers a bit about your professional life. What do you do for a living? If you're an incumbent candidate, what did you do before you entered politics?
I have 20 years of experience in public policy, working for the provincial government, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and local non-profits. Soon after the pandemic began, I started my own consulting and coaching business, combining my two passions of helping organizations build their capacity, and helping support and empower overwhelmed parents.
What's the highest level of education you've attained?
Bachelor's degree
How long have you lived in the constituency? If you don't currently live there, what led you to run there instead of where you live?
I am not sure why the question about the level of eduction is relevant to running for public office. People of all walks of life deserve to be represented in our legislature, including those who have been marginalized in and from mainstream education systems. I do have a university degree and have taken continuing education in human resource management. My most recent certification and career experience has been in parent coaching, a path I sought out in response to the desperate situation parents are in after years of cuts to school supports and the hardship of the pandemic.
My own constituency borders Tuxedo, and my party had already nominated a candidate there, whom I support, to run when I made my decision. So, I chose the riding of Tuxedo as my family and I have spent lots of time there over many years, and I have personal reasons for wanting to run against the current leader of the PC party.
It was about time that I was able to talk to my daughter about Manitoba having our first female premier. The reality is, however, that we have a female Premier who is making life harder for Manitoba women and families. As those still mostly responsible for caregiving, the cuts to health and education hurt us more and have set us back decades.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge is the state of the public services we rely on, especially health and education.
As a parent of school-aged children in the public school system, I see every day the impact of cuts to education. I support more one-on-one attention for students by hiring more teachers, clinicians and EAs to help students catch up from the pandemic. Bright, curious children who need a bit of extra help, like my son, will get the support they need, instead of waiting years for assessment. I have seen my children's school lose staff such as their librarian, and along with that, valuable programming to promote literacy.
As a member of the “sandwich generation” caring for both children and elders, I have seen firsthand how the needs of our seniors are not addressed. The state of our health care system is shameful and disrespects the Manitobans who have worked their whole lives paying taxes and now cannot get the basic health care they need. I have personally seen my family members denied the care they need because our system is at its breaking point, due to cuts as well as the pandemic, and a government that does not respect public servants. This has to change.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
My first priority would be helping families receive the supports they need by addressing the crisis in health and education, reversing the cuts, and restoring services. Parents should be the main providers for their children, and we should be there to help our parents as they age. But we need our schools and medical system to be there when we need them. Currently too many kids and seniors are slipping through the cracks while our public servants barely keep their heads above water. After years of hardship, Manitoba families need a government that will prioritize them, not the wealthy and big business. Basic public services must be restored and invested in.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
There are many political leaders to whom I look for inspiration. Olivia Chow immediately comes to mind. Olivia is the wife of the late Jack Layton, and she is now the mayor of Toronto, the first racialized mayor of Toronto, a woman, and a widow. Olivia ran on a message of hope and is a role model I look up to.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
While my father’s side of the family has long roots in Winnipeg as one of the early Canadian settlers families, I very strongly identify with my mother’s Ukrainian heritage. One of my passions has been for Ukrainian folk dance, and I have been active for nearly my whole life with the Rozmai Ukrainian Dancers, including many years as a dancer, parent, and as the board treasurer. Some of my most profound experiences have been touring with Rozmai in Ukraine and meeting my relatives for the first time. My heart continuously breaks for Ukraine during these terrible times.
Other candidates in constituency:
Heather Stefanson (Progressive Conservative)
Marc Brandson (Liberal)