About Billie Cross
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’ve been a teacher for many years. As it is with a lot of teachers I know, it’s more than just a job for me. It’s really part of who I am, what I care about, and why I got into politics. Right now, I’m a support teacher in the Louis Riel School Division, I teach students in classrooms in 16 schools across the division.
I also co-own and operate a small family-run butcher shop with my husband Steve and our kids.
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 was born in the North End, but I’ve lived in South Winnipeg for many years.
My husband Steve and I raised our family here. I live north of the constituency boundary, but I teach in schools across the Louis Riel School Division and many of my fellow teachers and parents of my students encouraged me to run! I have a deep connection to the community here because of my work in many schools in and around Seine River. I’ve been pleasantly surprised a few times while knocking doors over the past year when I made impromptu visits to some of my students’ families!
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
Ever since the Pallister PCs closed the Victoria General Hospital ER, families in Seine River have no local ER. In an emergency, time is of the essence, and going all the way to HSC or St. Boniface puts lives at risk. The NDP team has a plan to build a new ER at Victoria General Hospital to make sure you and your family get the care you need when you need it.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
Taking a few days to spend with my family! I’ve been working hard on the campaign trail for over a year, and it will be nice to take a breath. But then I will be right back at it working with Wab Kinew and an NDP government to open a new Emergency Room at Victoria General Hospital and hiring back the 300 nurses the PCs cut. We need to get this done for Seine River families. We know the PCs won’t do it, and the Liberals have said they’re opposed to the new ER.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
Gary Doer is someone I really look up to.
As a teacher, it’s so important to me that we have good services like healthcare and education. It’s about family, our kids deserve the best start in life and our seniors deserve quality care to stay healthy and happy.
As a small business owner, it’s also important to me that we’re building a growing, stable economy with good jobs that can support families and provide strong revenue to support the public services we all depend on.
Gary Doer showed us that we can do both. We can rebuild healthcare, give kids a great education, and foster a growing, thriving economy all at the same time.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I’m a big Elvis fan! He’s been my favourite musician since I was a kid. We even made a stop at the Graceland Museum on a family vacation a few years back.
Other candidates in constituency:
Martin J. Stadler (Independent)
James Bloomfield (Liberal)
Janice Morley-Lecomte (Progressive Conservative)