About Grant Jackson
When were you born?
Between 1997 and 2004 (Generation Z)
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?
Born and raised in Souris, I received my Bachelor of Arts with Honours at Brandon University after graduating from Souris School. Throughout my career, I’ve worked for Larry Maguire, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, both in Brandon and on Parliament Hill, gaining valuable experience at the federal level. Since 2020, I have been working at the Manitoba Legislature, supporting our Progressive Conservative Government on files in Justice, Families, Mental Health and Community Wellness, Environment and Climate and as Special Advisor to the Premier.
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’ve called Souris home my entire life, with portions of time working in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Brandon.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
Healthcare staffing shortages. Not just family doctors and nurses, but paramedics, lab techs, healthcare aids and more. We need to continue to expand training seats (like the 400 additional nursing seats created by this PC Team) for medical students, paramedics, lab techs, to ensure that we are training more healthcare professionals here. Several of those additional nursing seats were added at Assiniboine Community College and Brandon University, we need to look at adding programming to those institutions to address the shortages in other health professions as well. I will work with the post-secondary institutions and government to build these programs in Westman.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
In addition to the #1 priority of healthcare staffing shortages above, my first priority to would be to continue the open lines of communication with the municipalities in Sprucewoods constituency. Having met with almost all of them through the campaign period, we have a number of shared priorities on which to make progress that will benefit all residents.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
Larry Maguire, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris has been a long time mentor and role model of mine. Larry exemplifies the small town values of a true grassroots politician: hard work, dedication, and he brings a genuine care and respect for all that I strive to emulate. My father as well, Darryl Jackson, former Mayor of Souris-Glenwood has been my roll model my entire life. A passionate believer in Westman’s small communities, his patient and determined attitude has been an example to many municipal and provincial politicians from the area for decades. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
In addition to sports, the arts play an important role in who I am. Thoughout my life, I have performed in countless community musicals in Brandon, Virden and Souris, as wel as choirs and bands, performing at venues ranging from the local Hillcrest Museum in Souris and The Aud Theatre in Virden, to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Edmonton’s Winspear Centre.
Other candidates in constituency:
Michelle Budiwski (Liberal)
Melissa Ghidoni (New Democratic Party)