About James Teitsma
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?
After completing high school at Murdoch Mackay Collegiate, I obtained a computer science degree with first-class honours from the University of Manitoba. I joined a small software company in 1995 before growing it to be the world's largest provider of financial planning software.
I was elected as the MLA for Radisson in April 2016 and again in October 2019. As an MLA, I work hard to be responsive to my constituents and to keep everyone informed through social media outlets. I have served on the Treasury Board for 5 years and was Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
I also served as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Health and was instrumental in shaping the Health Human Resources Action Plan. My background in financial planning software helps me make fiscally responsible decisions with taxpayers’ dollars. Having a nurse for a daughter and a teacher for a son has helped me stay well-connected to the front line.
In January 2023, I became the Minister of Consumer Protection and Government Services (also responsible for the Manitoba Civil Service and the Public Utilities Board). As minister, I am responsible for building many schools across Manitoba. I also worked with Vital Statistics to reduce birth certificate processing times by over 80%. As a minister, I connect with many Manitobans, encouraging accountability for delivering services that Manitobans rely on.
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 Transcona and have lived in Radisson for over 30 years.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
I believe the biggest challenge facing my constituents is affordability. The rising price of groceries and gas has made it difficult to get by. Rising interest rates are forcing some people out of their homes or preventing them from buying their first home. Our Progressive Conservative team has a plan to put more money back in your pocket. Raising the basic personal exemption to $15K already put about $75/month back in your wallets. Over the coming four years, we will lower the next tax bracket rate in half, saving you $35/month in year 1 and rising to $150/month in year 4.
I also am focused on health care. My daughter is an ER nurse so I hear firsthand from her and her colleagues about the challenges in health care. I am focused on increasing staffing. We are now graduating 1,200 nurses per year in Manitoba instead of 800 as has been the case for decades. And we are dedicating $30MM per year to recruiting new healthcare professionals to work here. And we will increase capacity by enabling pharmacists to treat ear infections, strep throat, sprains, and strains, as well as manage diabetes and other chronic conditions, taking the load off of medical clinics, urgent care centers and ERs.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
Ensuring that Manitoba is poised to be the best it can possibly be with economic growth, more housing, improvements to health care, and increased public safety, all while making life more affordable for everyone.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
Brad Wall, former premier of Saskatchewan. He used his decade of service to make his province better, demonstrating that economic growth is the catalyst that we need to advance our province. I appreciate how he governed for the benefit of the entire province and worked to unite it, rather than divide it.
William Wilberforce, a British politician in the early 1800s. He worked tirelessly for decades to abolish slavery in most of the British Empire. He taught me that standing up for what is right, even in the face of significant opposition, is always worthwhile.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
One thing that might surprise voters is that I am a choral conductor and composer. I have conducted a church-based community choir for over 20 years and I usually compose one or two songs for them or for solo piano each year.
Other candidates in constituency:
Jelynn Dela Cruz (New Democratic Party)
Jean Luc Bouché (Liberal)