About Kathleen Cook
When were you born?
Between 1981 and 1996 (Millennial)
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 spent several years of my career in different positions with both the municipal and provincial governments. More recently, I was provincial director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and advocated for thousands of small businesses across four provinces and territories. I'm also very involved in my community, having served as a board member and volunteer coordinator at Roblin Park Community Centre and a Girl Guide leader.
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 lived in the constituency for almost 10 years, and in Winnipeg my whole life.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
Affordability: whether it's seniors on a fixed income, or young families like mine, at many doors I'm hearing about the challenges people are facing because of rising costs. To put more money back in the pockets of Manitobans, a re-elected PC government will implement new tax relief measures including cutting income taxes, enabling seniors to defer their property taxes, and taking the carbon tax off Hydro bills. That'll mean more money for gas, groceries, and all the other expenses families are facing right now.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
Advocating for the needs of people in Charleswood and Headingley - including the continued healing of our health care system. I'd like to see more care options for older Manitobans in our community, more doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, and lower wait times for diagnostic tests and surgeries. Much of this work is already underway, and there's more to do.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
Myrna Driedger: she's been our MLA in Roblin for 25 years and is entering her well-deserved retirement. Myrna has been a tireless advocate for our community and has done a great job of bringing people together over the years to achieve great things, including the establishment of the Charleswood 55-plus centre. If elected, I intend to be as present, accessible, and committed to our community as she has been.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
My husband and I are parents to two sets of twins - at one point we had four kids under the age of three. I'm very energetic, organized and efficient, mostly because I've had to be!