About Wab Kinew
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?
Most importantly, I am a dad to three boys and a husband to my amazing wife Lisa, who is a doctor.
Prior to politics I worked as a journalist, ran my own business and then as part of leadership at the University of Winnipeg. I am an honorary witness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and I have also written several books.
And I am running to be Premier for all Manitobans to fix health care and make life better.
What's the highest level of education you've attained?
Master'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 first elected in Fort Rouge in 2016 and was happy to move my family into the constituency soon after. Changes to the constituency boundaries in 2019 placed our home just outside the technical boundaries of Fort Rouge, but our lives continue to be very much a part of the Fort Rouge community.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
The Progressive Conservatives health care cuts. We know health care is the top issue for Manitobans in this election, including in my constituency of Fort Rouge. We have a plan to fix the staffing crisis, open three new emergency rooms in Winnipeg, and build health care in our communities.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
The first priority is to fix the staffing crisis in our health care system. We will listen to and work with front line health care workers to fix our health care system. Once we have the staff in place, we will get to work on re-opening new Emergency Rooms in Winnipeg.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
As Leader of the Manitoba NDP, some of my biggest role models are Gary Doer, Lloyd Axworthy and Jennifer Howard.
Jennifer was my predecessor in my constituency of Fort Rouge. She was the author of the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) and she asked me to commit to ensuring its implemented in our province. I am proud to continue that work to support this important legislation.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
For my wife’s birthday, at her request, we signed for salsa dance lessons together - and the most surprising thing was that I really liked it.
Other candidates in constituency:
Rejeanne Caron (Progressive Conservative)
Katherine Johnson (Liberal)
Robert Crooks (Communist)