Gibson running for Greens… again

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This article was published 18/06/2024 (655 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Janine Gibson will be on the ballot for the Tuxedo by-election next week.

The leader of the Green Party decided to run herself as she has the most experience of any Green Party representative. She also said there’s a need for diversity on voting slips.

“It’s ridiculous how we keep bouncing between NDP and Conservatives, we need to have more voices,” Gibson said. “We need to be listening to each other.”

She said she doesn’t like the divide between rural and urban ridings, where for the most part Conservatives are in the country and New Democrats are in Winnipeg.

“Offering a Green alternative that I think takes the best from both parties is warranted.”

Gibson acknowledges that her party doesn’t have the best shot at winning. But doesn’t rule herself out.

“I think we will conduct ourselves well, and I would like to think we could win,” she said.

Gibson said if they had more money they would have a better shot. She said parties normally have to spend $40,000 to win an election, and her campaign will be nowhere near that.

“I don’t think it’s realistic that I will win, but miracles happen in this incredible world of ours,” said Gibson.

Last year, Gibson ran in Wolseley, which is where she lived before moving just South of Steinbach. She lost while garnering less than 600 votes, finishing second last, only ahead of the Communist Party.

“I had a better chance there than anywhere else; I thought I had a good community there.”

Gibson decided to run herself instead of a Tuxedo resident because she is the strongest choice. Last year, they didn’t have a name on the ballot.

“I am the most experienced candidate and believe that I have a strong history of service to Green values,” Gibson said. “I have a track record of service that’s over 30 years long, and I believe I can really bring a refreshing note of both realism and practical climate science to the table.”

This is Gibson’s 13th time running for provincial or federal seats, her best performance was finishing with 9.8% of the vote eight years ago.

Gibson said her platform is to get addictions counsellors and social service workers to accompany police officers, for the public’s safety. She also wants a youth corp working on climate change research and getting the province to a zero-carbon economy.

The election was called when Premier Heather Stefanson lost her premiership to Wab Kinew in October and resigned from her legislature seat.

The other names on the ballot are NDP candidate Carla Compton, Conservative Lawrence Pinsky and Liberal Jamie Pfau, the by-election is on Tuesday, June 18.