Child poverty, housing, food: candidates tackle downtown issues

Sparks flew andcriticisms were served up this morning at Tim Hortons on the corner of Maryland Street and Portage Avenue.All five candidates running in Winnipeg Centrewere guests on CBC's Information Radio Wednesday.

The downtown Winnipeg riding has a unique set of challenges:It is the densest area in Winnipeg, 30 per cent of residents live on low incomesand it's Manitoba's 'most single' riding a high proportion of adults are divorced or never married. Downtown Winnipeg is also known as a food desertbecause it lacksgrocery stores that sell a wide variety of fresh produce.

Here's a rundown of what each candidate had to say.

AllieSzarkiewicz, Conservative

After NDP representationfor 18 years in Winnipeg Centre, Szarkiewiczbelieves voters are ready for a Conservative government.

"They need somebody they respect, someone they can approach and talk to. Somebody they can feel comfortable with," she said.

WhileSzarkiewiczlives in St. James, not Winnipeg Centre, she said she understands the area.

"I drive through this riding daily, as a child I grew up in the North End. Poverty is not something new to me," saidSzarkiewicz.

The retired teacher believes poverty can be reduced in Winnipeg Centre through education and training.

"I think that would empower people," saidSzarkiewicz,"there are several countries in Europe that offer higher education for nothing."

Pat Martin,NDP

Pat Martin was first elected as MP for Winnipeg Centre in 1997, the year the riding was first created.

Martin has come under fire recently for feisty language with respect to his opponents. He told CBC he apologizes for the profanity.

"I regret the language that I used. It's not going to happen again," said Martin, "Elections are pretty hostile environments sometimes, and things slip up."

• More foul language from Pat Martin has opponents calling for personal apologies

Martin said part of the reason for his slips, is because he does not always follow talking points.

"I do speak my mind, people know that. I'm a forthright person, what you see is what you get," said Martin.

As far as his record as MP for the last 18 years, Martin says a lack of federal funding is to blame for Winnipeg Centre's high poverty rate.

"I'm a hard working MP that brings resources back to Manitoba I'm very proud of my record to make sure Winnipeg gets its fair share of the federal resources that are available," he said.

He said his office onSargentAvenue is "active" and provides a range of assistance to local residents, "granted there are a lot of social problems...that need our attention," he said.

Don Woodstock, Green Party

When asked about what Woodstock would do for food security he pledged to donate $8,000 of his salary as an MP to make sure "every single individual" in Winnipeg Centre has access to quality food.

Woodstock said he would be able to accomplish this by working on a local farm and harvesting food from community gardens.

Under Pat Martin's watchpoverty and poor housing has plagued Winnipeg Central, said Woodstock.

"No one wants to hold him accountable," Woodstock said,"I'm the only candidate who lives and works in the riding, as a bus driver, I see it on a daily basis....mental health is an issue in this community...We should be looking to reduce the number, providing some kind of safety net for these folks...and we're not doing it."

Woodstockwas formally aligned with the Liberal Party but he says BillC-51made him switch from red to Green, he said thepolicy undermines therights and freedoms that define Canada.

DarrellRankin, Communist Party

There are three main problemsDarrellRankinsaidpresent themselves in Winnipeg Centre and across Canada: "impoverishment, racism and a pro-corporate, pro-war government."

The Communist Party would bring "real change" to society, he said, it wouldmake socialism a reality in Canada.

He expressed his concerns about Bill C-51 as well, calling itfascist.

Robert-FalconOuellette, Liberal

After being courted by both the NDP and the Communist Party, Ouellette said he chose the Liberal Party because Justin Trudeau told him he would listen to constituents in Winnipeg Centre.

"I know Winnipeg Centre is one of the poorest ridings in the country," said Ouellette, "There are a lot of rooming houses, a lot of single mothers with children in those rooming houses, and I really think we could be doing something about that."

Guaranteed income for families with kids is part of the Liberal's platform said Ouellette.

If elected as MP, Ouellette, said he will have a discussion with his family about moving to Winnipeg Centre, from theirhome near the University of Manitoba.

"Just because you don't live in the riding doesn't mean you can't understand it," he said.While a young personOuellettesaid he experienced poverty."I think there's some people out there who need a champion."

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