Brianne Goertzen, NDP Winnipeg South

Why do you want this job?

I think it's time an MP from the riding to take the concerns of folks seriously, and I think it's time for Canada to see change in government.

What's the biggest issue for the country and in your riding?

There are a number of them, for both. For Canada, it's the economy, jobs and health care as well as funding for social services. For my riding, the economy and jobs are a big cornerstone right now. That's what I am hearing at the door on a nightly basis.

What would you do with the Senate?

Our position on the Senate is to abolish it. I believe, not only given the recent scandals in the Senate, but I believe it's a body not for the betterment of Canadians. They are appointed positions as well, problematic in a democratic society.

Winnipeg was described as the most racist city in Canada. What would you do to combat racism?

I believe racism is a systemic issue. I believe it's not an easily fixed issue. I believe it's a multi-pronged issue. You need education. You need to make sure you are being respectful but inclusive of everybody. I think everyone wants to remedy it in a quick manner, but you can't. There are many issues that bleed into racism as well.It's something that the federal government, the provincial government, municipal government and people in your community should be actively fighting against.

What role should the federal government play in dealing with climate change?

Climate change has been something that has been ignored. The NDP have made it clear that climate change is something that is on the forefront of our agenda to ensure we are leaving Canada for future generations, and so we have clean drinking water and that our land is treated with respect.

If there is one government policy you think is done better in another country, what is it?

If you look to Norway, for example, they have a pretty progressive child-care policy. What's exciting about the NDP platform is that they have a child-care policy, a national strategy that is seeking to create child-care spaces as well as affordable child-care spaces. In every dollar invested into child care, you have a $2 return in your economic output. I believe that's a solid return on investment and it leads to higher rates of employment for women.

Under what circumstances is deficit spending a good choice?

Our party is putting forward balanced budgets. I think it's a matter of prioritization when you're looking at the overall picture for Canada.

What do you believe is the single most effective way to fight crime?

As a criminologist in training, I believe it's something that's connected to your social structures and institutions. (Being) tough on crime doesn't work, itdoesn't help with recidivism rates. You actually need ways to rehabilitate offenders and strengthen their ties to society so they feel they are contributing members. It's a matter of making sure we have the social structures and the funding with our social programming in the community to ensure no youth or young person or older person feels alienated to the point where they need to turn to crime to make their way through life or feel connected.

What should be done about homegrown terrorism?

I don't think Bill C-51 is the way, that's for sure. I don't believe that's the way to go about things.

If there was a gay pride parade in your riding, would you go? Why or why not?

Of course I would go. I believe in LGBTQ rights. It's a weird question to me, because I would never not go. I've gone to them before. They are my friends and I would forever support them.

Have either you or your family had a frustrating experience with the health-care system, and what would you do to fix the problem?

I think most families have. There are the long wait times to access health care, which I myself have experienced. What's great about the NDP is that we are seeking to ensure that there is funding back into health care so we have a strong health-care system in Canada.

What would you do to get more people to vote?

A lot of people have become disengaged with politics. I think that's unfortunate, because it's a civic responsibility for people. In order to get people to vote, I think you need to talk to them and ask them why they're not voting. It's a matter of talking to people and understanding where they are coming from. I think youth sometimes get lumped into a category of them being apathetic to voting when that's not really the case at all.

What's a better use of federal dollars: fixing roads or building rapid transit infrastructure?

I don't think it's an either-or question. They are both important. You need rapid transit in any major city to ensure citizens have an alternative form of transit. And as we know, it cuts down on the carbon footprint and brings down congestion on the road for other drivers.

You need the roads for buses to drive on. So if you don't have the actual roads and the buses, there's a situation there. The NDP is putting forward infrastructure funding as well as funding for rapid transit.

Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? Have you ever tried it?

We are in the position of decriminalizing marijuana. I've tried it, yes.