Kirkfield Park byelection sees candidates focused on health care trying to unseat Tories

The byelection in Kirkfield Park won't herald the outcome of next year's provincial electionby itself, but a victory for the Progressive Conservatives could prove hope is not lost for the sitting government, while a defeat may signal that health-care woes are costing them votes.

The west Winnipeg constituency, which was previouslyrepresented by PC cabinet ministerScott Fielding,has historically voted for Tories, but recent opinion polls suggestthe government's fortunes are stilllagging in Winnipeg.

Under those circumstances, the PCs have selected the high-profile Kevin Klein, a former city councillor who recently placed third in Winnipeg's mayoral election.

He says he won't be afraid to challenge his party if that's what best serves his constituents arare position in partisan politics wherecandidates areexpected to toe the party line.

Royce Koop, a University of Manitoba political studies professor, says the gamblecould pay off.

"Given how unpopular the Tories are in Winnipeg, I don't think this Kleinstrategy of saying he's willing to get into fights with [Premier] Heather Stefansonis a bad strategy, to be honest," he said.

The Tories are trying to hold on to theriding, which Fielding who retired in June wonwith just over half the votes cast in 2019. The NDP took25.6per cent of the vote, the Liberals got15.7per cent support and the Greens earned 8.3 per cent.

Klein faces two challengers the NDP'sLogan Oxenham, a corrections officer, andnurse Rhonda Nichol for the Liberalswho are focusing their campaignson health care, blaming the Toriesfor the long waits andstaffing shortagesailing Grace Hospital, which is in the riding.

Dennis Bayomi rounds out the field as the Green Party's candidate in Kirkfield Park.

Other factors that may play into the outcome of the Dec. 13 byelection includeallegations of mudslinging over Klein's ties to a disgraced fashion mogul,the NDP's pleas for strategic voting, and a winter date that may stifle voter turnout.

Klein says he'll put constituents over party

As the city councillor for much of the riding from2018 to 2022, Klein wasn't afraid to be outspoken when he opposeddecisions.

He said he'll do the sameif elected asMLA. He'll express his reservationsbehind closed doors first, but will speak publicly if he's exhausted other options.

"If you're not getting the answersor we're not having those discussions which I don't think are going to happenthen of course you would share them publicly," Klein said, stressing it is the people of Kirkfield Park he'dworkfor, not the PC Party.

In a recent Facebook post, Klein toldvoters, "I will fight for you if it is with [NDP Leader]Wab Kinew or even Heather Stefanson," which prompted Kinewtoallege the PCsare distracted by infighting.

Klein hasalso advanced policy ideaswithout party endorsement: a perhaps-impossible commitmentto eliminate parliamentary privilege and increasing the number of advanced-care paramedic units in Winnipeg.

Koop said Klein is effectively running his own campaign, which is "pretty rare in Canadian politics," but the political scientist said it could helpKlein todistance himself from a party low in popularity.

But hesaid if elected,Klein will have to be a team player in order for the PCs to support his proposedinitiatives.

Klein said the NDP and Liberals haveno planto fixthehealth-care system, but the PCs have put forward a tangible$200-million plan to add 2,000 health-care professionals "that's going to work in the short-term."

In the longer term, the increased use of advanced-care paramedics would help, he said.

"That's why I think you have to look to me as the right candidate, because I'm not afraid to bring those conversations forward that will make change."

Voters 'understand what's at stake here': Oxenham

The NDP is trying tocoalesce the anti-government votearoundOxenham.

The party, which heldKirkfield Park from 2007 to 2016,brought out former Liberal supporters at a recent news conference, trying to convince voters a ballot cast for the Liberals or Green Party would only ensure thePCs keep theseat.

Koop says the strategic voting plea"makes the party look a little bit weak," but Oxenham said he isn't worried about his rivals.

"Voters in Kirkfield Park are smart," he said.

"They understand what's at stake here, and they understand thatin order for us to defeat the PCswe need to come together."

Oxenham saysdisrepair inthe health-care system drove himto run for office, and it'sthe issue he continually hears aboutfrom residents. The NDPsays it will extend clinic hours at the Grace Hospital AccessCentre if elected next year.

"A lot of my friends, and some family members who actually work within the health-care system, kept repeating over and overagain just how dire the situation is."

He was encouraged to run as well because of his advocacy work.

An online biographysays as the first openly transgender corrections officer in Manitoba, Oxenhamhelped educate the justice department andpolice officers on developing an inclusive work environment for transgender staff.

In the legislature, the NDPhas raised questions about Klein's work history with Peter Nygard, suggesting Klein hasn't fully explained his connections with theformer fashion mogul now accused of sexual assault.

Klein has denied the allegations.

Oxenham said he'll leave it up to voters to decide whether those factors affecttheir vote, "but I'm focused onthe constituents here in Kirkfield Park."

'Startworking together' on health care: Nichol

Meanwhile, the Liberals say those worried about health care should vote for the candidate who best understands it.

Rhonda Nichol spent 29 years as a nurse at Grace Hospital, where she worked in oncology, emergency observation, surgery and long-term medicine, among other departments. She now worksas aclinical trials research and prevention nurse at CancerCare Manitoba.

"I'd be the best person, I believe, just due to my connection with the Grace Hospital. People are willing to speak to me openly and freely, without any fear of repercussions," she said.

"I think if this were a corrections issue, I'm just going to say right now Logan [Oxenham]would be the person to vote for [but] I truly believe that I am the best person if we're looking at health care."

She's seenthehealth-care system go from "functioning like a well-oiled machine" to suffering a "slow demise," she said, withfacilities scrambling to fill positions.

If she's elected, the Liberals intend toorganize a town hall at the hospital, and set up a hotline for front-line workers toreach Nichol directly and in confidence.

"We all want good health care, so why don't we startworking together a little bit more to get to the bottom ofthis andtruly solve it?" she said.

Asked about splitting the anti-government vote with the NDP, Nichol said it is up to voters to make up their own mind, but she hopes they consider her.

Koop said Nichol's candidacyappears to have resonated with voters and the party could takevotes from both the PCs and NDP.

'Running to win': Bayomi

Dennis Bayomi is the only candidate from the 2019 election who is running again.

The Green Party candidate says he was a"last-minute candidate" back then, when he earned nearly nine per cent of the vote, but says he's "a serious candidate" this time around.

"We're running to win. We're not just a name on the ballot," the semi-retired IT professional said.

He said if elected, addressing the climate emergency would be his top priority. Some ideas would include free public transit, creating a compost program in Winnipeg and offeringincentives for buyingelectric vehicles.

Bayomi would also advocate for a guaranteed basic income to help lift people out of poverty.

He'd also like to see a number of democratic reforms, including an end to winter elections.

He worriesvoter turnout could besuppressed by anelectorate numbed by both theweatherand a campaign marred by partisan bickering.

Advance voting continues until Dec. 10. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Dec. 13voting day. More information, including voting locations, is available atthe Elections Manitoba website.