Peace on the Seine Southeast Greens Gearing Up for Provincial Election

By Dan Guetre

With a newly elected provin cial leader, the Green Party of Manitoba (GPM) is readying itself for the October provincial election.

Janine Gibson is no stranger to talking with residents in the southeast corner of the province, having represented the GPM in the past. This next provincial election will have a twist as she will not only represent the Greens in La Verendrye as a candidate but will need to lead the party.

Gibson is taking her new lead ership role in stride, confident that she can work with her party candidates as a team.

“The teamwork approach at the Green Party of Manitoba is attracting candidates I look for ward to working with, who in spire me and their communities to work on solutions together,” said Gibson. “Our message is Green jobs to address the climate emergency, end welfare and make every vote count. Our Green Party can deliver teamwork I’m grateful to help lead!”

Beyond the teamwork, Gibson is counting on the grassroot ideals the party was built on to rally the electorate.

“As Manitobans we need to make every vote count to breathe some life and diversity into our local democracy,” she explained, “[and] our candidates support that goal!”

Gibson says she values the grassroot movements that have surfaced recently, especially in the southeast.

“I am inspired by the citizen activists serving as water protectors in our communities as we join so many neighbours in challenging corporate ‘greenwashing’, she noted. “The Beausejour Water Treatment plant’s impacts on the Brokenhead River, Berger Peat Moss plant’s case dismissal in the face of climate emergency, the loss of wilderness with the proposed Highway 17 twinning, and private mining of silica threatening our drinking water quality - we are supporting our candidates in recognizing and participating in the spontaneous ‘citizen assemblies’ asking for government accountability on critical issues happening in their neighbourhoods.”

Gibson believes people should be concerned about what is happening on their doorsteps.

“The Regulatory Capture we observe demonstrated in so many of our government departments has to be stopped,” she explained. “Whether it’s because of insufficient funding to the departments or lack of political will, Manitoba decision makers have not been overseeing our resource development in a sustainable manner.”

She was not afraid to point out specific projects.

“Sio [Silica] and its process is an issue and so is the Berger Peat Moss Plant and its approval process,” she clarified. “Both project approvals show such disregard for GHG emission controls and local citizen welfare, as does the infamous Municipal Board.”

Gibson also criticized the current government of allowing some companies to skirt costs even during the application stages.

“The province leaving so much money on the table with Sio’s applications, [this] is another missed opportunity,” she explained. “All Level Three Projects, which this proposal truly warrants, should cost $125,000 to start, but Sio only had to put $7,000 down as its plans were falsely declared a Level Two Project!”

This “rule bending” has led to the motivation for local citizens to become active in protecting their drinking water quality she added.

With the battle for voters set to take place in less than 60 days, Gibson is building her southeast team.

Marcel Broesky will be the Green Party of Manitoba candidate in Dawson Trail.

As an IT professional for decades, Broesky explained that risk management and disaster recovery planning are skills increasingly needed in leadership. He added that hands on action with the community is an important asset whether it’s volunteering for garbage cleanups at Reynolds Pond or with drop-in centres or the Two Rivers Senior centre.

Blair Mahaffy describes himself as a lifelong resident of southeastern Manitoba and will be the Green candidate for Lac Du Bonnet.

Born in Winnipeg, he spent summers in the Whiteshell, raised a family in Lorette, and now lives in West Hawk Lake.

“I was drawn to the Greens in 2015 when I was looking for a party that supported both strong environmental action and meaningful electoral re- form,” said Mahaffy. “I discovered that the Green Party, federal or provincial, is not the single-issue party that many people perceive. There is, however, a singular theme of sustainability across a wide breadth of issues including democracy, social justice, the economy, and, of course, the environment.”

While the GPM has not announced a candidate for Springfield-Ritchot, Riley Unger will compete for the Greens in the Steinbach constituency.

Gibson is hopeful the GPM message will resonate with voters. “The Green Party of Manitoba supports commercial development in operations which demonstrate protection and respect for ecosystem health,” concluded Gibson.