Danielle Adams decided to run for the Thompson provincial riding in the spring after working as a constituency assistant to Churchill-Keewatinook NDP MP Niki Ashton throughout the last decade. Adams clinched the NDP nomination over Thompson Teachers’ Association president Cathy Pellizzaro during a constituency association meeting May 25. Adams has also been a board member for the YWCA, Thompson Children’s World day care and the Thompson Ski Club.
How long have you been living in Thompson?
I’ve lived in Thompson since I was 11. We moved here in ‘94.
What was your job before you decided to run for office?
I was Niki Ashton’s constituency assistant. I focused on casework and outreach.
If elected, what are the biggest issues you want to tackle in the upcoming term?
Healthcare, education, unfreezing funding levels that have been frozen at 2016 levels. I will fight for Thompson to get access to the mining reserve fund.
How do you plan on representing northern interests in the Manitoba legislature?
Being a strong voice and listening to the constituents and I’m committed going door-to-door in between elections … and speaking up on issues that affect the north.
Why should someone vote for you instead of your political opponent?
I will be a strong voice for Thompson in the north, and stand up for our region.
What’s the most difficult thing about campaigning?
I’ve worked in campaigns pretty much my whole life. I’ve been active in politics. I love going door-to-door and meeting and connecting with people and listening to them.
I love doing this kind of stuff. I love connecting with people and listening to people and hearing their stories and what’s going on in their lives.
Anything else you want to add?
As Thompson’s been transitioning, the PCs froze CEDF [Communities Economic Development Fund] funding, making it harder for people to access money to open up businesses and create employment. Under the PCs we have the second lowest minimum wage in all of Canada at $11.35. And under their whole term they’ve raised it $0.20 and I support the NDP’s commitment to making minimum wage $15.
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Thompson residents will get the chance to see Danielle Adams and incumbent MLA Kelly Bindle face off in person during a Sept. 4 debate from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre.
The Manitoba Liberals and the Green Party of Manitoba have yet to nominate candidates in Thompson as of Aug. 15. The deadline for candidate nominations is Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.
