Sept 23 2024- Leila Dance Talks About Winning Elmwood-Transcona Seat

The Great Canadian Talk Show

A long time listener was elected to Parliament last week, and you'll hear from the new MP for Elmwood-Transcona, Leila Dance, in Episode 23!

Part 1- Fifteen years ago, Leila Dance appeared in the Kick-FM studio in her role with a social services agency, and "politics was not even being considered."

But coming from a family with generational union and NDP links and deep roots in Transcona, she was an ideal candidate for the NDP to retain the seat. After being a fundraiser for major charities and then Executive Director of the Transcona Biz, she saw opportunity to further the causes of social services and small business on a larger stage.

Dance decided to make the leap from running the Biz and put her name on the ballot, beating the Conservative candidate in a close race- the first woman ever elected as a Member of Parliament from the east Winnipeg riding.

As she describes, working on NDP campaigns was a part of her upbringing and during her run for office, "a lot of the key players have very much been people who knew my dad (Bill) and remember him from different campaigns in the early days and such."

Hear her describe doorknocking on the street named after her father, and the issues she heard at the doorstep, including "people being able to make ends meet."

While some voters criticized NDP leader Jagmeet Singh keeping the Trudeau government in power, she says her principle is "we work with whoever we can to get stuff done, and I'll continue to do that."

Dance downplays the effect of policy flip-flops by Singh on the carbon tax and supply deal with the Liberals in her attaining the winning margin, attributing it to a hard-fought 15 weeks of campaigning with a strong volunteer base.

• Read Marty's column in the Winnipeg Sun analyzing the federal byelection result, with comments from Leila Dance -'Trudeau collapse helps propel NDP to by-election win'

Part 2- Dance explains the on-the-ground support from provincial NDP MLAs and the endorsement of Premier Wab Kinew, as well as NDP MPs from across the country - "I couldn't have done it without them all."

Singh joined her in appearances across the community and his media profile means "it's like traveling with a rock star" on the hustings.

She has her sights set on how best to help the 70,000 residents in the riding and has "a long list" of what she wants to accomplish in her first session in Ottawa including health care and affordability.

*******

Season 5 marches on and we need your support to keep it rolling forward smoothly. The current total is $3055, with a target of $5600, so whether it's $50 or $500, it all adds up and makes a difference.

Your financial support means more interviews, more investigations and more insight into policy and public affairs - so please take a moment to help us out today.

Donating via PayPal- paypal.com/paypalme/MartyGoldMedia

To Donate via E-transfer, Cash and Cheque contributions, Ads & Sponsoring segments, please Email- [e-mail]

Every donor over $50 is receiving a copy of Retropeg in appreciation of ensuring the costs of holding government and bureaucrats accountable and breaking stories no one else can, or will.

We earn your support!

Coming up- more on homeless encampments, a Crime and Public safety update, and an interview with Councilor Jeff Browaty!