Winnipeg Election 2022

Matthew Parkinson - River East - Transcona - 3

What got you into politics?

As a young kid, I grew up with the encouragement from my teachers, youth pastors, professors, and parents, that we as students, as  youth were the future of the world we live in. However, I also saw that there was so much dishonesty and looking out for one’s own interests over the interests of others. This turned myself to one goal that I have kept close wherever I go in life: No matter what, I will be someone who listens to those around me.

In university, my major became Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies. This helped me deepen my knowledge of how to listen to people and get to the bottom of their hopes, needs, fears, and desires and actually addressing them in a way that respects the person carrying those feelings.

Now I am here, running to be a school trustee and ready to partner with everyone in the community to make a positive change and to empower this new generation of youth to actually be the future world changers that I was once encouraged to be.

What experience will you bring to compliment your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee)?

•  With a major in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies and minors in Sociology and Biblical Theological Studies, I have learned how to listen to both the stakeholders and audiences in an issue, hearing their needs, hopes, desires, concerns, worries, and fears, and thus formulating plans that work to address these issues in a transformative way that benefits both sides of a conflict. This means that as a school trustee I want to hear the issues that students, teachers, custodians, volunteers, everyone who makes the division run, and make sure we address them and work collaboratively to do so.
• I have experience working at a summer camp as the Integration’s Coordinator where I ensured that kids who came with additional needs had the supports and resources available to them to ensure that they had a week full of fun and joy
• I have stood as a representative on the international stage as a Canadian delegate at the 2nd  Peace Summit For Emerging Leaders in Bangkok, Thailand.
• My experience as a Youth Leader at my local church means that I am constantly engaged with the students of our community and always looking for ways to build them up in their lives.

What are some issues that you would like to stand for in your role as (Mayor / Councillor / School Trustee), and why are these issues important to you?

Personally, i would like to champion the continued support of arts programs in our school like Band and choir programs. These impacted my life as they got me through hard times and I am sure they still continue to support and lift youth up. Other issues that I have heard from constituents and others that I would like to advocate for are:

• Finding ways to reduce the financial strain on parents regarding lunch programs
• Building capacities within our school to support second language learning like French and further supporting Immersion schools
• Re-imagining current policies related to school bullying and advocating for a restorative justice approach that acknowledges the harm done to the victim and also acknowledges that the offender can also be helped and supported in ways that are not just retributive and usually result in continued negative behaviours

 

These are just a few of the issues that I have heard come from the people of my community and I am always looking to hear more concerns or ideas so please reach out!

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

Above all, I want you to know that I am here for you. I am elected by you, the people in the community which means that you should never be afraid to reach out and ask questions, give your thoughts on current happenings, and also offer your ideas. I am here to bring your voices to the table and represent everyone.

I am also here to advocate for the idea of “loving thy neighbor.” This means caring for everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe, you matter and deserve respect just like everyone else. I am constantly striving to carry this love and compassion for everyone because in the end we are all here, trying to make not just our school division or city, but our world a better place.