Winnipeg Election 2022

Robert-Falcon Ouellette - Mayoral Candidates

What got you into politics?

I entered politics in 2014 when I was a professor studying the City of Winnipeg and the different social groups that make up Winnipeg. I was surprised by the results of my research and was talking with a friend who said stop complaining and get involved. So I sent an email to 100 friends asking if I should run for Mayor. Around 50 said no because they felt I would find the city too racist, 47 said I should run and 3 said to run, and that I might even win.

We started the campaign with those three people around the kitchen table trying to figure out politics. It was hard work. We had no organization, no money, but we did have ideals, and ideas. It carried us far. Not much has really changed in 8 years. The City of Winnipeg has the same issues from 2014, homelessness, addictions, mental health, CFS, the environment, good urban design, arts and culture that should bring people together. The list goes on.

Today our teams still has little money, but we have ideals and ideas. Please see our website robertfalcon.ca for our vision for a Winnipeg which is safe, thriving and livable.

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

Robert Falcon is from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. He is a dedicated community organizer and educator. The son of an alcoholic residential school survivor who was homeless as a child. He has been able to rise above poverty through the love of his mother. A veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years where he served as a company commander in the 5th Field Ambulance. Currently, he serves with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.  He has a PhD and two master’s degrees from Laval University in Quebec City and he was only the second Indigenous person to graduate from Laval in 350 years with a PhD.

He is a former Member of Parliament where, incredibly, he obtained unanimous consent to change the Standing Orders of the House of Commons for the full inclusion and interpretation of Indigenous languages, demonstrating his ability to work with all political parties. He was the Chair of the Indigenous caucus, where he helped lead change in Child and Family Services,  languages legislation and advance reconciliation. He speaks four languages and most importantly, he enjoys spending time running and canoeing with his family, all while playing their musical instruments.

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?

At the outset of the 2014 mayoral campaign, I said to the people of Winnipeg:  ‘You give me hope. In the face of corruption, you continue to believe in honesty. In the face of exclusion, you continue to believe in the ideal of one city.’ Now in 2022 this is still the case. We continue to believe that we can be one city, united in common cause.

If I could solve a few major issues during 4 years as Mayor, it would homelessness, addictions and mental health. This has been ignored for far too long. Addictions has a direct link to crime because people often need to steal to pay for their addictions; this impacts, policing, firefighters and ambulance services; it impacts us when people no longer ride the buses; it impacts where people open businesses, because no one goes downtown or lives in certain areas. This election is important. When we keep trying the same solutions over & over, it leads to the same results. Politicians being social animals often end up hanging out with the people that resemble them. Homelessness & addictions will never be solved when you are comfortable. So lets make the mayor’s chair uncomfortable.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

While people think I only care about homelessness, I want a city that my children can be proud of. We hear too many stories of Winnipeggers moving away because of the atmosphere in the city. I want a safe city where our children can ride the bus, where bus drivers are not afraid of being on the bus. I dream of a city where we have good urban design, which is beautiful and clean. I dream of  a city where all children have access to city services equally. We need a good environment and we need this to be affordable. I dream of city where people from Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto want to move to because it is such a great place to work and grow a family.

 

Are these dreams unrealistic or are they valid. I think most Winnipegger share this vision too, but it is time that we have courage to elect a mayor which will speak and act from the heart for the benefit of all Winnipeggers. I hope you will support this vision for a better city for everyone, in all neighborhoods.

 

Robert Falcon

 

PS, Yes we will also fix the potholes and clear the snow.