St. Boniface-St. Vital district ‘more in play’ this election

A seat is open for the taking in St. Boniface-St. Vital in the upcoming federal election. Jeff Keele dives into the riding’s electoral past and present.

People living in the St. Boniface-St. Vital riding will have a new MP after election day, and history shows it could come down to two candidates.

Liberal MP Dan Vandal is not running again, so the party has nominated Ginette Lavack.

“I want to continue to fight for diversity, for equality, for inclusion,” said Lavack.

Lavack is no stranger to the community. She is the former director of the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain and, before that, was in charge of Festival du Voyageur.

“I’ve put myself out there, I’ve been involved, I’ve given my time, myself to the community, and I’m certainly feeling it and hearing it when I go out on the streets to some extent.”

The riding went Conservative in the not-so-distant past. Prior to Vandal, Shelley Glover held it under Stephen Harper.

For the second time, Shola Agboola, a correctional officer, is carrying the banner for the Conservatives.

Abgoola’s campaign said he was not doing interviews, at least not at this point, but did send CTV News a written statement to questions. The statement says he is running to give back to his community.

“I am confident that I can win this seat for the CPC because the time for change has never been more urgent,” the statement reads. “Canadians are struggling under the weight of rising costs, from groceries to housing, and they are looking for real solutions.”

Chris Adams, an adjunct professor of political studies at the U of M, said the Conservatives have a shot.

“Not having an incumbent does make the riding more in play,” said Adams.

But he notes what happens on the national stage could impact the results in St. Boniface-St. Vital.

Currently pollsters have Liberal Leader Mark Carney ahead.

“It might be 2015 all over again, that is much of the city goes Liberal red, including St. Boniface.” Said Adams

Thomas Linner has been declared for the NDP in the riding.

“Look we all know that this is an uphill battle for the NDP in this riding, but I’m willing to take that battle on,” said Linner.

Linner is the Executive Director of the Occupational Health Centre and is the former provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition.

St. Boniface Hospital is in the riding.

“With some of the fractures we’re seeing in public health-care and our social safety net, I’m a strong and compassionate voice for those issues.”