The 2023 Manitoba general election is scheduled for Oct. 3 to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
The incumbent Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba will attempt to win a third term in government, having won the 2016 and 2019 elections.
Lauren Stone is the PC Candidate for Midland. Stone lives in La Salle with her husband, Matt, and two children.
For 15 years, Stone worked in the agri-food and manufacturing sectors, advancing economic opportunities for industries in Manitoba. She worked at the Manitoba Beef Producers, Cargill, and for six years, has been running her own consulting company focused on business development.
Stone is running for elected office for the future of our children.
“I want the next generation to grow up in a province where we foster success,” said Stone. “I want to advance job opportunities and strengthen our small communities so that our youth choose to stay in Manitoba to live, work, and raise their own families. I care deeply about our rural communities, and I recognize the vital importance they have on our province. As your voice for Midland – I want to share our story and make us even stronger.”
Stone notes that southern Manitoba has immense economic potential as our agricultural and manufacturing hubs are a driving force behind the province’s exports and GDP.
“If elected, prioritizing our communities is a key component to attracting and retaining the services that all Manitobans rely on,” said Stone. “First and foremost, I will stand up for families by helping make life more affordable. I will work to eliminate the education property tax levy and the payroll tax that hurts our small businesses. Secondly, in order for our communities to thrive, I want to ensure we prioritize investment in our PTH and PR roads and make key investments in water infrastructure, such as the Treherne Dam. With my energy, passion, and strong business background, I will be a fresh voice and a champion for issues like these for our constituency at the Manitoba Legislature.”
Farming, education, health care, tourism, and business are five key topics in the Midland riding. Here is what Stone would like to accomplish if elected over the next term cycle if elected.
“As your PC MLA, I will fight to fully eliminate the education property tax levy that unfairly impacts farmers. The PC Government has already made significant strides in providing a 50% rebate this year. I will stand up against the NDP-Liberal coalition carbon tax that contributes to higher cost of fuel, inputs, and agricultural equipment, ultimately impacting the cost of business and the cost of living.”
“Schools and parents must work in partnership, and as your MLA, I will advocate to enhance parental rights in the Public Schools Act. This will help to ensure that parents play the role that they should in raising their children. I will be a strong voice to ensure that schools in Midland have the funding and resources they need to provide our children with the fundamentals they need to succeed into the future.”
“I am committed to advocating for availability, quality, and reliability of care for people closer to home. I will advocate for the expansion of the Home and Community Care Pilot that was announced by the PC Government earlier this year, so that more of our seniors can remain in their home and their communities. In addition, as part of the PC Government’s $400 Million human health resources plan, I will advocate to attract physicians and healthcare workers to our rural clinics and hospitals so they can provide the care and services closer to home.”
“Midland has many hidden gems. From historical venues like the Miami Rail Station Museum, to the expansive areas of wilderness and provincial parks we enjoy, such as Stephenfield. All these attractions drive eco-tourism and tourists alike to our region. We have already seen significant growth in the number of people who come to our province. As your MLA, I want to ensure that we are promoting our province, but also creating an economic environment where tourist-based businesses are not just surviving but thriving.”
“I am committed to making our province more tax competitive with other jurisdictions by advocating to eliminate the payroll tax. The payroll tax is a punitive tax policy that hurts our small and medium-size businesses and penalizes growth and investment in our region. A pro-investment province is critical to growing our economy and retaining the services that we all rely on.”
