Carrie Hiebert will not have as steep of a learning curve as most new MLAs would face when she steps into the role representing the Morden-Winkler riding.
Having earned nearly 74 per cent of the vote in last week’s provincial election, Hiebert comes with the experience of having worked for both former MLA Cameron Friesen and former MP Candice Bergen as well as having served on Conservative boards provincially and federally.
“I have been involved behind the scenes for years in government. I know a lot about how it all works,” said Hiebert, who, with 5,648 votes, finished ahead of NDP candidate Ken Friesen, who earned 1,679 votes, or about 25 per cent. Liberal candidate Mattison Froese received 265 votes. Voter turnout was 47 per cent.
“I am very humbled and honoured, and the community has really been behind me and that my family has been behind me,” Hiebert said. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to represent Morden and Winkler, and I have been blown away by the encouragement that I have received here. The whole community has been amazing.”
While she is disappointed that the Progressive Conservative party lost to the NDP, Hiebert sees a great opportunity still in serving as the Official Opposition in the Manitoba Legislature.
“I think it’s obviously not what we were hoping for … but now that we have a new government, my goal is to continually work for the community and advocate for the community, and I believe as long as we all work together, I think that will be the best way for us to have a prosperous province … we will all need to work together.
“It definitely wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but I believe that we can keep moving forward,” she said. “Our area is blessed, and we have such wonderful communities. I’m going to continue to work hard and advocate.”
The Opposition plays a vital role, she noted.
“It will be my job to help keep the government accountable. That’s what the Opposition does, and it’s a very important part of how our system of government works.”
Hiebert also sees a good opportunity for renewal in the party with leader Heather Stefanson having announced she will be stepping away from that role.
“We’re going to be in a new place of growth, and we’ll have someone coming into the leadership position in the party, and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen. There’s nothing but going up from here,” Hiebert said. “We can roll with it and just keep moving forward.”
Hiebert is anxious to get to work as the Morden-Winkler MLA.
“I am extremely lucky to have this area … I believe it’s a real blessing,” she said. “I have been able to be involved in the communities so much … it feels like I know so many people, and that has been such a blessing to me. I think one of the big pluses for our area, being such a dense population, there’s a lot of amazing things happening in our communities.
“I want to continue to work on health care and bringing in more doctors and work on our education and affordability for families. Those are all such high priorities for me.”
