Winnipeg Election 2018

Jamie Dumont - Winnipeg - 1

Why did you decide to run in the 2018 (Winnipeg Civic Election / School Board Election)?

I’m a Metis full-time working mom to my school-aged children Amara and Jette, and my wonderful husband Chris Wiste teaches Grade 6 at Ecole J.B. Mitchell School.  Our family has lived in River Heights for 15 years and my kids go to public school in our neighbourhood.  I’m proud to count many teachers and educators among by family, friends, and neighbours and they have encouraged me to run for school trustee this election.

I believe all children should have a positive school experience where they are supported by teachers, staff, and their community.  I love that my kids look forward to going to school every day and can get a French education so that they can speak to their grandparents in their first language.  I want to stand up for public education, create a positive school experience for everyone, and build a stronger school community so that all our children to have access to those same opportunities.

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

I have a deep commitment to serving our community and I’ve spent my career working in the public sector.  I’ve held senior roles in project management, budget supervision, policy development, and stakeholder relations and negotiations.  I’m currently a Human Resources professional with a major Crown corporation and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Health Clinic and the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce.  I previously served on the boards of Sir John Franklin Community Centre and Corydon Community Centre. My experience has prepared me for the important decisions school trustees have to make about our children’s education. I am ready to get to work to help make Winnipeg School Division a better place for all our children.

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?

We need to put our children’s education first and reflect the priorities of parents and teachers when setting school policies and budgets so that our classrooms are equipped to deliver a high-quality education.  This means supporting our teachers in the classroom and promoting programming for better outcomes in reading, writing, and math, along with music, art, and physical education.  If elected, I will advocate for strong, stable funding for public schools from the provincial government to reduce our reliance on property taxes. And I will fight to provide teachers and schools with the resources they need to give our children the best education possible.

As a trustee, I will support progressive policies that will help our students learn and grow in a safe, enriching, and greenenvironment.  I will keep building a school division where all students can thrive regardless of different learning styles, gender identity, economic status, cultural background, or physical and mental abilities.  I will also work to advance reconciliation by making school a safe place for Indigenous children and their peers to discuss and understand Canada’s history and to shape its future. By working together, we can build better schools that work for all our children.

What is something that you appreciate about the (City of Winnipeg / the ward / the school ward or school division) you wish to represent?

I love the diversity of our both our community and our school division.  We have a real sense of community in Ward 1, and our families are engaged and welcoming, whether it’s at a school event, at our community centres, or places of worship.  My children go to school with kids whose families have lived in the neighbourhood for generations, as well as with kids whose families have just arrived in Canada.  There are so many different backgrounds and experiences to celebrate and learn from.  Growing up in a community with so much diversity will empower kids as they progress through school, post-secondary education, and foster greater success in the workplace.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

Over the past months I’ve been knocking on doors and meeting with members of our community.  I’ve talked to many people who care deeply about our public schools and want to make sure that our classroom teachers have the resources they need to give our children the best education possible.

I believe I have the background and experience to hit the ground running at the Winnipeg School Board so that we can achieve our vision to make our schools the best they can be,  If elected, my priority will be the education and well-being of the students in Winnipeg School Division and I will work to maintain strong community connections as the representative for Ward 1 families.