Winnipeg Election 2018

Marcel Boille - St. Boniface

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

One of my main reasons for run was to make St.Boniface a great place for my grandchildren to live.They are my Joie de Vivre. St. Boniface is a unique city from  which my family roots originate at 279 Provencher, a house built by my great grandfather and still standing today. The identity of St.Boniface is being desecrated and a new identity is being pushed on us. Residents views are being completely ignored and our current councilor rubber stamps everything the city of Winnipeg wants. This is why hundreds of people begged me to run because they are tired of not having their voice heard St.Boniface residents do not want high density infill housing to satisfy Winnipegs thirst for maximum tax dollars. We pay enough taxes to pay for our services we don’t want to subsidize others. Winnipeg does not have a revenue problem , it has a major spending problem. Our councilor boasts that he spent 10 million on Tache, 8 million which was for a sidewalk to nowhere, but we can’t find 160,000.00 to replace ice plant at Notre Dame arena, or repair the Norwood pool. Councillor’s priorities are all mixed up. Time for change, is what I hear.

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

My experience is dedication, and sweat equity.  25 years ago I battled the provincial government who had allowed the only daycare in central St. Boniface to relocate to Windsor part leaving us without a day care for the before school and after school program. At the time I was told that there was no way I would succeed, but I am stubborn and like a badger… once I start something come hell or high water i will never give up and will see it through the end. I proved them wrong and I successfully founded with my good friend Paul  St.Boniface Children’s Place d’Enfants which is still in operation today. I have also served on the board of directors of the Notre Dame Rec center. I have faced many challenges in life and have never left a challenge beat me. There is no quit in my vocabulary

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?

Winnipeg is chasing thousands of taxpayers away every year because we are overtaxed and get little services for these high taxes. Crime is so high that home invasions, and most property crimes are no longer even being investigated and people no longer report them, as it is a waste of time. Traffic enforcement however is going threw the roof. So we have our priorities wrong. We pay for police to serve and protect but get no protection. Safe streets and neighborhoods has to be a priority I want to see prevention instead of collection. I want to see an end to wasteful projects like rapid transit, opening of Portage & Main, a side walk to nowhere, and corporate welfare, and for those monies to be spent on worthwhile projects like community swimming pools, skating rinks, subsidized transit for all seniors, students and children under 18. Recreation is the key for health and to keep children away from crime. I would like to see hydro electric buses rather than electric/battery ones. I would also take charge of making Winnipeg the first city in Canada that has 100% recycling with a made in Manitoba solution.

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

What I appreciate about St.Boniface is that it is where my roots began. St. Boniface is rich in history and in my opinion should be the crown jewel of Winnipeg. St.Boniface has many first. St.Boniface was the first parish in Western Canada. St. Boniface had the first hospital  and   the first college in Western Canada. The list of what St.Boniface has been and has is endless. St.Boniface was always a unique city, where family was what life was all about. Louis Riel was born hear, and is buried here. Many people spent their entire life nurturing St.Boniface to make it the great place our ancestors wanted for us. How can anyone say that they are proud to be a resident of St.Boniface and at the same time allow his city to be desecrated in the mane of money. Pride is standing up to the bully and working hard to preserve what your people worked hard to earn. That is what I want to represent for St.Boniface. No more pushing us around. Time to take back our city.I am proud of my French heritage. I have no blood line to Louis Riel, but am sure he would agree with me

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

I am just a regular humble man. I have spent my life in the trenches, everything I have or own I have earned through a lot of sweat equity. I am not rich but I have 5 wonderful grandchildren and as such they make me the richest man in the world. I live for them, and their future. I If the people of St.Boniface put their trust in me, my only promise to you is that I will work for you. you will not be working for me. Listening to you and accountability are my no 1 campaign promise.  I also promise that I will not be spending your hard earned tax dollars on useless project to leave a physical legacy for myself. The only legacy I want to leave behind is knowing that I will leave this beautiful city of St.Boniface for my grand children in a better condition than I took it. I need nothing else