Home – Vote Michael Thompson

Post Election Comments & Thank You

October 29, 2022 Michael Thompson

Hello everyone,

Congratulations to the Rollins team for their election victory. The ward/voters have spoken and made their choice clear. I respect our democracy and the outcome.

It has been an amazing campaign. A lot of the issues from 2018 continued to resurface here in this 2022 election and current issues. It was my honour to run on your behalf to try to address those issues.

Thank you to everyone who voted for me, you heard my message, share my vision, and hopes to improve the ward. Everyone comments post-election reflect our disappointment in the outcome, but I am grateful for your support. I very much appreciate people trust in voting for me. The ward is the best ward in the city and a truly diverse ward. You can never take that for granted and I do not regret running.

To my campaign team, they were amazing. It is asking a lot of people to put their busy lives on hold and help on an election campaign. You received a flyer because it was hand delivered or got information about the campaign because they worked so hard.

To my campaign manager Shelley Ireland, you are a rock and intelligent woman. I have always respected your gift for seeing things and connecting with people. Without you, I do not believe I would have run.

To my family, it seems strange that a family member wants to help his community in this way since I never grew up saying I want to be an elected official. Our grandmother was active back in the day with Bill Norrie. My father was an active member of our town in the past. And my mom has a love for the city I share. For me, the natural path to addressing issues is through efforts in our democracy. I hope that others in the future will consider running to address the mistakes and challenges we face. Thank you to my family members in helping on the campaign.

To my partner & son who I asked the most of. To potentially have their lives viewed by public office, time taken for campaigning and being involved in the process. Your energy, faith and humor helped me going and was fortunate to have you in my life. Thank you for believing in us.

Thank you again for believing in me and for voting for me. The media is focused on the turnout, but I focus on the fact that people who did vote showed their independence. I was that independent. We made the other side step up and work for your vote. And for me that is a win.

Lives in the ward, loves the ward.

All the best,

Michael Thompson

Public Transit

September 24, 2022October 2, 2022 Michael Thompson

Moving safely in the city is key to a successful city. Public transit and handi-transit are valuable and important to everyone. This is one of the larger issues that many people have asked me about. I understand how important this is because I use transit from time to time to get to work.

Improved routes for the ward
Safety on the buses and bus shacks
Cost of travelling
Protecting consumers from poor handi-transit actors

On average, the city and province cover a deficit of an estimated $70 million each year. How our city chooses to spend these funds is important. It is clear that we can do a much better job in using our resources, providing transit drivers with more support and improving routes.

Currently the city allows children age 11 and under to ride for free as of January 1, 2022.

Children 11 and Under Ride Free (winnipegtransit.com)

Goals:

Larger transit budget for driving hours
More washrooms for transit drivers
Address the policies for fare evaders
Review LRT options, learning lessons from Ottawa
Improved consumer protections for Handi-Transit riders
One month in 2023 where all riders can ride for $1 loonie.

With your support and vote, your public transit systems can be improved. Please let your neighbours know that I live in the ward and I will work for the ward.

Our City, My Community

July 17, 2018October 2, 2022 Michael Thompson

Hello,

The other day when campaigning, I was asked where I have lived within the city. I am fortunate to say that I have lived in a variety of locations within Winnipeg since moving here in 1986. We currently live in a side by side in Osborne Village. I feel fortunate that I found a great place, that I have renovated and updated over the past 9 years.

While I was born in Winnipeg, I was lucky enough to be raised in the town of Amaranth. Those were special days – lots of time spent with extended family and a strong sense of community.

When it was time for high school, my parents wanted me to attend a Catholic school in Winnipeg. During this time I lived with my cousins in East Kildonan and traveled back and forth from Amaranth to Winnipeg every weekend via Greyhound. My cousins moved to a bigger home in Transcona and I therefore got to know route 47 quite well.

After my parents separated I then lived in South St. Vital and got to know route 14 St. Mary’s and Dakota very well.

After I graduated from high school and established a steady job in 1992, I was fortunate to live in an apartment on Wellington crescent. Folks ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh” about the address but I was excited just to be out on my own. Walking and biking to work and busing to university, I also got to know route 60.

Over the next several years I lived in various apartments located within West Broadway and Osborne Village, my favourite being on Roslyn Road.

I became a home owner in 2002 and moved into my first home in Wolseley on Fawcett. I have since moved on to my current home on Wardlaw. I have done several updates and renovations as I believe in taking care of my home and investing in the future.

Coming from Amaranth, I started with no preconceived notions of which part of Winnipeg was the best. Each part of the city has its own character. Over time I have grown to love the community of Fort Rouge. It has amazing diversity, energy and potential. When I used to rickshaw, working the Corydon street festival was a highlight of the summer. But that’s a post for another day.

Where have you lived in Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry?