Lawrence Toet, Conservative Elmwood-Transcona

Why do you want this job?

I think it's important that our community continues to be represented by someone that is going to work hard for the community and getting the support that it needs to get, federally especially. For too long we were the forgotten community as far as federal support, and I just want to make sure that is not the case.

What's the biggest issue for the country and in your riding?

It comes down to economics for everybody, I think. There are other issues, but people are concerned with their economic situation either personally or corporately as a country.

What would you do with the Senate?

The Senate has to go through a major reformation, and if that can't be done, we'll have to look at whether it should even continue to exist.

Winnipeg was described as the most racist city in Canada. What would you do to combat racism?

We need to have dialogue and better understanding. I've participated in the past three years with the CEO Sleepout, and those are things that really help you to bring awareness. A lot of it is awareness and speaking with each other and respectful dialogue.

What role should the federal government play in dealing with climate change?

We obviously have a role to play and we will continue to play that role of making sure that we are doing our best to reduce CO2 emissions, but that can be done at the same time as making sure our economy is protected.

If there was one government policy you think is done better in another country, what is it?

Bringing innovation to the marketplace and supporting that work. I think we are going in the right direction with that but we've got to keep working on that.

Under what circumstances is deficit spending a good choice?

I think it's got to be an absolute last resort. I don't believe there's really a circumstance that it is a good choice. I have a grandson now, and I see him and I say, "Who are we to put a burden on them further down the road?"I'm not a big fan of deficit spending period.

What do you believe is the single most effective way to fight crime?

I think it has to be a multi-pronged approach. There are those that are at risk, and you've got to work with those young people especially and try to help them choose the right path in their life. But those who are caught up in that way and don't want to change, you've got to also deal with them on a different level. So I don't think there is one single solution.

What should be done about homegrown terrorism?

We have to work with those communities and with individuals, and we have to really stop the radicalization as soon as possible. It has to be approached on the home front in that regard.

If there was a gay pride parade in your riding, would you go? Why or why not?

I think everybody has to look at that on a personal basis, and I'm not going to get into a hypothetical. Hypotheticals are things that you deal with when you get to them. You don't deal with them hypothetically.

Have either you or your family had a frustrating experience with the health-care system, and what would you do to fix the problem?

I can't say I have personally, but I do think we have to have a close look at our health-care system and really change it to a health-care system from a sick care system. We've got to be trying to work to create a healthier society rather than a society that is relying on care when they get sick.

What would you do to get more people to vote?

One of the key things is that I try to engage young people. I do a lot of work with schools, and I don't really care which way they vote but just to be part of the process and explain to them why it's important. It's a lot of the educational aspect and making people understand that you have a voice and you can express that.

What's a better use of federal dollars: fixing roads or building rapid transit infrastructure?

I was on transport committee, and there is no simple answer on that, because every community has different needs. We live in a huge country with very unique needs in different areas of the country. A small community in northern Manitoba has extremely different needs than the city of Winnipeg.

Would you support legalizing a small amount of marijuana? Have you ever tried it?

No I wouldn't support legalization. It's a drug that's shown to have a very negative effect mentally for our young people, and I think we should continue to look at it in that light, and we need to look at how we deal with it maybe differently, but legalization sends very much the wrong message to our young people and especially our young children.