James Bezan, Conservative Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman

Why do you want this job?

It's been a true honour and privilege for me to have been the MP for this riding the last 11 years. I believe strongly in public service and providing sound representation to the constituents of the riding. And I think I've still got a lot to contribute and there's still a number of issues I feel very passionate about that require my advocacy for the people of this area.

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

What I'm hearing over and over again is the economy. People are very concerned about how we continue to grow and prosper and expand. People want to make sure they're not being overtaxed, they want to be sure that their tax dollars are being used wisely and, ultimately, they want to feel like they're leaving a future for their children and grandchildren.

What would you do with the Senate?

I've always been for reform.I'm disappointed with a few of the senators, but the spring court has made it impossible to abolish the Senate because you'll never have 100 per cent agreement from all the provinces. Already Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada have said they aren't for abolition, and so reform is the only way to go. At the very least I want to see senators elected, and we have to make sure that they're totally transparent and accountable to the expenses they accumulate.

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

You have to continue to go out and raise public awareness and tolerance of all people. We need to ensure that we don't allow any type of hurtful and hateful activities to go on unnoticed. I think the work of Mayor (Brian) Bowman in having the forum he had early this month on how to combat this intolerance was admirable.

I also think the article in question was completely torqued and not a true representation of how the majority of Manitobans and Winnipeggers act and feel about how we're all one people and members of the human race.

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

To introduce the appropriate regulations, to curb unnecessary pollution, including the output of carbon and other greenhouse gases. I think we're on track with doing that right now.

I don't believe carbon pricing is a system that works, and all it does in increase the cost of gasoline and other versions of energy that are derived from petroleum or natural gas. So we have to ensure that the regulatory framework we establish is consistent with our major trading partners and neighbours to make sure we're not sacrificing jobs here in chasing after reductions of carbon emissions.

We should be moving full steam ahead along with the Americans to wind down coal fire electrical generation, which is one the major emitters of dirty carbon in North America and China. That alone would reduce greenhouse gas levels to almost the levels we need to see to correct the track we're on.

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

I admire how Australia elects their senators. I want an elected and accountable Senate and that can't happen until the provinces bring forward other possibilities for reform or abolition.

Under what circumstances is deficit spending a good choice?

I would say deficit spending is only necessary when we are facing major economic downturn, as we did in 2008 and 2009, where the government does have a role in correcting, creating and stimulating the economy. The other time is during a period of war, such as World War II.

Other than that, I believe most programs can be operated within the revenue base of the government, and we should not be racking up unnecessary deficits and building upon our national debt. If we're going to maintain a healthy economy and a currency that has the confidence of our trading partners and if we're going to be able to control inflation, our government has to make sure they're doing everything within their power in the good times to stay within the budget without overburdening the taxpayers.

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

We definitely have to continue to equip our police agencies around the country so they can go out there and arrest those who are perpetrating the crimes in their communities. We also have to make sure the punishments are equal to the crimes being committed. I know that a large part of the downturn in criminal activity in Canada is making sure repeat offenders are spending more time incarcerated than being on our streets and terrorizing our families. It's important we look at it from a multi-jurisdictional level.

What should be done about homegrown terrorism?

We need to continue to work with communities to help us identify those that are being radicalized. We need to ensure that the values we hold so dear as Canadians are the ones being taught. Those out there who are promoting terrorism here in Canada and attracting our youth either at home or abroad need to face the appropriate consequences through our criminal justice system.

There is a huge role to be played by police agencies in outreach and working alongside the communities.

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

I have a lot of friends who are gay, and I can't attend every parade that's out there. I have not attended a gay pride parade before. If I was invited to a parade that was organized in our riding, I would have to consider that request.

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

My wife is a nurse. We live in the world of doctor and nurse shortages.

I find it extremely frustrating that the provincial government has focused all their health care in Manitoba into the city of Winnipeg. They came to power on the promise to end hallway medicine, and what they've done is created highway medicine.

Everybody in rural areas has to drive into Winnipeg or bounce up and down our highways in ambulances to get proper health care, which I think is deplorable. It's more of a provincial issue, but the federal government's responsibility is to oversee the Canada Health Act and ensure there's funding for the provinces to do their jobs.

What would you do to get more people to vote?

I've spent a lot of time reaching out to voters, knocking on a lot of doors. At one time I even supported the dropping of age of majority, so you could start voting at age 16. The reason for that is the only time when our youth are able to get educated about democracy and citizen responsibility is when they're learning about it in world affairs, history or social studies in school.

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

I'm a rural guy, so it's fixing roads. We don't have rapid transit out here. I see the need for cities to ease congestion, but if you drive around out here you see that a lot of roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair. But we've also put together a rapid transit plan and are working with major cities to make sure they get the infrastructure they need too.

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

I do not support the legalization of marijuana, and yes I have tried marijuana when I was a youth.

I see too many people who have become users of marijuana, and that it often leads to harder drugs. We also haven't had full studies done of the health ramifications of using it on a regular basis.And our society already struggles with our legalized drugs, whether it's prescription drugs or alcohol or tobacco.

It's had a huge impact on families that deal with those addictions and a huge impact on the health-care system in this country, and I don't think we should be adding more substances to that list.