St. Boniface ward city council hopefuls

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This article was published 29/09/2022 (819 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. BONIFACE

Three candidates have been nominated for city councillor in the St. Boniface ward: Matt Allard (the incumbent), Nicholas Douklias and Marcel Boille.

Matt Allard (incumbent)

First elected in 2014, incumbent candidate Matt Allard said his goal is to build the kind of city in which his children would want to live.

The 40-year-old, fifth-generation, French-speaking St. Boniface resident said that, if he is re-elected, he will continue to vote in favour of policies that focus on environmental sustainability, transit, safety and homelessness.

“What really got me excited in my first term was that I found this concept that cities have the tools, not only to make us more environmentally friendly but to also make us prosperous as a people,” Allard said, adding that he has a razor-sharp vision of what the city can do to reduce its impact on climate.

Allard said environmentalism underpins his work at city hall. He would like to see the city’s tax base expanded and more choices for all road users.

Fighting homelessness is another issue Allard said he’ll prioritize. Allard plans to take aim at the root causes of homelessness and addiction by continuing to work with community outreach groups, such as St. Boniface Street Links.

“On safety, I really think that’s the direction we need to go in so we can have a safer city,” he said. “I think people have seen over the last few years a drug and addiction crisis … We really need to get the resources to address those issues.”

For more information, visit www.mattallard.ca

Nicholas Douklias

City council candidate Nicholas Douklias hopes to mend the disconnect between city council and hyperlocal community issues.

“I want to restore confidence and be an advocate for the St. Boniface ward,” Douklias said.

The 44-year-old restaurant owner and polyglot has a strong connection to his Franco-Manitoban and Greek heritage.

Douklias has volunteered for and continues to support organizations including Société de la francophonie manitobiane, Entreprises Riel and the Norwood Business Improvement Zone.

Douklias’ platform targets crime, food security and the environment.

“We are experiencing an increase in property crime and the community is noticing that nothing is being done about it,” Douklias said. “I want to be accessible and present in the community.”

Douklias hopes to tackle crime by working with the Winnipeg Police Service and community groups, the Norwood Citizens on Patrol program being a successful example one such a group.

The subject of food security is dear to Douklias’ heart as a restaurateur. He wants to see improved school meal programs and more community gardens throughout the ward.

“I don’t think I’ll solve hunger in Winnipeg, but I’d really like to tackle the issue,” Douklias said.

As for the environment, Douklias wants better access to compost programs for his ward.

“We have to take care of the planet because no one else will,” he said.

For more information, go to www.nicholasdouklias.ca

Marcel Boille

Marcel Boille did not respond to requests for an interview.

The 70-year-old realtor ran in the 2018 election and does have an election page on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Boilleforcouncillor/