Newspaper publisher seeks PC nomination

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Published on Monday, March 30, 2015

By Sheila Runions and Jessie Bell

Greg Nesbitt of Shoal Lake, candidate for nomination in the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba’s Riding Mountain Constituency, met approximately 25 people at a coffee party  Monday afternoon. Tempo Place Emporium’s restaurant begins its business at 5 p.m. but on March 23 they opened at 2 p.m., giving Nesbitt two hours to chat with those who came to learn about him. He has 38 years experience in rural communication as owner and publisher of Nesbitt Publishing Ltd., a career he started 18 months after graduation. Just over one year ago, he became president of Grasslands News Group which publishes three newspapers in eastern Saskatchewan. He is also partner/president of Russell Inns Ltd. which is a majority shareholder of Asessippi Ski Area and Resort. Nesbitt has served on both provincial and national newspaper association boards, village council, fire department and airport committee. He’s also coached both minor and senior hockey and fastball.

Nesbitt’s work in newspapers piqued his interest in Manitoba politics  and he now feels the time is right to become involved. He believes Manitobans deserve a government that is fiscally responsible and that government is no different than a household, farm or businesses —it should not spend beyond its means. During a short speech he stressed that economic development is critical to Manitoba’s future. 

“Many of our young people have moved west for jobs. I believe those people would come back to our rural communities if there were jobs or opportunities available for them. Too many Manitoban’s feel overtaxed, over-regulated and at times, feel discouraged. This has to change.”

As an example, he noted the shortage of personal care facilities whereby patients have to be transferred out of their home areas to other towns. He then mentioned his commitment to maintaining quality health care, education and recreational opportunities for rural residents. Following his short speech he was questioned about water drainage, how to eliminate the provincial debt, Bi-pole III, agriculture and government red tape. 

The crowd included people from Oak River, Rapid City and Neepawa, which is outside the constituency. The Neepawa people were Ken and Christine Waddell, owners of this newspaper; Ken spoke very briefly and offered his endorsement for his fellow newspaper publisher. 

A nomination meeting to determine who will be elected to represent the PC party in this constituency will be held in Strathclair. At that time, those who are PC members can vote for either Nesbitt, Rob Gillan of Onanole or Duane Klimack from Silverton. The poll will be open on Saturday, April 25 at Strathclair Arena from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In order to vote, one must have paid the PC membership by April 9. To purchase a membership, you may contact Hall Sveistrup at 204-328-7876 or Dick Heapy at 204-566-2294.

“If I am selected as the PC candidate and then the MLA, I will be visible in the community and will listen to the concerns of the area. I feel that as an MLA you need to listen to the grassroots people — they are the eyes and ears of the constituency.”

Riding Mountain is an odd-shaped area (not square) which stretches from the Saskatchewan border to east of Minnedosa. It is farther north than Clear Lake and Inglis, but not to Dauphin. Half the area reaches slightly south of Birtle while the other half goes farther south than Bradwardine