Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff used his first stop in Winnipeg Wednesday night to promise homegrown rapid transit plans for cities, a simpler residential school compensation system and even a better way to cope with elderly Alzheimer’s sufferers like Winnipeg’s Joe McLeod.
Ignatieff was the second leader to set down in Winnipeg so far this campaign. Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Tuesday night, but took no questions during his rally, not even from a room full of supporters.
In a contrast the Liberal leader plays up relentlessly, Ignatieff stood in a Rocky-style boxing ring in the centre of the Franco Manitoban Cultural centre and fielded an hour of questions. They were mostly softballs and there was no real criticism from the 700 Grits gathered, but it was perhaps the first real discussion of issues Winnipeggers have witnessed so far this election.
Ignatieff was quizzed about everything from potholes to genome research and promised action and money for nearly everything.
Asked about urban infrastructure, Ignatieff said affordable housing and rapid transit are his top priorities. He said he’d sit down with every big-city mayor to come up with a local rapid transit plan, and a plan for infrastructure.
"We find out what’s the most important thing we can do to make Winnipeg really hum," said Ignatieff. "And then we do it."
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