Residents focused on flood not election

The federal election is the last thing many Manitobans want or need with a major flood looming.

While residents work to save their homes, candidates will have to work twice as hard to get the vote.

"It’s supposed to be almost as bad," said Ron Reinsch, recalling the flood of the century.

In 1997, Reinsch rushed to save his Kildonan Drive home from rising flood waters.

He’s expecting to do it all over again at the same time as the Federal Election.

"The rural vote could be more affected by the water than the city vote," said Reinsch.

Communities south of Winnipeg will likely be cut off by flood waters and residents will use boats to get around.

"I don’t think I’d take a boat to vote, I don’t know maybe they’ll have boating stations," joked Winnipegger Tanyss Duguay.

A crest is expected at the end of April with election day on May 2nd, however residents living along the river say that’s the last thing they’re worrying about.

"People aren’t going to be, I got to get out and vote and make a difference because I don’t know that there will be a difference," said Duguay. "So if it was my home under pressure I don’t think I would make it a priority either."

"I think it’s not timely," said Keith Hall. "People’s minds are going to be on the flood."

Candidates in Elmwood-Transcona aren’t worried.

"It could have been worse," said NDP Candidate Jim Maloway. "It could have been the middle of winter, November, December."

"We’ve dealt with floods before in the province and I’m sure we’ll be ready to fight this one as well," said first time Liberal Candidate Ilona Niemczyk. "In terms of an election people don’t take that for granted, it’s a privilege to be able to vote."

The Conservative Party and the Green Party have yet to nominate a candidate for the Elmwood-Transcona riding. When they do, political experts say all party hopefuls will have to work twice as hard to get that vote.

However residents say they’ll focus on what comes first.