When a current NDP member of parliament suggested now is a good time for a Portage la Prairie woman to put her name in the hat of politics, she jumped at the chance.

Lisa Tessier-Burch says she was approached by her friend Niki Ashton, the MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski. Tessier-Burch is grateful for the support she has received so far.

"The response for me running has been very positive and I want to thank everybody that took time to sign my nomination papers and get me on the ballot," says Tessier-Burch. "I just want to let everyone know that there are options available when it comes to these elections, and voting is so important and having your voice heard. If nothing else, I just really want everyone to come out and vote in this upcoming election."

She says it's important to hear more points of view, and she wants to talk to the people of Portage-Lisgar about their platform.

"Affordable housing is definitely in the forefront of the New Democratic Party platform. Job security, a living wage is very important for Canadians and Manitobans, especially in the Portage-Lisgar riding," says Tessier-Burch. "(We want to be) making sure that everyone has access to appropriate health care, medicines, long term care and elderly care."

Tessier-Burch has lived in Portage since 2008, when she fell in love with the vibrancy of the city. Since that time, she has worked as a French Immersion teacher at Portage Collegiate.