Jennifer and Lance Spencer live in a quiet, tree-lined, family neighbourhood in Winnipeg. He is a salesman, she is an emergency room nursing manager. They’ve just had their first child, Liam. Candidates in Winnipeg South are NDPer Sean Robert; Green David Cosby; Conservative Rod Bruinooge; Liberal John Loewen; and Heidi Loewen-Steffano, of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada.

Q: How would you describe your political involvement?

Jennifer: I read the newspaper daily... have been involved with policitical party in the past.. not actively right now... lance no involvment, occasional newspaper reading.. both always vote

Q: : What is exciting to you about this federal campaign?

Jennifer: I wouldn't call this election very exciting at all. Although the vandalism in Ontario is absolutely appalling.

Q: Does anything about this campaign make you scared or uneasy?

Jennifer: see above, unbelievable.

Q: Which campaign promises resonates with you, and why?

Jennifer: It doesn't seem that the Conservatives have anything to say. I’m not very familiar with Liberal's Green Shift or carbon tax, but I think that it is noble in principal. The NDP talks about hiring more nurses and doctors. It seems like they have missed the boat there. That is not the problem - it is training them, opening up spots and keeping them here. I would say the economy, healthcare and the environment are hotspots.. also daycare as I anticipate problems with that when I return to work.

Q: What issues that are important to your family are getting missed or underplayed by the parties?

Jennifer: It’s difficult getting and keeping family doctors. We had one that died suddenly, then got another who moved and didn't inform her patients that she was moving. Now it’s hard to find someone.

Q: What do you think of the Liberal `Green Shift`?

Jennifer: I need more info on the green shift. I haven't had time to read about it and haven't really heard any details about it. There should be more info easily available out there. It’s also too bad the economy is eclipsing the enivornment.

Q: What do you think of the Conservative plan to get tough on crime?

Jennifer: Again... no details.. all rhetoric...

Q: What do you think of the NDPs promise of a universal, affordable, accessible childcare system?

Jennifer: It sounds great, but it won't happen anytime soon.

Q: Stéphane Dion and Steven Harper are sparing over who the better leader is. How important to you is electing someone with a charismatic leadership style?

Jennifer: It certainly helps the cause, but in reality neither of them are very charismatic.

Q: What do you think Canada’s role should be in Afghanistan?

Jennifer: Capacity building, support, help with restructing. I’m not happy with Harper’s comment about a deadline to pull out. Rebuilding the capacity of this country will take years. I am proud that we are able to assist the Afghan people to achieve this.

Q: What would make Canada’s federal electoral process better, or is it okay the way it is?

Jennifer: I think that the elections are too close together and cost money that could have been spent better elsewhere. Iit limits the govenmen’s ability to follow through on plans, and it takes time to understand and get used to the job, flow, etc… Just as you begin to effect change the government is paralyzed by an election which halts the progress.

Q: This fall, would you rather be voting for Canada’s politicians, or the Americans'?

Jennifer: The Americans is certainly more intersting - vibrant, colourful and lots of media coverage. Which makes you much more aware of the candidates and platforms. But there, you also runs the risk of voting for the person not the princples. It’s like a popularity contest. I am happy to be Canadian and wouldn't change that for the world. However, I think we have too many political parties. It’s to hard and time consuming to research them all.