Article appeared in the Sept 29, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Forty-six-year-old Steve Lupky comes across as quiet and unassuming sort of man, but he is no stranger to leadership. He has been at the helm of numerous committees, such as the Arborg Seniors Housing Corporation, Community Futures East Interlake, and was the founding chairperson of the Arborg-Bifrost Community Development Corporation (ABCDC) in 1998. As the last chair of the Arborg Hospital Board, he gained a good understanding of healthcare issues.
“I’ve been on a lot of boards and committees, and chaired many of them,” said Lukpy. “My interest has always been on the community development side…I like the idea of capturing opportunities, and taking a vision and seeing something develop from it.”
Lupky attended the University of Manitoba where he earned certificates in management. He also attended the University of Winnipeg were he received a diploma in Human Resource Management, and got additional accreditation through the Canadian Institute of Management.
Lupky became interested in politics in his university years. He was a member of the PC Youth, and in 1983 he took part in the federal PC convention as a delegate. He went on to serve as a councillor for Arborg, from 1992 to 2010.
Lupky was asked by many to run for the PCs in the Interlake riding.
“I figured I’ll step up and give it a try,” he said.”Politics at a provincial level are certainly different. It’s a learning curve…I can only do the best that I can. I can only stand by my record in the region through, both, my work and volunteer work.”
Lupky grew upon a farm between Arborg and Riverton, which was settled 101 years ago. He is now the third generation owner. His great, great, great grandfather was one of the original settlers in Hnausa having arrived with his wife and son in 1876.
Lupky’s primary residence has been in Winnipeg, since Dec. 2010, when he was transferred there for his job with the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation (MPI), but he keeps a presence at the family farm. He has been employed with MPI since he was 20 years old.
“I started as a term clerk and I worked my way up over the years.”
Lupky now holds the position of Injury Management Coordinator. In his position with MPI, he has worked with communities all over the Interlake region.
Lupky, now married with three children, was the only child of immigrant parents. His mother was of Icelandic descent; his father, Ukrainian. At age 10, Lupky’s father died, leaving his mother to fend for herself and her son.
“To be honest, I don’t know how she managed. Most people would not have been able to do so,” said Lupky, whose mother only had a grade 8 education and could not drive a vehicle.
“She was a homemaker, a cook and seamstress…She had a very small pension, a very small life insurance policy and a big garden,” Lupky recounts.
“She was a very proud person. She wasn’t about to ask for help. She still is proud…She’s very determined to stay as independent as possible,” said Lupky.
Today, Lupky’s mother is 88 years old and lives at the Sunrise Lodge in Arborg.
Lupky is committed to seniors’ issues, and advocates for the ‘aging-in-place’ model. He is also concerned about how decisions are currently being made in terms of providing health care in rural communities. He wants to see more frontline care in each community, and wants government to take a closer look at the needs of each community, specifically, rather than utilizing statistics of an entire region as a basis of decision-making.
“I really feel we needed a change in the voice that the Interlake has. I think we need a different voice, or different perspective…We need people who understand the area, who are from the area…Policy is created and set in Winnipeg for areas like the Interlake. It doesn’t fit. There is no one-size-fits-all,” said Lupky.
Lupky feels his strong suits are his years of working in municipal politics and in community development, as well as working with the public through MPI.
“It helps me communicate and (deal) with people’s concerns with patience and understanding. To you, it may be something small. To them, it may be a big issue,” Lupky said.
“If I am elected,” said Lupky, “the first thing I want to do is work with our flood victims. Some of them are still out of their homes. Communication has been a big issue…The flood is the urgent priority,” Lupky said.
