'Bannock Lady' Althea Guiboche to run for Liberals in Winnipeg

Althea Guiboche, better known as Winnipeg's Bannock Lady, will carry the Liberal Party banner as a candidate in next spring's provincial election.

Guiboche will run in the Point Douglas riding, even though the Liberals already had a candidate in place there.

Noel Bernier, who was the candidate, will now run in the St. Johns riding instead, the party said.

"Althea Guiboche is one of Manitoba's most significant and celebrated activists," said Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari, who named off some of the honours Guiboche has been given, including a Manitoba Hero award in 2014 and a Human Rights Commitment Award in 2014.

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Spurred by homelessness and poverty in the city, Guiboche has been handing out bannock and soup to down-on-their-luck people on the street since 2013.

"I am completely dedicated to fighting for a better life for those who have been left behind by this government," she said. "I will never stop fighting to improve the lives of all Manitobans affected by these issues.

"I am a proud resident of the Point Douglas neighbourhood and look forward to the opportunity to be a driving force for meaningful change in the North End."

Point Douglas is currently represented by the NDP's Kevin Chief, who is Manitoba's Minister of Jobs and the Economy.