COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Sharing the stories of the region

This month’s Report from the Legislature comes at the greatest time of the year for many Manitobans. Winter has now fully set in, allowing us to focus less on fall tasks and more on the Christmas season. For me, it is no different. Last week was the wrap up to fall session of the legislature and the mark of our first full year in this term of government. As I reflect there has been so much to be thankful for throughout this last year and many of the experiences it has given me help to highlight and appreciate the Christmas season. We live in one of the strongest regions of Manitoba with so much to be proud of and thankful for.

Each month I am able to present a private members statement to highlight anything of importance to me of my constituency. For me, I take that time to highlight the great people of La Verendrye and the amazing things that they are doing. Many times, the NDP MLAs use it as a time to bring forward a political message but for me, I find that there are so many great things happening that I would rather show the government and all Manitobans the greatness we have in our corner of the province. Usually, these stories are of people who have contributed to the community by building great businesses, developing valuable organizations, or just the selfless contributions to our communities. I represent people of this province that do not need the government to thrive. This message is something that I showcase through my presentations almost daily. The people of the southeast come together each day to uplift and help each other to build a better community for everyone.

As I reflect on the past year at the legislature and the first year of NDP government I find myself even more grateful to be in a region that has the ability to weather a storm. This past year has laid the groundwork for a government that will be loyal to their political ideology and not those who deserve the help of our government. This approach to provincial leadership has been seen in the past and has accomplished the results that we are beginning to see with this government. I realize that everything takes time, and results aren’t achievable overnight but for a government that had been critical of the previous PC government for nearly eight years, they’ve had plenty of time to have plans set to achieve. The fact of the matter is that they spent their time in opposition building political recognition instead of building a plan to govern. Today it is easy to see where that is taking our province by just looking at three areas of government most recognizable to our daily lives. Highways, education, and healthcare are areas that we see each day or have been convinced that there will be significant improvements in. Unfortunately, all three have seen cuts to services and a decline in efficiency, creating an increased cost of operation without the desired results.

As I reflect on this past year I am thankful to be surrounded by like-minded, progressive but yet generous Manitobans. I am committed to using the successes of our region to showcase and build the plans for our province to move forward for the betterment of everyone. We will work together to hold this government to account for the politically driven decisions that they make. I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will be celebrating the Christmas season this Friday, Dec.13 at the constituency office in Grunthal. For anyone available, I welcome you to come for some great conversations together with Christmas snacks and refreshments. See you Friday at 146 Main Street Grunthal from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.