COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Manitobans are looking for strong leadership

2025 is under way and it’s a year that began with uncertainty because of the threat of a 25 percent tariff imposed on all Canadian goods and services destined for the United States. Manitobans are looking for strong leadership to defend our interests and work with the Americans. As the official opposition, our party’s priority is to restore a mutually-beneficial trade relationship for Canada and the U.S., while knocking down barriers to growth and opportunity for Manitobans. It will be a devastating blow to Canada’s and Manitoba’s economy.

The initial response to this damaging scenario is sadly what Manitobans have come to expect from the Kinew Government: No plan. Only a half-baked response. In reaction to this potentially disastrous economic threat, Premier Wab Kinew travelled to Emerson in January to announce that fewer than a dozen Manitoba conservation officers would begin patrolling the border on the lookout for illegal activity. Already over-worked conservation officers are being asked to take on more responsibilities with no additional officers having been hired and no additional training provided. The patrols near the border will just be added to their list of duties. Which begs the question; who will be patrolling their normally assigned regions looking for poachers and enforcing our conservation laws? No one. This isn’t a plan. It’s a recipe for disaster.

On Feb. 1 Manitobans were hit with the news of devastating new tariffs that threaten jobs, families, and communities across the province, yet the premier has spent the last few months offering no details on how he plans to guide our province through the recession crisis he warned was coming. Premier Kinew’s weekend MLCC announcement could have been made weeks ago, and his plan is still missing too many details. Manitobans are worried about their jobs, their families, and their communities. The NDP government must release the full details of Manitoba’s response plan today so we can be certain our province is prepared for the consequences of this unjustified trade war.

With over 63,000 Manitoba jobs and almost 1,800 companies tied directly to export trade with the U.S., the new tariffs are a direct hit on Manitoba’s largest industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and the life sciences. Adding to the challenge is a slowing economy and again, no plan to stop Manitoba’s runaway unemployment which saw an increase of 50 percent during 2024. The NDP’s failure to deliver an economic plan is driving Manitoba into decline and working families are paying the price. With President Trump’s imposed tariffs, Manitoba is unprepared to withstand the fallout. This government’s inaction has put thousands of jobs at risk. Mining giant Vale’s potential exit from northern Manitoba is the latest sign of growing economic uncertainty under the Kinew NDP, with rising unemployment, a ballooning deficit, and a collapse in private investment putting livelihoods in jeopardy.

Throughout January, PC MLAs pressed the NDP for details of Manitoba’s response to the proposed tariffs, but received no clear answers. The opposition is renewing its call for the immediate creation of an all-party committee to ensure that the interests of every region of Manitoba are represented in addressing the impact of these new tariffs. The opposition is also calling for increased public communication and regular updates on government actions with businesses, stakeholders, and Manitobans at large.

I encourage my constituents and all Manitobans to look up your local business and tourism directories, as well as local chambers of commerce and industry associations, to discover more Manitoba businesses you can support. Our local businesses need our support more than ever.

February, is I Love to Read month and I look forward to the opportunity to read to the students in our schools throughout the Lac du Bonnet constituency.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at wayne@wayneewasko.com, or call me at 204-268-3282. Also, you can follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @wayneewaskomla and friend me on Facebook.