View From the Legislature

Recently I was asked by a reporter how I felt the communities that I represent have changed as a result of the global pandemic. That is a difficult question to answer. On the surface, it would be easy to look at the difficulties that are very public and obvious. We know that there have been struggles for individuals and for businesses through disruption and restrictions. I know both as a parent and the former Minister of Education that there has been significant change for those attending schools both in their schedules and the protocols that have been put in place by public health within the school system.

Those are among the changes that are the most evident and apparent because we see or live them daily. And they are the changes that we all look forward to ending soon. There are some changes in society as a whole that are likely to continue, including the increased use of technology. While there was already, long before the pandemic, an increase in virtual meetings and conferences, undoubtedly that trend has been accelerated over the past year. And while there will always be great value in meeting personally for meetings and conferences, there are also many things that can be dealt with more quickly and with less expense utilizing now familiar technology.

But what the question was really about, was how the pandemic has changed the nature or values of communities. An impossible question to answer. But it is worth noting that communities, like individuals, have faced challenges. In Steinbach and Hanover there have been both rallies and outbreaks that has brought significant media attention to our area and communities. And it has brought with it division and debate that has been difficult for many within the community. And yet, this week, there was other news that was reported that deserves the kind of attention that, sadly, it is unlikely to receive.

This week Statistics Canada confirmed again that the residents in southeast Manitoba are among the most generous givers in all of Canada. To put it in some context, the residents of the City of Steinbach were found to be the most generous donors in a Canadian city of over 10,000 people with a median donation of $2,130. And around the southeast the generosity continued with the median donation in Blumenort, Kleefled and Grunthal being $3,830, $2,090 and $1,600 respectfully. Partly due to the residents in our region, Manitoba was again recognized as one of the most generous provinces in Canada. That generosity was recognized in monetary terms by Statistics Canada but what cannot be measured is the giving of time and kindness that is extended daily by so many residents.

So, while it is difficult to predict how the past year will have changed our communities, as much focus should be placed upon what should not change. The generosity of residents both financially and through acts of kindness is something that we can all hope is not only maintained but enhanced through this most difficult of years. Because some things should not change.