View From the Legislature

Manitoba’s NDP government has made the decision to quickly recall the Manitoba Legislature beginning Thursday October 20th. The NDP have determined that it will be a very short sitting, only lasting for nine days.

It was somewhat surprising that the NDP would recall the Legislature before the complete results of the election earlier this month are finalized. Two constituencies, St. Norbert and Kirkfield Park, will be undergoing judicial recounts the week of October 24th because the margin of victory is less than 50 votes. As a result, those constituencies will not have representatives in the Legislature during the short sitting because the winning candidates cannot be seated until the recount is complete.

While it may be may be understandable why the NDP government has moved quickly to recall the Legislature, it is more questionable why they have chosen to have it adjourn after only nine days. Some have already questioned whether the NDP are wanting to end the Legislative session quickly before the province`s second quarter financial report is released since it may reveal even greater deficits.

As well, the NDP may be concerned that there will be more damaging evidence revealed at the public inquiry examining the tragic death of Phoenix Sinclair who slipped through the cracks of the Child Welfare System.

Despite the fact that the sitting will be very short, members of the Progressive Conservative Party will use the time we have to hold the government to account for the promises made during the recent election and during the past number of years. That will include a number of local promises that have been made to residents of the southeast.

While the session will begin with a Throne Speech which broadly outlines the direction of the government for the next year, just prior to that will be the election of a Speaker for the Legislative Assembly. The former Speaker, George Hickes, did not run for re-election so there will be a new person in this position who will be responsible for the operation of the Legislature for the next four years.

As for the roles that I will fill in the Legislature, at this point I remain the Deputy Leader of the P.C. Party, its Justice Critic and the Whip in the Legislature. While those roles may change in the future, for this sitting of the Legislature at least I will continue to work hard to fulfill these responsibilities.

Locally in the Steinbach Constituency, my office is now again open. It is currently open three days a week, Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you have any questions or concerns that you think we can be of assistance with, please feel free to contact me.