Trail Talking

Our government is well on its way to making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada, and will take further steps on that path during the new legislative session that began in November.

We will bring forward a Referendum Act to restore the rights of Manitobans to vote on major tax increases. As well, to change the culture of government and to provide the best services possible for people across the province, we will create a Public Service Act that reflects the needs of Manitobans into the future.

As Manitoba’s health-care system undergoes a transformation to make it better and more sustainable, new legislative changes will clarify the roles of the Department of Health, Seniors and Active Living and the various organizations delivering health services. Next summer, we will release our Clinical and Preventive Services Plan to guide decisions toward better care and shorter wait times.

In response to the dangers of impaired driving, we are bringing in an Immediate Roadside Prohibition program to allow police to deal with lower-level alcohol-related cases more quickly.

In education, our Progressive Conservative government will soon begin the first in-depth review of Manitoba’s kindergarten to Grade 12 system in decades to improve schooling for all students.

We will also unveil a plan for economic development following a review that involved extensive consultations with business and industry representatives. And we will work toward a new approach to tax-increment financing with a goal to increase private-sector investment and drive economic growth.

While these improvements and many others are on the way for Manitobans, I am looking forward to spending some time celebrating the Christmas season. At the beginning of December, I participated in the Lorette Parade of Lights and Tree-Lighting Ceremony as well as the Christmas open house at the Manitoba legislature – kicking off the festive season with lights, decorations and carolling.

My most recent Coffee with Bob was well-attended. This time I held it in St. Adolphe, and was joined by Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen as I met with Dawson Trail constituents and heard what they had to say about the community.

I wish everyone in the Dawson Trail constituency a wonderful Christmas and all the best in 2019.