View From the Legislature

By now, most Canadians have likely heard more about trade barriers and tariffs than they ever wanted to.

All countries and provinces in Canada have symbols. These are things recognized, usually in legislation, that form part of the identity of a country or province.

I’ve talked to a number of people recently who have told me they have just stopped watching the news and refrain from looking at social media. For each, they were finding that world events, from tariffs to war, was negatively impacting their mental health.

Tis the season is a phrase we most often associate with Christmas time. But to the extent that it applies to the generosity that often happens at that festive time of the year, it could also apply to spring.

Manitoba’s NDP government released the 2025/2026 provincial budget last Thursday in what can only be considered an uncertain economic environment.

Even though it was decades ago, I vividly remember the excitement of being at the now demolished Centennial Arena in Steinbach watching the Steinbach Huskies compete in the Allan Cup playoffs.

The old saying “Use it or Lose it” suggests that if you want to keep something as your own, you are best to use it as intended. While this saying may have many applications, it has come up in recent discussions around the Canadian Arctic and our nations claim to it.

On Tuesday of this week Manitoba’s NDP placed a large flag on the front of the Manitoba Legislature to use as a backdrop for a news conference for the Premier who was responding to the imposition of tariffs from the United States on all Canadian goods entering their country.

Economic challenges are not new in Canada. Whether the high inflation rates of recent months or the financial crisis of 2008 (as only two examples), economic challenges occur not infrequently.

Members of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party will be selecting their new leader on April 26th.