It was a long time ago, but I remember it very clearly. It was 1995 and it was the night of the second Quebec referendum which would decide whether Quebec would leave Canada or stay part of the federation. I was working as political staff in the government of Premier Gary Filmon, and like most staff, had remained in the building that evening to work and to watch the results.

Late into the evening, my work was done. I had drafted two news releases for various MLAs. The one release would be sent to their local media if Quebec voted to separate. It was filled, as I recall, with lots of cautionary language about the uncertain road ahead and disappointment in the result. The second release was to be sent if Quebec voters decided to stay in Canada. It contained more hopeful sentiments, but still cautionary language about what was avoided and the challenge to ensure that steps would be taken to ensure we never reached this point again.

While most staff were in the various offices huddled around T.V.’s watching the results (this was before our phones and social media gave us immediate updates), I sat on the grand staircase of the legislature with the different news releases in separate hands waiting to hear which one to send. But mostly, I was contemplating what Canada would look like the morning after the referendum.

Of course, history shows I was able to send the release signifying a vote by Quebec to remain in Canada. Barely. The vote was 50.58 percent to 49.42 percent to remain. I have always felt grateful that I was able to send out the release I did. I love Canada, every part of it, and want it to remain strong and united.

The provincial government is asking Manitobans to share their views on seasonal time changes and whether Manitoba should adopt permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time.

In a Wednesday announcement, Municipal and Northern Affairs Minister Glen Simard said a number of provinces and territories are considering this issue.

He expressed his support for changing the status quo.

“From a lower risk of stroke to when the sun rises and sets, there are a number of things to consider, and we want to hear directly from Manitobans,” he said.

When business closures consistently outpace new business creation, it signals a growing concern for Canada’s economic outlook. According to new research by The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), “More businesses in Canada have closed than opened for six consecutive quarters, and more than half (55 percent) of small business owners say they would not recommend starting a business right now”.

CFIB’s director Brianna Solberg also warned that “Canada’s economic foundation is crumbling. Governments need to stop just papering over the cracks and really refocus efforts on policies that improve the small business environment”. Her remarks came in a CFIB newsletter addressing the ongoing entrepreneurial drought across the country.

Further, the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) reports that only 104 investment deals were made with Canadian companies this year. Compared with last year, total venture capital investment in Canadian companies declined by 11.5 percent. These trends expose a lack of investor confidence in Canada, resulting from the environment created by the Carney Liberals.

At the same time, concerns have been raised about capital flows leaving the country. For very dollar of foreign direct investment coming into Canada, two dollars have left—which has been described as the largest capital exodus in Canadian history. The total cumulative investment loss since the Liberals came to power is $1 trillion with a substantial portion going to the U.S. After 11 years of Liberal government, there is less growth, fewer jobs and less investment in our industries.

It’s a pretty good slogan that Manitoba’s NDP premier has gotten lots of political mileage out of. Yet it is becoming increasingly clear that when Wab Kinew talks about “One Manitoba” it really is a slogan and not much more. Because the longer the NDP are in office, the more it seems clear that there are winners and losers that are being selected by the government.

The most recent example is how the NDP have divided the Manitoba construction industry. Earlier this year the NDP unveiled an agreement that it signed with trade unions that all government construction projects that are more than $50 million (most schools for example), will be subject to. Included in the agreement are rules imposing certain wages on the project workers as well as other conditions. And this will all be administered and supervised by a collective of unions. For this, all construction companies on the project, whether they are unionized or not, will be charged a per worker fee.

Not surprisingly, nonunionized construction companies in Manitoba (which make up the vast majority of construction companies) are unhappy with the NDP plan that will require them to pay what seems to amount to union dues, have it monitored by unions, and have an additional worker fee added. This seems likely to increase the cost to taxpayers of building projects.

If this sounds like an agreement that must have been written by union leaders, it appears that is the case. The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA), the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) and the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) released documents this week that show Manitoba Building Trades proposed the labour framework in July of last year and only 13 days later, the NDP signed the agreement. Not much of a negotiation. And the non-unionized construction companies were never consulted at all.

Re: “Everything fades away’: Piney officials say cell service gaps hamper emergency response”, May 14, The Carillon.

We see this complaint over and over again by local municipalities. My question to them is, why don’t you look at getting something done?

There is a cost factor, for sure, and it may mean raising the tax rate a bit to cover the cost. But if the municipalities in the southeast corner banded together to create a partnership with the cellular companies, then maybe it would get done.

Quit looking to the province or the feds to take a leadership role on this. Step up and start something - they will likely provide some funding once they see something started.