In the last election, Canadians were promised that Prime Minister Mark Carney would deliver the fastest-growing economy in the G7, and as of last Friday, Canada finds itself as the only G7 nation officially in a recession.

According to Statistic Canada, the country has met the very definition of a recession after the economy contracted for the second consecutive quarter.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre responded bluntly, “The recession is real.”

He added that it translates to empty stomachs, empty grocery baskets, and empty bank accounts for many Canadians. “It means homeowners tossing and turning in bed at night, wondering how they will make the next mortgage payment.” That’s why Conservatives called on Carney to hold an emergency debate on the economy. In fact, had an emergency debate been scheduled, it would have given the Liberal government an opportunity to tell Canadians about their plan to reverse this recession and the resulting inflation. Sadly, it didn’t happen.

An incident at the RCMP cell block in Steinbach that resulted in facial fractures and a referral to a plastic surgeon for a prisoner is being investigated by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU).

The IIU said in a May 20 press release that the adult male was in custody at the time of the injuries.

The day prior, RCMP notified the IIU of an incident that occurred on May 15 at about 4:35 p.m.

According to the notification, Steinbach RCMP officers attended the cell block after a report that a male prisoner had covered the cell camera with a wet blanket and had an edged weapon tucked into his pants.

The government leader sets the tone of debate. Here in Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew has the power to elevate that tone, or lower it.

Sadly, Kinew has chosen the second option. Anyone who tunes in to question period will quickly see that the premier regularly makes personal attacks against opposition members and avoids answering serious questions.

It’s bad enough when these antics take place during question period, which tends to be the most raucous and hyped-up part of the day. However, during committee meetings where opposition members ask serious and specific questions about fiscal policy, the premier and his cabinet ministers are expected to give direct responses with a minimum of theatrics.

Last week, Kinew hit a new low when he began laughing while PC leader Obby Khan asked a serious question about procurement policy on large infrastructure projects. Shortly after this, Kinew made a barking noise while Khan was speaking. If the premier of Manitoba acts this way while the cameras are rolling, one can only imagine what happens behind closed doors.