Earlier this week the Manitoba Legislature concluded its spring sitting. As is usually the case for the spring sitting, most of the discussion and debate surrounded the provincial budget. This was particularly true this year as Manitobans face an affordability crisis that is among the worst in the country. While it is not possible for any government to completely alleviate the sharp increase in the cost of food, fuel and housing that has been experienced by Manitobans, there was certainly an expectation that the NDP government would move in a direction that was meaningful in supporting Manitobans impacted by increasing costs. It was a commitment that they made before they unveiled the provincial budget.

Instead, what Manitobans witnessed was a government that gave signs of there being motion but that ultimately resulted in no movement to truly support Manitobans. What the NDP government touted as the key affordability measure in the budget, turned out to be something of a mirage. A pledge to remove the provincial sales tax (PST) off of all grocery items sounded good until Manitobans realized that the PST already isn’t charged on most grocery items. Other than items like snacks, a few prepared meals and slurpees, groceries are already tax free and the few pennies that might be saved off the remaining items will hardly be noticed by Manitobans facing double digit inflation on some food items over the past year.

In response, the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party put forward a proposal to increase what is known as the Basic Personal Exemption to $30,000. This is the amount of money a person can earn before they start paying taxes. This would have saved the average Manitoban $3,000 and allowed them to use those savings in a way that helps them address the affordability crisis and how it is impacting their individual family.

To give the NDP as much time and opportunity to adopt this suggestion as possible, the Manitoba Legislature sat for 36 straight hours, the longest continuous sitting in decades. During this time, all members of the Manitoba PC Caucus spoke and offered to work with the government to make changes to help struggling families. Not a single NDP member spoke to the issue and, ultimately, they used their majority to pass the budget bill without changes and without significant relief for Manitobans. The NDP were trying to convince Manitobans they were making moves to help them, but in the end, they demonstrated motion, but no actual movement.

It’s been a busy spring at the Manitoba legislature. After a week of late-night sittings and tense negotiations, the legislature rose for the summer on Monday.

For our PC team, we had a clear message throughout this session: the government needed to take real action on affordability.

Under Wab Kinew and the NDP, the cost of living continues to rise, and too many families are struggling to make ends meet.

The premier talks a good game, but unfortunately much of that talk does not match reality.

The experiences we have in childhood shape far more than just memories—they help form the foundation for how we see ourselves, others, and relationships throughout our lives. For children who witness or experience domestic violence, these early experiences can have lasting impacts. But with the right support, healing is possible, and cycles of violence can be broken.

From the moment a child is born, they begin developing what’s known as an attachment style—essentially, how they connect with others. This is deeply influenced by the sense of safety, trust, and stability they experience growing up. When children are exposed to violence or instability, they are more likely to develop anxious or disorganized attachment patterns. These can later show up as challenges in forming healthy, secure relationships in adulthood.

This is where the idea of generational trauma comes in. Without intervention, patterns of violence can continue across generations. Children who grow up witnessing or experiencing abuse may come to see these behaviours as normal, increasing the risk of becoming involved in similar dynamics later in life—whether as victims or perpetrators. It’s a difficult reality, but it’s also one that can be changed.

Early intervention plays a critical role. Children’s brains are still developing, and they have a remarkable ability to adapt and grow—a concept known as neural plasticity. Because of this, children and youth are especially receptive to learning new ways of coping, communicating, and understanding their emotions. With the right support, early intervention can lead to improved mental health, stronger social skills, and greater self-esteem over time.

Quick thinking from the Manitoba First Nation Police Service (MFNPS) on Roseau River First Nation resulted in a water rescue of a youth in distress.

In a Monday press release the MFNPS said they received a call in the early morning hours of May 31 advising them a female youth in distress had left her residence and was believed to be at risk for entering the Red River.

Police spotted her floating down the river in what they describe as a “significant distance from shore”.

“Officers entered the water to reach the individual while another officer remained on the shoreline, maintaining communication with dispatch, monitoring the situation and coordinating updates,” they said.