Paper straws suck.

Actually, they don’t. That’s the problem.

By now, you’ve likely had the misfortune of using a paper straw at your favourite restaurant. Not only do these straws disintegrate if you don’t finish your drink quickly enough, but they also leave a paper taste in your mouth. And don’t get me started on how frustrating it is to try drinking a milkshake through a paper straw.

You can thank the Liberal government for the lack of plastic straws. Several years ago, the Liberals designated plastic as a toxic substance and banned the manufacture, import, and sale of single-use plastics. Not only did this outlaw plastic straws, but grocery stores could no longer provide customers with plastic bags to carry out their groceries.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season filled with plenty of delicious food, relaxing, and time spent with loved ones.

Before the holidays officially kicked off, I had the pleasure of participating in a few festive community events. I took part in the Parade of Lights in Lorette, helped out with wrapping gifts at the Christmas in Ste Anne Pop Up Shop, and attended the Lorette Christmas Market. I had a wonderful time at all of these events. They did a fantastic job of capturing the festive season and getting people in the holiday spirit, and it was just so nice to see so many people out and about supporting the community.

The year 2025 just absolutely flew by, and with 2026 officially upon us, I am excited to see everything that the new year has in store.

For more updates and information, visit my website at boblagasse.com. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact my constituency office at ca.lagasse@outlook.com or 204-807-4663.

As Christmas week falls behind us, it offers a moment to reflect on the year behind us and the events that have shaped our country.

It was late November 2024 when the newly elected President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met for a three-hour discussion. Reports later suggested that the prime minister told Mr. Trump tariffs would kill the Canadian economy, to which Mr. Trump responded by remarking that Canada should become the 51st state. Just weeks later, on Jan. 6, Parliament was prorogued and the 23rd serving prime minister, Justin Trudeau, announced his resignation after much internal and external pressure. A Liberal leadership race ensued, and an election was held on April 28.

During the campaign, Conservatives put forward a “Canada First” election platform focusing on building homes, cutting red tape, lowering taxes, developing resources, reducing crime, fixing the budget, building up the military, and expanding border patrol and security. Despite these proposals, Canadians returned a Liberal minority government led by Mark Carney’s promise at being a master negotiator – yet he has since missed three self-imposed deadlines without securing a deal.

Throughout this period, Conservatives have remained steadfast fighting for Canadians, advocating for the government to prioritize the cost of living, build homes, unleash businesses and resources, make Canadians safe, lock up criminals and bring immigration under control.

Let’s be clear. Almost nobody in Manitoba actually expects the NDP government to meet any of the financial targets that it sets for itself every year. After all, the current NDP government has missed every financial budget for the past two years, and the previous NDP government before this one, missed all their targets for years as well. So, the fact that just before Christmas the NDP again announced it had blown past its projected deficit for the year wasn’t really surprising to anyone. What was surprising was the amount that was announced.

The NDP are now projecting to more than double the deficit it had set for Manitoba for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. And it’s not like it was promising to be fiscally careful to begin with. When the budget year started, the NDP said that it would run a $794 million deficit. That would, had it been met, already been one of the largest deficits in Manitoba history. But just two weeks ago the NDP announced that it was now expecting to double that deficit to $1.6 billion. This despite having increased property and other taxes.

Of course, a portion of this increase in the deficit, about $174 million, is attributable to the devastating forest fires that Manitoba experienced this summer. But the deficit is increasing by hundreds of millions of dollars more than the amount used to battle forest fires. And it continues the pattern set by the NDP since coming into government.

According to the audited books of the province, which were confirmed by the public accounts committee of the Manitoba legislature, the previous Progressive Conservative government left the NDP a budget surplus of more than $300 million. While the NDP have been trying to convince Manitobans that they are watching the finances closely, after two years in government, there is no evidence that is happening. Even more strangely, the NDP continue to tell Manitobans that they plan to balance the budget in the next two years, even as the deficit grows, and now doubles. It is a promise that nobody, either inside the NDP government or outside of it, actually believes will be kept.

Dear Money Lady Readers: Reverse mortgages – have you considered one?

Many seniors have considered a reverse mortgage, but most have kept their thoughts a secret, not wanting to discuss it with friends or family due to the “shame” of having one. First up, let’s address that shame square in the face. There is none! Seniors: there is no shame in having to resort to a reverse mortgage if you’re running out of money and wish to age in place just a little longer. I am so tired of hearing from bankers who claim that it’s a horrible product that just forces a senior into boatloads of debt through the compounded interest that over time will suck-up the entire value of their home and leave them penniless and homeless. WRONG!

Do you think that the Canadian Schedule One banks that currently offer reverse mortgages (HomeEquity Bank and EQ Bank) would ever want that kind of bad press? There are matrices in place to ensure you cannot take out arbitrary amounts of your home equity at will, all based on your age, your home value, location, future value and your current debt situation. HomeEquity Bank is owned by OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System – Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plan corporation) and EQ Bank who has $137 Billion AUM owns Concentra Bank that partners with 90 percent of Canadian credit unions. There is also a new player on the Canadian scene this Fall: HomeTrust launching its reverse mortgage called Equity Access Reverse Mortgage.

So, let’s chat about how reverse mortgages work and perhaps I can give you some insights into this product. First of all, a reverse mortgage is just that, a mortgage. That means you will take it out for a set term (most likely a 5-year fixed term) and you will be given a lower promotional rate as a new customer. You can choose either a fixed or variable rate, open or closed with different terms (1-10 years). When your mortgage comes up for renewal after the initial term, you will need to renew it again for another term, but most likely now at a much higher rate. Interest will accrue monthly not just on the outstanding principle owing, but also on the previous months interest since you are not making any payments to keep up. Loan amounts will be offered based on age and the appraised value of your home with lower interest rates only offered to those over 80 years of age. Advertisements suggest you can easily get up to 59 percent of your equity at age 55. This is not true. The younger the applicant, the more restrictions. This is a better product for an aging senior in their 80s or 90s that can’t move and is running out of money.

The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) invites performers of all ages to audition for its upcoming community musical production, Broadway Moments. This revue-style show will feature iconic Broadway favourites and highlights from past SAC shows, celebrating the talent in our Southeast region. Performances run March 18 to 20, 2026, at the SRSS Theatre.

We are seeking a diverse cast for chorus roles, with opportunities for solos and small ensembles. Auditions will be held at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre (304 Second St.) on:

• Tuesday, January 6 (5:00–9:00 p.m.)

• Friday, January 9 (5:00–9:00 p.m.)