COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Affordability continues to be a concern

I have been enjoying getting out to a number of events this summer within the Lac du Bonnet constituency and around the province. I always look forward to participating in Manitoba events like Folklorama. These occasions allow me to touch base with a variety of community organizations and local area residents. I always appreciate them sharing with me their thoughts on important matters that affect their families, their communities and their province.

The most important issue I keep hearing about is affordability. While Manitobans continue to struggle with the rising costs of essential groceries and housing, the NDP government is raising Manitoba Public Insurance rates and even Manitoba Hydro rates, breaking their promise of rebates and a rate freeze. Adding the proverbial tax to the fire, the NDP have also raised by regulation the price of milk. Through tax changes and direct support, Progressive Conservatives helped Manitobans with their cost-of-living challenges by saving the average two-income family up to $5,500 in savings over the last few years. Premier Wab Kinew can boast all he wants about his gas tax “holiday” but the NDP’s own budget estimates that after a full year it would save most Manitobans less that $500. Some won’t save enough to buy a jug of milk.

As we continue to wait for construction to begin on the Lac du Bonnet personal care home, I am somewhat puzzled by the excuses being made by the NDP government. They are claiming that delays in flowing funding for the new care home following the premier’s re-announcement in March is because they have not fully passed their budget. The truth is, the project was approved, backed by a letter through Treasury Board last summer, prior to the provincial election. Also, this spring the Legislature approved funding for 90 percent of the province’s capital budget. Based on these facts, there seems to be no reason not to move forward on promised projects like the Lac du Bonnet personal care home. The NDP continue to make excuses for the pauses and delays on their promises. All with considerable costs to regional businesses, community residents and local governments.

We are also very concerned about how the NDP are mismanaging our natural resource laws in Manitoba. In June, they abruptly delayed the results of the moose draw in northern Manitoba then cut hunting licenses by 75 percent without the data to justify their decision. Now we’ve learned they have told Conservation Officers to stop enforcing the law as they consider expanding Métis harvesting rights in the north. For over a decade, there has been an agreement between the province and the Manitoba Métis Federation about the area where harvesting rights apply. If the NDP wants to renegotiate that agreement, they need to consult with all stakeholders, including the impacted northern First Nations and everyday hunters and anglers, and then bring their changes to the legislature.

At the same time, conservation officers should never be told to turn a blind eye to the law. Our COs are dedicated professionals who are out each and every day ensuring that laws are being followed so that future generations have access to the same bounty of natural resources we enjoy today. They deserve government’s respect and should not be used as pawns as the NDP undermine the integrity of the law and create unnecessary conflict in our communities.

Here in the Lac du Bonnet constituency, there are still plenty of summer events to enjoy. August started off with the Fire & Water Music Festival in Lac du Bonnet. The month continues with the Boreal Shores Art Tour, Shades of the Past Car Show in Beausejour and as we head towards the end of August into September, we can look forward to the 4P Festival in Powerview-Pine Falls, to name a few. This August also sees the Whitemouth Municipal Museum celebrate 50 years of operation. Thank you to all the volunteers that help make summer in Manitoba a unique and wonderful experience.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at wayne@wayneewasko.com, or call me at 204-268-3282. Also, you can follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @wayneewaskomla and friend me on Facebook.