COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Take the opportunity to get involved

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2025 (402 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This month’s report from the legislature comes at a time when there is political discussion everywhere we turn and it’s becoming difficult not to see where the effects of political influence would touch your life in some way. On an international stage we have President Trump in the United States, shaking up global trade and how mainstream politics is viewed. From there we look to our own federal government which currently isn’t led by a party with a leader since Prime Minister Trudeau announced his resignation as leader, sparking a leadership campaign for the federal Liberal party. This political transition in leadership is then also seen as local as our Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party which is currently in a full swing leadership race.

People are talking about the instability and unpredictably of politics across the world right now, but I am seeing the silver lining. This is going to force people to once again get involved. For the most part people have lived with a certain degree of stability in Canada and the U.S. for many years. Life was good and you had the opportunity to work hard and provide a good life for yourself and a better life for your children. It wasn’t until recently that we have been faced with challenges that started to raise people’s awareness to things not heading in the same direction they have been for many years. Voters throughout Canada and the United States are feeling the effects that poor political management has had on their cost of living and lifestyle in general.

Making a difference and having your voice and concerns heard is something that doesn’t just start on election day. You need to make sure that the right candidate is running in your area, giving you the chance to have someone who aligns with your views representing you, but these people also don’t appear from thin air on election day. Not everyone wants to be a political representative and frankly I don’t think it is something that everyone is capable of doing. If I was now to look back and ask myself what made me want to serve as a member of the legislative assembly, I don’t think there is one specific factor. I truly believe that it was a strong combination of a lifetime of grassroots involvement where each opportunity provided a steppingstone for the next level. These involvements were in things like community organizations, regional boards, local municipal government, and political parties. This doesn’t mean that everyone involved with the local rec centre or community church board is going to become the next MLA, MP or prime minister but it does mean that each one of these people have contributed to making their community a better place to live.

As we are seeing many changes in politics around us locally and the world, I would like to encourage residents of La Verendrye to get involved. If you feel frustrated with the lack of activities in town for your kids, poor snow removal, long hospital wait times, or taxes that are too high, you can make a difference by getting involved. Whatever your passion is I can guarantee that there is a place where your help is welcomed and needed. For anyone interested in the future of our province I would like to encourage them to spread the word about our local La Verendrye PC Association AGM on Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Horizons Centre in Grunthal. There will be an opportunity to see where the association is financially, how money is raised for the next election, the direction of the provincial party and most importantly who the next leader of the Manitoba PC Party will be. Both, Wally Daudrich and Obby Kahn will be present and available to answer any questions. I hope to see many of you on the 24th.