COLUMN: Report from the legislature – NDP fail to communicate

The tenth anniversary of Terry Fox Day was celebrated on Monday, Aug. 4 this year in Manitoba. The civic holiday was renamed in recognition of his amazing efforts to raise awareness and funds towards cancer research. I hope that you had the opportunity to enjoy the holiday and all that the beautiful Lac du Bonnet constituency has to offer.

This summer has been difficult for many of our communities who have been affected by the recent wildfires, as well as a noticeable increase in rural property crimes. While the two crises are different in nature, both have made many local residents feel unsafe in their homes and in their community.

Throughout the Manitoba wildfires there has been an ongoing breakdown of communication from the NDP government to several community leaders, businesses and emergency workers. Important concerns were brought to the attention of our PC caucus under the leadership of Obby Khan, and were relayed to the premier and his ministers regarding vital information that was not being effectively communicated to Manitobans. Those concerns were ignored by the NDP. Early on, the opposition leader urged the Kinew government to hold daily press briefings to keep the public better informed. That suggestion was also ignored by the NDP who instead told Manitobans to check Facebook for updates. Premier Wab Kinew chose to outsource communications supporting American-based social media companies rather than Manitoba-based community news outlets.

As the official opposition, our PC caucus continues to put demands on the NDP premier and his justice minister to take serious action towards the growing level of crime and violence happening in Winnipeg, and spreading out to communities across Manitoba. PC Justice Critic Wayne Balcaen, who is the MLA for Brandon West noted that, based on data contained in the Winnipeg Police Service 2024 Statistical Report, there has been close to a five percent increase in youth crime. This increase factors in with Winnipeg being named Canada’s most violent city by the Fraser Institute. During the NDP 2023 election campaign Wab Kinew stated, “I will bring the hammer down on the people who bring drugs into our communities. And I will implement stricter bail measures to keep violent criminals out of our communities,” which he promised to do within 100 days of being elected. “Nearly two years later, he’s done nothing to keep violent offenders off our streets and now Manitobans are paying the price,” said PC Justice Critic Balcaen.

With many of you busy getting ready for another school year, I hope you were able to attend some of the summer events that have taken place throughout the Lac du Bonnet constituency. From the first Annual Tractor Pull at the Pioneer Village Museum in Beausejour to Pinawa’s 62nd Birthday celebration; the Summer Winds Festival in Victoria Beach to the Fire & Water Music Festival in Lac du Bonnet; the West Hawk Lake Parade & Meteor Fest to the Eastman Pride Parades held in Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet, Whitemouth, Pinawa, Powerview-Pine Falls and Victoria Beach; and Whitemouth Sports Day, there was plenty of fun to be had and more to look forward to.

I would like to congratulate Colleen Robbins on being the chosen PC Candidate to run in the upcoming provincial byelection in the constituency of Spruce Woods. The Aug. 26 byelection is being held to replace former PC MLA Grant Jackson, who resigned in March to run for federal office.

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.