On April 12th, the PC government released their budget for 2022/2023. Budgets are about priorities, and this budget demonstrates that the priorities of the Stefanson government do not align with the priorities of Manitobans and especially not with the needs of Northerners in The Pas-Kameesak.

 

This budget was the Premier’s chance to prove that she’s different from Brian Pallister. This was her opportunity to chart a new course forward and invest in healthcare. But instead of setting a deadline to end the surgery backlog, end patient transfers and increase staffing on the frontlines she chose to repeat Pallister’s mistakes – and it’s Manitobans who will pay the price.

 

This budget’s increase to healthcare spending does not keep pace with inflation, which means that it is a de facto cut to hospitals, ERs and front-line workers. This government should be increasing healthcare spending in order to meaningfully address the dire state of healthcare in our province. This PC government has also refused to settle contracts for tens of thousands of health care aides, froze funds for EMS and ambulances in rural and Northern Manitoba, and froze the doctor recruitment fund. This is wrong.

Recently, I was honoured to second a bill brought forward by my colleague Bernadette Smith, the MLA for Point Douglas. Bill 234 proclaims the Sunday before Mother's Day of every year as Drug-Related Death Bereavement Day. This is a day to acknowledge the harm caused by addiction and grieve those who have lost their lives to drugs. This day will raise public awareness about addiction, help families grieve and reduce the stigma surrounding addiction so that greater action is taken. We will also continue to push this government to increase funding and access to the treatment services that are so desperately needed in Manitoba. The most recent data from the chief medical examiner's office shows there were 407 drug-related deaths in Manitoba in 2021 — more than double the average several years ago.

 

I also recently seconded a resolution brought forward by my colleague Tom Lindsey, the MLA for Flin Flon, which called on the PC government to resolve issues afflicting Northern Manitoba. Northerners are subject to situations that are acceptable nowhere else in the province specifically regarding healthcare and infrastructure, and this government’s cuts to healthcare and infrastructure in the north have worsened these situations and put thousands at risk.

 

As always, if you have any issue or question, please get in touch with my office by emailing Amanda.lathlin@yourmanitoba.ca or calling 1-204-623-2034.