The Manitoba government, joined by community leaders from across the province, laid out its plan to work together, strengthen health care, lower costs for families and grow the province’s low-carbon economy with a geothermal home heating program in the speech from the throne, ‘A New Day in Manitoba,’ Premier Wab Kinew announced in a media release on Tuesday, (Nov 22).
“Today is a new day in our province,” said Kinew. “Our government is resetting the relationship with Manitobans. We are ready to get to work for you, alongside other levels of government, public servants, community leaders, health-care workers and families who are doing everything they can to build a better province. We know we can accomplish great things for Manitoba when we work together. Our plan will invest in the health care and supports you rely on, while being responsible with the province’s books.”
Manitobans were welcomed into the Legislative Building for the ceremonies surrounding the throne speech, which included performances from Métis fiddlers Morgan Grace and Keith Ginther.
“After two terms of cuts and closures, the new Manitoba government is presenting a responsible and ambitious plan to strengthen public health care, grow the economy and build a province where all Manitobans can thrive,” said Kinew.
The premier noted the speech from the throne sets out a course to:
- make Manitoba a leader in the low-carbon economy with an agreement from the federal government to deliver funding for a geothermal heat pump program that will connect homes -across Manitoba with low-carbon, affordable energy and offer new opportunities to train the next generation of energy workers;
- reduce wait times for surgeries and MRIs by bringing high-quality surgical care back to Manitoba’s public health-care system with new surgical slates and new diagnostic services;
- reduce the backlog in hospitals by expanding services at Grace Hospital, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, Concordia Hospital and Brandon Regional Health Centre;
- provide immediate relief to families by freezing hydro rate increases for one year and cutting the gas tax;
- grow Manitoba’s economy and create good jobs by encouraging investments in Manitoba industries like value-added manufacturing, trade and natural resources;
- take action to bring needed relief to beef producers on Crown land leases;
- work with front-line organizations, the business community and all levels of government to help Manitobans struggling with homelessness; and reset the relationship with Indigenous governments by working together on priorities in health care, education and economic reconciliation.
“Together, we can build the future we want for this province, where every family can afford to build a good life, where you have quality health care close to home and a government that works for you,” said Kinew.
The Speech also outlined more funding for Manitoba schools, and a plan to make Holocaust education part of the school curriculum. Kinew said “the goal in having students learn about the Holocaust is to prevent future acts of antisemitism in the province.”
The Canadian Press also reports that Kinew said his government needs to tighten its belt because the former Progressive Conservative government made pre-election commitments it didn’t budget for. Tory Leader Heather Stefanson responded to that by saying Kinew is just trying to cover for his own expensive campaign promises.
She says Kinew is going to have to find the money from somewhere, and she suspects he’ll have to cut programs or raise taxes.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
