View From the Legislature

Understandably, some things in government just take time to achieve. If there is one thing that people associate government with, it’s the time it takes to get some things accomplished. But when it comes to things that impact the safety and health of residents, the reality is that time is not always on our side and things have to be done as quickly as possible.

Manitoba’s NDP government seems to have difficulty with this concept. When it comes to many urgent issues, there seems to be no urgency at all. Take for example the issue of reducing flooding. This has been a particular problem in the Assiniboine River basin over the past few years including the flood of 2011 and this years flooding. In fact, one of the excuses that the NDP used for raising the PST was that the money was needed for flood mitigation, and yet many in the Assiniboine Valley have said not much has improved.

One of the things that is agreed that is needed is a new Lake Manitoba outlet to help alleviate the flooding for those in the Lake Manitoba basin. The NDP have reluctantly agreed that the outlet is needed and they have now said they plan to build it. However, they have told Manitobans it will take at least seven years to see the project completed. Seven years is four years longer than many think it should take and will put property at risk of more damage.

In fact the NDP have, for three years, been studying different plans for the outlet. Three years have already gone by when action could have been taken but instead the NDP were looking at plans. Time just keeps on ticking while Manitobans wait for action.

And flooding isn’t the only area that the NDP are slow to move to action. For years we have seen the troubling and heartbreaking cases of deaths of children in contact or the care of Manitoba’s Child and Family Services. The death of Phoenix Sinclair sparked a public inquiry. That inquiry itself was delayed years. When the recommendations were released earlier this year the NDP said they would study them. One of those recommendations, which would ensure a more independent and transparent Child Advocates office, is critical to ensuring change in the system and the protection of children.

And yet, even as a new death of an infant that was involved with Child and Family Services is investigated, there is no indication when the NDP will act on the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry recommendation to make the office of the Child’s Advocate office more transparent and independent.

Governments may be known to be slow to move into action, but when the lives and safety of its residents are at risk, it needs to move much more quickly. The NDP seem satisfied to watch the time tick by regardless of the urgency.