View From the Legislature

Southeast Benefits From Throne Speech

  • Kelvin Goertzen, Author
  • Member of the Legislative Assembly, Steinbach

Last week a new session of the Manitoba Legislature began with the reading of the speech from the throne by Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon. In difficult and challenging times, the speech, which sets out broadly the priorities of the government for the coming year, was as important as any in recent memory.

For residents of southeast Manitoba, there were several highlights. Key among them was the commitment to provide renal dialysis service to the City of Steinbach which will benefit residents of the southeast. For many years, the overall number of patients requiring dialysis in southeast Manitoba was comparatively low but with growth throughout the region, that has continued to change. And regardless of the overall number, for any one individual who has had to drive to Winnipeg or another community for regular dialysis, it was a significant challenge.

The commitment to provide dialysis service has been as a result not only of changing demand, but also because of the work of many to highlight the need. The provision of this service closer to home will be another step to ensure that this growing region is provided with healthcare services that residents need. Over the past several years we have seen a number of capital investments in local healthcare services including the expanded personal care home at Resthaven which is well on its way to being completed. Dialysis service is another important addition. While planning is now underway, details will be provided as part of the upcoming budget process. Thank you to all of those who have continued to advance the need for this service.

Also highlighted in the speech from the throne was a commitment to begin, as promised in the last provincial election, phasing out education property tax paid by individual Manitobans. Coupled with this is a commitment to provide an increase of over $1.6 billion in education funding over the next four years.

In addition, while Manitoba was able to return to a balanced budget last year, the global pandemic has had a negative impact on the books of all governments. And while Manitoba has weathered the economic impact better than most Canadian provinces, we have not been immune to the fiscal challenges. Local residents have always valued the importance of government living within its means and the speech from the throne committed the province to outlining in the upcoming budget a responsible path towards ensuring the provincial books are moving back to balance as economic recovery continues.

While these remain uncertain and, for many, unsettling times, the speech from the throne looks forward with optimism to a Manitoba that is strong economically and ensuring that Manitobans are able to do well for themselves and their family. As we move into the fall there is much still to be optimistic about for Manitoba as a whole and for Manitobans individually.