View From the Legislature

Canada’s federal system of government, broken up into provinces and territories, and further divided into municipal levels of government, can at times seem pretty ununified. It is not uncommon to see provincial governments have disagreements with each other and with the national government. And yet, almost always, in times of need, those borders and divisions fall away.

This unity in times of crisis has been demonstrated by Manitobans who have answered the call to support their fellow Canadians when needed. That has been seen through efforts to help fight fires in other provinces or lend expertise in areas such as hydro electricity in ice storms. That support has been returned when Manitobans have needed help as well. And that help is needed today as much as ever.

Almost all provinces have had to deal with a third wave of COVID-19 and while it began later in Manitoba, it is now here in full force. Despite doubling Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity in the province of Manitoba there is a need for more and jurisdictions around us have stepped in to help. While Manitoba has a long-standing agreement with Ontario to accept patients from the Northwest part of Ontario to Manitoba hospitals, the agreement is now being reciprocated. Ontario is currently offering some of its ICU capacity for Manitoba patients with COVID-19. These offers of assistance, and others, are a true reflection of how provinces often work together, although it is not always as visible. It is also a tribute to healthcare professionals in Ontario who have already endured their own significant third pandemic wave and yet are taking in more patients from out of province.

In addition, last week the federal government also stepped forward to offer assistance with resources to support contact tracing and potentially in other areas such as nursing and transportation. The federal assistance has been important in a number of other provinces as they dealt with the impacts of their third wave. This is critically important as those who are affected by the pandemic include all of the thousands of individuals who are having tests and surgeries delayed because staff are having to be redeployed to deal with the hundreds of people now in hospital due to COVID-19.

The assistance is not just limited to Canadian provinces. As was recently announced, North Dakota offered to vaccinate Manitoba truck drivers who are heading through North Dakota. That offer, led by Governor Doug Burgum, has resulted in more than 1,000 truck drivers getting their vaccination. This has been done with the assistance of the Manitoba Trucking Association and is another great example of how governments, even across international borders, can work together in times of challenge.

Manitoba and Manitobans have a long history of helping other Canadians and people around the world when they need that support. Today, that long-standing effort is being reciprocated as others offer their support to us. And ultimately, this unified approach to dealing with challenges, makes us all stronger.