View From the Legislature

This week I will be participating virtually in a national meeting with provincial Minister’s of Justice from all provinces and territories. We will also be joined for part of the discussion by the federal Minister of Justice as well. There are always a number of important issues to be raised, and this is especially true during this time.

As part of our discussions, I will be reemphasizing the concern that Manitoba has with the invoking of the federal Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history. The bill has broad and sweeping governmental powers including the ability to assume jurisdiction from provinces and municipalities and to freeze personal bank accounts and halt funds.

The federal government indicates it has taken these steps to deal with blockades at borders and in cities like Ottawa. Without doubt the blockading of a border or blocks of a city is extremely serious. But the situation in Ottawa and Windsor, is not the same as in Winnipeg and Emerson. And yet the Emergencies Act applies across the country despite the opposition of Premier’s in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec. In these provinces, the needed legislative authority already exists, and the efforts have been led by police officers which has seen some success in removing blockades peacefully.

In addition to these immediate concerns, there are longer term concerns that also need to be discussed. Manitoba is looking for the extension of the federal-provincial Guns and Gangs Violence Action Fund (GGVAF) which is an important initiative to try to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and gangs. It was a program that began four years ago and has helped Manitoba create intelligence gathering and sharing when it comes to gangs and weapons. These are efforts that need to continue, and I am hopeful that the federal government will also see the importance of continuing this partnership with Manitoba.

In addition, Manitoba will be raising with the federal government the need for greater involvement and support for First Nations and Inuit Policing. Currently, Manitoba receives just 7.5% of the federal funding under the national First Nations policing program despite having the second largest First Nations population in Canada. First Nations leaders in Manitoba have advocated for the expansion of this program in Manitoba to ensure that it reaches more First Nations communities. This is a position that Manitoba supports and one that I will bring to the table of national and federal Justice Ministers.

Over the past six years I have had the opportunity to be a part of many federal-provincial meetings. This will be my first as the Minister of Justice for Manitoba and I look forward to bringing forward priorities on behalf of Manitobans and working collaboratively with my colleagues across the country.