View From the Legislature

Late in the evening on Wednesday of last week the spring session of the Manitoba Legislature concluded with many important pieces of legislation passing to either become law or soon to be law. This most recent session was also notable for a number of other reasons as well, not the least of these being that it was a return to normal in terms of Legislature operations.

For the first time in two years, the Legislature operated at full capacity with all elected MLAs being able to be in the Legislative Assembly together without distancing or other protocols. While I applaud the work of the staff of the Manitoba Legislature for finding ways over the past two years to keep the Assembly working with virtual options, some matters of the Legislature are simply meant to be dealt with in person.

This also meant the reopening of the Manitoba Legislative building to the public for tours and the ability for people to again observe the Assembly and the debates from the public gallery. It was wonderful to be able to again welcome people to the Manitoba Legislature. Democracy is meant to be open and transparent and that means the ability for people to watch, if they choose, the debates that take place in the peoples’ house.

Among the legislation that was passed this session was a bill that will ensure that Manitoban’s will again receive a rebate on the school taxes that they pay on their property. Last year, Manitoba homeowners who paid this tax received 25% back. This year that is increased to 37.5% thanks to the legislation past this spring.

Also, legislation was passed that will improve policing in the province through the establishment of uniform standards and codes of conduct for police. This was one of the 18 pieces of legislation that I was honoured to introduce and pass. Those 18 bills, such as those supporting victims of crime and improving family law, reflect my current role as Minister of Justice but also bills that came with me from my previous role as Deputy Premier, including making the Polar Bear an official symbol of Manitoba. This made for a very busy session moving these bills through the various stages of debate and committee scrutiny that they go through before becoming law.

As well, as the House Leader for the PC Party of Manitoba, I enjoyed working with all political parties in the Legislature to not only move forward on the government agenda, but pass bills brought forward by opposition members as well.

After the session ended, the MLA for Kirkfield Park Scott Fielding announced that he was retiring from politics to pursue other opportunities after 15 years in elected life both municipality and provincially. I have served in Cabinet with Mr. Fielding for more than six years and have always appreciated his dedication and thoughtfulness to the job. I wish him well as he enters a new chapter of his life and thank him for his service to Manitobans.