View From the Legislature

There have been some significant changes across the province in various leadership roles this past week.

Municipal and school board elections occurred on Wednesday, and I would like to congratulate all of those who won election and re-election along with those who let their name stand but were not elected.

Each of those who chose not to stand for re-election also deserve to be thanked for their service. Regardless of the level of government one is elected to, it can be challenging to make decisions in these roles and the scrutiny and public criticism that sometimes comes along with it. To those who decided not to run again, thank you for your service and participation in our democracy.

I would like to especially thank Stan Toews who completed his time as Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Hanover. For 27 years, in the role of Councillor and then Reeve, Stan has been helping provide leadership to one of the fastest growing areas of Manitoba and Canada. Together with his wife Mary, they have represented our region well and with integrity. Thank you, Stan and Mary, for your commitment and dedication to Manitoba.

There was also a change this week in the role of lieutenant-governor as the term of the Honourable Janice Filmon cane to a conclusion and The Honourable Anita Neville became the 26th lieutenant-governor in Manitoba’s history. Anita Neville is now the King’s representative in Manitoba and becomes just the third woman to hold that position and the first person of Jewish heritage.

Every province has a lieutenant-governor that is appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. They grant royal assent to laws passed in the legislature and perform a number of public and ceremonial roles such as delivering the speech from the throne to open a legislative session and swearing in members of a provincial cabinet.

On her last day as lieutenant-governor, Janice Filmon received a warm thank you from all who were in attendance at the ceremony for the new lieutenant-governor. Manitobans have observed as Mrs. Filmon fulfilled her role with grace and dignity and always with a warm welcome for everyone that she met. Manitobans owe both her and former Premier Gary Filmon thanks for the service they have provided our province. Together with my wife Kim and son Malachi, I want to thank them both for the encouragement, support and friendship they have provided us over many years.

In our democratic system, as in life, there is often significant change. That change is part of our democracy and is its strength when it happens in a peaceful and an orderly way. The peaceful transition of power in a democracy is truly something to defend and value. I wish each of the newly elected municipal and school board officials well as they begin a new term and I congratulate our new lieutenant-governor on assuming her office and the duties that follow.