The winter session of the Manitoba Legislature came to an end on Thursday with many important questions to Manitobans and their future still remaining unanswered. Whether in relation to Manitoba’s growing debt, the continued deterioration of healthcare or public safety, the NDP spent more time dodging questions than providing some clarity to Manitobans about the plan going forward on these key issues.
When it comes to the deficit, for two consecutive years the Manitoba NDP missed the target that they established in the provincial budget. And not just by a little, but by hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. And with provincial revenues not growing as the economy remains stalled and the NDP unable to control expenses, there is no sign that this is going to change. And yet, the NDP continue to say they are going to balance the budget in the next two years.
Given the deficit is still hundreds of millions of dollars, to meet this promise the NDP will either have to raise taxes, like when they raised the PST last time they were in government, or significantly reduce spending. But despite many questions, the NDP have continued to refuse to tell Manitobans exactly how they are planning to balance the budget or to simply admit to Manitobans that they will not.
Other questions that went unanswered related to healthcare. Whether measured by statistics such as ER and surgery wait times or simply by the stories brought forward by Manitobans, healthcare is getting worse under the NDP. Just this past week, yet another Manitoban died in an emergency room, this time after waiting more than 30 hours trying to get help. Sadly, the response from the NDP Minister of Health was the same to the other recent deaths in ER, the promise of another internal review that will remain secret. All asks for a public review of this death were entirely ignored. This came during the same week that the Manitoba Nurses Union referred to the NDP government as dismissive and arrogant. Most concerning is that, whether it is the long waits in emergency rooms or the growing wait for surgeries, the NDP have no plan to fix or even better the healthcare system. Questions go unanswered and healthcare continues to deteriorate.
On the issue of public safety, recent weeks have seen a number of shocking situations. The most recent example was that of a repeat child predator who entered a Winnipeg school and hid in a bathroom in an attempt to harm a child. Thankfully the brave child was able to wrestle free but it sent shock waves through all parents who have children in the school system. There were questions about how the individual was able to enter the school and bathroom undeterred but as importantly, why was this repeat offender back in the community, without warning or notification, preying on young children.
Again, the NDP were not only unable to answer the question, but they were also unable to provide any meaningful response as to how this could happen or how it will be prevented in the future.
As the Manitoba Legislature now enters its winter break, the cold months will not do anything to dampen the need to have these burning questions answered. Ultimately, Premier Kinew and his NDP government cannot simply ignore and dodge questions of financial security, health security and personal security forever.
