Steinbach welcomed participants in the Manitoba Lotteries 55 Plus Games this week as they took part in events that were held throughout the City. These games have a long tradition in Manitoba and bring together seniors from across the province to compete against each other and, just as importantly, to create new friendships.
The Steinbach host committee, led by Pat Porter, arranged a number of different social events for the participants of the games and worked hard to ensure that the games were well run and that everyone felt welcome. Our local Steinbach 55 Plus organization is one of the strongest in the province and provided the necessary support and volunteer power to ensure these games were a success.
Congratulations to everyone involved in helping with the games this week. Once again you have made Steinbach and the southeast proud and demonstrated why this is one of the best places in Canada to call home.
Session Comes To An End
It was expected that the most recent session of the Legislature, and possibly the last before the fall election, would come to an end on Thursday. It was a session that was dominated by questions around the flood that has devastated huge parts of western Manitoba and areas around Lake Manitoba.
On Tuesday, hundreds of residents from these areas came to the Legislature and held a protest demanding answers from the NDP government about compensation, lake levels and a lack of communication from the government.
Of course, the government is not responsible for the weather but it is clearly their responsibility to ensure that there is reliable flood forecasting, proper communication and follow-through on commitments made. While the NDP and Premier Greg Selinger conducted a series of photo-ops and put out a number of press releases in the winter telling Manitobans they were prepared for a flood, they clearly were not.
Residents in westman and along Lake Manitoba have not been given proper flood projections, there has been a lack of communication on the preparations that were being undertaken and now, as many of them are applying for compensation, they are discovering that the promised support is not there. Staff in the departments of Water Stewardship and Emergency Measures have worked hard to fight the flood and have been assisted by our very capable military and countless volunteers. The frustration of residents of westman is directed squarely at the NDP government’s mismanagement of this crisis.
With the session coming to an end, I look forward to being able to spend more time meeting with residents over the summer months and discussing the issues that are important to you.
