The news this past week that federal New Democratic Leader, Jack Layton, was taking time away from his job as Official Opposition Leader to fight a battle with cancer, came as a shock to many Canadians who were quick to offer their best wishes to Mr. Layton.
There likely isn’t a family in Canada that hasn’t been touched in someway by this horrible disease and elected officials from all levels and all political parties were united in offering their support and prayers to Mr. Layton and to his family. I wish him continued courage as he takes time away to focus on restoring the energy that he is so well known for.
Enumeration Process Underway
Enumerators for Elections Manitoba have been making their way door-to-door recently ensuring that people are on the voters list for the fall provincial election. While the election date has been set for October 4th, the exact date that the election will start is still not known. However, enumeration is expected to continue until Monday, August 22nd.
All enumerators wear photo I.D. and yellow vests. If you are not at home when they come, they will leave a card that explains how to get your name on the voters list although enumerators may visit homes more than once to ensure you are added to the voters list. Voting is both a right and a privilege that we enjoy and it is made easier when eligible voters are added to the voters list.
Some residents have contacted me expressing confusion over the fact that they have been enumerated in a different riding than the one they currently are in. That is the result of the change in election boundaries that were announced a couple of years ago but that only comes into effect after the upcoming election.
The upcoming provincial election will be contested under these new boundaries. In some cases the names of constituencies have changed and communities have been placed into new constituencies all together. Locally, while communities such as Niverville, Grunthal, Pansy and Sarto are as of today in the Steinbach Constituency, after the next election they will be part of different constituencies. However, up until the time the election actually begins, any constituent who is currently in the Steinbach Constituency who has concerns or questions regarding provincial issues should feel free to contact my office for assistance. Until the election is called the current constituency boundaries are still in effect.
If you are unsure what constituency you will be in, you can visit the website of Elections Manitoba at www.elections.mb.ca which provides details on the new constituency boundaries.
