Last week new Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister made wholesale changes to the critic roles that MLAs have within the P.C. Caucus. Mr. Pallister asked that I become critic for Education and I am looking forward to the new role.
For about 7 years during my time as MLA for the Steinbach Constituency, I have served as the Justice Critic for the official opposition. It was a role that I enjoyed and one that, with the support of local residents and other Manitobans, we were able to make some positive changes. Together we were able to bring forward new legislation or policy that helps parents get treatment for their children dealing with addiction, stronger restrictions on high risk offenders, and new measures to protect children from child predators. I have appreciated the support of local residents as I worked in the role of Justice Critic. Many of the ideas that I brought forward in the Legislature came from suggestions by local residents.
The Education file is one I am looking forward to as it will give me an opportunity to look at an area of great importance to parents, children, youth and the province as a whole. There are few areas that can have a greater impact on a young person’s life than their education. The experience that our kids have in our schools is critical to how they succeed as adults.
As a parent of a young child in the public school system, I have become so much more aware over the past couple of years about the importance of what happens in school. My wife and I have come to appreciate greatly the staff and administration of the schools. As parents, we send our kids off to school with the expectation that they will be in an environment that is safe and helps them become their best. I look forward to working on the Education file to both look at what is not working and what is working in our schools.
Over the next number of weeks I hope to meet with stakeholders in the education system. That includes teachers, school staff, administration, trustees, parents and students. It will be an interesting transition as I go from visiting jails, as I have over the past 7 years, to visiting schools.
In addition, I am continuing in my role as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative Party and looking forward to the return of the Legislature whenever Premier Greg Selinger indicates that a new session will begin. But my most important role remains that of MLA for the Steinbach Constituency and I will continue to work with local residents to build strong communities in our region.
