View From the Legislature

With 2017 now almost complete it is time to both reflect on the year that was and to look ahead to 2018.

The past year was another exciting one in the Steinbach Constituency as growth continued both commercially and with new residents coming to the region. There were a number of different important funding commitments from the provincial government and key among them was the planned expansion of Rest Haven Personal Care Home. The addition of new PCH beds is needed in the City which has not seen additional net new beds since the 1970s, despite its growth.

In addition, a new primary care clinic opened in Steinbach in 2017 which will not only serve to attract and retain doctors, but will help meet the needs of area residents for years to come as the primary care campus continues to take shape.

The past year has also been a time of change and transition in healthcare as work is undertaken to ensure the healthcare system is both effective and sustainable. Now making up well more than 40% of the entire provincial budget, it is important that efforts are made to ensure the system is as efficient as possible so that care is there not only today, but for future generations as well.

While most other provinces have undergone past efforts to concentrate health human resources in such a way to ensure predictable and reliable care is available at health facilities, till now this effort has not happened on a system wide basis in Manitoba. The release of a provincial clinical plan, the first of its kind in Manitoba, provided a guide as to how to structure the healthcare system to ensure Manitobans can get the right care in the right place at the right time.

In the year ahead we also look forward to advice from experts who have been examining Manitoba’s mental health and addictions system in an effort to better integrate them. Research shows that there is a strong correlation between mental health and addictions and it is important that support for these two issues integrate well together. The mental health and addictions report is expected to be received by government by March 31, 2018.

We must also, even amidst significant change, not forget that Manitobans elected a Progressive Conservative government with a mandate to fix the finances. Record deficits were being run under the NDP government and now for the first time in many years, financial forecasts are being met and the deficit is being reduced annually and in a responsible way. Those efforts must continue in 2018.

There is much to look forward to in 2018. There are challenges to be faced but also many opportunities to be had. I hope that 2018 holds many opportunities for you and I wish you well in the year ahead.