It’s traditional at this time to look back at the year just past. 2008 will be remembered internationally as a turbulent year economically and politically. In Manitoba and in the southeast, it was a busy year filled with its share of positive developments and challenges.
At the Manitoba Legislature, the NDP government tried to rush through a number of controversial pieces of legislation in the spring of 2008. These included a moratorium on the pork industry in Manitoba, legislation that eliminated the requirement for the government to balance the budget every year and legislation that would require politicians to receive approval from the government on the communications they sent to residents and that implemented a $1.25 vote tax that would be used to fund political parties.
Hundreds of Manitobans came to the Legislature to protest these bills holding them up until the fall of 2008. While the NDP government backed down on some of the legislation, they went ahead with changing the balanced budget legislation and implementing a moratorium on the pork industry. Through their protests however, Manitobans showed the NDP that they are growing tired of a government that has lost touch with the real priorities of residents.
In 2008 I was pleased to bring forward legislation in the Manitoba Legislature that received all party endorsement and support. This included legislation to protect emergency workers by giving them the right to have blood they come into contact with during the course of their work tested for disease. Also, I introduced legislation that will allow those convicted of creating child pornography to be sued in civil court even if the children who were victimized cannot be identified. This initiative was also supported by all political parties.
Locally in 2008, the pressures of population growth continued. While I was pleased that the province approved funding for a new middle school and emergency room at Bethesda Hospital, there is a need to have these projects proceed quickly and to have others soon follow. The need for a new high school in the region and new operating rooms at Bethesda were front and center in 2008 as was the need for approval of new personal care homes spaces like the proposed expansion of the Grunthal Menno Home.
Public forums were held in 2008 to draw attention to the need for more doctors in the region and for a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) to help those dealing with mental health issues. These forums were important to raising the profile of these issues and to bettering communication both locally and at the provincial level.
The turmoil in the world financial markets which impacted the global economy touched Manitoba and our region as well. Several hundred people lost their jobs at local manufacturers who deal internationally. A year end business survey showed that business owners still have confidence in the local economy but were more cautious than in years past and were looking for government to create a positive business environment and to manage public funds responsibly and keep taxes low.
2008 proved to be a busy year with both challenges and successes. As we enter 2009, I look forward to working with local residents to build upon these successes and to overcome the challenges. Happy New Year.
