This past Friday the Manitoba Legislature recessed as it usually does for the summer. Only there was one difference this year, the summer was already over. The “spring” session of the Legislature stretched on through the summer and became the longest spring session in Manitoba history.

There was good reason for Manitoba Progressive Conservative MLAs to keep the NDP working through the summer at the Legislature. After having raised the PST from 7% to 8% and broken their promise not to raise taxes, Manitobans were looking for someone to stand up for them. This was especially important because the NDP did away with the requirement for a referendum before increasing the PST and increased the PST even before the law (Bill 20) that allowed it to happen had passed. In fact Bill 20 has still not passed and won’t be voted on until December.

This, combined with the NDP’s controversial bullying legislation (Bill 18) and forced municipal amalgamation legislation (Bill 33) meant there was a great deal of work to do over the summer. Hundreds of people registered to speak at committee on these three pieces of legislation and to express their concern about how the NDP are governing the province. Manitoba Progressive Conservatives wanted to ensure that Manitobans had every opportunity to change the mind of Premier Greg Selinger.

Of course in the end, the NDP do what they often do, they ignored Manitobans and the concerns that they raised. Despite that, Manitobans did themselves proud by becoming involved in the democratic process through attending rallies, sending emails and letters and making presentations at committee. The Legislature was a busy place all through the summer as a result.

Even though the NDP refused to listen to Manitobans, those who participated made it clear that they are looking for a government who will listen to them and it has inspired Manitoba Progressive Conservatives to ensure our province has that kind of government after the next election.

The fall session of the Legislature will begin in November and as we did in the summer, we will continue to stand up for Manitobans and their priorities.

Congratulations Ted Falk

Congratulations to Ted Falk who last week was acclaimed as the federal Conservative candidate for Provencher. I’ve been fortunate to know Ted and his wife Irene for many years. I have appreciated the close connections Ted has to our region, his dedication to family and his service to the community through his work at the Steinbach Credit Union and his business.

I know that Ted will work hard and will be listening to resident’s right across Provencher as he prepares for the by-election and the opportunity to be the successor to Vic Toews.