View From the Legislature

This past week several local community projects in the Steinbach constituency and across southeast Manitoba received support from two provincial financial programs.

Last week I was in Ste. Anne in my role as Minister of Justice to announce new police funding for municipal policing agencies across the province.

Last week I was once again honoured to co-chair the Midwest Canada-U.S. Relations Committee, a role I have held for the past several years.

Communities can deal with a variety of challenges at different times in their history. By far the most difficult challenge is when a community is losing residents and subsequently businesses or services.

Last weekend across Canada, millions of people gathered in parks and pavilions to celebrate Canada Day. In Manitoba and Steinbach, many events were held on a hot summer weekend to mark the 156th year of Canada as a nation.

Over the past few days as I was walking out of the Manitoba Legislative building, I saw a sight that has become common around this time of the year.

Last Thursday morning in my role as Minister of Justice, I was in Gimli to celebrate the opening of the new RCMP detachment in that community.

Late last year, I was pleased to participate in an announcement to establish an integrated policing unit specifically dedicated to arresting violent criminals that are wanted on warrants in Manitoba.

The excessive heat of the past two weeks is a sure sign that summer has arrived in Manitoba. Another essential part of Manitoba summers, community festivals and fairs, are also beginning to make their appearance.

On Thursday a very busy spring legislative session at the Manitoba Legislature ended. Over the past few months many pieces of legislation were debated and passed, and a provincial budget was introduced and passed as well.