View From the Legislature

Members of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party will be selecting their new leader on April 26th.

Likely many Manitobans were not aware that Saturday, February 1st in our province was Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Day.

Maybe it has happened before, but it is not something I remember seeing. Watching on television Saturday night as Canadian hockey fans booed the playing of the United States national anthem was both surreal and sad.

In the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, the Speaker of the House often refers to elected MLA’s as “Honourable Members”.

Years ago, before I was elected to the Manitoba Legislature, I recall speaking with a then Progressive Conservative MLA.

Even a casual observer of politics will have seen and heard it. After the election of a new government, a great deal of the new administration’s time is spent blaming the previous government.

Politics has always been tribal. Political parties are driven to win elections and because of that there isn’t much grace given to other political parties.

As people begin to return to a more regular routine following Christmas, thoughts often turn to the new year ahead.

With only a week to go before Christmas, homes are bright with decorative lights and stores are filled with shoppers. And all around us are signs wishing people a Christmas that is Merry and Joyful. These are heartwarming messages and traditions that are part of what make this season so special.

Last week the Manitoba Legislature was bustling with choirs and visitors during the annual Christmas Open House. MLAs in attendance also had the opportunity to participate in the annual MLA choir and demonstrate their singing skills, or lack of, performing some holiday classics.