As the school year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible spirit of our community’s young people.

This graduation season, I had the absolute privilege of attending the St. James Assiniboia School Division’s graduation powwow and ceremony, and am looking forward to attending graduation ceremonies at the Manitoba School for the Deaf, Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, and John Taylor Collegiate. Attending these celebrations allows me to witness the immense pride of the graduates, their families, teachers, and friends as they mark this significant milestone in their lives. Our students are not just preparing for their own future; they’re ready to lift up others, and their accomplishments give me enormous hope for the future of our province.

With the beautiful summer weather finally here, I hope to carry their passion and energy out into our wonderful neighbourhoods. Over the summer weeks, constituents can expect to see me and my team out on your doorsteps to hear directly from you about your concerns, ideas, and the meaningful changes you would like to see in our province. I am truly looking forward to being out in the community over the next few months and meet with you to learn about what matters most to you and your family.

One of my focuses this summer is also to bring neighbours across our community together. I am thrilled to once again host a number of community barbecues throughout Assiniboia. Everyone is welcome to join us for good food, cold drinks, and a great chat. Please come find us! We will be holding these gathering opportunities at the following times and locations:

I met Giovanna when having breakfast at a local restaurant where she was a server. I heard her talking about a show coming up and asked if she was a musician. Giovanna was happy to share her story, and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce her to our readers, as I believe it is important to support local talent wherever we can.

Giovanna focuses on theatrical vocals and onstage storytelling. Her brother Tony is a self-taught guitarist, keyboardist and music producer.

Their strong sibling bond and friendship came before they moved forward with their endeavour. LUANA MOTH was started as a solo project by Tony, then became collaborative after he discovered his sister could sing. LUANA MOTH is a sibling electronic-rock project that tells the story of a mysterious, enigmatic figure known only for her paranormal endeavours and experiments. She was known to reside in Gimli, Man. The sleepy Lake Winnipeg town sets an important backdrop for the story, as the sounds and feelings of an expansive, mysterious body of water influence the music.

Tony became aware of the mystery while in Gimli. He found a poem in a note on the ground. On the other side was written Luana Moth; an alias, it was learned, of a woman who had lived in Gimli. The full story about Luana remains a mystery. Tony and Giovanna began by mapping out the stories and narratives of Luana’s life, first assembling scripts and storyboards, then composing the music to bring them to life as best they can. LUANA MOTH has been playing live consistently since the summer of 2024. A shared creative landscape and imagination became highly valuable for the project’s integrity.

After hours of debate stretching late into the night, the Manitoba NDP government passed its budget implementation bill in the early morning of May 29. In spite of higher spending — supported by increased reliance on taxes and federal transfers — it ultimately falls short of meeting the needs of families here in Fort Whyte. Key priorities that residents consistently raise have been overlooked.

One of the most noticeable gaps is the absence of new childcare spaces in our constituency. Fort Whyte continues to grow, and with that growth comes increased demand for accessible, dependable childcare. Unfortunately, families are still dealing with lengthy wait-lists and limited options, making it harder for parents to stay in or return to the workforce. Quality childcare is not optional — it’s a critical part of a strong economy and thriving communities. Yet this budget does little to expand availability where it’s most urgently needed.

Affordability is another major concern that remains largely unaddressed. Families across Fort Whyte are feeling real financial pressure as the cost of living continues to rise. Grocery bills, fuel prices, clothing, property taxes, and everyday household expenses are all stretching budgets thinner. While the NDP has introduced some measures, they fall far short of providing meaningful, longterm relief. Many households will see little, if any, difference when it comes to managing their monthly costs.

Our Progressive Conservative proposal offered a clearer path forward. By increasing Manitoba’s basic personal exemption to $30,000, families in Fort Whyte would have seen an average of $3,000 in annual savings. This was a practical, direct way to put money back into people’s pockets. Regrettably, the NDP chose not to adopt this plan or similar affordability-focused solutions.