Kevin Lamoureux

Working to improve our health-care system

Health care is, in many ways, a core part of what it means to be Canadian. To receive essential health-care services, the only thing Canadians should require is a health card, not a credit card.

Expressing gratitude to foster parents

Back in September, I attended a 60th birthday celebration at the Marlborough Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, where I sat with Myrna, who is a relatively new foster parent.

Strengthening our Philippines connections

The relationship between Canada and the Philippines continues to grow and both countries have benefitted as a result. A few weeks ago, Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, concluded her visit to the Philippines but before I get into some of the details allow me to provide some background.

Diversity is our greatest strength

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to host a special event with Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and even though the issue of Ukraine did come up, that was not the subject of the meeting.

Feds make big Transit investment

In Manitoba, the Government of Canada has invested more than $945 million in over 229 infrastructure projects since 2015. From contributing to community splash pads to mega-projects such as supporting Winnipeg Transit, when the different levels of government come together on infrastructure, we can really make a difference.

Earlier this month I joined with Premier Stefanson and Mayor Bowman to make a half billion-dollar commitment to Winnipeg Public Transit, of which over $200 million will be coming from the federal government.

At the announcement, I said “Winnipeg is a fast-growing, thriving city. If we want to continue welcoming more residents in a sustainable fashion, we need a public transit system that is reliable, accessible, and user-friendly. This federal funding will go a long way towards achieving those objectives by adding dozens of buses, many of them electric, on Winnipeg’s roads, and improving the transit system’s technology. The investments we’re making in transit will help connect Winnipeggers to work to school and to each other while creating jobs and reducing emissions.”

Some $110 million of federal funding will help electrify Winnipeg Transit’s bus fleet with the purchase of approximately 100 electric battery and electric fuel-cell buses and related infrastructure. An additional 135 diesel buses will be added to Transit’s fleet to meet the needs of a growing transit system.

New Philippines agreement is good for Canada

Did you know that the number of Canadians of Filipino heritage is now over one million people? And that Winnipeg North is arguably the heart of the Canadian Filipino community?

Canada’s diversity is one of the reasons we have the ability to build strong relationships with many countries around the world. Last month we saw a good example of how our relationship with the Philippines continues to grow. Canada’s international trade minister, Mary Ng and Ramon Lopez, the secretary of trade and industry from the Philippines witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint economic commission between Canada and Philippines.

The new JEC signifies another important step in deepening trade relations between Canada and the Philippines, which will build stronger economic linkages in the Indo-Pacific area. Minister Ng said the JEC will improve dialogue and collaboration on shared and emerging economic, investment and trade priorities— including in growth sectors such as renewable energies, infrastructure, agriculture, sustainable mining, and information and communications technology. The JEC allows for the participation of stakeholders, which will assist in making sure the interests of businesses and workers are well represented.

This development demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to diversifying trade and economic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region, which will result in creating more opportunities for Canadian businesses to export their innovative products and services, which means more jobs for people here in Canada.

Support for Ukraine is unwavering

On Dec. 2, 1991, Canada became the first western country in the world to recognize Ukraine’s independence and since then the two countries have had a very special relationship.

In 2014, a pro-Russian president of Ukraine and other elected parliamentarians tried, but failed, to weaken Ukraine’s ties to the west in favor of strengthening ties to Russia through trade agreements. Canada supported Ukraine in the aftermath with military training and other forms of aid. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first signed international trade agreement was with Ukraine in 2016.

I visited the Maidan (Independence Square) in Kyiv in 2014 and saw first-hand how the people of Ukraine wanted freedom, democracy and individual rights. In my opinion, Russian president Vladimir Putin played a critical role back then and now he is showing the world how cruel a human being can be. The horrors of war are many, and what Putin is doing today in Ukraine is evil.

Back on Feb. 24, Putin authorized a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine today is the greatest threat to world order since the Second World War. National sovereignty and territorial integrity allows people in democracies around the globe to live free and without fear. Canada has no option, as we must support a rules-based international order as we work with other allied countries in support of Ukraine. We all need to recognize that the attack on Ukraine is an attack on democracies around the world.

Thanking immigrant health-care workers

Canada’s health-care system requires immigrants in order to meet health-care service needs.

Immigration policy over the years has enabled Canadians to experience high-level quality care and health-care services. The reality is there are thousands of immigrants from around the world who were educated and/or worked in health care abroad before they became Canadian residents. Today still hundreds of them that are trying to get their skills fully recognized — but that is for another story.

On Jan. 24, the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press featured a Filipina immigrant working as a registered nurse here in Canada. As I read more about her, I was struck by this line: “Registered nurse April Intertas began nursing in her homeland, the Philippines, and is one of many Filipinas and Filipinos caring for patients in Manitoba hospitals.”

First off, let me express my appreciation and gratitude to April for choosing Winnipeg as her new home and for continuing in her passion for providing care. Canada has been blessed by so many health-care workers and caregivers coming her from the Philippines. April’s story reminded me of a 2016 report from Statistics Canada that estimated that internationally educated Filipino nurses are the largest groups of immigrant nurses in Canada and the United States.

Building our capacity to develop EVs

Winnipeg’s taxi industry was well ahead of everyone else, in my opinion, when it came to transitioning from gas vehicles to electric vehicles. 

Well over 10 years ago taxi owners all over the world, and here in Winnipeg, were purchasing hybrids such as the Toyota Prius whereas the population as a whole was holding back, primarily due to the cost of hybrid vehicles. In Manitoba, we have seen both federal and provincial governments create programs to encourage consumers to purchase electric and hybrid vehicles. I suspect that will continue but it is consumer demand accompanied by a higher sense of environmental awareness that will ultimately make such vehicles more affordable.

Aside from fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is also facing the threat of man-made climate change. The amount of greenhouse gases generated worldwide is affecting our climate, creating destructive weather events such as the ‘atmospheric river’ that caused catastrophic flooding and infrastructure damage in British Columbia. Considering all this, the federal government has strived to cut pollution from all sectors of the economy — including the transportation sector, which is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Almost half these emissions come from cars and light trucks.

One way to reduce the amount of transportation-related GHG emissions is to put more electric vehicles on the road. Since 2015, the federal government has invested a historic $1 billion to make EVs more affordable and accessible for Canadians. These investments are building a coast-to-coast network of fast chargers, installing chargers in local areas where Canadians live, work and play, and providing rebates of up to $5,000 to help more Canadians buy EVs.

Potato Corner opens first Winnipeg franchise

Have you ever heard of a restaurant/fast food outlet called Potato Corner?

Chances are you have not but, if you immigrated from the Philippines in the last 20 years, there is a good chance that you are familiar with Potato Corner, which is renowned for its flavoured French fries. 

Back on Nov. 14, I participated in a ribbon-cutting at the grand opening of the first Potato Corner franchise in Manitoba, located in St. Vital Centre.

I was grateful for the invitation and congratulate the franchisees on the launch. Whenever small businesses open in the city, I consider it special because they form the backbone of the Canadian economy. They are what generate jobs.

Celebrating Canada’s many heritages

Over the years I have often talked about how Canada’s diversity is what gives us our strength and recognition from around the world as a strong, healthy, modern nation.

Canada is often listed as the best country in the world to call home as we welcome hundreds of thousands of people every year.

Our heritage is enriched and continues to grow as it recognizes and adopts the contributions to our social, economic, political, and cultural life of Canadians who arrive here from all over the world.

A number of Canadian ethnic communities celebrate their heritage in the month of June, and the month has been so designated by Parliament for many of them.

Budget 2021 will help people to buy, renovate homes

The 2021 federal budget was announced last month. This huge document does more than just lay out the plans for government finances over the next year, it’s really a road map to Canada’s economic recovery as governments of all levels will need to work together and focus on the new normal and building back better.

The No. 1 priority remains supporting Canadians through the COVID-19 pandemic and to that end we continue with supports for businesses and workers such the wage subsidy program and CERB, which have been extended until the fall.

At the same time, the budget is building on what we have learned from over the past few months and the Government of Canada is making some historic investments to implement national standards for long-term care and to create a national child-care system.

Additionally, the budget delivered substantial additional support for seniors over 75 and children, among many other things. These are all critical parts of setting Canada up for a strong economic recovery.

Vaccines are here and the end may be in sight

I plan to be the last 59-year-old in Winnipeg North to be vaccinated to fight the coronavirus.

In short, I will only agree to get my shots after every person my age and older has been given the opportunity. I do not want anyone to think or believe that I am getting special treatment.

Delaying my COVID-19 vaccination isn’t about vaccine-hesitancy. It’s about respect. I will wait my turn out of consideration for others - for the essential workers putting their own safety on the line every day, and for those who need the protection most.

This might mean I have to wait a little longer to be close with family and friends again, but so be it. This is a small price to pay to keep my neighbours and my community healthy.

We must reimagine the downtown Bay

Back on Nov. 18, 1926, the brand-new flagship store of the Hudson’s Bay Company opened its doors in downtown Winnipeg, just up the street from the Manitoba legislature that had opened six years before it. 

Can you imagine what an incredible sight that would have been?

At the time of its opening, the building was still under construction, but the first three floors were humming with customers. At the time, Winnipeg’s downtown Bay was the largest reinforced concrete building in Canada.

There was a time in Winnipeg when talking about Eaton’s and The Bay downtown meant excitement in anticipation of a shopping adventure.

Winnipeg can be a year-round playground

Winnipeg has four very distinct seasons — from ice-cold winters to extreme summer heat waves. The most common reason so many people leave Winnipeg, either permanently or for a few months every year, is the cold weather.

I believe we need to do more to invest in and promote the benefits of living in Winnipeg year-round. By doing this we will see healthier communities and a healthier economy.

We love our summers but what about our winters? Are there more things we can do to make winter a more enjoyable part of the year? When was the last time you went skiing?

The other day, while driving past Westview Park, which is better known to me and many others as Garbage Hill, I saw what looked to be over 100 people sliding down the hill, running back up, laughing and smiling the whole way.

Reflecting on the Year of the Coronavirus

I will stay inside my small circle, but I am not cancelling my Christmas celebrations, and I still plan on making some New Year’s resolutions.

The year 2020 will best be remembered for the novel coronavirus pandemic and the impact it had around the world. Even with modern technology and advances in healt care, hundreds of thousands of people died as millions were infected. Countries have been closed to outsiders, economies have been shut down and people have been asked to stay home, all while essential workers continue to support our communities.

Christmas is around the corner, and people across Canada are being asked to stay home this year so that we can better minimize the negative impact of the coronavirus. The holidays are looking different than they ever have.

While we are not visiting homes and attending Christmas and holiday parties this year, Christmas has not been cancelled and we should still celebrate the New Year later this month.

We must ensure that Folklorama survives

Arts festivals and cultural events such as Folklorama are all-important to our city but have unfortunately been affected by COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus has impacted every aspect of our lives but its effects might be the most obvious on community events. There are countless celebrations that bring Winnipeg together each year — my annual Canada Day fireworks at Tyndall Park, the Filipino Street Festival in the Maples, the Blue Bombers’ next winning season …

One of the most significant among these is Folklorama. I think many people in Winnipeg take this incredible event for granted. Most of us probably don’t realize that it’s the largest multicultural festival of its kind in the world. Tourists travel from far and wide to visit for good reason.

You can tour the world in your own backyard here in Winnipeg, and it is often my first recommendation to people visiting Winnipeg. We have held Folklorama for over 50 years, and its impact on our city and province has been significant. We see it every summer for two weeks, but for many of the volunteers, from pavilion co-ordinators to youth creating and practising their performances, it consumes their time year-round.

Protect and build our canopy of trees

I am very proud to call Winnipeg home and often, while flying into or out of our city, I will look out the window and see hundreds of thousands of trees.

Our trees are scattered throughout our communities and come in many variations, from the mighty maples and oaks to our Christmas spruce trees to fruit trees, shrubs and so many more. 

Our rivers, parks and public places draw us to them in part because of their trees. From Point Douglas to Tyndall Park you will see thousands of mature trees, while communities in newer neighbourhoods have much younger stock. We are still struggling to recover from the terrible snowstorm last Thanksgiving, in which thousands of trees were damaged and far too many lost, causing serious damage to our canopy.

The point of this story is to say that, no matter where you live in Winnipeg, we could always use more trees.

Supporting Winnipeg Transit — for all of us

The Government of Canada is investing hundreds of millions to support public transportation in Canada, of which well over $20 million should be going to Winnipeg Transit.

I understand the importance of investing in our public buses and I am happy to say the federal government is stepping up to support public transit and this is not our first time, either.

Healthy, vibrant public transit systems are important for big cities for numerous reasons. They provide many people with mobility for work, grocery shopping and more; they reduce traffic in general and fewer cars on the road is better for our environment. It is critical that Winnipeg Transit be supported as we have a growing city and public transit is facing one of the most difficult times in its history.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives and its impact on our transit system can’t be underestimated. There has been a tremendous drop in ridership, as many Manitobans are working from home, avoiding non-essential trips, or choosing cars and bicycles over the bus.

The Red River has so much more potential

Many of us pass over, or along the Red and Assiniboine rivers every day. We might not even think about them, unless we’re stuck in traffic on a bridge.

The mighty Red River that flows through our city is a natural asset that we politicians have neglected for far to long. It is time that we get more serious about a long-term plan for the Red River and how it can best provide its potential for future generations of Winnipeggers. We need a group of people to come together with a mission, a mission that would include a plan that would be friendly to our environment and see that the public in general have access to parks, walkways and so much more.

It’s not just a coincidence that these rivers are at the heart of our city. They’re our city’s very reason for being. In its earliest days, Winnipeg was called the Red River Settlement.

The confluence of the Red and Assiniboine has been a hub of trade and cultural exchange for more than 6,000 years. Indigenous groups and European fur traders chose to settle here so they could control the rivers and travel across the continent.