Scott Johnston

SJASD funding to increase by 8.1 per cent

As the MLA representing Assiniboia, I am pleased to announce an increase in education funding for the 2023-24 school year in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division.

More help for Manitoba families

On Aug. 31, 2022, Premier Heather Stefanson unveiled the Family Affordability Package in the ongoing effort of the Manitoba government to make life more affordable for Manitobans in need. Families with children will receive financial supports to help offset rising costs and high inflation. The Family Affordability benefit cheque will provide each qualifying family with $250 for their first child and $200 for each additional child.

Information for seniors in Winnipeg

Many of my constituents have requested information for seniors’ services in Winnipeg. As my constituency has the largest population of seniors in Manitoba, I would like to provide this valuable public information should some of our seniors not have easy access to the internet:

Looking forward to spring progress

I was pleased to head back into the fourth session of the 42nd Legislature on March 1 for the start of the 2022 spring session. I am honoured and eager to participate in this government’s unveiling of our new path forward with Premier Heather Stefanson and I am looking forward to representing Manitoba’s seniors in my new role as the minister of seniors and long-term care. This department is particularly of interest to me, as Assiniboia has such a large representation of seniors who have contributed so much to their communities.

Health Minister Audrey Gordon and I, together with our colleague Sarah Guillemard, minister for mental health and community wellness, will work collaboratively on our mandate to improve the quality of life for all Manitobans. As minister for seniors and long-term sare, I have a very focused agenda to implement all recommendations of the Stevenson Report.

“These changes will help strengthen the care provided in all Manitoba personal care homes and will make a real difference for families, staff and residents in long term care,” Premier Stefanson said in a news release.

(To read the Stevenson Report and view the progress update, please visit our website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/maples_review.html)

Happy holidays… and here’s to a new beginning

I would like to wish all of my Assiniboia constituents a very merry Christmas, happy holidays and blessings for a prosperous New Year; all the best in 2022.  

This year, with vaccinations and the diligence of Manitobans we will be able to celebrate Christmas with family, friends and neighbours. I am so pleased parents, children, grandchildren and all family members are able to share the warmth and spirit of the season.  

Thank you for doing your part. As your MLA I wish to express my appreciation for assisting your government to protect you, your family and your neighbours by getting vaccinated. I thank you, as we continue to fight COVID together.

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It’s a busy time of year

The fall season has always been traditionally a busy time for families and this year has been no exception. Our students have gone back to school and we are preparing our homes, cottages and yards for the onset of winter.  

The Manitoba legislature resumed on Oct. 6 to complete the final stages of implementing Budget 2021, which helps make life more affordable for Manitobans while providing support in the fight against COVID-19.

The condensed two-week sitting will focus on completing the Budget 2021 financial process, including the introduction and passage of the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act.

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It’s a busy time of year

The fall season has always been traditionally a busy time for families and this year has been no exception. Our students have gone back to school and we are preparing our homes, cottages and yards for the onset of winter.  

The Manitoba legislature resumed on Oct. 6 to complete the final stages of implementing Budget 2021, which helps make life more affordable for Manitobans while providing support in the fight against COVID-19.

The condensed two-week sitting will focus on completing the Budget 2021 financial process, including the introduction and passage of the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act.

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Enjoying new duties as military envoy

In my first duty as Manitoba’s military envoy, I was pleased to be invited by Maj.-Gen. Eric Kenny, Canadian NORAD region commander, for the honorary colonel change of appointment ceremony at 1 Canadian Air Division on Aug. 12.

I would like to thank Barry Rempel for his many years of dedicated service as honorary colonel of 1 Canadian Air Division headquarters at 17 Wing. Barry was appointed the inaugural honorary colonel in 2012 and after nine years has passed the torch to Don Boitson.  

Both men have extensive knowledge and experience in the aviation industry and I am certain that Don, although he has big shoes to fill, will continue to promote and sustain the strong community support and connect Canadians with their Air Force in all parts of the country.

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Happy to serve as Manitoba’s new military envoy

I was pleased and honoured to accept the Premier’s appointment as manitoba’s Special Envoy for Military Affairs as Waverley MLA Jon Reyes moves into his new role as the Economic Development and Jobs Minister.

St. James-Assiniboia has a long and proud history with the Canadian Armed Forces in our community because of the 17 Wing Canadian Forces Base. We host and house many of Canada’s military personnel and certainly recognize their significant contributions to the province of Manitoba.

I have in the past participated in many 17 Wing events and commemorations and I look forward to this new opportunity to better understand the needs of our military personnel.

In my new role I will serve as the provincial government’s official point of contact for military members and their families, in both regular and reserve force units. I will liaise with the Canadian Armed Forces and Military Family Resource Centres to enhance provincially-delivered services to provide better outcomes for members of the military, their families and our veterans.

A roundup of St. James constituency news

I am so pleased to see that so many of my constituents have been getting their families vaccinated against COVID-19.  

The third wave of the pandemic has been very challenging but we have endured. I would like to sincerely thank all my constituents and Assiniboia businesses who have painstakingly followed the guidelines and health restrictions through the course of this unprecedented pandemic.

Presently, we have already exceeded the July 1st immunization target of 70 per cent aged 12 and older vaccinated with their first dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with their second doses. Well done.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our personal care homes for their due diligence in mitigating the spread of the virus and keeping our most vulnerable population as safe as possible.  

Budget 2021 offers important support, relief

I am pleased to highlight some of the very positive initiatives that our government presented in the last month’s 2021 provincial budget.

Let me first acknowledge the dedication and commitment to the people of Manitoba that our finance minister continues to display.  I had the pleasure of working with Kirkfield Park MLA Scott Fielding as Legislative assistant for Finance and I am always impressed with the expertise our government of Manitoba can depend upon within the Finance department.  

The first priority of Budget 2021 is to continue to protect Manitobans through the ongoing pandemic. The second priority is to advance jobs and economic recovery as we put COVID-19 behind us. This budget is designed to continue to create comfort and security for the people of Manitoba.

In Assiniboia, with our significant seniors’ population, these increased expenditures will continue to help the needs of those Manitobans who have supported and built this great province. This government has announced an additional $9 million investment that will add more than 120 personal care home beds and $50 million to speed up wait times for surgeries such as hip and knee replacements.

Education bill addresses inconsistencies

The Manitoba government was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019. One of its platforms was to address education reforms and as part of that initiative created the Manitoba Education Review Commission.

The commission was made up of members from various backgrounds and was tasked to assess all aspects of the existing Manitoba education structure. As part of the commission’s review, it called for public input as well as opinions and observations of Manitoba stakeholders.

The government received the commission’s recommendations and developed a long-term strategy for the future of Manitoba education resulting in Bill 64.

After reviewing the recommendations and study of education in Manitoba, our government took the position that one of the challenges of Manitoba education was an inconsistency in delivery of education.

Generosity abounds in our community

The St. James-Assiniboia area is filled with individuals, organizations and businesses who, despite their own financial hardships, are generously giving back to our community.

The Grace Hospital Foundation has received donations of food, refreshments, sweet treats, gifts, flowers and cards of thanks for the dedicated work of our frontline health care workers. I would like to thank all the contributors, who have made a difference in the lives of so many in our community.

Our most challenged business sector has been the hospitality industry. To their credit, many restaurants, hotels, and food providers have risen to help our community.  I have maintained a regular rapport with Jon Einarson, the executive director of the Grace Hospital Foundation and it is so humbling to hear of so many businesses helping others when they themselves are challenged.  

I would like to recognize just some of those in the hospitality industry who have been so supportive of frontline workers at the Grace Hospital — Little Goat Restaurant, Silver Heights Restaurant, D’Jays Restaurant, Pad Thai Restaurant, Cottage Bakery and Café, The Westhaven Retirement Community, Mr. Perogie, Olympia Diner, Chicken Chef and Red Bull.

Remembering, restrictions and a new office

As the former MLA for St. James it was my honour to lay a wreath for the Manitoba Government at the

Bruce Park Cenotaph from 2016 to 2018.  As the current MLA for the Assiniboia, I was honoured, along with my colleague, Kirkfield Park MLA Scott Fielding, to lay a Government of Manitoba wreath at the Anavets service in 2019.  

Owing to COVID-19 restrictions these Remembrance Day services were cancelled this year.

In speaking with many of my constituents I know how dedicated and committed they are to recognizing our veterans as well as supporting our military. Many brave women and men died for our country so that we as Canadians can have a better life. We owe it to them to survive and prosper. We will never forget their service to country.

A way forward and a fond farewell

On Oct. 7,  Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon delivered the speech from the throne, opening the third session of the 42nd legislature.

The speech put forward a focused agenda with the goal of creating a more secure Manitoba both during and after the pandemic.

The Protecting Manitobans Agenda outlines five guaranteed commitments:

• Protecting health care — Ensuring funding and resources from across governments are dedicated first and foremost to health-care needs;