Terry Duguid

Hockey for hope at Canada Life Centre

The University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team hosted the Ukrainian men’s national under-25 team at Canada Life Centre last month. They played a game to raise money for humanitarian aid for those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine, and to help resettle Ukrainian refugees.

The importance of Orange Shirt Day

On Sept. 30, Canada observed its second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Canada Summer Jobs provide opportunities

For over 30 years, the Canada Summer Jobs Program has been helping young people across Canada find jobs that prepare them with the skills and experience they need to enter the workforce.

Celebrating Canada Day in Winnipeg South

After two years of virtual celebrations for Canada Day during the COVID-19 pandemic, Manitobans were excited to gather in-person again for neighbourhood parties, backyard barbecues, and fireworks shows.

Summer market returns to Dakota CC

Mark your calendars because the family-favourite summer market is returning this year at the Dakota Community Centre.

The success of the summer market over the last two years was overwhelming, so the Dakota Community Centre has decided it will be hosting this summer kick-off event once again. The market features a variety of local vendors, including local arts and crafts businesses, food trucks, and live music.

You can find the market at the fieldhouse lot right beside the Dakota Community Centre on June 16 and 30, July 14 and 28, and August 11 and 25. Make sure to check the Dakota Community Centre website or Facebook page before attending because these dates are subject to change. Market hours are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This year, look out for vendors selling home-made woodworking, candles, jewelry, glassworks and decorations, bannock pastries, jams, jellies, and more. Local artisans, musicians, and food vendors all come together to create a fun-filled day for the whole family.

In praise of St. Norbert Art Centre

I encourage all Manitobans who are interested in experiencing local arts and culture to visit the St. Norbert Arts Centre this summer.

It is a multi-use space, located on the La Salle River in St. Norbert, that serves as a hub for artists to work and showcase their art through public exhibitions. Its goal is to help local artists reach a broader audience while engaging with the community in meaningful ways. The top two floors of the three-storey building provide housing for artists and other tenants, while the main floor is available to be rented out to the public for weddings, art exhibitions, and more.

After two long years of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAC is beginning to restart its programming, events, and make improvements to its property. This summer, you can head to the SNAC to watch local concerts, take a tour of the grounds, experience local art exhibitions, or take part in its athletic programs and guided meditations.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with the president of SNAC, Deborah Giesbrecht, and board chairperson Naomi Gerrard, as they showed me around. They told me about their upcoming programs and upgrades that they are planning for the summer.

Local students tackle three-minute-theses

Three students from Winnipeg South made it to the finals of the University of Manitoba’s 10th annual Three-Minute-Thesis competition.

The competition gives graduate-level students a chance to present their research for the opportunity to participate in the western regional competition. The catch is that contestants need to condense months, or sometimes years, of research into a short, concise presentation. The students must grab the attention of the panel of judges and communicate their complex ideas effectively — not an easy task in three minutes.

This year I was excited to see that three of the 12 finalists in the U of M’s competition are from my home riding.

Chitra Sivakumar is a PhD student in the biosystems engineering program at the U of M. Her presentation looked at how we can incorporate pulse flour into our diets. This flour is made from legumes such as peas, lentils, and beans, and it is more eco-friendly, nutritious, and less expensive than all-purpose flour. Chitra’s research will improve the milling process to make pulse flour accessible for every pantry.

Celebrating women and girls in STEM

The world needs more women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of listening to a wide diversity of perspectives in scientific research. We have seen women in Winnipeg and around the world stepping up as leaders in health-care fields and in research into COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

In my home riding of Winnipeg South, I am proud to see that women and girls are being encouraged to enter STEM fields. The faculties of science and engineering at the University of Manitoba have traditionally been male-dominated but young women are increasingly filling these classrooms each year.

We should celebrate trailblazing women and organizations in Winnipeg that pave the way for more woman and girls to enter STEM fields from a young age.

Local community centres offer plenty of activity

The winter months can often be a difficult time for families with young children. The recent wave of cold temperatures in Winnipeg, along with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, are making it challenging for families to stay active and engaged.

One great resource we are privileged to have throughout Winnipeg South is our community centres — many of which continue to provide a wide array of activities and events for people of all ages.

On the east side of the Red River, Greendell Park Community Centre and Dakota Community Centre continue to serve the residents of the South St. Vital, Greendell and River Park South neighbourhoods.

Both community centres provide a wide array of sports programs for youth and physical activities for seniors, as well as playing host to tournaments and events. Importantly, they have carefully considered the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and have worked hard to ensure all can enjoy their facilities while remaining safe and distanced.

Local community centres offer plenty of activity

The winter months can often be difficult time for families with young children. The recent wave of cold temperatures in Winnipeg, along with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, are making it challenging for families to stay active and engaged. One great resource we are privileged to have throughout Winnipeg South is our community centres — many of which continue to provide a wide array of activities and events for people of all ages. On the east side of the Red River, Greendell Park Community Centre and Dakota Community Centre continue to serve the residents of the South St. Vital, Greendell and River Park South neighbourhoods. Both community centres provide a wide array of sports programs for youth and physical activities for seniors, as well as  playing host to tournaments and events. Importantly, they have carefully considered the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and have worked hard to ensure all can enjoy their facilities while remaining safe and distanced. On the west side of the Red River, the Whyte Ridge Community Centre, South Winnipeg Community Centre and St. Norbert Community Centre provide services for residents in the growing neighbourhoods of Fort Richmond, Richmond West, University Heights, St. Norbert, Bridgwater, Whyte Ridge and South Pointe. Similarly, they offer sports programming and activities for families, with certain restrictions in place to keep everyone safe. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my excitement about the establishment of the new South Winnipeg Recreation Campus. Through collaboration and support from all three levels of government, we announced that we were moving forward with this greatly needed recreation complex which will provide many services and programs to the fastest growing part of our city. Our community centres serve as an excellent resource and hub for families to enjoy physical activity and get to know their neighbours.  Just last month, I had the privilege of attending a wonderful cultural diversity event hosted by the Whyte Ridge Community Centre and Pembina Active Living 55-plus. It was incredible to see the wide array of cultural performances and food on display, and to experience all the different traditions that exist within in our community. We are so privileged in Winnipeg South to be able to live together with neighbours from different walks of life and backgrounds, and to learn about cultures from around the world. This winter, I hope you’ll take advantage of all that our community centres in Winnipeg South have to offer. 

The winter months can often be difficult time for families with young children. The recent wave of cold temperatures in Winnipeg, along with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, are making it challenging for families to stay active and engaged. 

One great resource we are privileged to have throughout Winnipeg South is our community centres — many of which continue to provide a wide array of activities and events for people of all ages. 

On the east side of the Red River, Greendell Park Community Centre and Dakota Community Centre continue to serve the residents of the South St. Vital, Greendell and River Park South neighbourhoods. 

Passionate climate leaders at Fort Richmond

A few weeks ago, I visited Fort Richmond Collegiate, where students and teachers involved with the school’s Earth Club organized a climate rally, focused on raising awareness and encouraging everyone to get serious about tackling climate change. 

I was blown away by the number of students who gave up their lunch hours to join the rally. They held up posters, chanted and spoke to me and other elected officials about what we need to do to protect our environment. They asked nuanced and thought-provoking questions about climate change — leaving me both impressed and hopeful about our future. 

Climate change is the most significant long-term threat to our planet. It affects everything from the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the water and land that we live on. The droughts in Manitoba this past summer should be proof enough that we need climate action now to prevent the devastating harm that will continue to occur.

Strong action must come from all three levels of government. At the federal level, we’ve adopted a price on pollution, invested over $25 billion in making public transit more accessible, advanced a ban on single-use plastics, and introduced legislation that will enshrine Canadians’ right to a healthy environment.

Passionate climate leaders at Fort Richmond

A few weeks ago, I visited Fort Richmond Collegiate, where students and teachers involved with the school’s Earth Club organized a climate rally, focused on raising awareness and encouraging everyone to get serious about tackling climate change.  

I was blown away by the number of students who gave up their lunch hours to join the rally. They held up posters, chanted and spoke to me and other elected officials about what we need to do to protect our environment. They asked nuanced and thought-provoking questions about climate change — leaving me both impressed and hopeful about our future.  

Climate change is the most significant long-term threat to our planet. It affects everything from the air we breathe, to the food we eat, to the water and land that we live on. The droughts in Manitoba this past summer should be proof enough that we need climate action now to prevent the devastating harm that will continue to occur.

Strong action must come from all three levels of government. At the federal level, we’ve adopted a price on pollution, invested over $25 billion in making public transit more accessible, advanced a ban on single-use plastics, and introduced legislation that will enshrine Canadians’ right to a healthy environment.

Thanks for your support – let’s move forward

With the election campaign now behind us, I want to express my sincere thanks to the residents of Winnipeg South for re-electing me as your member of Parliament. It is truly an honour to represent this growing and dynamic community.

Over the last several weeks, my team and I have had the privilege of speaking with thousands of constituents. Whether it was at your doorstep or over the phone, I appreciated the frank conversations we had about the issues that matter to you.  

For many Winnipeg South residents, finishing the fight against COVID-19 and protecting our health care system continues to be a top priority.

Our government has committed to do this by procuring enough vaccines to provide boosters to vulnerable groups, and by moving forward with mandatory vaccinations for travel.

PM thanks nurses at Victoria Hospital

Over the past year, health-care workers have been the true heroes of our community. They have worked long hours, under tremendously difficult conditions, and have borne the brunt of an unforgiving COVID-19 pandemic.

On top of dealing with the struggles and losses of the pandemic at hospitals and clinics, they have had to worry about the health and safety of their own families at home.

Last month, the prime minister and I met with some of the nurses working at Victoria General Hospital. They shared their personal experiences of being on the front lines and managing the worst hospital outbreak in Manitoba. Some described harrowing experiences of holding a dying patient’s hand, when grieving families were unable to be there during their last moments. Others had to console elderly patients who were frightened by health-care workers dressed in gowns, masks and face shields. Some nurses became infected with COVID-19 themselves.  

Their stories were incredibly moving as they described the uncertainties of the early days of the pandemic - as hospitals attempted to rapidly acquire personal protective gear, set up testing and manage the large inflow of patients.

Restoring the health of Lake Winnipeg

Lake Winnipeg is Canada’s sixth-largest lake, the world’s 11th-largest freshwater lake, and its watershed is the second largest in our country.

The lake is a vital source of livelihoods to the many commercial fishers that operate on its waters, the majority of whom are Indigenous. Tourism in the watershed generates millions to the Manitoba economy and employs thousands of Manitobans.

Like many of you, I’m passionate about taking strong action to protect Lake Winnipeg. Recently, concerns have grown over its health as climate instability and other challenges such as algae blooms and the excessive flow of nutrients, like phosphorus, have deteriorated its water quality.

The management of freshwater issues is an important and shared responsibility for all levels of government. Significant efforts, investments and collaboration are required to solve the most pressing issues we face with this incredibly important resource.

Henteleff Park a jewel of our area

Henteleff Park is a natural greenspace in our community that runs along the eastern bank of the Red River in St. Vital and is home to over 150 different species of songbirds, plants, fish and wildlife.

The park was originally homesteaded by the Henteleff family, who immigrated to Canada in 1924 and bought the 40 acres, where they established a market garden.

The family began selling their produce from a small stand on St. Mary’s Road and became the first Jewish market gardeners in Western Canada.

Their years spent building their garden operation were filled with challenges overcome by hard work, and dedication to building a better life for their family. The Henteleff family’s rich history reflects the openness, diversity and promise of Canada, and resonates with the many families who have immigrated to Winnipeg and chosen our community as their home.