Bill 225–The Public Schools Amendment Act (Universal Screening for Learning Disabilities) is progressing!

I am happy to be able to share that Bill 225 is continuing to move through the legislative process and had a committee date on Oct. 8. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated!

The bill itself is a matter of equity, opportunity and social justice. It is about doing more to ensure that children do not continue to fall through the cracks in our education system.

Several years ago, it was shared with me how, for decades, Manitoba has struggled with literacy outcomes. I’ve since done a deep dive on the issue and according to reports and stakeholders, there is a literacy crisis here in Manitoba. Sadly, only 40 per cent of students are reading at grade level, and for Indigenous students, the numbers are even lower.

Happy Fall everyone!

As your Minister of Health — and as a former full-time nurse — I carry your stories with me. When we launched our listening tour in late 2023, we promised to act and report back. I’m happy to report that while there’s still much more work to do, we’ve made real progress that’s making a difference for Manitobans.

We’ve hired a net new 3,400 healthcare workers. That includes 285 doctors, over 1,100 nurses and over 400 allied healthcare professionals. Last year, we hired a record number of doctors and were not slowing down. We’ve opened four new extended hours clinics in Winnipeg, including one at the Misericordia Hospital, which is serving thousands of Union Station constituents.

Last fall, we made prescription birth control free, covering about 60 methods, so cost is no longer a barrier, and you have the freedom to choose what works best for your body. Well over 120,000 women have benefited from this life-changing investment. This spring, we expanded coverage to include copper IUDs and emergency contraceptives, eliminating upfront costs that could reach $600. And we’ve made menopause care better for women and those who need it by making HRT free as part of our Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program. These changes are real steps toward equity, giving women and families the security to plan their futures with confidence and more affordability.

With the return of Parliament for the fall session, I remain committed to representing you and advocating for the people of Winnipeg West. I am pleased to share some of the important progress we are making locally and across Canada to improve the lives of families in our community.

Our government is taking decisive steps to tackle the housing crisis. We have launched Build Canada Homes, a federal agency designed to accelerate the development of affordable housing. By working closely with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private partners, this agency is streamlining approvals, providing incentives, and helping homes get built more quickly and affordably.

In Winnipeg West, the Naawi-Oodena project, located between Tuxedo and River Heights, is set to create approximately 2,100 new homes, with 20 percent of these units dedicated to affordable housing. The first phase is currently underway which will deliver up to 1,200 homes. This initiative will open doors for many families seeking safe and affordable places to live.

Strong, vibrant communities depend on spaces where families can come together, stay active, and foster meaningful connections. The newly redeveloped playground at John Steel Park in Westwood has officially opened with support from federal investment. The playground includes a fully accessible ramped play structure, independent play equipment, and swings, providing a welcoming and safe environment for children and families to enjoy.