Stronger schools, stronger futures

Radisson

Growing up, I saw firsthand how much a strong school community shapes a young person’s future. These spaces, where young Manitobans learn, build friendships, and discover who they are, matter. For families today, access to quality schools and affordable child-care can make all the difference in whether they feel supported and are able to thrive.

That’s why I’m so proud our government is building a new 800 student capacity kindergarten to Grade 8 school in Devonshire Park, complete with 74 infant and preschool child-care spaces. As northeast Winnipeg continues to grow, the need for strong educational spaces becomes more urgent each year.

I often hear from parents who are doing everything they can to balance work, caregiving, and the rising pressures families are facing right now. Many have shared how difficult it can be navigating childcare waitlists or worrying about overcrowded schools as neighbourhoods continue expanding. Families deserve to know their concerns are being heard and acted on.

What excites me most about this announcement is the opportunity it creates for young Manitobans to learn and grow close to home. The River East Transcona School Division has experienced significant enrolment growth over the past several years, reflecting how many young families are choosing to build their lives in our communities. This new school will help respond to that growth while creating a space where students can feel supported, connected, and inspired as they learn.

Alongside this new school announcement, our government is continuing to expand childcare across Manitoba by adding 2,315 new child-care spaces this year while supporting higher wages for early childhood educators and childcare assistants. These educators do incredible work every single day, helping young Manitobans feel safe, valued, and supported. Investing in them is investing in our future too.

As your MLA for Radisson, I think a lot about the kind of province young people are growing up in and the opportunities they will have ahead of them. Every child deserves the chance to succeed regardless of their postal code, their background, or the challenges their family may be facing.

I truly believe that when we support young people and families, we build stronger and more connected communities for everyone. There is still more work ahead, but this announcement is an exciting step forward for Devonshire Park and for families across northeast Winnipeg.

If you have ideas, questions, or concerns about education and childcare in our community, I would love to hear from you. You can contact my office at 204-599-2080 or by email at jelynn@yourmanitoba.ca

Together, we can continue building communities where every young person feels supported, empowered, and hopeful about their future.