All the best of the season to you and yours

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/12/2020 (897 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Heather and I hope that this will find you and your loved ones in good health. We want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your support and encouragement over the last year. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity to serve as your elected official.

To everyone who cast a vote for me, thank you for your trust and faith. I remain committed to serving my community and city to the best of my ability.

I’d like to take a moment to thank you for caring and understanding as we all navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19. I want to say to those who may have uncharacteristically expressed frustration or anger towards others at times that you’re forgiven. It’s stressful and frightening for many of us.

To frontline workers, grocery clerks, delivery drivers, everyone, thank you for what you’re doing to help. I can’t imagine the difficulty provincial public health officials face every day.

I often think of the famous speech from the movie Any Given Sunday:

“In either the game of life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half-step too late or too early and you don’t quite make it. One half-second too slow or too fast, and you don’t quite catch it.”

I imagine this is what health officials consider daily. Are we doing enough or not enough? It must be challenging. Each day I’m thankful for the work of chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin and all the members of his team.

2020 has been a challenging year, one that will leave lasting impacts. Our city faces challenges, division, and as leaders, we have a responsibility to address the critical issues.

We have to find ways to increase accountability and find efficiencies in the public service. We need to work as partners with the business, not for profit, and arts communities to grow our local economy and build a solid foundation for our young people. I am optimistic about Winnipeg’s future, and the truth is, I’m excited. Our city has great potential.

Those are some of the reasons I agreed to put my name on a ballot. When I did, I made commitments to you. I committed to ask tough questions and hold people accountable. I remain committed to that and making Winnipeg better.

Heather and I wish that all your hopes and desires come true this holiday season. May the season’s magic make all your dreams real.

Please keep healthy and safe.