Legislative agenda affects Wolseley families

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/03/2021 (791 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

March 2021 was our first month back in session at the Legislature this year and there’s already lots going on. It’s very important to me to keep our community informed about this government’s legislative agenda because many of the bills the Pallister government has brought forward will impact the lives of people living in Wolseley.

I know all Manitoba families are concerned about their children’s education. In March, the Pallister government released its K-12 education report along with Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act. This bill is going to dissolve school divisions and consolidate decision-making power with the Pallister government.

This is concerning as it is school divisions, not the province, which took the lead in keeping our kids safe and continuing their learning during COVID-19. The pandemic has shown that we need local leadership in order for students to thrive but this new plan is heading in the opposite direction.

Wolseley residents also very concerned about Bill 57, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Act. Bill 57 gives the government power to levy significant fines against Manitobans who choose to protest in areas deemed “critical infrastructure” by the provincial government, which includes grocery stores, personal care homes, banks, and even the Manitoba Legislature. This is an unconstitutional attack on Manitobans’ freedom of assembly and an attempt to silence Indigenous land protectors and climate activists – that’s why we’ve committed to delay Bill 57 from becoming law.

The Pallister government has also introduced Bill 47, the Early Learning and Child Care Act. Child care is an essential service and we’ve been reminded during COVID-19 just how important high-quality, affordable child care is for children, their families, and our community. Bill 47 will increase fees for parents and is going to make it easier for public money to be funneled to for-profit childcare centres.

The bill also fails to mention school-aged children – which has us and parents worried that their programming won’t be regulated. Affordable childcare is a must for parents who want to return to work – we can’t rebuild our economy without it.

This is only a sampling of the bills the Pallister government has brought forward that will impact Wolseley families.

You can find a complete list of bills online and if you would like to exercise your right to present at a Standing Committee and voice your concerns, call 204-945-3636 and register your name.

We all have to continue working together to support each other and push back against the Pallister government’s cuts.

Please reach out to my office anytime:  204-792-2773 or lisa.naylor@yourmanitoba.ca

Lisa Naylor
Wolseley constituency report

Lisa Naylor is the NDP MLA for Wolseley.

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