Dishwasher Tyler takes his MLA to work

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2021 (1469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month, I recently had the pleasure of joining Tyler at Little Goat Food and Drink (2615 Portage Ave.) for Take Your MLA to Work Day.

Tyler is a dishwasher there and he is really good at what he does, as confirmed by the people he works with. I was reminded of my days washing dishes at Brothers Restaurant on Portage Avenue in my youth and how fast-paced it can get!

Thanks to Oly Backstrom and Krish Sadanandan from SCE Lifeworks, to chef Alex Svenne for the conversation and tour, and to Tyler who showed us how the job gets done (and done well) with a positive attitude.

With the support of SCE Lifeworks, the significant contributions made by Manitobans with disabilities in inclusive workforces continues to grow — a good thing for our community.

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On Nov. 11, it was my honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the province with colleague Scott Johnston at Remembrance Day ceremonies at Anavets Assiniboia No. 283.

This year, representatives of Indigenous Veterans Manitoba were also present for the service, and I look forward to their continued involvement. Despite the event being somewhat smaller than in previous years, it was good to connect in person to remember those who fought for our freedom.

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If you get a chance to visit the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, jump on it.

I was fortunate to get a sneak peak at this world-class facility prior to its March 2022 opening thanks to a tour organized by Kristi Meek and the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce.

Featuring 22 aircraft and a rich selection of artifacts and galleries that highlight Manitoba’s stories and contributions to aviation history, this unique venue is a wonderful addition to our city. I am looking forward to the official opening of this space in the coming year; special thanks to Terry Slobodian (president and CEO) for the tour.

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On Nov. 23, our government opened a new legislative session with the throne speech outlining the agenda for the year ahead. Some of the highlights included:

• 400 new nurse training positions with a practical nursing program for up to 20 students in the north;
•  A renewed strategy to help seniors stay in their homes longer;
•  Increased investments in education and training;
• A plan to tackle homelessness this winter.

You can review the entire speech from the throne at www.gov.mb.ca/thronespeech/index.html

As we are head into Christmas, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!